University Studies Program Sequential Requirements
All Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ students take a sequence of University Studies courses designed to provide a challenging development through the first three years of study at Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ. The sequential courses IN140, EN181, EN281, IN250, IN251, and IN350 form a common learning experience for undergraduate students at Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ. Three learning threads are introduced and developed through the sequential requirements: (1) ethical reasoning, (2) reflection, and (3) intensive writing.
The first year courses emphasize ethical reasoning and academic inquiry along with related skills necessary for academic success, including critical writing, reading, research, reflection, and communication.
In the second year, all Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ students take IN250 United States Cultural Studies and IN251 United States Structural Studies. Taught by faculty from across the disciplines, all students engage in ethical reasoning, writing, and reflection skills as they relate to the study of the diversity of cultures, institutions, and social structures in the United States.
In the third year, we challenge all Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ students to examine, reason, reflect, and write about global issues through IN350, which is taught by faculty from a variety of disciplines.
The sequential University Studies requirements deliberately challenge students to prepare for academic success, to understand our own country’s multicultural realities and to make connections to the international global society of the contemporary world. The sequence introduces and reinforces key skills necessary for success and provides students with various models for ways of knowing and for inquiry into broader and more important questions that may arise within or beyond the major’s area of expertise. All along the way, students are asked to perform their learning through engagement in activities characteristic of democratic citizens in a global environment. Such performance provides the foundation necessary for students to actively engage in civic duties now and beyond.
IN140. University Seminar (3)
First semester freshman year: This course is an introduction to academic inquiry at the college level. Seminar topics vary across sections. Each section engages students in critical and ethical reasoning, includes a service learning component, and addresses specific orientation topics.
EN181. University Writing (3)
Intermediate Writing Practicum builds on students’ existing knowledge of writing situations as they further develop their identities and abilities as writers. This course emphasizes the rhetorical, situated nature of writing and requires students to consider the needs of real audiences as they critique existing texts and compose their own texts in a variety of genres and modes. Students will study and intensively practice all aspects of the writing process including invention, research, drafting, revision, and reflection. Must be completed with a C or better.
EN281. Writing in the Disciplines (3)
Advanced Writing Practicum requires the advanced study and practice of writing, emphasizing writing as a means of thinking, a form of inquiry and research, and a method of communication. This course enables students to further develop their abilities to address the discursive conventions of genres in and beyond their disciplines through research and practice with a variety of rhetorical situations. Students will develop and carry out a semester-long, intensive research and writing project. Must be completed with a C or better.
IN250. United States Cultural Studies (3)
Sophomore year. United States Cultural Studies courses explore the diversity of cultures in the United States, including historical perspectives that inform contemporary understandings of diversity issues. Culture refers to learned systems of meanings, and their representations, that people use to interact with the world around them, including language, values, beliefs, norms, traditions, customs, history, art, and artifacts. Students will build on their introduction to ethical thinking by considering ethical and social justice issues and their responsibilities for democratic citizenship. These courses include a significant research component, are writing intensive, and require exploration of primary sources (e.g., texts, scholarly research, music, artifacts, etc.)..). Pre-requisite: Sophomore standing.
IN251. United States Structural Studies (3)
Sophomore year. United States Structural Studies courses explore the diversity of groups and institutions in the United States, including historical perspectives that inform contemporary understandings of diversity issues. Social structures refers to generally stable patterns of interactions, from the smallest units found in individual social relationships, through larger economic, political and social institutions in societies, to worldwide systems of relationships among nations. Students will build on their introduction to ethical thinking by considering ethical and social justice issues and their responsibilities for democratic citizenship. These courses include a significant research component, are writing intensive, and require exploration of primary sources (e.g., texts, scholarly research, music, artifacts, etc.)..). Pre-requisite: Sophomore standing.
IN350. Global Issues (3)
Junior year. Global Issues courses, taken during the junior year, explore a topic of global importance. Students will continue to develop their understanding of democratic citizenship with an intense focus on a particular issue of global importance and associated ethical and social justice issues. These courses include a significant research component, are writing intensive, and require exploration of primary sources (e.g., texts, music, artifacts, etc.). Prerequisite: Junior standing.