Wells College Academic Catalog 2014-15 This catalog holds information concerning Wells College’s majors, minors, courses of instruction, and comprehensive academic information for current or prospective students. The academic catalog lists Wells’ requirements for studying at the College, an introduction to student life and learning, how courses of instruction fit into program requirements, and more. For questions or comments about the contents of the academic catalog, contact the Wells College Communications Office at 315-364-3460 or email [email protected]. NOTE: This document is an archival copy of the Wells College Online Catalog, and may reflect language found online (e.g. “Click here for more information.”). All information pertinent to major or graduation requirements for a given year may be found in this document or in the registrar’s office. Questions regarding these requirements or other academic issues should be addressed to the registrar’s office; general inquiries or suggestions as to catalog content, wording, or layout should be addressed to the Wells College office of communications and marketing. 1 ContentsCONTENTS Mission Statement, Community Standards, Campus Crime Reporting and Statistics 3 STUDENT LIFE 4 Honor Code Residence Life and Learning Communities Student Activities and Leadership Student Services EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING 7 ACADEMIC INFORMATION 10 Bachelor of Arts Degree General & College Requirements Pre-Professional Programs 3/2 and 4+1 Articulation Programs & Cross-Registration Agreements Educational Environment Library & The Book Arts Center Other Academic Information College Prizes Phi Beta Kappa Graduation Rate MAJORS AND MINORS 36 COURSES OF INSTRUCTION 85 ADMISSION INFORMATION 154 MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS 156 FINANCIAL INFORMATION 157 Full-Time Students Internships, Experiential Learning and Independent Study Part-Time and Special Students Financial Aid Institutional Financial Aid Federal Financial Aid Programs New York State Financial Aid Programs Other State Grant Programs Satisfactory Academic Progress for Federal and State Financial Aid Programs Student Consumer Rights and Responsibilities Financial Planning COLLEGE ORGANIZATION 174 The Divisional Structure Board of Trustees Honorary Trustees Faculty Additional Academic Program Staff Administration 2 MissionMISSION Statement & and CCommunityOmm UNITYStandards STANDARDS WELLS COLLEGE MISSION STATEMENT The mission of Wells College is to educate students to think critically, reason wisely, and act humanely as they cultivate meaningful lives. Through Wells’ academic program, residential atmosphere, and community activities, students learn and practice the ideals of the liberal arts. The Wells experience prepares students to appreciate complexity and difference, to embrace new ways of knowing, to be creative, and to respond ethically to the interdependent worlds to which they belong. Committed to excellence in all areas of its reach, Wells College equips students for lifelong learning and for sharing the privileges of education with others. To fulfill this mission, Wells College has instituted institutional and program goals. COMMUNITY STANDARDS STATEMENT Wells College strives to become a diverse and inclusive community where individuals live, work, teach and learn with a goal of promoting and maintaining an atmosphere of respect. Membership is a privilege that requires all individuals to treat others humanely, and with mutual understanding and tolerance. Wells College fosters an environment in which free speech, openness, acceptance, and inclusion—even of those ideas or beliefs that may be controversial—are appreciated and considered in their appropriate settings. Discrimination on the basis of (but not limited to) race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, sex, age, varying physical or mental abilities, sexual orientation, gender identity, or political beliefs will not be tolerated. Verbally or physically abusive or harassing behavior that makes the College atmosphere intimidating, hostile, or threatening is unacceptable. All community members are subject to the laws that govern the rest of society. Information about the implementation of the Community Standards Statement in the classroom, workplace and residence halls, as well as responding to violations of the Community Standards Statement, can be found in the Community Handbook. CAMPUS CRIME REPORTING AND STATISTICS The Wells College Advisory Committee on Campus Safety will provide upon request all campus crime statistics as reported to the U.S. Department of Education. Requests for a hard copy can be directed to the director of campus safety by phone at 315.364.3229 or in writing to the Director of Campus Safety, Wells College, 170 Main Street, Aurora, NY 13026. 3 StudentSTUDENT Life LIFE Investment in the Wells College community requires courteous regard for self and others through words, actions, behaviors and choices. In accordance with the Wells College Mission, Community Standards Statement and Honor Code, the Division of Academic and Student Life aspires to cultivate a socially responsible community comprising knowledgeable students of integrity. Staff partner with students to design policies, programs, practices and opportunities to assist students in developing life skills, perspective, civility, competence, compassion, responsibility and vision for citizenship in an intercultural society. In addition, staff members in academic and student life strive to embody a collaborative, cooperative and sustainable team approach that expects personal and interoffice accountability. The students of Wells College are impressively diverse in their academic interests, their choices of lifestyles, their co- curricular pursuits, and their political and religious concerns. They share, however, a high regard for student independence, responsibility, and self-governance. With the support of the faculty, administration, and board of trustees, the student body, under the leadership of the Collegiate Cabinet and the guidance of the dean of students, is responsible for creating policies and programs that benefit all Wells students. HONOR CODE Community Honor shall be the basis of student government at Wells College. The principle of Community Honor is based upon the pledge of each member of the student body to be honest and trustworthy in the conduct of her or his collegiate life as it is defined or encompassed by the Collegiate Rules. Wells College students are under community obligation and pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, deceive or conceal in the conduct of their collegiate life. RESIDENCE LIFE AND LEARNING COMMUNITIES The mission of the Office of Residence Life is to provide a high-quality living experience by which students and staff will create an inclusive and intellectual environment that promotes personal development, academic success, community development, citizenship and diversity. To successfully achieve this mission, the office is dedicated to selecting the very best student leaders to serve as resident advisors (RA). The Office of Residence Life is committed to providing each student a safe, respectful, and educational living environment. Students are encouraged to take advantage of the countless opportunities offered in the residence halls in order to learn more about themselves, others, and the world in which they live. Students living in the residence halls at Wells College participate in activities to achieve the following educational goals: 1. Personal Development—the examination and clarification of one’s own beliefs, values and identities, 2. Academic Success—the utilization of resources and development of skills to achieve one’s scholarly goals, 3. Community Development—the participation in an environment in which all members are mutually valued and supported, and members recognize the impact their decisions have on others, 4. Citizenship—the act of becoming an informed and active member of local and global communities in pursuit of a healthy economy, environment and society, and 5. Diversity—contribution to an inclusive and intercultural environment. As part of Wells’ commitment to the educational experience that residential living provides, all students are required to live on campus in Wells College residence facilities. Each of the residential communities has a distinct character, and each provides a common living area, television lounge, laundry room, and gathering space. All residence halls are self-governed, under the supervision of the Residence Advisors, and work to set their own community standards, quiet hours, style and programs. Incoming students of Wells College are housed by the residence life staff, who take preferences into account. Upperclass students select their rooms through an all-campus lottery called Room Draw. Students may apply as a group for suites, apartments or one of the specialized learning communities if they choose. Wells College offers several learning communities including healthy lifestyles and a social justice community. Students may also apply for a housing exemption or a medical accommodation during the Room Draw period. All students requesting accommodations or exceptions from housing must fill out the appropriate applications, available on the Residence Life section of the Globe or in the Office of Residence Life. Students eat their meals together in the Tudor-style dining hall, and each meal is an experience in itself. A student Dining Hall Committee serves as an active channel for suggestions, and the Dining Hall offers special