PDF of the 2012-2013 Academic Catalog - Scripps College

8 Scripps College Scripps College Catalog
Mathematics. Similarly, Scripps assumes that numeracy and/or logic are critical skills. The
requirement can be met in theoretical (precalculus) or applied mathematics (statistics) or logic.
Foreign Language. The nuanced understanding and use of English depends to a degree upon
one’s familiarity with the principles of a language not one’s own. Furthermore, the ability to read a
foreign language is the surest means of access to a culture other than one’s own. To this end Scripps
also encourages study abroad for a semester or year. The language may be ancient or modern. The
requirement presupposes a thorough knowledge of basic grammatical structure, the ability to write
correctly, and with respect to a modern language, the capacity to understand and respond to a native
speaker.
Breadth of Study
All students are required to take at least one course in each of the four principal academic divisions,
fine arts, letters, natural sciences, and social sciences.
In addition, Scripps believes it is important that students do work in two areas that are themselves
notably interdisciplinary and of immediate import for contemporary society—gender and women’s
studies (one course) and race and ethnic studies (one course in addition to the Core). The gender
and women’s studies requirement may be met through any one of several courses in fine arts,
letters, or social sciences. The race and ethnic studies requirement is filled through the threesemester
Core plus one course designated to meet the requirement. A student may fulfill the race
and ethnic studies or gender and women’s studies requirement while, for instance, meeting a
divisional requirement in fine arts, letters, or social sciences.
The Major: Disciplines and Area Studies
As the student progresses from the interdisciplinary humanities and general education requirements,
studies become more focused upon a major in a specific discipline or area study. The latter includes
Africana Studies; American studies; art conservation, Asian studies; Asian American studies;
Chicano/a studies; environmental analysis; environment, economics and politics; European studies;
gender and women’s studies; Jewish studies; Latin American studies; legal studies; media studies;
Middle East and North African studies; neuroscience; and science, technology, and society.
A major demands a significant level of accomplishment, both in class and through independent
work culminating in the senior thesis. There are some 50 areas of specialization available either
at Scripps or in conjunction with the other Claremont Colleges, fields that range from classics to
mathematics. In addition, students may petition for approval of a self-designed major.
Majoring introduces the student to the methods and particular knowledge that will lead to expertise
in that field. Sometimes the major is preparatory to graduate or professional school, sometimes to
careers upon graduation.
A “discipline” is so-called because of the rigor required for mastery of the field. Whether it is
dance, economics, literature, music, philosophy, or physics, learning at its most challenging is the
heart of majoring in a discipline. The senior thesis is the capstone of this endeavor. Increasingly,
students are opting for dual or double majors or some combination of a major and a minor, often in
a related field.
Fine Arts
Scripps students may major in art (including ceramics, sculpture, computer graphics, photography,
and painting), music, dance, and theatre. Instruction in music includes voice, piano, choral groups,
conducting, and chamber music. Scripps has its own dance program and participates in a fivecollege
theatre program with the other Claremont Colleges.
Letters
Majors at Scripps include art history, classics, English, French, German, Hispanic studies, Italian,
philosophy, and religious studies. In addition, Scripps’ affiliation with the other Claremont Colleges
affords access to courses in Russian and several Asian languages and literatures.