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The
Curriculum and Programs of Study
 Degrees
and Graduation
Albright offers two degrees, the bachelor of arts
and the bachelor of science. The minimum requirements for graduation
are completion of 32 courses; completion of all general studies
and area of concentration requirements; a minimum 2.00 cumulative
grade point average and a minimum 2.00 grade point average in the
area of concentration; and completion of the Albright Cultural Experience.
At least 16 of the 32 courses must be earned
at Albright College. The senior year is to be spent as a full-time
day student at Albright (at least three courses per semester).
In addition to these academic requirements, to
be eligible for graduation a student must have satisfied all obligations
to the College including, but not limited to, payment of any outstanding
charges and return of equipment and library books. The student also
must be in good standing under the Student Code of Conduct as administered
through the judicial system of the College.
The College offers a general liberal arts and
sciences education. The curriculum includes the general studies
component; the specific area of concentration; and elective courses
selected by the student.
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General
Studies
Albright College is strongly committed to the
philosophy of a general studies program that insures both breadth
of educational experience and mastery of skills essential to all
well-educated individuals.
The objective of the general studies
program is to educate students to:
- Think and analyze critically.
- Organize and communicate effectively, both in writing and
speaking.
- Appreciate the human historical record.
- Appreciate and express themselves through aesthetic and creative
experience.
- Understand the physical environment and their relationship
to it.
- Understand and function in the social, economic and political
environment.
- Appreciate other cultures.
- Understand and appreciate the diversity of religious beliefs
and practices.
- See and use interrelationships between various fields of
knowledge.
- Understand and use ethical principles in developing their
own natural
capabilities – psychological, physical and moral.
The general studies requirements are:
English Composition (1-2 courses)
Competency in written English is a basic goal of general studies
requirements. Two semesters of English composition are offered.
Students whose test scores and writing background indicate a need
for both composition courses will begin with Composition (ENG
101); students who can demonstrate competence as determined by
test scores and past performance will schedule only Writing about
Literature (ENG 102).
Foreign Language (1-3 courses)
Students are expected to achieve competency at the intermediate
level of a language. Students may complete the language requirement
in one of the following ways, depending on background and interest:
a. Elementary I and II (101 and 102), and Intermediate
I (201).
b. Intermediate I and II (201 and 202).
c. Advanced (301).
Humanities (4 courses)
Four courses from at least three of the following areas:
a. Literature
b. History or Advanced Foreign Language Culture
c. Philosophy
d. Religious Studies
Natural Science (1 course)
One laboratory-oriented course in natural science.
Quantitative Reasoning (1 course)
One course that includes a significant quantitative reasoning
component.
Social Science (2 courses)
Two courses, one in each of two social sciences (economics,
political science, psychology
or sociology/anthropology).
Computational courses such as statistics will not satisfy this
requirement.
The Fine Arts (1 course)
One course in art, music
or theatre. Six semesters
of credited participation in Concert Band, Chamber Winds, Concert
Choir, Women’s Chorale or String Orchestra will satisfy this
requirement. Participation in Applied Music (Music 109) will not
satisfy this requirement.
Interdisciplinary Course (1 course)
A course that synthesizes multiple academic disciplines around
a common subject.
The Cultural Experience
This requirement promotes ongoing participation in the rich cultural
and intellectual life available outside the classroom. Students
attend lectures, plays, concerts, panel discussions, art exhibits,
and other cultural events. In general, full-time day students
must attend 16 events by the end of the sophomore year. Students
must complete this requirement in order to graduate.
First-Year Success Program – Gateway
Seminar
This program provides first-year students with the opportunity
to become active, integrated members of Albright and to develop
skills needed for academic and personal success. The primary component
of this program is the Gateway Seminar, a non-credit course that
is required for all first year students. Successful completion
of the program is a requirement for graduation.
Courses taken as independent studies or internships
may not be used to fulfill general studies requirements.
The general studies requirements described above apply to students
who matriculated after May 31, 1999. Students who matriculated
before June 1, 1999 complete the general studies requirements
as described in the 1997-99 College Catalog.
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Areas
of Concentration
The area of concentration consists of a maximum
of 13 courses. (In addition, a department may require specific general
studies and introductory courses.) Students must complete at least
one 400 level senior seminar course and achieve a minimum 2.00 grade
point average in all required courses of the area of concentration.
Requirements may include courses from related disciplines.
Programs in the following
areas of concentration lead to the degree of
bachelor of arts (A.B.):
Programs in the following
areas lead to the degree of bachelor of science (B.S.):
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Combined
Areas of Concentration
Students may choose to concentrate in two areas
of study. The combined concentration requires seven courses in each
area. (In addition to the required seven courses, a department also
may require specific general studies and introductory courses.)
Students must complete a 400-level senior seminar course in each
area and achieve a minimum 2.00 grade point average in all required
courses in EACH area.
The faculty adviser may be chosen from either
of the two departments. The program must be approved by the chairpersons
of both departments. If a student has combined a concentration leading
to an A.B. degree with a concentration leading to a B.S. degree,
he or she may choose either an A.B. or a B.S. degree after consulting
with the adviser.
Combined concentrations only. Certain areas of
study are available only as a part of a combined concentration.
The following areas must be taken in combination with another area
of study; students may not concentrate solely in one of these areas:
- Communications (tracks in Corporate Communications and Journalism)
(A.B.)
- Digital Media (A.B.)
- Early Childhood Education (A.B. or B.S.)*
- Elementary Education (A.B. or B.S.)*
- Environmental Policy (A.B.)
- Music (A.B.)
- Optics (B.S.)
- Special Education (A.B. or B.S.)*
- Women’s Studies (A.B.)
*See the education department section for specific
requirements for these concentrations.
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Individualized
Study
At any time prior to April of the sophomore year,
a student may submit a program proposal for an area of concentration
different from those outlined in the College catalog. Such a program
must provide for completion of the general studies requirements;
include at least three academic disciplines; contain at least one
400 level course in each of two different areas of study; consist
of a minimum of 12 courses and a maximum of 14; and be clearly superior
to standard concentration requirements in meeting the student's
academic or occupational goals.
Students interested in developing an Individualized
Study Program (ISP) should find an adviser familiar with the student's
goals as well as the general areas of study in which the student
intends to concentrate. With the help of the adviser, the student
will submit a proposal for the Individualized Study Program to the
Curriculum Development Subcommittee. Following approval, the student
is given registration priority to facilitate timely completion of
the program.
Changes in the approved program must also be approved
by the Curriculum Development Subcommittee. Only those academic
departments in which four or more courses have been taken will appear
on the student's transcript.
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