GC&SU Arts and Sciences to streamline some majors
Five undergraduate major programs in the College of Arts and Sciences are being streamlined in an effort to better organize all majors.
The Bachelor of Science in Political Science, the Bachelor of Science in Sociology, the Bachelor of Science in History, and the Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics are being streamlined to make the university’s major system less confusing. The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice will also be switched to a Bachelor of Arts.
“We are shifting toward B.A. degrees in the arts, humanities, and social sciences, and B.S. degrees in the sciences,” said Dean of Arts and Science Dr. Beth Rushing.
That means history majors, for example, may no longer have the option of obtaining a Bachelor of Science and Math majors may not be able to get a Bachelor of Arts. As a result, students in search of degrees in the arts, humanities and social sciences will have to take foreign languages up to the fourth year.
Political Science professor Dr. Catherine Moses said the shift is a good idea for students, especially since it emphasizes foreign language.
“I think it is a good step for the departments,” she said. “The B.A. in Political Science is the standard for most Political Science departments. It also will encourage the study of foreign languages, since two years of languages are now required. Students will now be taking the research methods class. The combination of methods and language capacity for the B.A. will definitely strengthen the program and the degree. Students will be better prepared for graduate school and the working world.”
Right now the foreign language requirements are as follows: in the Bachelor of
Science degree program, students must complete the 1002 level. This means that the student generally learns only the basics, listening, speaking, and writing, of the language, and the course includes one lab per week. On the other hand, the Bachelor of Arts degree program requires students to complete through the 2002 level, which is more involved.
“Our faculty strongly support training in a foreign language, and so we are in favor of strengthening language requirements for all students,” said history professor Dr. Deborah Vess, “We live in a very global age, and proficiency in a foreign language is a must now for many careers or even for navigating life. It is also a very strong foundation for further work in history, as many sources are not in English.”
Rushing said students who are currently enrolled in the streamlined majors will be allowed to continue in those programs, but by Fall 2005, the streamlined programs will no longer be available.
Posted by Colonnade Archives
on Feb 4 2005. Filed under News.
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