COURSE CATALOG 2015–2016 TABLE OF CONTENTS 3 College Calendar 4 President’s Message 5 History of Mitchell College 6 Admission to Mitchell College 9 Financial Aid at Mitchell College 17 Tuition & Fees 22 Student Affairs 25 Athletics 26 General Information 30 Campus Information 32 Directions to Mitchell College 33 Academic Information and Standards 36 Definition of Terms 38 Adult and Returning Students 39 Academic Policies and Procedures 50 Requirements for a Mitchell College Degree 53 Academic Support Services 58 First-Year Experience 60 Programs and Degree Offerings 110 Course Descriptions 170 Board of Trustees 171 Faculty & Staff Directory 179 Index 181 Accreditation Statement This Course Catalog attempts to present information as accurately and completely as possible. Mitchell College reserves the right to change any of the provisions, statements, policies, curricula, procedures and regulations found in this Course Catalog. 2 COLLEGE CALENDAR 2015–2016 FALL 2015 SEMESTER WINTER 2016 MINIMESTER August January 28 New Students Move-In/Check-In 4–16 Winter Session - MiniMester Orientation Welcome 18 Martin Luther King Jr. Day - No Classes, 30 Returning Students Move-In/Check-In College Offices Closed 31 First Day of Classes, Add/Drop Begins PRING September S 2016 Semester 7 Labor Day - No Classes, College Closed 8 Add/Drop Ends January 20 All Students Move In/Check In 9 Founder’s Day and Convocation 21 First Day of Classes - Add/Drop Begins 17 Constitution Day 28 Add/Drop Ends 19 Admissions Open House 28 Early Academic Reports Due to Registrar February 15 Early Academic Reports Due to Registrar October 12 Columbus Day - No Classes 15 Presidents’ Day - No Classes, College Offices Closed 12 Admissions Fall Open House 20 Admissions Open House 17-18 Fall Weekend 19 Mid-term Grades Due to Registrar March 4 Last Day of Classes Before Spring Break November 5–13 Spring Break Week - No Classes 1 Admissions Open House 7 Mid-term Grades Due to Registrar 9 Pre-Registration Begins 11 Veterans Day: Commemorative Programs April 13 Last Day to Withdraw from a Class 4 Pre-Registration Begins 20 Pre-Registration Ends 15 Last Day to Withdraw from a Class 20 Last Day of Classes Before Thanksgiving 15 Pre-Registration Ends Break - Residence Halls Close 23 Admissions Open House 21 Thanksgiving Break Begins - No Classes 27 Academic and Student Affairs Awards 30 Classes Resume Ceremony, 1:00 p.m. May December 3 Last Day of Classes Before Finals 10 Last Day of Classes Before Finals 4–10 Final Examination Period 11-17 Final Examination Period 11 Graduates’ Grades Due to Registrar 18 Grades Due to Registrar 14 72nd Commencement, 10:00 a.m. 3 THE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Welcome to the 2015-2016 academic year at Mitchell College! More than just courses, the pages that follow outline opportunities. College is an important time for exploration where you are supported in your living and learning as you find talents you may not have tapped into before. I encourage you to read through the many courses offered, across departments and programs, and challenge yourself to try something that piques your interest, maybe even outside your comfort zone. As a Liberal Arts college, Mitchell encourages this expansion of knowledge and interests, providing an essential foundation for future learning and a look down other paths you could travel. All the information you need to map out your path is contained in these pages, and all the people you need to chart a course that builds on your strengths are here on campus. Professors, advisors, learning specialists and even your fellow students offer insights and support as you explore. In these pages and during this academic year, seek a change, a challenge, an unexpected course. Through broadening your experience, new opportunities are revealed and strengths are discovered. Best wishes for the year ahead, Janet L. Steinmayer, J.D. President 4 HISTORY OF MItcHELL COLLEGE On September 14, 1938, a group of New London citi- currently offers four-year degrees in 14 programs of zens founded New London Junior College as a pri- study as well as three associate’s degrees. In 2006, vate, nonprofit, coeducational, two-year college in Thames Academy launched its distinctive post-grad- their community. In 1950, the name Mitchell Col- uate program on campus, providing college-bound lege was officially adopted by the trustees to honor students with learning differences a structured year the descendants of the Alfred Mitchell family, prin- on a college campus to gain skills for a successful cipal benefactors of the College since its founding. transition to a traditional college. In 2007 Mitchell The high quality of Mitchell’s academic program was College officially joined the Division III National recognized in 1956 when the college was awarded Collegiate Athletic Association and was a founding membership in the New England Association of member of the New England Collegiate Conference, Schools and Colleges. Taking a leading role in edu- where they have earned championship titles across cating students with learning differences, Mitchell multiple years in many sports. established its specialized learning center, now called the Bentsen Learning Center, in 1981. Mitchell College celebrates a long and proud tradi- tion of educating students to discover and build on In 1998, the College offered its first baccalaureate their strengths while gaining an appreciation for program in the area of human development and diversity in thought and the richness of a full life. 5 ADMISSION TO MItcHELL COLLEGE Admission Policy Admission of International Students on F-1 VISA Our admissions requirements are designed to help The College welcomes applications from interna- the College select those students best able to benefit tional students and strongly urges them to complete from the educational experiences at Mitchell College. the application process well in advance of the pro- Submission of SAT and/or ACT scores is optional. jected date of enrollment. Early application is nec- International students whose native language is not essary because of the substantial amount of time English are required to submit the results of the Test required to file for nonimmigrant (F-1) student sta- of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or pro- tus and to make appropriate travel arrangements. vide proof of English proficiency. Secondary school graduates and students who have The Admission Committee reviews all applications attended post-secondary institutions in other coun- holistically. We admit students without regard to tries and are applying for an F-1 Visa are subject to race, color, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, the following procedures: and national and ethnic origin. The Admissions Review Committee is comprised of Admissions 1. Complete the application for admission. staff as well as members of the College Faculty and Administration. 2. Forward an official record of work completed at the secondary school attended (and all post-sec- Admission to the College ondary institutions attended) to the Mitchell Col- Students may apply to Mitchell College as either a lege Admissions Office. They must include a -cer first-year or transfer student. However, certain pre- tified translation for all documents in languages requisite courses are necessary to satisfy degree other than English. requirements. Students may begin classes twice a year, fall or spring term. 3. Submit evidence that English proficiency is adequate to undertake a full academic program Admission Decision at the College. If students apply for admission, they will be notified of their status by a letter. The letter will define the 4. If a student’s native language is not English, s/he nature of their acceptance and indicate when they must: must reply in the form of an advance deposit. Depos- its are accepted on-line via our website. A reply sig- a. Submit the official score report from the Test of nifying an intention to enroll as a full-time student English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Students takes the form of an advance deposit of $300. The must obtain a score of at least 500 on the written deposit is refundable until May 1 for the fall semes- test or a score of 71 IBT on the computer test to ter. The deposit is not refundable for the spring be considered for admission. semester. OR b. As an alternative to taking the TOEFL, interna- Early Action tional students residing in the United States may First-Year applicants who are certain that Mitch- show evidence of having successfully completed an ell College is their first choice college and who official English Language School (ELS) Language have decided that they will attend Mitchell College Center program. The ELS Language Center must if admitted are encouraged to apply as early action forward an official score report to the Mitchell candidates. Students applying under this option will College Admissions Office; be notified of the admissions decision prior to other OR applications and pay a $300 (US) tuition deposit. The c. They may substitute the Scholastic Aptitude Test Early Action deadline is November 15th. (SAT) as an alternative to the TOEFL exam. The 6 official score report must be forwarded from the 4. If applying for financial aid, students must com- College Entrance Examination Board directly to plete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid the Mitchell College Admissions Office. (FAFSA). The FAFSA may be completed on-line OR at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The Mitchell College school d. Another alternative to taking the TOEFL is the code is 001393. Financial aid is available for the Advanced Placement International English Lan- fall and spring semesters; there is no financial aid guage Exam (APIEL). An official APIEL score re- for the winter and summer semesters. port must be sent from the College Board directly to the Admissions Office.