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ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
World Perspectives 2 courses (6 credits) Courses: All students must complete two of the following designated courses with a global perspective. Choose one Western and one Non-Western, or two Non-Westerns. Western Fsat 230 Poli 236 Poli 242 Poli 303 Soc 442 Soc342 Sust 105
SA: World Perspectives World Politics Comparative Politics of Europe Geopolitics Global Issues Human Needs & Global Problems Introduction to Sustainability Studies
Non-Western (defined as Africa, Asia, Far & Middle East and Pacific Rim) Anth 109 World Geography Anth 112/ World Cultures Soc 112 Arab 125 Arab & Islamic Culture Asia 125 Asian Cultures Fren 126 Francophone Cultures Fsat 210 SA: Non-Western World Perspectives Fsat 230 SA: World Perspectives Hist 291 History of the Modern Middle East Poli 241 Comparative Politics: Asia Poli 244 Comparative Politics: Global Balkans Rlst 330 Hinduism Rlst 285 World Religions Rlst 360 Buddhism Rlst 370 Islam Interdisciplinary Course (4 CREDITS) All incoming freshmen must complete one four credit interdisciplinary course. Topics vary from year to year and specific options can be found in the current schedule. Idst 110
ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
In virtue of the intellectual demands both of the Core Curriculum and the Major program of study, Mercyhurst does not recommend that students “double-major.” This stipulated, Mercyhurst recognizes that occasionally some students wish to major in two departments. Such an academic program is extremely challenging, since the student is expected to take significant additional coursework while meeting the rigorous academic standards of two departments. Although in general Mercyhurst does not recommend that students double-major, Mercyhurst recognizes that such a program can be quite rewarding for some students. The requirements for a double-major are: • Approval/signatures of appropriate Department Chair(s) and School Dean(s) • Students working toward a double-major are expected to develop expertise in two distinct areas of study, each of which has its own intellectual history, unique content, and methods of inquiry. Students will be expected to meet all major requirements for each department. Normally, double-majors will be in non-cognate fields. • However, some students may choose to double-major in closely related fields In this case, students will be required to take ten courses in each field, with the possibility of two courses over lapping. (Double-majors with more than ten courses in each major may have a higher number of overlapping courses.) In some cases, this minimum course requirement for each major will mean that students will have to take departmental courses or independent studies in addition to the listed requirements in one or the other discipline in order to establish the uniqueness of each intellectual discipline and to assure the intellectual integrity of major and double-major.
MINOR PROGRAM
Students often find that a minor area of specialization adds considerably to their educational program. While choosing a minor is not required, Mercyhurst recommends that at most only one minor be selected in addition to the major. The primary rationale for this policy recommendation is time. An undergraduate student is not expected to learn everything, but to develop patterns of study, which will assure lifelong learning.
CONTRACT MAJOR/MINOR
Interdisciplinary Course
NOTES: Eng 098 and Math 099 courses are not part of the Core Curriculum. Although they earn college credits, these credits do not count toward graduation. A course cannot count for more than one core requirement. SCIENCE LAB COURSES Laboratory credits assigned to science courses are treated as follows (effective Fall Term 2007): • Grades earned in these courses are calculated in the GPA and the credit is posted on the transcript. • The lab is worth one credit, which counts towards the 120-credit graduation requirement. • Students pay a $130 lab fee. • Students may purchase up to two academic credits for Science Labs taken prior to fall 2007. The purchase of credit form is available in the Registrar’s Office (106 Main).
MAJORS AND DOUBLE MAJORS
In addition to the breadth of learning that occurs in Mercyhurst’s Core Curriculum, students are expected to choose one area of study that meets their intellectual interests and career needs. This is the student’s Major, a specific field of study with its particular scope, content, and methods. Upon graduation in a specific major, students are presumed to have a command of the intellectual history of the discipline, knowledge of contemporary issues and problems in that discipline, and the repertoire of methods and approaches needed for creative contributions to that discipline.
Students who wish to develop a major or minor program not currently listed in the College Catalog may elect to put together an individualized contract major or minor. With the help and advice of at least two full-time faculty members, a student can choose offerings from several disciplines which meet a unique set of objectives or prepare him or her for a specialized job or career. Such a major or minor must not duplicate all, or even a substantial portion of, an existing program. Contract Majors will typically be titled as a Multi-Disciplinary major with two concentration areas. All contract majors will be Bachelor of Arts degrees. The final decision about the major or minor rests with the Office for Academic Affairs. Student eligibility for the contract major or minor option is determined as follows: 1. Students who have completed a minimum of 30 credit hours with a GPA of 2.80 or better may elect a contract major or minor. 2. Students who at the completion of 60 credit hours have maintained a GPA of 2.50 or better may elect a contract major or minor. 3. Students who have completed more than 60 credit hours or who are beyond the first term of their junior year are not eligible for a contract major. 4. Students who have completed more than 90 credit hours or who are beyond the first term of their senior year are not eligible for a contract major or minor. Students who are approved for a contract major or minor will be required to meet the graduation requirements stated in the current College Catalog.
2010-2011 Mercyhurst College Course Catalog • www.mercyhurst.edu