The First-Year Writing Seminars (FYWS) are offered by different departments across the curriculum and fulfill the first component of the F2 Requirement.

Director of College Writing: Rebecca Finlayson, Department of English

151. First-Year Writing Seminar.

Fall, Spring. Credits 4.

Degree Requirement: F2s.

A course that develops the ability to read and think critically, to employ discussion and writing as a means of exploring and refining ideas, and to express those ideas in effective prose. Individual sections of the course will explore different topics in reading, discussion, and writing. Topics are selected by individual professors and are designed to help students develop transferable skills of analysis and argumentation, applicable to the various disciplines of the liberal arts and sciences. Several papers will be required, at least one of which will involve use of the library and proper documentation. The seminar will emphasize successive stages of the writing process, including prewriting, drafting, and revision, and will provide feedback from classmates and the instructor. Students may not take both FYWS 151 and FYWS 155.

155. First-Year Writing Seminar: Daily Themes.

Fall, Spring. Credits 4.

Degree Requirement: F2s.

An alternative to FYWS 151 offered to outstanding first-year writers, by invitation from the Director of College Writing. The course is limited to 12 students who meet as a class once a week and individually with the instructor or in small groups with the Writing Fellow once a week. Students will turn in 4 one-page themes each week. Some research will be required, and students will use their daily themes as the basis for two longer papers: one at mid term and the other at the end of the semester. Students may not take both FYWS 151 and FYWS 155.

The Life program and the Search program described below offer alternative ways to fulfill the F1 Requirement in the College’s Foundation requirements.

Staff:
Thomas Bremer, Department of Religious Studies
Patrick Gray, Department of Religious Studies 
Stephen R. Haynes, Department of Religious Studies
Kendra G. Hotz, Department of Religious Studies 
John C. Kaltner, Department of Religious Studies
Steven L. McKenzie, Department of Religious Studies
Bernadette McNary-Zak, Department of Religious Studies
Susan Satterfield, Department of Ancient Mediterranean Studies
David Sick, Department of Ancient Mediterranean Studies

In the first two courses of the Life: Then and Now program, the student is introduced to the major methodological approaches to the study of religion represented in the “Life” curriculum. The student selects the last course from a range of courses that apply these specific methodological approaches to different aspects of religion. Fuller course descriptions may be found in the departmental listings.

101-102. Biblical Texts and Contexts: Selected Topics.

Fall, Spring. Credits: 4 (per semester).

Degree Requirements: Life Then and Now, F1; F2i (RS 102 only)

This two-course sequence of selected topics enables students to develop critical knowledge of biblical texts and post-biblical traditions by helping them understand how these works and their histories of reception inform interpretive contexts. Students will acquire skills in critical thinking, analysis, reading, and writing that will equip them to recognize the relevance of the academic study of biblical texts and religion. Selected works from the biblical writings and affiliated literature will be discussed within the framework of topics that will allow students to explore their own and others’ operative assumptions about meaning and values.

Religious Studies 101-102 is a prerequisite for 200-level courses in the Religious Studies Department. Humanities 101-102 can substitute for this prerequisite.

Final Courses.

The concluding courses in the “Life” curriculum allow the student to focus in particular areas of the study of religion or philosophy. See the departmental listings under “Religious Studies,” “Philosophy,” and “Ancient Mediterranean Studies” for specific courses in the Life curriculum.

Staff:

Geoffrey Bakewell, Department of Ancient Mediterranean Studies
Gordon Bigelow, Department of English
Elizabeth Bridges, Department of Modern Languages and Literatures

Miriam G. Clinton, Department of Art and Art History
Daniel E. Cullen, Department of Philosophy

Sarah Ifft Decker, Department of History

Erin Dolgoy, Department of Philosophy and Department of Politics and Law
Scott Garner, Department of Ancient Mediterranean Studies
Patrick Gray, Department of Religious Studies
Judith P. Haas, Department of English
Stephen R. Haynes, Department of Religious Studies
Timothy Huebner, Department of History
Joseph Jansen, Department of Ancient Mediterranean Studies
Jonathan Judaken, Department of History
Ariel Lopez, Department of Ancient Mediterranean Studies
Laura Loth, Department of Modern Languages and Lituratures
David Mason, Media Studies Program
Bernadette McNary-Zak, Department of Religious Studies
Kenneth S. Morrell, Department of Ancient Mediterranean Studies
Vanessa Rogers, Department of Music

Sarah Rollens, Department of Religious Studies
Eric Sampson, Department of Philosophy

Susan Satterfield, Department of Ancient Mediterranean Studies
David H. Sick, Department of Ancient Mediterranean Studies
Rebecca Tuvel, Department of Philosophy
Stephen H. Wirls, Department of Philosophy

Humanities 101-102-201. The Search for Values in the Light of Western History and Religion.

Fall-Spring-Fall. Credits: 4-4-4.

Degree Requirements: F1.

The “Search” curriculum is a three-semester sequence of Humanities courses that focuses on major works that have formed the western tradition. In a small, seminar setting, Search students and faculty engage in sustained examination of vital questions arising from an individual’s relationships to the natural world, human society, and the products of human culture.  We approach these questions by interrogating central texts within, and written in contestation of, western intellectual traditions, including Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.  Students read the Hebrew Bible, the New Testament, and the Qur'an in conjunction with other selected works from the ancient and medieval worlds. The texts we study over the course of our three semesters speak directly to each other, often radically critiquing the traditions out of which they emerge.  In Search, we critically examine the assumptions that emerge from these disputed traditions, assumptions that underlie cultures and institutions in the modern world.  Throughout, we stress the skills that are central to the whole curriculum (careful reading, analytical writing, critical thinking and discussion), and we equip students to enter into a lively and lifelong conversation of ideas.  

HUM 101 and 102

The first semester of Search focuses on the ancient world and follows the history and literature of the Israelites and the Greeks.  Texts include the ancient Sumerian Epic of Gilgamesh, the Hebrew Bible, and the selected works of Homer, Thucydides, Plato, and Aristotle.  The second semester of Search covers literature from the Hellenistic period to the Middle Ages.  Texts include Virgil’s Aeneid, the New Testament, the Qur’an, and Dante’s Divine Comedy. During the first year of the course, all Search colloquia follow a common syllabus; every 2-3 weeks, all Search students meet for a plenary lecture delivered by one of the Search faculty.

HUM 201

The third semester of Search pursues the questions raised in the first year as they play out in the modern world. Students trace the roles of biblical and classical heritages in the shaping of the values, character, and institutions of Western culture and its understanding of self and world. Different sections follow different themes and disciplinary focuses determined by the instructor.

Prerequisites: Humanities 101 is a prerequisite for Humanities 102. Humanities 102 is a prerequisite for Humanities 201. These prerequisites may be satisfied alternatively by the permission of the instructor.

Students interested in interdisciplinary study are encouraged to consider interdisciplinary majors. The following interdisciplinary majors have been approved by the Faculty, and the required courses have been defined as listed below. Students who wish to declare any of these established interdisciplinary majors may do so by filing the normal Declaration of Major form with the Office of the Registrar. Any deviation from the program of study outlined in the description must be approved by the chairpersons of the departments involved.

1. Required Mathematics and Computer Science courses (24 credits):
   1. Math 122 (Integral Calculus) + 251 (Differential Equations)
   2. Math 211 (Intro Statistical Methods & Applications)
   3. CS 141 (Computer Science I: Programming Fundamentals)
   4. Math 214 (Discrete Math Modeling with Biological Applications)
   5. Math 315 (Continuous Math Modeling with Biological Applications)
2. Required Biology courses (14 credits) :
   1. Biology 130, 131L, 140, 141L (Intro Bio Sequence)
   2. One of the following courses:
      1. Biology 200 + 201L (Evolution)
      2. Biology 304 + 304L (Genetics)
      3. Biology 305 + 305L (Population Genomics)
      4. Biology 315 + 315L (Ecology)
      5. Biology 316 + 316L (Freshwater Ecology)
      6. Biology 348 + 348L (Wildlife Biology)
3. Math Electives (8 credits): Select 2 courses from the following list in consultation with the advisor (at least one at the 300 or 400 level):
   1. Math 201 (Transition to Advanced Math)
   2. Math 223 (Multivariable Calculus)
   3. Math 261 (Linear Algebra)
   4. Math 305 (Probability & Simulation)
   5. Math 311 (Probability Theory)
   6. Math 312 (Math Statistics)
   7. Math 314 (Agent-Based Modeling)
   8. Math 321 (Real Analysis)
   9. Math 324 (Vector and Advanced Calculus)
   10. Math 352 (Partial Differential Equations)
   11. Math 465 (Special Topics when appropriate)
   12. CS 142 (Computer Science II: Object-Oriented Programming)
   13. Math 451-452 (Math Research), total of 4 credits
4. Biology Electives (14 credits): Select 3 courses from the following list in consultation with the advisor (2 must have a lab):
   1. Biology courses at the 200 or 300 level [Biology 307 (Cell Biology) may combine with BMB 310 (Methods in Cell Biology and Biochemistry) to satisfy a lab elective]
   2. Chemistry 315 (Biochemistry) [may combine with BMB 310 (Methods in Cell Biology and Biochemistry) to satisfy a lab elective]
   3. Chemistry 416 (Mechanisms of Drug Action)
   4. Neuroscience 270 (Neuroscience) [may combine with Neuroscience 350 (Neuroscience Research Methods) to satisfy a lab elective]
5. Senior Research (4 credits): 
   Normally, students will have two advisors: one who advises the mathematical component of their senior research and one who advises the biological component of their research. Each student will take four credits of seminar, one credit in the spring of their junior year, and three credits in their senior year (all in one semester or divided between fall and spring semesters).  Students may petition to substitute Math 451/452 or participation in Research Fellowships/St. Jude Summer Plus program for two terms before junior spring semester for credit for Math 386. See the Math Chair for more details.
   1. Math 386 (Junior Sem) or Math 451/452
   2. Math 485, 486 (Senior Seminar)
6. Recommended Courses:
   1. If considering grad school in Ecology it is strongly recommended that students take Bio 315, CS 142, and Math 311.
   2. If considering grad school in Mathematics, Biomathematics, or Mathematical Ecology it is strongly recommended that students take Math 201, 261, and 321.
   3. Students should consider Bio 214, or EnvS 160 as a means of fulfilling their F-11 requirement.
   4. Physics 111 + 113L (Fundamentals in Physics I) as appropriate to career goals
   5. Some classes that may be of interest:
   6. Economics 407 (Game Theory)
   7. History 105 (Special Topics: Disease & Epidemics) F2i, F3
   8. History 270 (Global Environmental History) F3, F11
   9. History 307 (Nature & War) F3
   10. International Studies 340, 341 (Global Ecopolitics, Comparative Ecopolitics) F8
   11. Philosophy 230 (Environmental Ethics)
   12. Philosophy 303 (Medical Ethics) F1

A total of sixty-two (62) credits as follows:

       1.  Economics 100 Introduction to Economics, 201 Intermediate Microeconomics, 202 Intermediate Macroeconomics, 290 Statistical Analysis for Economics and Business, 420 Econometrics, 486 Senior Seminar in Economics.

       2.  Business 241 Financial Accounting, 243 Managerial Accounting, 351 Corporate Financial Management, 361 Management of Organizations, 371 Marketing Management, 486 Senior Seminar in Business. 

       3.  Four credits from:

             a.  ECON 250: Readings in Economics

             b.  ECON 265: Topics in Economics

             c.  ECON 305: Public Economics

             d. ECON 308: Industrial Organization

             e.  ECON 310: International Trade and Policy

             f.  ECON 311: International Financial Economics

             g.  ECON 312: Economic Development

             h.  ECON 317: Money and Banking

             i.  ECON 318: Economics of Crime and Corruption

             j.  ECON 323: Classical and Marxian Political Economy

             k.  ECON 331: Labor Economics

             l.   ECON 338: European Economic History

             m.  ECON 339: U.S. Economic History

             n.  ECON 343: Family Economics

             o.  ECON 345: Economics of Sports

             p.  ECON 349: Environmental and Natural Resource Economics

             q.  ECON 357: Economics of Risk, Uncertainty, and Information

             r.  ECON 377: Economics of Education

             s.  ECON 407: Game Theory

             t.  ECON 412: Data Management and Analysis (new course added last year)

             u.  ECON 440: Advanced Econometrics

             v.  ECON 465: Advanced Topics in Economics

       4.  One course from each of two of the following areas:

             a.  Accounting: Business  341 Intermediate Accounting I

             b.  Finance: Business 452 Cases in Managerial Finance, 454 International Financial Management/Financial Analytics.

             c.  Management: Business 463 International Management, 466 Personnel and Human Resource Management, 467 Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace

             d.  Marketing: Business 472 Marketing Analytics and Metrics , 473 International Marketing, 474 Services Marketing.

             e.  Other: Business 481 Business Ethics and Social Responsibility, 483 Advanced International Business Cases, 484 Social Impact of Business in South Africa   

      5.  Math 115 Applied Calculus, 116 Calculus with Business Applications or 122 Integral Calculus

       6.  Recommended: Mathematics 107 Linear Methods; Philosophy 225 Justice, Equality, and Liberty; Media Studies 240 Public Speaking, Computer Science 141 Programming Fundamentals, 142 Object-Oriented Programming, Business 460 Internship, Economics 460 Internship.

A total of 15-16 courses (60-64 credits) as follows:

1. Economics 100, 201, 202, 290, 310, 312; either Economics 486 or International Studies 485.
2. Economics 407 or 420.
3. International Studies 110, 120, 300, and three additional courses at 200-level or above. At least one 4-credit course should be selected from Area A - Global Leadership, and at least one 4-credit course should be selected from Area B - Regional Leadership.
4. Mathematics 115, 116 or 122.
5. An appropriate foreign language through completion of the second year (202) or demonstrated proficiency through the 202 level as indicated by an appropriate proficiency test.

A total of 12-13 courses (48-52 credits) as follows:

1.  HIST 300.

2.  Two History courses at the 300 or 400 level.

3.  International Studies 110, 120, 270, 300.

4.  Economics 100.

5.  A total of three additional courses, including at least one from History and at least one from International Studies.  Students must choose one of the following concentrations:

a.  Africa/Middle East:  HIST 105 (WHEN COURSE TOPIC IS FOCUSED ON THE GEOGRAPHICAL REGION), HIST 271, HIST 272, HIST 275, HIST 276, HIST 277, INTS 243, INTS 244, INTS 245, INTS 251, INTS 252, INTS 253, INTS 254.

b.  Asia:  HIST 105 (WHEN COURSE TOPIC IS FOCUSED ON THE GEOGRAPHICAL REGION), HIST 281, HIST 282, HIST 283, HIST 287, HIST 288, HIST 293, HIST 294, INTS 260, INTS 261, INTS 262, INTS 263, INTS 264, INTS 395.

c.  Europe:  HIST 105 (WHEN COURSE TOPIC IS FOCUSED ON THE GEOGRAPHICAL REGION), HIST 212, HIST 213, HIST 214, HIST 215, HIST 216, HIST 217, HIST 225, HIST 226, HIST 229, INTS 280, INTS 281, INTS 282, INTS 283, INTS 284, INTS 285.

d.  Global/Comparative:  HIST 105 (WHEN COURSE TOPIC IS FOCUSED ON THE GEOGRAPHICAL REGION), HIST 207, HIST 209, HIST 224, INTS 220, INTS 221, INTS 256, INTS 310, INTS 311, INTS 330, INTS 332, INTS 334, INTS 336, INTS 340, INTS 341, INTS 371, INTS 372, INTS 373, INTS 374, INTS 420, INTS 421, INTS 422, INTS 451, INTS 452.

e.  Latin America:  HIST 105 (WHEN COURSE TOPIC IS FOCUSED ON THE GEOGRAPHICAL REGION), HIST 261, HIST 262, HIST 267, INTS 273, INTS 274.

6.  International Studies 485.  Senior paper to be written under the direction of one faculty member from each department. The senior paper should pertain to the student’s concentration.

7.  An appropriate foreign language through completion of the second year (202) or demonstrated proficiency through the 202 level as indicated by an appropriate proficiency test.

Qualified students wishing to pursue Honors can do so by fulfilling the requirements of the interdisciplinary major and of the Honors Tutorial in either department.

A total of 14 courses (56 credits) as follows:

1. Economics 100, 201, 202, 290, 407, 420.
2. One course from Economics 305, 308, 310, 331, 343, 357, 412, 440.
3. Mathematics 122, 201, 223, 251, 261.
4. Mathematics 311 or 321.
5. Economics 486 or Mathematics 485 and 486. Senior projects must have a faculty reader from both departments. The final presentation of the senior project must be made in the Senior Seminars of both departments. Students taking Math 485 and 486 are encouraged to take Math 386 (Junior Seminar) in the spring semester of their junior year.

Qualified students wishing to pursue Honors can do so by fulfilling the requirements of the interdisciplinary major and of the Honors Tutorial in either department.

Mathematics and economics majors seeking admission to graduate programs in economics, operations research, statistics, or mathematical finance are advised to also take Mathematics 312, Mathematics 431, Computer Science 141, Computer Science 142, and possibly Business 351.

A total of 16 courses (64 credits) as follows:

1. Music Courses (6 courses, 8 performance credits = Two (2) 4-credit courses):  
     a. Theory & Musicianship:
   • MUSC 204: Understanding Musicianship [F5]*
   • Two (2) 300-level music theory courses (306-313)  
     *If placement test determines this course is redundant, choose three 300-level music theory courses.

           b. History & Literature: One (1) course from:  
               MUSC 227: Western Art Music I [F3] OR MUSC 228: Western Art Music II [F3]  

           c. Performance:  
               Four (4) semesters of large ensembles (MUSC 181-184, 190-194 = 1 credit each)  
               Four (4) semesters of applied lessons (MUSC 160-180 = 1 credit each)  

           d. Electives: Two (2) 4-credit courses

                1. One (1) music cognition/therapy topic course (MUSC 140-149 or MUSC 340-349)  
                2. Other courses should be selected from the following recommended list: MUSC 103, 117-119, 130, 222, 227-228, 306, 310, or 414

NOTE: Fine Arts Scholarship waivers for Applied Music fees are outlined in the award letter which supersedes music major and minor fee waivers.

   2. Psychology Courses (7 courses):  
          a. Foundational Psychology Courses:  
                     PSYC 150: Foundational Issues in Psychology [F8]  
                     PSYC 200: Research Methods and Statistics (Sophomore year)  
                     PSYC 211: Statistical Methods [F6] (Sophomore year)  
          b. Perception: PSYC 216  
          c. Advanced Research Methods: One (1) course from PSYC 350-353 (Junior year)  
          d. Two other courses chosen from one concentration:              

               Cognition:  
                         PSYC 306: Language and Communication  
                         PSYC 327: Cognitive Processes  
                         PSYC 345: Cognitive Neuroscience  
                         PSYC 451-452: Research Practicum (4 credits)  
                         NEURO 270: Neuroscience  
                         NEURO 318: Neuroscience of Brain Disorders  

               Applied:  
                         PSYC 220: Psychology of Health  
                         PSYC 222: Educational Psychology  
                         PSYC 224: Psychological Disorders  
                         PSYC 229: Developmental Psychology: Infant and Childhood [F11]  
                         PSYC 230: Adolescent Development  
                         PSYC 311: Counseling Psychology  
                         PSYC 326: Learning and Motivation

   3. Senior Experience (4 credits)

Either MUSC 485-486 or PSYC 485 as recommended by advisor and topic availability. The culminating Senior Seminar research project is required to integrate the fields of Music and Psychology.

A total of 14-15 courses (56-60 credits) as follows:

1. International Studies: 110, 120, 300, and three additional courses at 200-level or above. At least one 4-credit course should be selected from Area A - Global Leadership, and at least one 4-credit course should be selected from Area B - Regional Leadership.

2. Politics and Law: PLAW 151; PLAW 340 or 360; another 300 level course from among the following courses in American politics and policy (301, 305, 308, 318, 319, 320, 321, 330, 340, 360, 370); one of the following courses in political theory (212, 214, 218, 230, 314); one additional course at the 200 level or above. (PLAW 262,263, 264, do not count toward the Political Science and International Studies Interdisciplinary major.)

3. Economics 100 or International Studies 311.

4. International Studies 270 or PLAW 270.

5. International Studies 485 or PLAW 485.

6. An appropriate foreign language through completion of the second year (202) or demonstrated proficiency through the 202 level as indicated by an appropriate proficiency test.

A total of 14 courses (56 credits) as follows:

1. Russian 201, 202, 301, 302.

2. One of the following: Russian 205, Russian 285, Russian 410, History 229, or another elective course on Russia or USSR (subject to the approval of the Russian Studies Program Director).

3. International Studies 110, 120, 270, 300, and two additional courses at 200-level or above. At least one 4-credit course should be selected from Area A - Global Leadership, and at least one 4-credit course should be selected from Area B - Regional Leadership.

4. Economics 100 or International Studies 311.

5. International Studies 485.

The option of a self-designed interdisciplinary major is available for those students whose academic goals may best be achieved by combining and integrating the work of two or more academic departments. Like the College’s other interdisciplinary programs, the self-designed interdisciplinary major exists to provide an appropriate structure for programs of study that do not fit within the bounds of existing departments and require an interdisciplinary approach.

The majors currently offered by the College’s academic departments and interdisciplinary programs are carefully designed and rigorously reviewed by the faculty for intellectual depth and coherence. Students who wish to propose a self-designed course of study should expect that their proposals will be held to the same standards. The self-designed interdisciplinary major petition process therefore requires a significant amount of time and reflection. Students wishing to pursue this option will work closely with their advising faculty in the relevant departments to construct their proposal and to see their study through to completion.

Students who wish to pursue a self-designed interdisciplinary major must complete the required “Declaration of Interdisciplinary Major” form. In completing that form, students should follow the steps below in order to meet the rigorous criteria for the proposed program of study.

1. Consult with faculty members in the departments that will be combined in the major to determine the feasibility of the interdisciplinary major. Consultation with the Registrar is also recommended in order to secure an understanding of the approval procedure.
2. Prepare, in consultation with those faculty members and departments, a petition requesting the College Faculty’s approval of the interdisciplinary major. This petition is addressed to the Chairperson of the Faculty Educational Program Committee. The petition must contain the following items:
   1. An essay that articulates the student’s rationale for the interdisciplinary major. Simply explaining how courses in different departments are related is not a sufficient rationale. The rationale must specifically explain why the academic goals of the self-designed major cannot be achieved through a combination of majors and minor(s). The petitioner must demonstrate that only by integrating work in the departments can those academic goals be realized. The importance of this essay cannot be overemphasized. It is not only a statement of the student’s reasons for choosing the proposed interdisciplinary major, but also a philosophical and practical statement of (i) how the new major meets the same rigorous standards as the College’s already-existing majors, (ii) how the proposed course-plan will include truly “interdisciplinary” study, (iii) how, if there are similar programs or majors at other comparable institutions, the proposed plan for interdisciplinary study compares to those.
   2. The Declaration of Interdisciplinary Major, including a complete listing of courses that comprise the interdisciplinary major, with numbers, titles, and dates when the courses are to be taken. Though it is customary that the number of courses in each department will be fewer than what is expected of a major in that department, it is essential that substantial advanced work is done in each department. The proposed program of study must include a complete description of how the “interdisciplinary” senior experience will be structured. It must be clear how the departments involved in the major will be integrated into the senior seminar, seminars, or capstone experience. Any self-designed capstone experience should be explained in detail and should be comparable in content, rigor, and methodology to the capstone experiences for existing majors.
3. The Declaration of Interdisciplinary Major must be endorsed in writing by the chairpersons of the concerned departments. This endorsement must include a detailed assessment of the student’s rationale and of the student’s ability to undertake and complete successfully the work projected in the petition. The departmental endorsements should also specify who will serve as the principal faculty advisor for the student. If the student’s petition includes coursework or other projects outside of the participating departments’ normal course offerings, the chairpersons should also note their awareness of those elements of the proposal and give assurances that those or comparable opportunities will be available for the student.
4. The entire Declaration of Interdisciplinary Major with the completed petition is submitted to the Registrar for review before it is sent to the Education Program Committee for a full review and final determination. Incomplete Declarations will be returned to the student without review.
5. Interdisciplinary majors must be declared and receive approval no later than midterm of the spring semester of the junior year. It is expected that work on the petition, interviews with faculty, and consultation with the Registrar should begin as early as possible, but will take place no later than the fall semester of the junior year. The student who submits an interdisciplinary major petition will have already declared a major by midterm of the spring semester of the sophomore year. If the interdisciplinary major can be worked out in time for the sophomore year deadline for declaring a major, it should be submitted earlier.
6. Any proposed deviation from an approved interdisciplinary major must have departmental approvals and the approval of the Education Program Committee before changes are made in the course of study.