Academic Catalog 2012-13 Table of Contents Academic Calendar Accreditation and Compliance Statements Alma College in Brief Section I: General Information A College of Distinction Admission Information Accelerated Programs and Advanced Placement Options Scholarships and Financial Assistance College Expenses Living on Campus College Regulations The Judicial Process The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and Alma Academic Support Facilities Specialized Services Section II: Academic Programs and Opportunities Requirements for Degrees General Education Goals Guide to General Education Distributive Requirements Academic Honors Faculty Recognition Academic Rules and Procedures Honors Program Interdisciplinary Programs Leadership Programs Pre-Professional Programs Off Campus Study Programs Section III: Courses of Instruction Courses of Instruction Guide to Understanding Course Listings General Studies American Studies (AMS) Art and Design (ART) Astronomy (AST) Biochemistry (BCM) Biology (BIO) Biotechnology (BTC) Business Administration (BUS) Health Care Administration (HCA) International Business Administration (IBA) Chemistry (CHM) Cognitive Science (COG) Communication (COM) Computer Science (CSC) Economics (ECN) Education (EDC) English (ENG) Environmental Studies (ENV) Foreign Service (FOR) Geography (GGR) Geology (GEO) Gerontology (GER) History (HST) Integrative Physiology and Health Science (IPH) Athletic Training (ATH) Public Health (PBH) Library Research (LIB) Mathematics (MTH) Modern Languages French (FRN) German (GRM) Spanish (SPN) Additional Languages Offered Music (MUS) New Media Studies (NMS) Philosophy (PHL) Physics (PHY) Political Science (POL) Psychology (PSY) Public Affairs Institute (PAF) Religious Studies (REL) Christian Education (CEP) Sociology and Anthropology (SOA) Theatre and Dance (THD) Women's and Gender Studies (WGS) Section IV: Directories Board of Trustees 2012-13 Administration 2012-13 Faculty 2012-13 Scholarship and Loan Funds Named Facilities Academic Calendar Fall 2012 August 25 Saturday Freshman Orientation Begins, Welcoming Convocation September 3 Monday Residence Halls Open, Noon September 4 Tuesday Classes Begin, 8 A.M. September 7 Friday Last Day to Add a 1st 7-week Class September 14 Friday Last Day to Add a 14-week Class September 28 Friday Last Day to Drop a 1st 7-week Class October 6 Saturday Homecoming October 17 Wednesday Middle of Term October 18-19 Thursday-Friday Fall Term Recess October 22 Monday Classes Resume, 8 A.M. Begin 2nd 7-week Classes Mid-Term Grades Due, 9 A.M. October 26 Friday Last Day to Add a 2nd 7-week Class November 2 Friday Last Day to Drop a 14-week Class November 12-16 Monday-Friday Winter Term Registration November 16 Friday Last Day to Drop a 2nd 7-week Class November 21 Wednesday Thanksgiving Recess Begins, 5 P.M. November 26 Monday Classes Resume, 8 A.M. December 10-14 Monday-Friday Fall Term Exams December 14 Friday Residence Halls Close, 5 P.M. December 18 Tuesday Final Grades Due, 9 A.M. Winter 2013 January 6 Sunday Residence Halls Open, Noon January 7 Monday Classes Begin, 8 A.M. January 11 Friday Last Day to Add a 1st 7-week Class January 18 Friday Last Day to Add a 14-week Class January 21 Monday Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Day Classes Cancelled 12:30-6:00 P.M. February 1 Friday Last Day to Drop a 1st 7-week Class February 4-8 Monday-Friday Spring Term Registration February 20 Wednesday Middle of Term February 21 Thursday Begin 2nd 7-week Classes February 23 Saturday Winter Term Recess Begins February 25 Monday Mid-Term Grades Due, 9 A.M. March 3 Sunday Exam Preparation Day for 1st 7-week Classes Exam Period for 1st 7-week Classes, 7-9 P.M. March 4 Monday Classes Resume, 8 A.M. March 8 Friday Last Day to Add a 2nd 7-week Class March 15 Friday Last Day to Drop a 14-week Class March 25-29 Monday-Friday Fall Term Registration March 29 Friday Last Day to Drop a 2nd 7-week Class Good Friday: No Classes after 12:30 P.M. April 4 Thursday Honors Day April 15-19 Monday-Friday Winter Term Exams April 20 Saturday Commencement, 2 P.M. Residence Halls Close, 5 P.M. April 23 Tuesday Final Grades Due, 9 A.M. Spring 2013 April 27 Saturday Residence Halls Open, Noon April 28 Sunday Classes Begin, 1 P.M. May 17 Friday Last Day to Drop a Class May 23 Thursday Spring Term Ends; Residence Halls Close, 5 P.M. May 28 Tuesday Final Grades Due, 9 A.M. Summer 2013 June 3-August 23 Summer Session Accreditation and Compliance Statements Alma College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. The Michigan Department of Education approves Alma programs for certification of elementary and secondary teachers. Approval of Alma programs is also given by the American Chemical Society Committee on Professional Training, the National Association of Schools of Music and the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education. Contact information follows: Higher Learning Commission North Central Association of Colleges and Schools 30 North La Salle Street, Suite 2400 Chicago, IL 60602-2504 Phone: 1-800-621-7440 / (312) 263-0456 FAX: (312) 263-7462 e-mail: [email protected] Web site: www.ncahigherlearningcommission.org Michigan Department of Education John A. Hannah Office Building 608 West Allegan, Box 30008 Lansing, MI 48933 Phone: (517) 373-3324 www.mde.state.mi.us Committee on Professional Training American Chemical Society 1155 Sixteenth Street, NW Washington, DC 20036 Phone: (202) 872-4589 FAX: (202) 872-6066 www.acs.org National Association of Schools of Music 11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 21 Reston, VA 20190 Phone: (703) 437-0700 FAX: (703) 437-6312 e-mail: [email protected] Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education 2201 Double Creek Drive, Suite 5006 Round Rock, TX 78664 Phone: (512) 733-9700 FAX: (512) 733-9701 e-mail: [email protected] Notice Alma's academic catalog contains the most accurate information available at the time of publication. Alma College reserves the right to change without notice statements in this catalog concerning, but not limited to, curricula, fees, rules, policies, scholarships and tuitions. Emergency Procedures Alma College has adopted an Emergency Response Plan, revised in November 2011, that provides contingency procedures for Alma College administrators, staff, faculty and students in the event of a campus emergency. The College also has implemented an Emergency Notification System that allows the College to send immediate, time-sensitive voice and text notifications to students, faculty and staff in the event of a campus emergency. Students, faculty and staff can update their emergency contact information via the College's Web portal. Federal Compliance Statements Campus Security. Alma College abides by the Student Right-to-Know, the Campus Security Act of 1990 and the Higher Education Act Reauthorization of 2008. The College makes information concerning campus crime statistics available in printed form and electronically to the campus community each year. This information is also available to prospective students upon request. Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act. The College supports the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974, as amended. This statement of policy incorporates the rights accorded and the privacy guaranteed the student by this Act. For more information concerning this regulation please see www.alma.edu. Financial Information. The College's annual financial report is available for review by prospective students, alumni and the public upon request at the Business Office. Nondiscrimination Statement. Alma College's nondiscrimination policy includes age, color, creed, gender, national origin, physical ability, race, religion and sexual orientation. Students with Disabilities. Alma College is committed to complying with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 by providing access to campus facilities and reasonable accommodations in programs, services and classroom activities. Students with disabilities who require accommodation should contact the Academic and Career Planning office to initiate services. Alma College in Brief A Liberal Arts Education More than 125 years ago, a group of devoted Presbyterian clergy and laymen had a dream: to establish a liberal arts college based upon the loftiest of ideals — unifying the human mind and spirit through knowledge. The essence of a liberal arts education is learning how to learn. Once acquired, this skill can be applied to any task, any profession. Career success is determined by our abilities to exercise such skill. The college's membership in Phi Beta Kappa is an indication of excellence in the liberal arts. Only 10 percent of colleges and universities share this distinction. A liberal arts education holds up a mirror to the world around us, and in its reflection we see ourselves: as we were, as we are, as we might be. Through such self-discovery comes inspiration and, from inspiration, lifelong commitment. The highest moral and ethical character is built upon such foundations. Our best leaders are shaped by such beliefs. Academic Programs and Degrees Alma is classified as a selective Baccalaureate College — Arts and Sciences by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The College confers bachelor's degrees in four areas: arts, sciences, fine arts and music. Enrollment and Student Profile With an enrollment of over 1,400, Alma College is a close-knit community where students and professors get to know each other, a place where people and their development are most important. Alma's students are high achievers who reflect the College's competitive admission standards. While the College maintains a regional base — 92 percent of Alma's students come from Michigan; current students represent 27 states and 16 foreign countries. Classes are small with a student/faculty ratio of 13/1. Religious Affiliation Alma was founded by Presbyterians in 1886 and retains its affiliation with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) while being governed by an independent Board of Trustees.