College of Arts and Science A&S A Community for Liberal Learning 48 Degree Program in the College 50 Additional Programs 56 Honors 61 Academic Regulations 63 Programs of Study 71 Courses 141 Administration and Faculty 221 48 VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY A Community for Liberal Learning “The work of the College of Arts and Science is Academic Support fundamental. It is the basis of all professional study. No professional school can be self-sufficient. The The Writing Studio / Arts and Science Tutoring College in its undergraduate and graduate work must remain the heart of the whole situation, and send its The Writing Studio provides undergraduate students the quickening life blood into every fiber and tissue.” opportunity to meet with trained writing consultants to dis- —Chancellor James H. Kirkland cuss individual writing concerns, from invention to drafting at the semicentennial celebration of the university to revision. The Writing Studio provides a space for students October 1925 to discuss work-in-progress with expert writers, to create their own writing, and to utilize available resources for improving both writing and critical thinking skills. HANCELLOR Kirkland’s words were prophetic of our The mission of the Vanderbilt Writing Studio is to enhance times as well as true of his own. Since its founding Van- student writing and writing instruction, and to encourage derbilt has pursued its mission of excellence in the liberal regular conversation about the writing process. The Writing Carts with a commitment to liberal learning that is the special Studio’s extensive programming includes individual consulta- concern of the College of Arts and Science. Liberal learning tions, creative writing groups, workshops focused on specific endures because it brings men and women to subjects, concepts, issues in academic writing, open-mike readings, and student- and modes of thought that enable them to think critically about run writers’ support groups. where humanity has been and where it ought to be going. The The Writing Studio is located at 1801 Edgehill Avenue, Suite liberal arts spark curiosity and broaden vision, help to instill 112, and there is a satellite location in 217 Commons Center understanding of matters otherwise unknown, and encourage convenient to the first-year residence halls. The Writing Studio individuals to live their lives with a sense of purpose, context, website can be accessed at vanderbilt.edu/writing. and relatedness. A liberal education has perennial relevance and One-on-one tutoring in many subjects is available through usefulness: it should prepare its recipients to think precisely, to Tutoring Services, also located at 1801 Edgehill Avenue. Con- reason clearly, and to judge wisely—all practical considerations sultations in the Writing Studio and in Tutoring Services are in the pursuit of constructive and satisfying lives and in the free to all undergraduates. practice of today’s professions and vocations. Today the College of Arts and Science maintains its Computers historic position as the heart of the university. Excellence in The following locations are available for walk-in use of com- undergraduate and graduate education is its unwavering aim. puters and software: The College of Arts and Science provides intellectual stimu- lation, training, and incentive designed to foster the lifelong Center for Second Language Studies (Furman Hall 001) — liberal learning of its graduates. It offers challenging, forward- 2 Macintosh and 2 Windows systems, iPads, and digital looking programs of study in the humanities, natural sciences, recorders for student use in the center and social sciences resourcefully taught by distinguished Stevenson computer lab and lounge (Stevenson Center 2200) faculty recognized for excellence in research, scholarship, and — 30 Windows systems creative expression. It promotes self-realization and expres- Wilson computer lab (Wilson Hall 120) – 30 Windows sion in the context of social responsibility. systems All of the college’s computer labs and classrooms offer a Faculty and Students wide variety of “courseware” and commercial “productivity The College of Arts and Science derives its strength from the software,” including word processing packages. Color print- range of its academic offerings, from the quality of the faculty ing and scanners are available in most of the labs. In addition who teach, and from the quality of the students who come to to accessing software on the local servers, students may also learn. Traditionally fortunate in its ability to attract and retain connect to both campus services and the internet, including a superior faculty, the College of Arts and Science has more VUGmail and e-resources in the libraries, as well as course than 500 full-time professors who supplement their achieve- materials in Brightspace. While use of the above facilities is ments in the classroom with significant research, creativity, and free, printing is charged per page. writing. Many faculty members hold awards for distinguished The computer classrooms in the Center for Second Language scholarship and have been elected to high offices in their Studies and Wilson Hall are available for walk-in use during professional associations, including the Classical Association of the late afternoon and evening hours. Stevenson Center lab and the Middle West and South, the American Economics Associa- lounge are card-accessible weeknights until 1:00 a.m. All lab tion, the American Political Science Association, the American hours are posted by semester at as.vanderbilt.edu/vuit/computer_ Philosophical Association, the American Physical Society, the services/facilities/Labs.php. In addition to the college facilities, a American Historical Association, and the Biophysical Society. few “kiosk” systems are available in the Sarratt Student Center. The quality of the College’s faculty is matched by that of As a result, access to computers in the College of Arts and Sci- its diverse student body. Undergraduates come from the fifty ence is extensive. states and fifteen to twenty foreign countries and are almost At last count, more than 98 percent of Vanderbilt students evenly divided between men and women. own a personal computer. Since all students also have a high- speed network connection, it is convenient for students to College of Arts and Science / A Community for Liberal Learning 49 have their own system (please consult the ResNet guidelines THE WAITE PHILIP FISHEL LECTURE. Established in 1974 as a tribute for supported systems). However, most students will find that to Professor Fishel, who was known as an outstanding, popular teacher the college computing facilities provide all of the computing and was renowned for his research in metallurgy. Through the generosity resources that are needed for success at Vanderbilt. of family, colleagues, students, and friends, the lecture is presented by a leading inorganic chemist. The Advising System THE HARRY C. HOWARD JR. LECTURESHIP. Established in 1994 at Entering first-year students are assigned faculty advis- the Robert Penn Warren Center for the Humanities in honor of Harry C. Howard Jr. (B.A. 1951). The lectureship was endowed by Mr. and Mrs. ers from CASPAR (College of Arts and Science Pre-major Thomas Nash Jr. and Mr. and Mrs. George Renfro, all of Asheville, North Academic Advising Resources Center). These first advisers, Carolina, in honor of their longtime friend and attorney. The lectureship called “pre-major faculty advisers,” counsel students during allows the Warren Center to bring an outstanding scholar to Vanderbilt their first three and one-half semesters, or until the students annually to deliver a lecture on a significant topic in the humanities. choose majors, when they are assigned faculty advisers in their major department or program. Pre-major faculty advisers are THE ARTHUR WILLIAM INGERSOLL MEMORIAL LECTURE. Established in 1973 to honor Arthur Ingersoll, professor of organic chemistry at Vanderbilt especially trained to help students move efficiently through until his death in 1969. Each year contributions for this lecture are received the requirements of AXLE (Achieving Excellence in Liberal from family, colleagues, students, and friends. A leading organic chemist is Education) and chart a course of study. invited to present the lecture. During the last two years of study, when a student is acquiring depth of knowledge in a major field, studies are THE CARL K. SEYFERT LECTURE IN ASTRONOMY. Established in 1983 guided by a specialist in that field. Students are encouraged as part of the astronomy program’s commemoration of the thirtieth anniver- sary of the Arthur J. Dyer Observatory. The lectureship recognizes the untir- to see their faculty advisers at any time, since the advisers are ing efforts and contributions to astronomy made by Carl K. Seyfert, profes- available for guidance and counseling and are faculty mem- sor of astronomy and first director of the Dyer Observatory. A distinguished bers with whom advisees may be studying. astronomer is invited to present this lecture every third year. A&S All students are required to see their faculty advisers prior to registration for each semester. THE SHANKS LECTURES. Established in 1984 and named for E. Baylis Advisers are generally happy to talk over any problems Shanks and Olivia H. Shanks in honor of their accomplishments in the fields of mathematics and education and in recognition of their loyalty students may have, although their chief function is academic and service to Vanderbilt University, these lectures are presented on two counseling. In addition, several members of the Office of the successive days in the fall of each year. A special committee from the Associate Deans of the College, themselves teaching faculty Department of Mathematics, influenced by the professional interests of members, have as their principal duty counseling students Professor and Mrs. Shanks, chooses the lecturers from mathematicians of and referring them to sources of expertise on non-academic the highest reputation. The topics of the lectureship vary from year to year problems. according to the area of specialization of the speaker chosen.