| |
Rationale:
The University Core seeks to increase students' awareness and knowledge of the world beyond the borders of the United States. The contribution of international courses to this goal is to:
- improve students' ability to function as global citizens in the twenty-first century
- familiarize students with other societies
- AND decrease stereotyping
To make this contribution and accomplish all three of the above, it is expected that a course will engage contemporary culture in an intentional way. This does not by definition preclude courses not situated in the present or recent past, but does suggest that it is imperative that the syllabi of such historically oriented courses clearly demonstrate how and why the material is relevant to contemporary culture. Moreover, this definition does not preclude courses focusing on English speaking cultures, but does suggest that it is imperative that the syllabi of such courses clearly demonstrate how and why the cultures in question are significantly different than that of the United States.
At least one of the international courses must focus on the study of one or more nations or societies historically distinct from Western (originally, European) civilization, such as those of Africa, Asia, and Latin America. These courses will be designated with the suffix "R," required international courses. For their second international selection, students may choose either a second “R” course or from among courses designated as “S.” The “S” designation refers to courses which study one or more nations or societies historically within Western (originally, European) civilization.
Criteria for International Courses Receiving the "R" or "S" Designation:
1. International courses study one or more nations or societies other than the United States.
2. International courses may focus exclusively on nations or societies outside of the United States, or they may be concerned with comparison or with international relations. The majority of class time and assignments of comparative courses will describe and/or analyze materials on nations other than the United States. International courses tracing the relationships among nations will not be primarily concerned with the effects of interactions on the United States, but equally or more with the effects on other nations.
3. Students may not take the same course for both "D" and "R" (or for both "D" and "S") credit.
"R" courses will also meet these criteria:
a. "R" courses are those international courses whose primary focus is on one or more nations or societies historically distinct from Western (originally, European) civilization, such as those of Africa, Asia, or Latin America.
b. "R" courses may focus exclusively on one such nation or society, or they may be concerned with comparison or with international relations. The majority of class time and assignments will be spent on African, Asian, and/or Latin American (or other non-European) material.
|
