The Curriculum
Majors and Minors
Macalester College offers programs leading to the
Bachelor of Arts degree with majors and minors (except as noted) in the
following fields:
American Studies
Anthropology
Art
Asian Studies
Biology
Chemistry
Chinese Language and Culture
Classics
Computer Science
Dance (minor only)
Economics
Educational Studies
English
Environmental Studies
French
Geography
Geology
German Studies
Hispanic Studies
History
Humanities and Media and Cultural Studies (major only)
Individually Designed Interdepartmental Major (major
only)
International Studies (major only)
Japanese Language and Culture
Latin American Studies (major only)
Linguistics
Mathematics
Media Studies (minor only)
Music
Neuroscience Studies (major only)
Philosophy
Physics
Political Science
Psychology
Religious Studies
Russian Studies
Sociology
Statistics (minor only)
Theater
Theater and Dance (major only)
Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies
Interdepartmental Concentrations
African Studies
Community and Global Health
Human Rights and Humanitarianism
Legal Studies
Middle Eastern Studies and Islamic Civilization
Urban Studies
Interdepartmental Programs
Pre-Law Program
Pre-Med Program
Teacher Education Program
Cooperative Programs
Liberal Arts and Architecture
Liberal Arts and Engineering
Independent Study
One aspect of the individualized learning fostered by
Macalester’s curriculum is the opportunity for independent study.
This makes it possible for the student to complete a long term project in a
one to one relationship with a faculty member. Approval of the supervising
instructor is required for registration in any independent study course.
Interested students should consult with the appropriate instructor and
department to develop the content of the project or study before
registration. Titles and descriptions of the work are submitted at the
completion of the semester. A student may initiate an independent study to
pursue in depth certain aspects of a subject previously studied or to
investigate an area of academic interest not covered in a regular course.
Students are encouraged to complete an exceptional piece of independent
work of intellectual or artistic merit. However, students may not pursue as
an independent study a topic that is covered in a regular course or a
learning opportunity that meets the criteria of the definition of an
internship. Macalester students may not register in a single term for more
than 6 semester credits of independent study credit which takes place
outside of the Twin Cities area. No more than twenty-four semester credits
earned in independent study courses (tutorials, independent projects,
internships, preceptorships, honors independents) may be applied toward the
number of semester credits required for graduation. Macalester students may
not register in a single term for more than six semester credits of
independent study credit that takes place outside of the Twin Cities area.
An independent project or tutorial which takes place within the Twin Cities
area may earn from one to eight semester credits (Educational Policy and
Governance Committee approval is required for credit of five or more
semester credits). A Twin Cities area internship or a preceptorship may
earn no more than four semester credits. The departmental listings indicate
which independent studies are available in each department. Independent
studies are classified into five categories:
Tutorial
Closely supervised individual (or very small group)
study with a faculty member in which a student may explore, by way of
readings, short writings, etc., an area of knowledge not available through
the regular offerings.
Independent Project
The production of original work (paper, thesis,
extended research, art exhibit, musical or dramatic program, etc.).
Internship
Macalester recognizes internships as an integral part
of its curriculum, enabling students to participate in structured,
supervised learning experiences off campus. Part of the Institute for
Global Citizenship, the Internship Program is an academic unit designed to
serve students who undertake an internship for course credit. Students may
engage in internships in a variety of settings which match their academic
goals, including nonprofit organizations, government, business, education,
and the arts.
The objectives for the Internship Program are:
1. To provide opportunities for students to examine
first-hand knowledge and theories learned in the classroom for their wider
impact on society and the world at large.
2. To provide opportunities for students to evaluate
and apply a body of knowledge and methods of inquiry from an academic
discipline.
3. To provide students access to a larger or different
“laboratory” of equipment and/or situations not easily obtained
or available on campus.
4. To provide students expanded opportunities for
self-directed learning.
5. To enable students to develop work competencies for
specific professions and to explore career interests and form networks.
6. To provide opportunities for students to develop
intellectual and professional partnerships.
Students are advised to refer to the departmental
sections for Course 624 and to consult individually with faculty members
regarding departmental policies governing internships, including grading.
The following college policies apply to internships:
a. .Only Macalester departments may offer internships
and only if they are listed in the departmental course offerings.
b. .Students are required to complete a learning
contract for each separate internship experience and have it reviewed and
signed before they can register for an internship.
c. .A maximum of twenty-four credits in courses
numbered 604, 614, 624, 634 may be counted toward graduation. Internship
credits are included among these courses.
d. .Students with first year status are not permitted
to undertake an internship for credit during their first year at
Macalester, including January.
e. .Students may not take an internship if they have
any incompletes, unless they have the permission of the instructor who
assigned the incomplete.
f. Students on academic probation may not undertake
internships.
g. .Students may not register in a single term for
more than six semester hours of internship credit which takes place outside
of the Twin Cities area, or for more than four semester hours of credit for
a single internship in the Twin Cities.
Preceptorship
Work in assisting faculty in the planning and teaching
of a course, precepting or tutoring. Policies pertaining to preceptorship
course credit are:
1. Credit may not be earned for precepting the same
course more than once.
2. To precept a course, a student must previously have
earned credit in that course with a grade of A– or higher or have earned credit with a grade of A– or higher in a course having the
course to be precepted as a prerequisite or in a course covering similar
material at a more advanced level. Certain departments may have additional
prerequisites for registering for preceptorship credit. Students should
consult the departmental sections of the current catalog for this
information.
3. Students may earn no more than four credits for
precepting a single course.
4. Students on academic probation may not serve as a
preceptor.
5. Students must have a declared major in the
department or program of the course that they are precepting and must be in
their junior or senior year.
6. The Learning Objectives detailed on the
Preceptorship Learning Contract must relate to pedagogical issues. That is,
the goals of the preceptorship should relate to understanding effective
teaching strategies. Examples of learning goals might be:
—how to respond effectively to
student writing;
—how to construct and deliver an
effective lecture;
—how to facilitate small group
discussion.
The Learning Tasks and Evaluation Methods detailed in
the Learning Contract must then be specifically tied to these objectives of
increased understanding of effective teaching strategies. Students may wish
to read pedagogical materials as part of their learning strategies.
A student wishing to register for preceptorship course
credit should meet with his/her faculty sponsor to discuss and complete a
Preceptorship Learning Contract. Prior to completing registration for this
preceptorship, the student should bring the completed Learning Contract to
the Academic Programs Office for final approval by the Director of Academic
Programs.
Honors Independent
Independent research, writing, or other preparation
leading to the culmination of the Seniors Honors Project.
Topics Courses
Many departments offer topics courses. These courses
are designed to accommodate the interests of students and faculty in
current issues in the subject area or to offer an experimental course which
later may become part of the regular curriculum. They are announced in the
class schedule at registration. The titles of some past topics courses are
listed with the departmental offerings.
Course Numbering
The following course numbering system was adopted for
the College beginning Fall 2003.
001–098:
co-curricular courses, such as music lessons and ensembles, physical
education activity courses, dance technique courses, or practicum courses
in theater, dance or forensics
100–199:
courses with no prerequisites or that are introductory in material or
approach; appropriate for any student, but particularly first year students
200–299:
courses that are intermediate in material and/or approach, with or without
prerequisites; ordinarily taken by sophomores or juniors
300–399:
courses that are advanced, with specified prerequisites; ordinarily taken
by juniors
400–499:
courses that are advanced, with specified prerequisites; ordinarily taken
by seniors
600–649:
independent study courses, such as tutorials, independent projects,
internships, or preceptorships
Privacy Rights of Students
Student information, other than public information and
a student’s area of concentration, is released only upon the written
authorization of the student or former student. Public information is
determined by the College in compliance with the Family Educational Rights
and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, and the Macalester College Student
Rights, Freedoms, and Responsibilities Document (see the current Student
Handbook).
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