A. First-year Student Seminars
First-year seminars are thematic courses that approach an area of intellectual inquiry from a perspective that attempts to make connections among a number of the traditional disciplines. Normally, a first-year seminar has an enrollment of no more than 15 students for each faculty member in the seminar. The first-year seminars have an intensive writing component. All entering students register for one first-year seminar. The instructor of this seminar is the first-year faculty adviser for all the students enrolled in the course. Normally, first-year seminars do not satisfy departmental major requirements. Exceptions to this pattern are published in the catalog of first-year seminars.
B. Distribution Requirement
All students must complete two sets of distribution requirements:
(a) academic categories, and
(b) cultures and civilizations.
Courses that count toward the major and the minor may be used to satisfy distribution requirements. Winter term courses, first-year seminars, and College writing courses may also be used to satisfy distribution requirements.
Independent study courses do not qualify for distribution requirements.
Students must take at least one course in seven of eight academic categories described below. Single courses can be listed with two distribution categories. A student may count a single course in no more than one academic category requirement.
1. Academic Categories
a. Literature (LIT)
Literature has been a central form of expression for many societies. Analysis and appreciation of the literary text give students insight into the minds and lives of other human beings, both their own cultural predecessors and people of different traditions, and into the process whereby human experience is imaginatively transformed into art. By studying literature in English and in other languages, students also sharpen their ability to express their own ideas with grace and precision.
b. The Arts (ART)
The understanding of the history, theory, and practice of the arts is an integral part of a liberal arts education. Courses in this category either emphasize the creative process through the making and performing of actual works of art (ranging from paintings and sculptures to plays, dances, creative writing, film/video, and musical compositions) or study the place of such works of art within a particular historical, cultural, or aesthetic context.
c. Philosophical and Religious Studies (PHL)
Courses in this category examine philosophical systems and religious traditions from a variety of viewpoints, including analytical, systematic, historical, sociological, anthropological, and phenomenological perspectives. Some courses deal with specific philosophical problems or theological issues; others trace the history of philosophy or of religious traditions; still others examine philosophical schools of thought or religious traditions during specific periods of history.
d. Historical Studies (HIS)
History is that branch of knowledge that seeks to account for the diverse ways in which human beings in different cultures and societies have all met and responded to temporal change. Courses in this area study the development of societies and cultures over time.
e. Physical and Life Sciences (SCI)
Courses in this category study inductive and deductive processes of science. Emphasis is on the methods used to gather, interpret, and evaluate data critically, and the placement of this information into a larger context. Fundamental principles of each discipline are discussed in a manner that illustrates the evolving relationship of science, technology, and society.
f. Deductive Reasoning and Analytical Processes (DED)
Courses in this category deal with one or more of the following: (a) basic principles of reasoning and the axiomatic method; (b) statistical methods for analyzing and interpreting data; (c) key mathematical concepts; (d) abstract symbolic manipulation or reasoning.
g. Social Analysis (SOC)
This category deals with the analysis of the individual in society. Courses in this area involve the systematic study of human behavior and the processes and results of human interaction through organizations and institutions, both formal and informal. Social analysis can be undertaken from a variety of perspectives: inductive (using data to make generalizations about human behavior), deductive (using principles to search for and to develop new theories), and normative (using values to recognize important questions and to evaluate alternative answers).
h. Foreign Language (LNG)
Speaking, listening, reading, and writing in a language other than one's own exercise and expand the mind. Because of the close interdependence between language and culture, study of a foreign language helps one gain insights into other societies and ultimately one's own. Courses in this category include many, but not all, of those taught in a foreign language or which focus on texts in a foreign language.
2. Cultures and Civilizations Requirement
Middlebury College believes that students should have broad educational exposure to the variety of the world's cultures and civilizations. Because cultural differences are based upon, among other factors, geography as well as history, ethnicity as well as gender, issues pertaining to cultural difference are integral to most of the academic disciplines represented in the curriculum. Accordingly, Middlebury students are required to complete a cultures and civilizations requirement consisting of one course in each of the following four categories:
a. AAL: courses that focus on some aspect of the cultures and civilizations of Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
b. CMP: courses that focus on the process of comparison between and among cultures and civilizations, or courses that focus on the identity and experience of separable groups within cultures and civilizations.
c. EUR: courses that focus on some aspect of European cultures and civilizations.
d. NOR: courses that focus on some aspect of the cultures and civilizations of northern America (United States and Canada)
A single course may be listed as fulfilling no more than two of the four categories above (as determined by the Curriculum Committee). If two of the four categories are listed for a single course, a student may choose which category the course will fulfill, but a single course cannot count for two categories. A student may, however, count the same course toward both an academic category requirement, and the cultures and civilizations requirement. Courses that count toward the major and the minor, winter term courses, and first year student seminars may be used to satisfy the cultures and civilizations requirement.
College Board Advanced Placement credits may not be used to satisfy distribution or cultures and civilizations requirements.
C. Major Programs of Study
Students choose one of the following programs of study:
(a) 1 major (departmental, joint, or interdisciplinary)
(b) 1 major (departmental, joint, or interdisciplinary), 1 minor
(c) 1 departmental major, 2 minors
(d) 2 majors* (either 2 departmental or one departmental and one interdisciplinary), no minor (a student declaring two majors may elect a Teacher Education minor).
*A student who has declared two majors will have to choose to complete only one major should scheduling conflicts occur.
A major requires a minimum of 10 fall and spring semester courses. Students may take no more than 16 fall and spring semester courses and, in addition, no more than two winter term courses in a major department or program.
All students must officially declare a major by the end of the third semester. Any student who wishes to complete a second major must officially declare by the end of the fourth semester of study. After the fourth semester, students wishing to add a second major, or change majors, must petition and gain approval from the new department or program to ensure that the student can complete the major by the end of the eighth semester.
Some highly structured programs, particularly those involving study in the foreign languages or the natural sciences, are facilitated by a declaration of major by the end of the second semester.
A department may define standards for the admission of students to its major program. Students who do not meet these standards may be denied admission or may be admitted provisionally, pending demonstration of their qualifications for advanced work in the department.
Major/Adviser Declaration/Change forms are available in the Office of the Registrar and each of the Commons offices. The declaration form must be signed by the chair of the major department or program (or designee).
D. Change of Major
To change a major, a student must present an academic plan for completion of the new major or program to the adviser and chair or director (or designee) of the proposed major department or program. Upon gaining approval of that plan, the student must submit a Change of Major form to the Office of the Registrar, signed by the adviser and chair (or designee) of the proposed major department or program.
[updated 21-Mar-2008; form no longer requires signature of adviser in present department]
E. Joint Majors
To complete a joint major, a student is required to:
1. Secure formal approval from advisers and chairs (or designees) in both departments or programs. To gain that approval, the student is required to work with the chairs (or designees) of both departments or programs on an academic program for completion of the proposed joint major. The minimum requirements agreed upon, and the overall program, along with the combined total of 14 fall and spring semester courses, must be submitted in writing with the signature of the two department or program chairs (or designees) to the Office of the Registrar.
2. Complete a senior program which combines both majors and is agreed upon by the advisers and department or program chairs (or designees) involved. That senior work may include or exclude normal expectations regarding independent work and general examinations as appropriate.
A student declaring a joint major may not declare any other major.
F. Two Majors
To complete two separate majors (either 2 departmental or one departmental and one interdisciplinary), a student is required to:
1. Formally declare both majors according to procedures stated above, with the approval of the chairs (or designees) of both departments or programs.
2. Complete all the requirements for the major in each department or program. A course will meet the requirements of more than one major for the same student if that specific course is listed by number and name, in the college catalogue, as specifically required for both majors. Up to two courses implicitly or explicitly listed as generic or categorical requirements of both majors will also meet the requirements of more than one major for the same student. No other courses will be counted as satisfying the requirements of more than one major for the same student except by specific action of the Curriculum Committee and faculty.
3. A student declaring two majors may not declare any minors, with the Teacher Education minor as an exception to that rule.
G. Minors
Students may elect to complete one minor if they are undertaking one major (either departmental, joint, or interdisciplinary). A student may declare two minors if s/he is pursuing one departmental major. A student declaring two majors may not declare any minors, with the Teacher Education minor as an exception to that rule.
[updated wording 21-Mar-2008]
Normally, all students choosing to declare a minor will do so officially by the end of the Add period of the seventh semester.
Minors will consist of four to six courses, at least one of which must be at an advanced level.
Departments and programs may designate configurations of courses that will constitute a minor (or minors) for that department, program, or major.
Students may not self-design a minor.
Faculty may design interdepartmental minors in those areas of the curriculum in which a major is not offered.
Minors will be listed on students' transcripts.
A course may count toward a student's major or minor, but not toward both. A course counted toward one minor may not be counted toward an additional minor.
H. Independent Scholar Program
1. Middlebury College recognizes that a few outstanding students with clearly defined educational goals may find that they cannot fulfill these goals within the framework of normal departmental requirements. The Independent Scholar Program is designed to meet their needs. Students plan their programs with the assistance of their adviser. The program may or may not include a standard major. Study at other institutions may be included.
2. To be designated an Independent Scholar, a student must prepare and submit a well-defined program to the Curriculum Committee, covering a description of the aim of the program, the independent work, and the courses he or she proposes to take leading to the B.A. degree. The proposal must be accompanied by a written endorsement of a faculty member who is willing and qualified to supervise the student; a written endorsement is also required from an alternate faculty member. Changes to the program must be submitted to the Curriculum Committee, and the faculty supervisor will co-sign all registration materials.
3. It is the normal expectation that students will apply for Independent Scholar status during their sophomore year or with no fewer than 14 credits remaining, and that they will fulfill all requirements for the degree, using their approved Independent Scholar plan as their course of study. It is assumed that the program will culminate in a major independent project. Independent study relating to the program will be designated INDE 0800.
4. Proposed Independent Scholar programs will be evaluated in the light of feasibility, academic integrity, and the demonstrated ability of the student. The Independent Scholar program is designed for strong students who wish to explore curricular opportunities which are not available within the standard majors or programs. The median GPA for successful independent scholar applicants in recent years is approximately 3.5. In order to be eligible, students must present a strong record of scholarship and some evidence of the ability to work independently.
5. At the end of each academic year, the Curriculum Committee will review the progress of the independent scholars, and may request progress reports at the end of each semester.
Students who elect to withdraw from the Independent Scholar Program, or who have their independent scholar status withdrawn, may be allowed, at the discretion of the committee, to graduate in general studies, without a formal major in any department. (This is to ensure that the student who leaves the program, despite a serious effort, will not necessarily be required to stay in college for more than the normal four years in order to make up a minimum of 10 courses in one subject.) Ordinarily, the Curriculum Committee will grant a student who withdraws from the program full credit for the time of participation in the program. However, the committee may grant partial credit or decline to grant credit for all or part of the period in question if its members concur with the opinion of the student's adviser that the student's work has been unsatisfactory.
6. The final deadline for submitting an Independent Scholar proposal for the 2007-08 academic year is March 17, 2008. Students interested in submitting a proposal after this deadline will need to pursue the proposal process during the Fall semster. For more information about this program, contact Amy Briggs, Acting Dean of the Curriculum.
I. 0500 Courses
The election of a 0500 project provides an opportunity for individual work in one's field of interest. It is a privilege open to those students with advanced preparation and superior records in their fields; exceptions are permitted only by the Curriculum Committee. The 0500 projects in a student's major or minor department must be approved by the department. Normally, they cannot be approved prior to the junior year. Those 0500 projects outside of the major or minor department must be approved by the chair of the department in which the work is to be done and by the Curriculum Committee. A student is limited to four 0500 projects in any discipline, not including winter term independent projects. Please refer to the section on Winter Term for information on proposing a 0500 project outside of the major or minor or on the web at http://www.middlebury.edu/academics/acadaff/curriculum/Students+Independent+Study+(0500+Work).htm. Required Indepent Study and related forms are available from that page.
J. Senior Program
Departments may offer a program of senior work consisting of independent study and/or a general examination. Such programs may be required of all seniors or limited to specially qualified students. A maximum value of three course units may be assigned for senior work. Students not enrolled in the College will be charged a fee of $150 for resubmission of senior work.
1. General Examination: If given, the general examination becomes a fixed degree requirement and may count as one or two course units, as the department shall determine. It may receive a grade separate from that given to the independent study component of senior work.
Normally, general examinations will be held in a student's senior year. In certain cases, students may take general examinations at the end of their junior year. All reexaminations must be taken at Middlebury under the supervision of those in charge of the major program. Prior registration for such examinations must be made with the commons dean and department chair.
Each department may, at its discretion and in accordance with its requirements, excuse students from final examinations in their major field if they achieve a specified grade in the general examination.
2. Independent Study: Departments may organize the independent study program to suit their needs under the general principle of encouraging students in independent work. They may combine examinations, reading, research projects, laboratory experiments, field trips, theses, and informal group meetings when such meetings further independent study objectives. When independent study is required of all students in a department, it becomes a fixed degree requirement for those students.
When senior independent study continues through more than one term, a grade of S (satisfactory) or U (unsatisfactory) will be submitted for each term of the project. When a final grade is recorded, the S or U will be converted to whatever final grade is reported.
K. Graduate Courses
Graduate credit is granted during the academic year only in the Department of Biology. Graduate applicants are approved by the dean of the faculty or designee upon the recommendation of the chair of the Department of Biology.