Prelude is a seven-week course that each first-year Calvin student takes during the fall semester. Prelude's purpose is to provide a hospitable welcome for incoming students into the community and mission of Calvin College.

Using Calvin College's Expanded Statement of Mission, students are provided with with a rudimentary introduction to several important aspects of Calvin's reformed identity by offering a common intellectual experience and introducing a common vocabulary.

In many ways, the personal connections established among the 25 students in each Prelude section helps these small groups become something of a "home base" for new students during their first seven weeks at Calvin. Students participate in Prelude discussions and exercises with the same core group of students who were assigned to their Quest orientation group.

Prelude is a preparatory component for the core curriculum gateway class, Developing a Christian Mind (IDIS W50), a course that first-year students take during the January Interim. Prelude satisfies a Cross-Cultural Engagement (CCE) core requirement.

In addition to the particular objectives of each weekly class session, the course has the following over-arching goals.

1. In the Reformed tradition, to help students understand that all of life is captive to Christ and therefore, deserves examination by:
•  exploring students' perception of self, their context and their calling.
•  highlighting co-curricular opportunities at Calvin College.

2. To engage students in the Calvin academic community by:
•  introducing a common vocabulary of "Calvin" terms.
•  promoting verbal participation in small and large group discussion, critical thinking, reasoned reflection, and appropriate response.

3. To provide a community and peer connection for students by:
•  serving as a point of involvement and connection to the broader Calvin community.

• Week 1: Welcome
• Week 2: Community
• Week 3: Discipline
• Week 4: Compassion
• Week 5: Justice
• Week 6: Purpose
• Week 7: Final Exam