Bulletin 2007-2008 - Austin College

ACADEMIC DEPARTMENTS AND COURSES OF STUDYFOUNDATIONCOURSESCOMMUNICATION/INQUIRYBart Dredge, director (Fall)Danny Nuckols, director (Spring)101 Freshman SeminarC/I 101 serves as the foundation course inthe undergraduate curriculum. Seminar topicsvary with the interests and specialization ofinstructors. At the same time, each seminarsection emphasizes enhancement of skillsin writing, oral communication, computertechnology, and library usage, along withattention to other facets of intellectual inquiryand critical thinking. The C/I instructor servesas the student’s faculty mentor. Mentors arewell versed in advising across the curriculum.(Each fall)245 Communication/LeadershipSelected upper-class students serve as membersof faculty-student leadership teams in planningand implementing the various sectionsof Communication/Inquiry 101. Admissionby special permission of program directorand C/I faculty. (Graded on S/D/U basis).(Each fall)ACADEMICDEPARTMENTSAND COURSESOF STUDYAFRICAN STUDIES121 African History and CulturesA survey of African history and culturesfocusing on the roots of African institutions,the impact of colonialism, and the modernera of independence. While North Africa isincluded, the emphasis is on sub-SaharanAfrica. The course includes special concentrationon contemporary problem areas,e.g., Angola, Namibia, and South Africa.AMERICAN STUDIESJim Gray, directorAmerican studies is an interdisciplinarymajor that attempts to define the Americanexperience, character, and culture. It is adiscipline with its own methodology andits own perspective. It also allows thestudent to pursue the subject from theperspectives and with the methodologiesof several other disciplines.A student majoring in American studiesmust complete a minimum of nineappropriate course credit units, includingAmerican Studies 231. Normallythe latter course will have been takenby the middle of the major’s junioryear. Other courses may be substitutedfor American Studies 231 with the approvalof the director.Other options include the courses,directed studies, and independent studiesoffered by a variety of disciplineswhere content is relevant to an Americanstudies major. Appropriate subjectareas include art, economics, English,history, music, philosophy, politicalscience, psychology, religious studies,sociology, and theatre. Each studentplans an individualized course of studyunder the guidance of the programdirector for American studies.231 Methodology and Readingsin American StudiesA conference course using a basic reading liston the methodology and approaches appropriateto American studies as a discipline.250 Intermediate Topics inAmerican StudiesA study of selected topics and issues offeredon an occasional basis. May be repeated whentopic varies.260 Intermediate Directed Study(Variable course credit)COURSES OF INSTRUCTION| 73