Bulletin 2007-2008 - Austin College

The Academic ProgramEducational MissionIn 2003 as part of a major curriculum review, the faculty adopted the followingstatement to clarify the mission of an Austin College education for its students.An Austin College education transforms the intellectual lives of students as it challengesthem to deepen their understanding of social, ethical, and global issues aswell as their own place in a rich complex of evolving cultural traditions. Sustainedcritical inquiry lies at the heart of an Austin College education, enhanced bybreadth of experience and focused through in-depth study. The goal is to enablestudents to develop themselves as productive members of society who can thinkclearly and critically, understand and respect difference, and express themselvespersuasively.Consistent with the goals of a liberal arts education, Austin College encouragesits students to inquire freely, to cross traditional boundaries, and to challengeconventional wisdom while respecting the rights of others. The college seeks toprovide an academically challenging and lively community of students and teacherswho are committed to intellectual growth through individual and collaborativeendeavors. Austin College graduates are prepared for lives of responsible leadership,enhanced by continued learning, and enriched by lasting values.Austin College CurriculumWorking closely with a faculty mentor, the student designs an academic programto achieve the goals of an Austin College education in the context of his or her ownpersonal aspirations. An Austin College curriculum emphasizes both depth andbreadth of study. It begins with a required freshman seminar course ( Communication/Inquiry), which serves as the foundation for the Austin College education. Theseminar aids students in their transition to college-level work and serves as anorientation to academic services and curricular opportunities and the instructorbecomes the student’s academic adviser and faculty mentor. The faculty-studentengagement established in the seminar initiates the conversation on how to usethe Austin College curriculum to create the educational experience that enhancesintellectual inquiry, critical thinking and leads to lifelong learning.Before the end of their sophomore year, students declare a field to study in depth fromthe college’s list of 30 majors or alternatively, may create their own individualizedmajor using the Special Program Option. Students also must complete a minor (orsecond major) in another field. With proper planning students are able to integratemany of the course requirements of the Breadth Dimension into their major and minor,giving their overall education greater coherence. Through the Breadth Dimensionstudents encounter the different methodologies used by the humanities, sciences,and social sciences but are not required to take specific courses. Instead, studentsmay select courses from the full range of disciplinary fields to develop a programthat complements their major and minor but still adds breadth.Austin College values interdisciplinary studies and encourages its students to considermajoring or minoring in one of its many interdisciplinary programs. One of the purposesof a liberal education is to help students become aware of the interconnectionsACADEMIC PROGRAM| 45