Westminster College Undergraduate Catalog 2019-2020 NEW WILMINGTON, PENNSYLVANIA 16172-0001 Office of Admissions (724) 946-7100 [email protected] www.westminster.edu VOLUME 109 AUGUST 2019 Westminster College does not discriminate, and will not tolerate discrimination, on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, or handicap or disability as those terms are defned under applicable law, in the administration of any of its educational pro- grams, activities, or with respect to admissions and employment. In its employment practices, the College may consider the individual’s support of the philosophy and purposes of Westminster as stated in the Undergraduate Catalog. Otherwise, Westminster does not discriminate, and will not tolerate discrimination, on the basis of religion or creed. Inquiries may be directed to the equal op- portunity offcer, Westminster College, New Wilmington, PA 16172-0001, 724-946-7247. This Undergraduate Catalog is for information only and cannot be considered binding on the College. Westminster College reserves the right and authority to change any and all requirements, regu- lations, policies, and academic curricula, and it is the student’s responsibility to remain informed about these and any changes made thereto. Questions should be directed to the student’s adviser. Westminster College Academic Calendar (2019-2020) Fall Semester 2019 Classes Begin August 26, Monday Last Day to Add/Drop Classes September 2, Monday 1st 7-Weeks Withdraw Deadline September 27, Friday 1st 7-Weeks Period Ends October 11, Friday 2nd 7-Weeks Period Begins October 14, Monday Midterm Break October 19-22, Saturday-Tuesday Classes Resume October 23, Wednesday Last Day to Withdraw from Semester Classes November 1, Friday 2nd 7-Weeks Withdraw Deadline November 15, Friday Thanksgiving Break November 27-December 1, Wednesday-Sunday Classes Resume December 2, Monday Last Day of Classes December 6, Friday Final Exam Period December 9-12, Monday-Thursday Spring Semester 2020 Classes Begin January 13, Monday Martin Luther King Day - NO CLASSES January 20, Monday Last Day to Add/Drop Classes January 21, Tuesday 1st 7-Weeks Withdraw Deadline February 14, Friday 1st 7-Weeks Period Ends March 2, Monday 2nd 7-Weeks Period Begins March 3, Tuesday Spring Break March 7-15, Saturday-Sunday Classes Resume March 16, Monday Last Day to Withdraw from Semester Classes March 27, Friday 2nd 7-Weeks Withdraw Deadline April 8, Wednesday Easter Break April 9-13, Thursday-Monday Classes Resume, Monday Classes Meet April 14, Tuesday Undergraduate Research & Arts Celebration NO CLASSES April 22, Wednesday Last Day of Classes May 1, Friday Final Exam Period May 4-7, Monday-Thursday Commencement May 9, Saturday Summer Session 2020 Classes Begin June 1, Monday Last Day to Add 1st 4-Weeks Classes June 2, Tuesday Last Day to Add 8-Weeks Classes June 3, Wednesday 1st 4-Weeks Withdraw Deadline June 17, Wednesday 1st 4-Weeks Period Ends June 26, Friday 2nd 4-Weeks Add/Drop Deadline June 30, Tuesday, NO CLASSES July 3,Friday 2nd 4-Weeks Withdraw Deadline July 15, Wednesday, Summer Session Ends July 27, Monday 2 2019-2020 Undergraduate Catalog Table of Contents The College 5 Mission Statement 5 Accreditation and Memberships 7 The Campus 8 Admission 11 The Graduate School 14 Expenses 15 Student Life 24 Student Services 30 Academics 32 Academic Policies 38 The Faculty 53 All-College Honors Program 54 Pre-Professional Programs 56 Degree Programs 59 Course Descriptions 146 3 Westminster College The College at a Glance WHO WE ARE: A private, four-year, co-educational liberal arts college located in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1852 and affliated with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the College was among the frst institutions in the country to offer the same degrees to all people, regardless of gender, race, or religion. STUDENTS: More than 1,200 undergraduate and graduate students; 46% men and 54% women. MAJORS AND PROGRAMS: 41 majors, 10 pre-professional programs, and 6 gradu- ate programs. DEGREES: 4 undergraduate degrees—Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and Bachelor of Music—and three graduate degrees—Master of Education, Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and Master of Business Administration. CALENDAR: The academic year consists of two 16-week semesters (fall and spring). A summer session is also held; and student travel and internships are available during both summer and winter breaks. FACULTY: 90 full-time faculty members, 90% of whom hold terminal degrees. West- minster has an 11:1 student-faculty ratio. CAMPUS: A 300-acre, tree-lined campus with academic spaces and recreational areas, including a 100-acre outdoor laboratory, several athletic felds, and Brittain Lake. Westminster is 65 miles north of Pittsburgh and 85 miles southeast of Cleveland. ATHLETICS: 22 varsity sports programs; NCAA Division III, Presidents’ Athletic Conference, and Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference. STUDENT LIFE: Over 80 clubs and organizations; 4 national fraternities and 5 national sororities. HOUSING: 8 residential housing options; guaranteed all 4 years. FINANCIAL AID: 98% of students receive fnancial aid either through merit-based scholarships or need-based resources. ACCREDITATION: Westminster is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. 4 2019-2020 Undergraduate Catalog The College Westminster College is an independent, coeducational liberal arts college, related to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). For over 165 years, Westminster has been charac- terized by the excellence of its educational programs and its concern for moral and spiritual ideals and values. Development of the individual – intellectually, spiritually, and socially – is the prima- ry purpose of Westminster. The College views education as a maturing experience and believes the liberal arts heritage offers exceptional opportunities for devel- opment of the individual in today’s rapidly changing world. The advancement of Westminster’s graduates in a wide variety of careers and professions is evidence of the inherent value and relevance of the liberal arts. Westminster is a community of learning, small enough to encourage the exchange of different ideas and philosophies yet large enough to provide diversity of knowledge, experiences and values. Its residential atmosphere enhances personal interaction. Westminster is proud of its heritage. It was originally founded to promote the spirit and values of Christianity. One of earliest coeducational colleges in the nation, Westminster has been dedicated to “the mental and moral training of youth of both sexes” since it opened its doors in 1852. The frst catalog (1853) stated that “no person will be refused admission on account of color, caste, or sex,” making West- minster a pioneer in supporting nondiscrimination. Dedicated to these ideals today, the College admits students of all races, creeds, and national and ethnic origins, and accords all students equal rights and privileges. In the administration of any of its educational programs, activities, or with respect to admissions and employment, Westminster College does not discriminate, and will not tolerate discrimination, on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, re- ligion or creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, age, handicap or disability, marital status, veteran status, genetics or any other protected class as those terms are defned under applicable state or federal law. Mission Statement The mission of Westminster College is to help men and women develop competen- cies, commitments, and characteristics which have distinguished human beings at their best. The liberal arts tradition is the foundation of the curriculum continually designed to serve this mission in a rapidly changing world. The College sees the well-educated person as one whose skills are complemented by ever-developing values and ideals identifed in the Judeo-Christian tradition. Westminster’s quest for excellence is a recognition that stewardship of life mandates the maximum possible development of each person’s capabilities. The College thus realizes its mission in men and women who as students: • Develop intellectual curiosity and the competencies to reason logically, evaluate critically, communicate effectively, imagine creatively, and appreciate aesthetic and creative expressions of humanity; • Acquire a knowledge and appreciation of self, society, human cultures, the natural world, and human relationships to God; • Develop and demonstrate moral and ethical commitments to neighbor, society, and the natural world consistent with an understanding of self; • Commit themselves to lifelong learning and the acquisition of skills for careers and responsible service as world citizens. 5 Westminster College The curricular and co-curricular learning programs are designed as a means by which the College endeavors to fulfll its mission. Westminster College Outcomes The College’s mission statement expressed as statements of student ability-based outcomes: • To reason logically and evaluate critically; • To communicate effectively; • To think creatively, and appreciate aesthetic expressions; • To demonstrate intellectual curiosity; • To acquire knowledge of self, society, human cultures, the natural world, and human relationships to God; • To apply knowledge to contemporary issues; • To demonstrate moral and ethical commitments to neighbor, society, and the natural