The Catalog 2008-2009 Mailing address: 345 Boyer Avenue Walla Walla, Washington 99362 Telephone numbers: General Information: 509-527-5111 Office of the President: 509-527-5132 Admission: 509-527-5176 Financial Aid Services: 509-527-5178 Registrar’s Office: 509-527-5983 Communications: 509-527-5768 Development: 509-527-5165 TDD: 509-522-4415 E-mail addresses: General Information: [email protected] Admission: [email protected] Web site: www.whitman.edu Whitman College maintains a strong commitment to the principle of nondiscrimi- nation. In its admission and employment practices, administration of educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-admin- istered programs, Whitman College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, gender, religion, age, marital status, national origin, physical disability, veteran’s status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local laws. The 2008-2009 Academic Calendar All dates are inclusive. A more detailed Academic Calendar is published by the Registrar’s Office in August of each academic year. Fall Semester, 2008 August 28, Thursday Residence halls open at 9 a.m. for new students. Check-in is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. August 29, Friday Residence halls open at 9 a.m. for all students. September 2, Tuesday Fall semester classes begin. September 15, Monday Last day to add classes. October 13-14 Mid-semester break; no classes. October 15, Wednesday Last day to withdraw from classes or the college without record. October 24-26 Family Weekend. November 7, Friday Final day to withdraw from classes or the college with W grades. Close of P-D-F registration period. November 7-14 Spring semester registration period. November 21, Friday Thanksgiving vacation begins at 6 p.m., Friday and ends at 8 a.m., Monday, December 1. All residence halls remain open. December 12, Friday Last day of classes, fall semester. December 15-19 Final examination period. December 19, Friday Fall semester ends. All residence halls close at noon Saturday, December 20. Spring Semester, 2009 January 16, Friday Orientation for new students and parents begins. January 18, Sunday Residence halls open at 9 a.m. for returning students. January 19, Monday Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; no classes. January 20, Tuesday Spring semester classes begin. January 30, Friday Last day to add classes. February 23, Monday Presidents’ Day; no classes. February 27, Friday Last day to withdraw from classes or the college without record. March 13, Friday Spring vacation begins at 6 p.m., Friday (all residence halls close at 9 a.m., Saturday, March 14) and ends at 8 a.m., Monday, March 30 (all residence halls open at noon, Sunday, March 29). April 7, Tuesday Whitman Undergraduate Conference; no classes. April 10, Friday Final day to withdraw from classes or the college with W grades. Close of P-D-F registration period. April 17-24 Registration period for the fall semester 2009. May 12, Tuesday Last day of classes, spring semester. May 13, Wednesday Reading day; no classes. May 14-19 Final examination period. May 24, Sunday Commencement. Residence halls close at 6 p.m. Academic Calendar / 2 Interdisciplinary Studies / 116 The College / 4 International Studies / 117 Academics / 6 Japanese / 117 Special Programs / 21 Latin American and Caribbean Careers and Literature / 118 Professions / 30 Latin American Studies / 118 Courses and Library / 120 Programs / 35 Mathematics and General Studies Computer Science / 120 and Distribution / 37 Music / 124 Anthropology / 38 Philosophy / 129 Art / 42 Physics / 134 Art History and Politics / 137 Visual Culture Studies / 46 Psychology / 145 Asian Studies / 49 Race and Ethnic Studies / 149 Astronomy / 51 Religion / 152 Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Rhetoric and Film Studies / 157 Molecular Biology / 53 Science / 161 Biology / 55 Sociology / 161 Chemistry / 61 Spanish / 166 Chinese / 65 Sport Studies, Recreation Classics / 66 and Athletics / 172 Dance / 70 Theatre / 176 Economics / 71 World Literature / 179 Education / 75 Student Life / 181 English / 78 Student Services / 183 Environmental Studies / 84 Student Activities / 186 Foreign Languages and Admission / 189 Literatures / 92 Charges / 192 French / 93 Financial Aid / 196 Gender Studies / 95 Governing Boards / 205 Geology / 97 The Faculty / 208 German Studies / 102 Administrative Offices / 219 History / 104 Index / 221 The information in this catalog is as accurate as possible at the time of publication. Periodic revisions are made to the online version of the catalog, at www.whitman.edu/registrar/catalog. Printed on Recycled Paper 4 / opportunities. Whitman College The primary evidence of any college’s successes can be found among its graduates. Whitman College’s programs in the arts, Whitman’s alumni include a Nobel Prize win- humanities, social sciences, and natural ner in physics; a U.S. Supreme Court justice; an sciences have earned a national reputation for ambassador to Iraq; leaders in law, government excellence. In the classroom and the laboratory, and the foreign service; respected scholars; as well as through participation in the college’s presidents of major corporations; renowned residential and extracurricular programs, artists, entertainers and writers; prominent Whitman students acquire the knowledge and journalists; leading physicians and scientists; talents to succeed in whatever careers and life and thousands of active, responsible citizens paths they choose. who are contributing to their professions and What students from across the United their communities. States and from many other countries find at Whitman today, as students did a century ago, The Mission of the College is a close-knit community of dedicated teach- This mission statement, approved by the ers and students working together to achieve Whitman College Board of Trustees, guides intellectual vitality, moral awareness, personal all programs of the college: confidence, social responsibility, and the flex- Whitman College is committed to providing ibility to adapt to a rapidly changing world. an excellent, well-rounded liberal arts and Recruiting and celebrating professors sciences undergraduate education. It is an who are committed to excellence in teaching, independent, nonsectarian, and residential advising, and scholarship has always been college. Whitman offers an ideal setting a top priority of the college. As Whitman’s for rigorous learning and scholarship third president, Stephen B. L. Penrose, said, and encourages creativity, character, and “It’s the faculty who make a college great.” responsibility. Whitman’s 13th president, George S. Bridges, says, “Whitman offers a colorful mosaic of Through the study of humanities, arts, and experiences, relationships and opportunities. social and natural sciences, Whitman’s We are proud of our campus and the diversity students develop capacities to analyze, in- and accomplishments of our students, staff, and terpret, criticize, communicate, and engage. faculty.” A concentration on basic disciplines, in In addition to maintaining a faculty of the combination with a supportive residential highest caliber, Whitman College is strongly life program that encourages personal and committed to: social development, is intended to foster • fostering the intellectual depth and the intellectual vitality, confidence, leadership, breadth of knowledge essential for lead- and the flexibility to succeed in a changing ership; technological, multicultural world. • supporting mastery of critical thinking, writing, speaking, presentation, and per- Statement on Diversity formance skills; The Board of Trustees endorsed the fol- • integrating technology across the liberal lowing statement on the value of diversity arts curriculum; at Whitman. Many individuals and groups • promoting a strong faculty-student col- — trustees, overseers, alumni, students, faculty, laborative research program; and staff — contributed to the final version of • promoting a rich appreciation for diversity this statement, which was developed by the and tolerance and an understanding of Diversity Committee: other cultures; and Diversity is fundamentally important to • encouraging a sense of community by the character and mission of Whitman offering a vibrant residential life program College. Diversity enriches our community and extensive athletic, fitness, and outdoor and enhances intellectual and personal / 5 growth. We seek to provide a challenging currently numbers 127. In addition to their liberal arts experience for our students that dedication to teaching and advising, Whitman faculty members conduct an impressive amount prepares them for citizenship in the global of original research. community. By sustaining a diverse commu- Believing that an active professional life nity, we strive to ensure that all individuals supports enthusiasm in teaching and advis- are valued and respected and that intel- ing, the college encourages faculty members’ lectual and personal growth are enriched scholarly work through a generous sabbatical because of our differences. program, the faculty scholarship fund and other Environmental Principles for resources. In the past several years Whitman faculty members have received awards, honors Whitman College and fellowships from the National Science Recognizing the impact Whitman College Foundation, the National Endowment for the has on the environment and the leadership Humanities, the National Endowment for the role Whitman College plays as