The Academic Program

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It is possible to earn a bachelor of arts degree at Albertson with a major chosen from a variety of fields. If preferred, students who major in the natural sciences (biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics) or in physical education may be awarded a bachelor of science degree instead of a bachelor of arts degree.  Although a student may have more than one major, it is not possible to earn a bachelor of arts and a bachelor of science simultaneously.

The Liberal Arts Education

The purpose of the liberal arts education is to provide students with the means to secure that body of knowledge and those ways of knowing that are necessary to live a life of freedom: a life in which they are able to seek out truth about the world, human society, and a meaningful life, and to make responsible choices.

To this end, the course of study at Albertson College has three components:

• the General Graduation Requirements,
• the major (and optional minor),
• and electives.

In fulfilling the General Graduation Requirements, students are introduced to the liberal arts, which are fundamental to all ways of knowing and will help students understand the relationships of the various disciplines of human knowing, their goals, methods, strengths and limitations.

In fulfilling the requirements of a major (and a minor if the student so chooses) students become more thoroughly acquainted with one branch of knowledge, either a specific discipline or an interdisciplinary grouping. While one purpose of the major is often to prepare students for more advanced study in the field or for a career, the major also deepens students’ understanding of all branches of human knowing by their learning more completely to master one.

Finally, in choosing courses as electives students are encouraged to augment their main course of study and further explore ways of knowing outside it.

The following should be completed in the first three years insofar as possible. These are minimum requirements.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Candidates for graduation in spring or summer of any year must make formal application in the Office of the Registrar not later than November of the preceding year. Candidates for graduation in fall or winter must make formal application no later than May preceding their graduation. Candidates for graduation under dual-degree programs must make formal application not later than October of their junior year.

GENERAL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Students may qualify for graduation under the General Graduation Requirements of any year in which they are regularly enrolled, provided the catalog listing the requirements went into effect not more than six years prior to the year of graduation.  Courses which fulfill the expectations of the General Graduation Requirements, as described herein, will be allowed to satisfy more than one General Graduation Requirement.  Credit units remain the same.

Foundations of Knowing

Certain disciplines within the liberal arts are fundamental to all ways of knowing.  Courses that fulfill these requirements should be taken as early in the student’s career at Albertson College as possible.

WRITING
(3 to 5 credits)

COLLEGE COMPOSITION
To prepare students to write effectively in a variety of academic settings. Courses meeting this requirement:

• ENG 100.1 Basic First Year Composition – 3 credits 
• ENG 101 Writing the First Year Experience – 3 credits
• WRI 150 Finding a Voice – 2 credits

MATHEMATICS
(3 credits)

To introduce mathematical methodologies used in structuring, analyzing, and interpreting the world. Unless specified in the description, any course in the mathematics department will count toward or fulfill this requirement.

CULTURE AND CIVILIZATION

CIVILIZATION
(6 credits)

To convey essential knowledge of the historic dimensions of human culture, society and politics.  Students must take one course covering premodern civilization and one dealing with modern civilization.  The courses meeting this requirement:

• Premodern Civilization
  • HIS 101 The History of Western Civilization –    Ancient
  • HIS 102 The History of Western Civilization – Medieval
  • HIS 105 The History of World Civilization - Premodern
• Modern Civilization
  • HIS 103 The History of Western Civilization – Modern
  • HIS 106 The History of World Civilization - Modern

CULTURAL DIVERSITY
(3 credits)

To prepare students to understand, critically appreciate, and respect culturally diverse thought and action. Courses fulfilling this requirement are those that include a primary focus (with appropriate historical background) on a contemporary non-Western culture or cultural expression, a contemporary cultural minority in the United States, or the dynamics of socially defined difference within a contemporary culture, or are modern foreign language courses with a cultural component.  Courses fulfilling this requirement carry the designation  (CULTURAL DIVERSITY) at the end of the course description.

Disciplines of Knowing

The other liberal arts may be organized by specific areas of study and methodology of knowing. Students should fulfill these requirements in their first three years of study at Albertson College.

NATURE

NATURAL SCIENCES
(7 credits, from two different disciplines and including one laboratory course)

To develop an appreciation of the natural world and an understanding of the value, uses, power, and limitations of scientific inquiry. Unless specified in the description, courses in the biology, chemistry, and physics and geology departments will count toward or fulfill this requirement.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION
(2 credits, from two different activities)

To develop the skills, knowledge and appreciation needed to pursue physical activities as a lifetime participant. The courses that meet this requirement:

• PHE100 Varsity Athletics
  (open only to those who qualify for intercollegiate athletic teams)
• PHE150
  Examples: Ballet, Social Dance, Aerobic Dance, Badminton, Body Conditioning, Golf, Skiing.

SOCIETY

Social Sciences
(6 credits, from two different disciplines)

To introduce social science theories and methodologies needed to understand and analyze human society. Unless specified in the course description, all courses listed in the departments of anthropology/sociology, politics and economics, and psychology may be counted toward this requirement. No history courses will count toward fulfillment of this requirement.

MEANING AND VALUES

FINE ARTS
(5 credits from at least two different disciplines; one course must be a "theory" course.)

To enhance the understanding and appreciation for the creative experience. Unless specified in the course description, all studio courses, ensembles, and applied lessons listed in the departments of Art, Music and Theatre will count toward fulfillment of this requirement. The courses fulfilling the "theory" requirement are designated (FINE ARTS THEORY).

HUMANITIES
Choose two (3 credit) designated courses from two of the three following disciplines: literature, philosophy and religion.

• Literature (3 credits)
  To introduce and explore the powers and limits of language as a medium for representing experience. Unless specified in the course description, any upper-division literature course listed in the modern foreign languages department and 200-level courses designated as (LITERATURE) in the English department meet this requirement. 
• Philosophy (3 credits)
  To address fundamental questions of meaning and value through the elements of the critical, rational examination of belief and introduce major figures of Western thought. The courses listed below fulfill this requirement:
• PHI202 Introduction to Philosophy: The Good Life
• PHI202 Introduction to Philosophy: Science & the Environment
• PHI310 Ancient Philosophy
• PHI311 Modern Philosophy
• RELIGION (3 credits)
  To develop a critical appreciation and understanding of religious experience and expression, including the biblical heritage of Western Civilization. The courses listed below fulfill this requirement:
  • REL100      Introduction to Religious Studies
  • REL111      Old Testament Introduction
  • REL112      New Testament Introduction
  • REL199T.2 Religion & Film
  • REL251      Theology and the Sciences
  • REL313      Life and Teachings of Jesus
  • REL315      Christian Theology
  • REL364      Judaism and Islam

TOTAL MINIMUM SEMESTER CREDITS

124 passed.

UPPER-DIVISION COURSE WORK.

Forty (40) credits in courses numbered 300-499.

A MAJOR FIELD OF STUDY

See departmental requirements.

NOTE: Departments may require transfer students to complete an approved amount of course work (ordinarily at least one-fourth of the requirements) at Albertson before majors can be certified.

INDEPENDENT WORK

Some type of independent work at the upper-division level. Honors study and courses designated by departments, some internships and independent studies meet this requirement. Also see independent study and/or internship regulations.

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

1. A grade-point average of 2.00 (a) in the Albertson record and (b) in the entire undergraduate record.
2. A grade-point average of 2.00 in the major field (a) in the Albertson record and (b) in the entire undergraduate record.
3. If the student graduates with a minor, a grade-point average of 2.00 in the minor field (a) in the Albertson record and (b) in the entire undergraduate record.

For purposes of calculating grade-point averages, only those courses which are applicable to the Albertson degree are considered.

RESIDENCE COURSES

30 credit minimum. These credits must be earned in courses taken on the Albertson College campus. Ordinarily the student must earn this credit after attaining senior standing (90 credits). Dual-degree candidates in pre-engineering must earn this credit after they have attained junior standing (60 credits). For students who want to take advantage of a special educational opportunity away from the campus during their senior year, the Vice President for Academic Affairs may waive the requirement that this credit be earned after attaining senior standing.

DEPARTMENTAL RESTRICTION

No more than 50 credits in any one department may be counted toward the required minimum of 124 credits (a minimum of 74 credits outside any one department is required).

OTHER CREDIT LIMITATIONS

• 8 credits each may be counted in activity courses in debate, music, physical education, theatre or POE 399 (Model United Nations).
• 18 credits of P grades may be counted. (See Pass-Fail regulations.)
• 12 credits may be counted in correspondence and extension courses. Note: Students wanting assurance that such courses will be acceptable upon transfer or will fulfill college requirements should consult the registrar in advance. Seniors should note possible conflict with the residence requirement.
• 62 credits (93 quarter credits) from all junior college work may be counted.
• Credit by examination. Albertson does not grant credit by examination or for prerequisites met by challenge, prior experience or instructor permission.
• Double use of courses. With the approval of the departments concerned, a student may use a course to fulfill the requirements of more than one major. A student may use a cross-referenced course to fulfill major requirements.