Liberal Arts Schools for a swimming violinist

[TytoAlba]

A closer look at actual course offerings this semester alone shows that the Bible is studied, as well as other religious documents. I would say Olaf does a very good job at making all religions part of the conversation.

REL 121H: Bible in Culture and Community (2016-2017, Semester 1)

Abraham’s Children Daily news reports regarding violence between Jews, Christians, and Muslims make it difficult to remember that these religions share common roots. Yet, all three trace their lineage back to Abraham. This section explores the common roots of these religions by introducing students to the Bible and the Qur’an, and examining their parallel characters and narratives. At the same time, distinctive beliefs and practices of each religion that are grounded in scripture will be investigated to better understand what makes each religious tradition unique. In our pluralistic world, a basic understanding of the relationship between these three monotheistic religions may be more valuable now than ever before.

and another:

REL 254B: Theology in Comparative Perspective (2016-2017, Semester 2)

Comparative theology is the study and interpretation of one religion in conversation with the texts, symbols, and practices of other religious traditions. It aims to discover new theological insights from another or from one’s own tradition. This course explores the nature of comparative theology as a method of doing theology. Students read and assess seminal works of comparative theology from the traditions of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, and Islam. Counts toward religion major. Offered annually. Prerequisite: BTS-B.

both of these would cover your gen ed requirements.

[CrewDad]

REL 254B requires the prerequisite course BTS-B. Mnparent is correct that at least one of the classes must be specifically about the Christian bible.

St. Olaf College General Education Curriculum
Biblical and Theological Studies–Bible (BTS-B) Requirem

A course that introduces first-year students to dialogue between biblical traditions
and the cultures and communities related to them. Students study major biblical
texts and their interaction with theology, religious practice, ethics and social values,
while considering methods and fields in the study of religion in a liberal arts settinent

Students will demonstrate:

1. familiarity with the central narratives of the Bible.
2. familiarity with the diversity of types of writing in the Bible.
3. introductory knowledge of important methods and findings of the scholarly study
   of the Bible.
4. the ability to make informed judgments in reading and interpreting biblical texts.
5. an understanding of the ways in which biblical texts and the communities that
   read them influence one another.

http://wp.stolaf.edu/curriculum-committee/files/2013/12/BTS-B.pdf

[PiccoloMom1995]

If you’re willing to look at private universities, Emory University offers merit aid (with separate music scholarships for entering freshmen by audition), a strong swim team, and a full symphony orchestra. The orchestra director is a composer whose works are often premiered by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, many of whom teach on faculty. The Vega String Quartet in residence leads orchestra sectionals and chamber music coaching. The Schwartz Performing Arts Center is a regular stop for touring international artists.

Many students in the orchestra double major in music (BA program) and another discipline. The concertmaster and principal violin II chairs are loaned two Italian violins to play (worth $250K each) for the season.

[mamaedefamilia]

I had to laugh at @mnparentof3 's post because that was my liberal/feminist/atheist daughter’s take on St. Olaf. It’s all so “nice.” As in bland nice. However, a family friend is a liberal/feminist/atheist and she went to St. Olaf and had a great experience. D did some more research and ended up applying, despite some initial skepticism. She had a good interview and then met again with a regional representative who toured our area. The dance, music, and study abroad strengths were all pluses.

Our campus tour was very personalized. D is both dancer and musician and we saw facilities that apply to both.

If dance hadn’t been in the mix, Puget Sound and Lawrence would have warranted a more serious look.

[happy1]

As an aside, the OP has not been on CC since Oct. 10.

[liska21]

REL 254B requires the prerequisite course BTS-B. Mnparent is correct that at least one of the classes must be specifically about the Christian bible.

Here’s what that BTS-B requirement looks like in St Olaf’s Great Conversations program as a concrete example:
http://wp.stolaf.edu/great-conversation/courses/
The BTS-B requirement seems to be mostly fulfilled in the first year interim (the “1” in their 4-1-4 calendar). Here’s the first year in that program:

GC 113: The Tradition Beginning: The Greeks and the Hebrews
First Year, Semester I
Students contrast the world views of the ancient Greeks and Hebrews: Greek polytheism and the hero with the Hebrew notion of one God and the believer; Greek notions of civic community and earthly life with the Hebrew ideal of a religious covenant and historical destiny; Greek thoughts about beauty, war, peace, justice, politics, metaphysics, art, architecture, and drama with the prophetic stance toward the past and the future. Students read and discuss works by Homer, Sappho, Thucydides, Sophocles, Plato, Aristotle, the writers of the Hebrew scripture, and the artistry of the Parthenon. Offered annually in the Fall Semester.

GC 115: The Tradition Continuing: The Romans and the Christians
First Year, Interim
Students explore the Greek and Hebrew legacies in Roman society and in the New Testament, discussing various attempts to find personal fulfillment in political life, in stoicism and Epicureanism, and in the teachings of Christ and St. Paul. Students read works by Cicero, Horace, Virgil, Epictetus, the writers of Christian scripture and study the artistry of Roman sculpture. Prerequisite: Great Conversation 113. Offered during Interim.

GC 116: The Tradition Redefined: The Medieval Synthesis
First Year, Semester II
This course pursues the expansion of Christianity throughout the Roman world and the synthesis of Judeo-Christian and Greco-Roman thought in the early Middle Ages. Students consider the development of a unified world view as expressed in religious devotions, philosophy, literature, and art and in monasticism and feudalism in Church and Empire. Students discuss works by Augustine, Benedict, Hildegard of Bingen, Aquinas, Dante, Chaucer, and Christine de Pisan, medieval drama, and the artistry of Chartres Cathedral. Prerequisites: Great Conversation 113 and 115. Offered annually in the Spring Semester.

[Earthmama68]

Hey everyone, thanks for all the thoughts. I agree, St. Olaf the kids were really “nice” and more mainstream, than at other LACs we’ve visited (girls wear makeup for example). She’s happy to take religion classes, she finds them interesting. She’s been too busy to visit or interview this fall except a second visit to Skidmore, so we’ll just have to wing it. Skidmore violin teacher gave her an excellent sample lesson! I was VERY impressed.

[Earthmama68]

These 8 schools made the final cut: Bryn Mawr, College of Wooster, SUNY Geneseo, Sarah Lawrence, Skidmore, Smith, St. Olaf, and Vassar

[doschicos]

Nice list of schools! Wishing your daughter success!