Curriculum

The liberal arts curriculum reflects the distinctive mission of Wilson College. Through requirements that bridge the sciences, humanities and social sciences, students develop effective written and oral communication skills, the power to reason critically and increased appreciation of cultural differences within the United States and between the U.S. and other countries.

Liberal Arts Curriculum (Overview)

I. Foundations

1. First-Year Seminar*
2. Writing Skills
3. Computer Skills
4. Quantitative Skills
5. Physical Activity and Wellness

II. Liberal Studies Requirements

Courses are required in the following categories:

1. Foreign Language and Culture

   At least six semester hours in the same foreign language or proficiency through the intermediate Level.

2. Writing-Intensive Courses
3. The Natural World

   Natural Sciences, Environmental Studies

4. Western Cultures and Societies

   Foundations of Western Cultures, History of Western Cultures, Contemporary U.S. Cultures

5. Studies in Cultural Diversity

   Women’s Studies, Cultural Diversity within the U.S., Non-Western Cultures

6. Modes of Inquiry and Expression

   The Arts, Literature and Ethics

III. Major Area of Study

1. Major
2. Minor (optional)
3. Synthesis of the Liberal Arts with the Major

Explanations

I. Foundations

1. First-Year Seminar

   Requirement: Required for all first-time students in the first semester of enrollment. Waived for Adult Degree Program and most transfer students.

   The First-Year Seminar informs students about the College’s Honor Principle, traditions, history and mission. FYS also promotes students’ identification of their academic and personal strengths, interests and areas for potential growth. Assignments emphasize the development of skills in writing, oral communication, library and database research methods, study skills, time management and critical thinking. Led by a faculty member and peer teacher, the course explores aspects of Wilson College life, examines issues that affect the transition to college and seeks to deepen the understanding of self.

2. Writing Skills

   Requirement: Students must complete one of the following: ENG 101, ENG 104 or ENG 108 .

   Based upon placement, students enroll in one of the following courses during their first semester of enrollment: English 101 Written Communication, English 104 EAP: English Composition in the Academic Environment, or English 108 College Writing. Students who enroll but do not complete English 101, 104, or 108 must enroll in the appropriate course during the first semester it is subsequently offered and continue to enroll in the appropriate course until the requirement is completed. A writing enrichment seminar that focuses on skill development is required of some students, depending on placement results.

   Students who complete ENG 101 or ENG 108 continue to develop their writing skills by taking at least three additional writing-intensive courses. Students who receive a score of 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement exam in English will take at least one writing-intensive course.

   All students who are placed in ENG 104: Writing at the College Level I are also required to complete ENG 106: Writing at the College Level II.

   Note: Students in ENG 106 who are visiting Wilson for a year are also allowed to enroll in other 100- and 200-level English, communications or writing-intensive courses. Three 100-level courses would be considered on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the adviser and instructor.

   Writing-intensive courses are designed to improve writing skills through writing instruction and substantial writing requirements in the context of a course in English or another discipline. Writing-intensive courses promote student understanding of the process of writing and the integration of writing and thinking. Students learn the importance of sustained evaluation and feedback from peers and instructors. Writing is also the means by which sophisticated ideas are developed, understood and communicated.

   Students are encouraged to complete the writing-intensive requirement by the end of the junior year. The writing-intensive courses may concurrently satisfy requirements in liberal studies or in the major field of study. 

3. Computer Skills

   Requirement: Students must successfully complete a computer science course, typically CS 110, CS 150, COM 130, or FA 120.

   Computer skills and knowledge have become a widely assumed aspect of economic and social interaction. Students must be prepared throughout their lives and careers to continually learn and develop their understanding of and ability to use computing technologies. This requirement provides a foundation for understanding current and emerging computer technologies, uses, trends and issues. Students develop knowledge of computer terms, technical concepts and basic operations while learning how to use a computer as a tool for practical applications.

   Full-time students are encouraged to complete the computer skills requirement no later than the fourth semester of enrollment. Part-time students are encouraged to complete the computer science requirement prior to 30 semester hours at Wilson College.

   Students who enroll in but do not successfully complete the foundations computer course must enroll in the appropriate course in the next semester it is offered and must continue to enroll until the requirement is passed.

4. Quantitative Skills

   Requirement: Successful completion of one quantitative skills course (PSY 115, MAT 101, MAT 103, MAT 115 or above) or placement above MAT 103.

   Additional quantitative skills courses may be required by the major or recommended for students interested in pursuing graduate or professional studies.

   It is vital for well-educated people to be comfortable with mathematics as a tool for describing and analyzing their environment. Wilson students are expected to demonstrate the ability to solve basic mathematical problems. Students learn to interpret and present numerical data in research settings or in everyday situations in which critical evaluation is required.

   Full-time students must begin the quantitative skills requirement by the end of their second semester of enrollment. Part-time students must begin the quantitative skills requirement prior to earning 27 semester hours at Wilson College.

   Students who enroll but do not complete the requirement must enroll in the appropriate course during the first semester it is subsequently offered, and continue to enroll in the appropriate course until the requirement is completed.

5. Physical Activity and Wellness

   Requirement: ESS 281 Health and Wellness and two semester hours of activity courses.

   Health and Wellness and the activity requirements are designed to help students develop lifelong strategies for overall wellness and physical fitness. As a liberal arts institution, Wilson College believes in the integration of mind, body and spirit. Opportunities for students to strengthen their capacity for physical, intellectual and creative pursuits are, therefore, provided through activity course offerings in dance, equitation and physical education.

   Academic credit is assigned to activity courses at the rate of one semester hour or two semester hours per semester. No more than six semester hours in activity courses – including the graduation requirement in physical education (ESS 281) – may be applied toward the 120 semester hours required for graduation. However, students may take as many activity courses as they wish for academic credit beyond the 120 semester hours required for graduation.

   Students with physical limitations may meet the physical education activity requirement by arranging a special program of modified activities (PE 100: Special Program). Physical education activity courses may be taken on a credit/no-credit basis.

Activity Course Offerings

II. Liberal Studies Requirements

The general requirements for categories A-E that follow are:

• Courses must be taken in at least six different disciplines.
• At least four of the courses must be at the 200 or above.
• Each requirement must be satisfied by a different course.
• Courses required by the major that are outside the primary discipline may be used to satisfy these requirements. Two courses in the primary field of study may be used to satisfy liberal studies requirements. Writing-intensive courses may be used to satisfy these requirements.

1. Foreign Language and Culture

   Requirement: Two courses in one foreign language or placement above the intermediate level.

   Additional foreign language courses may be required by the major or recommended for students interested in pursuing graduate or professional studies.

   Knowledge of and exposure to foreign languages and cultures are essential components of a liberal education. Preparation for leadership and service in a global society is not genuinely attainable without knowledge of the language and culture of the people with whom we interact, whether on an economic, political or social basis. Study in a foreign language promotes more global understanding, provides insight into ethnic diversity within the U.S., prepares students for work or study in a foreign setting and develops skills that may be useful or essential for certain careers or vocations.

2. Writing-Intensive Courses

   Requirement: Students must successfully complete at least nine semester hours in courses that are designated writing-intensive (WI)

3. The Natural World

   Requirement: Three courses (minimum of three semester hours each), at least one with a laboratory component* and at least one in each of the following categories:

   • Natural Sciences (NS)
   • Environmental Studies (ES)

     * The designation of a course as NSL or ESL indicates that it meets the requirement of a lab.

     Students explore the natural world with the aim of increasing scientific literacy. Students learn basic concepts and principles. They also achieve an understanding of the methods and limits of scientific discovery, and they are exposed to the history and philosophy of science. Relationships among science, technology and society are also considered. Courses are available in biology, chemistry, math, physics, behavioral sciences, and exercise and sport science.

     All students take at least one course in environmental studies from among several academic disciplines, such as economics, environmental studies, biology, English, religion studies or sociology.

4. Western Cultures and Societies

   Requirement: Three courses (minimum of three semester hours each), one in each of the following categories:

   • Foundations of Western Cultures (FWC)
   • History of Western Cultures (HWC)
   • Contemporary U.S. Culture and Institutions (CC)

     In order to function capably in a globally interdependent society, students benefit from an understanding of the institutions, histories and traditions of various cultures, including our own. Some of the courses in this category address the economic, political and social influences on U.S. culture and society, and promote student understanding of the ethnocentric nature and development of knowledge, ideas and experience.

     Pedagogical approaches encourage students to think critically in analyzing economic, social and political dimensions of contemporary conflicts and issues. In addition, in-depth understanding of contemporary issues should provide a foundation for social and civic responsibility and action.

     Certain courses in the classics, economics, history, historical treatments of art, literature, communications, philosophy, political science, psychology, religion studies and sociology satisfy these requirements.

5. Studies in Cultural Diversity

   Requirement: Three courses (minimum of three semester hours each), one in each of the following categories:

   • Women’s Studies (WS)
   • Cultural Diversity within the U.S. (CD)
   • Non-Western Cultures and Institutions (NWC)

     Studies in cultural diversity at Wilson College provide broad exposure to diversity, including different values and different ways of knowing. Students are exposed to perspectives and voices of populations historically excluded from academic discourse, such as women, racial and ethnic minorities, lesbians and gay men, the physically challenged and others who are disadvantaged and/or disempowered within our society.

     Students also learn about the social construction of gender as it interacts with class, race, age, sexual orientation and nationality in a variety of settings, cultures and times. Students explore and analyze the experiences of racial, ethnic and cultural diversities found among people living in the United States and develop an understanding of groups of people whose culture, language, literature and history are significantly different from the Western tradition.

6. Modes of Inquiry and Expression

   Requirement: Three courses (minimum of three semester hours each), one in each of the following categories:

   • The Arts (ART)
   • Literature (LIT)
   • Frontiers of Knowledge and Human Beliefs (ETH)

     Consistent with Wilson College’s mission as a liberal arts college, these courses broaden students’ exposure to knowledge, values and different ways of knowing. Students develop artistic expression through courses in dance, studio art, music and creative writing. Literature courses are available in the disciplines of English, religion studies, French and Spanish.

     Students explore the frontiers of knowledge and human beliefs through courses that emphasize thinking in a disciplined and reasoned way about questions of meaning, ethics and values. Courses that satisfy this requirement are offered in the disciplines of philosophy, religion studies, environmental studies, political science and communications. Appropriate courses that satisfy the formal thought requirement are available in fields such as computer programming, English, higher-level mathematics, music theory, philosophy and sociology.

III. Major Area of Study

1. Major

   Depth of knowledge in one of the student’s principal intellectual and professional interests is sought through the selection of a major in a single discipline or a major that combines two or more disciplines.

   • Single-discipline majors involve in-depth study in a specific academic discipline. Some include the option of a specific track within the major.
   • Combined majors integrate two interrelated or complementary disciplines (e.g., history and political science). Within some majors, areas of concentration permit in-depth study within a specific field of knowledge.
   • Special majors cover topics not ordinarily offered as a major at the College. Special majors are individually designed interdisciplinary majors composed of two or more related fields of knowledge. Students design special majors in consultation with faculty members from appropriate disciplines. The proposed major is subject to approval by the Committee on Academic Policy and Procedure.
   • Double majors may be pursued under some circumstances, although they may take longer than four years to complete. Students confer with academic advisers for each major and meet the major requirements of both major fields of study.
2. Minor (optional)

   Students may select one or more minors. The minors are designed to provide opportunities for in-depth study outside of the major field. In selecting a minor, students are encouraged to venture out into disciplines that are unrelated to their major field of study. Courses required by the major that are outside the primary discipline may be used to satisfy requirements for the minor.

3. Synthesis of the Liberal Arts with the Major

   Senior Experience

   The supervision and implementation of a senior experience resides within the major area. Students in many majors at Wilson complete a senior thesis, senior seminar or internship. These experiences bring together the student’s accomplishments and learning from within and outside the major. The senior experience may also be designed to assist students with the transition from the undergraduate experience to graduate school, professional school or a career.