REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION

Degrees Conferred

Birmingham Southern College confers the earned undergraduate degrees of Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Music Education, and Bachelor of Science.

Requirements for any Bachelor’s Degree

To earn any bachelor’s degree offered by the College, a student must complete the following requirements:

(1) Total units: pass 32 full unit regular term courses or the equivalent, and complete one interim term project for each full academic year that he or she is enrolled in Birmingham Southern College.

(2) Major: successfully complete a concentration consisting of a minimum of eight units in the major discipline. For the Bachelor of Arts degree or the Bachelor of Science degree, no more than 20 units in a major and its supporting courses (including interim terms) or in any interdisciplinary or individualized major may be presented toward the 32 regular term plus interim term units required for graduation.

(3) Grade point average: earn a grade point average of 2.00 (a "C" average) on all work completed at Birmingham Southern College and earn a 2.00 grade point average on all work completed in his or her major and minor field; for interdisciplinary or individualized majors the student must earn a 2.00 average on the six units required in each discipline; additionally, a student who has transferred to Birmingham Southern College from another institution must have a cumulative 2.00 average, a 2.00 average on all work completed at the College, and must have a 2.00 average on all courses in the major and minor field completed at Birmingham Southern College.

(4) Residency: complete at least two years of work (16 regular term units and 2 interim units) at Birmingham Southern College. A student who has transferred to Birmingham Southern College from another institution must complete at least five units of credit in his or her major discipline, and, if declaring a minor, earn at least half of the required credits at Birmingham Southern College.

If a student has completed the requirements for one baccalaureate degree at Birmingham Southern College, he or she must earn at least eight regular units and one interim unit of additional credit in residence at Birmingham Southern College, and must satisfy all requirements for graduation, in order to complete a second baccalaureate degree. Completion of two majors alone does not warrant the awarding of two separate degrees to graduating students.

(5) Discharge all obligations and college duties.

Foundations Curriculum Requirements for B.A. and B.S. Degree Programs

At Birmingham Southern College, we believe that a liberal arts education is the foundation for life long learning, and a foundational understanding of a breadth of scholarly disciplines forms the fundamental core of that education. This belief is the organizing principle of our liberal arts curriculum. The curriculum at the College is taught through academic disciplines. These disciplines, however, are not completely distinct. Many disciplines share common methodologies or are constructed around a common body of knowledge. We recognize this fact by grouping the academic disciplines at the College into six broad areas: behavioral and social sciences; business; education; fine and performing arts; humanities; and mathematics and natural, physical, and computer sciences. While we teach our curriculum through these disciplines, the ideal goal of a liberal arts education is an integration of knowledge and understanding gained through them. Moreover, we recognize that some important concepts, especially scholarship, cross all disciplines. The College’s intentions for general education are explained in the “General Education Goals” and “Integrated Studies” statements that precede the “Foundations Curriculum Requirements” in the catalog and serve as its basis.

(1) First-Year Foundations (3 units)

Birmingham-Southern College recognizes the importance of the first year of college as foundational in the development of a life long learner. As a means of focusing on the special needs of first year students, each academic area of the College has designated a number of courses solely for these students. Some courses are offered either in the fall or the spring; others are offered each semester. Often these courses have special components tied to the “Common Hour,” such as lectures or performances. Some of these courses are linked so that all students in one class will also be taking the other. Some are offered in multi-disciplinary clusters; some are partnered with a first year interim. In registration materials, these classes are designated as “1Y.”
In their first year of college, students are required to take three (3) First-Year Foundations courses from at least two of the six academic areas listed above. These courses may also satisfy the Disciplinary Foundations or Skills Foundations requirements as articulated below. (Students who transfer to the College in the spring of their first year are required to take two (2) of these courses. Students transferring after their first year are exempt from this requirement.)

(2) Disciplinary Foundations (10 units)

Arts and Sciences form the foundation of a liberal arts education. We recognize that students cannot take courses in every discipline of the arts and sciences, yet we believe it is important that they take courses in different areas to secure a well rounded education. To ensure a foundational breadth, students must take at least five (5) units in both Arts and Sciences within the parameters stated below. Students taking interdisciplinary courses may count them in any discipline represented by the course or in the discipline of one of the professors if the course is team taught. Disciplinary Foundations courses may not fulfill Skills Foundations requirements.

(a) Arts (at least 1 unit from each of the five groups below)

1. Fine and Performing Arts (This unit must be in the history, appreciation, or theory of art, dance, music, or theatre, not in the practice of a creative or performing art.)
2. History
3. Literature (through English, classics, or foreign language)
4. Philosophy or Religion (except for PL 241 and PL 350)
5. Humanities (classics, English, foreign languages, history, philosophy, religion)

(b) Sciences (at least 5 units from the two areas described below)

1. Astronomy, biology, chemistry, computer science, environmental studies, mathematics, or physics (a minimum of 3 units representing at least two disciplines; at least one course must be a laboratory science)
2. Economics, political science, psychology, or sociology (a minimum of 2 units representing at least two disciplines)

(3) Skills Foundations (4 5 units)

In addition to their Disciplinary Foundations courses, Birmingham-Southern College students are expected to demonstrate a basic competency in a creative art, a foreign language, mathematics, and writing. Courses taken to fulfill the Skills Foundations may not be used for Disciplinary Foundations credit.

1. Creative Art (1 unit)
   A total of at least one unit must be in the practice of a creative or performing art, not in the history, appreciation, or theory of a fine or performing art (art, creative writing, dance, music, or theatre).
2. Foreign Language and Culture (1 2 units)
   Depending on placement, students will take 1 2 units in a non native language through one of the following means: 101 and 102; 201 and 220; or one course at the 220 level or above. Students who have studied a language for more than one year prior to entering Birmingham-Southern College will not receive general education credit for taking 101 or 102 in that language except through approval by the foreign language faculty.
3. Mathematics (1 unit)
   MA 150 (introductory course), MA 207 (statistics), or MA 231 (calculus) or higher. (Students must also pass MA 115 by course work, by presenting acceptable ACT or SAT scores, or by passing the algebra proficiency exam given during orientation week. This requirement must be completed before any other mathematics courses may be taken. All new students should complete this requirement during their first term at the College. If schedule conflicts or other problems prevent this, students should complete this requirement no later than their second term at the College.)
4. Writing (1 unit)
   Successfully complete EH 102 or EH 208. A student with an AP score of five on the English grammar examination or an IB score of six or seven is placed automatically in EH 208. All other students are placed by the English faculty according to application essays and ACT or SAT test scores.

(4) Intercultural Foundations (1 unit)

We live in an increasingly globalized world composed of diverse cultures. With this reality in mind, we require each student to take at least one (1) course or interim whose primary focus of study is the experience of an ethnic minority American culture or cultures; culture(s) other than that of the United States; or the analysis of multiple cultures. These courses may also fulfill some of the requirements above or be requirements for the major or minor. These courses will be labeled in the catalog and interim bulletin as "IC" courses.

Approved Regular Term Intercultural Foundations Courses

AR 215 Survey of Art History I: Ancient to Medieval
AR 216 Survey of Art History II: Renaissance to Present
AR 220 International Film I
AR 221 International Film II
AR 315 Renaissance and Baroque Art
AR 415 Nineteenth-Century Art
AR 416 Twentieth-Century Art

CL 211 Mythology
CL 301 Greek Civilization

EH 230/HI 230 Plural America I
EH 231/HI 231 Plural America II
EH 384 Literature of the American Indian
EH 385 Contextual Studies in World Literature
EH 389 Contextual Studies in American Literature
EH 395 Contemporary International Fiction

FR 325 French Civilization
FR 360 Quebec: Life and Letters
FR 401 Survey of French Literature I
FR 402 Survey of French Literature II
FR 410 Twentieth-Century Literature
FR 420 Nineteenth-Century Literature
FR 470 French Seminar

GN 303 Introduction to German Culture I
GN 304 Introduction to German Culture II
GN 401 Survey of German Literature I
GN 402 Survey of German Literature II

HI 181 East Asian Civilization I: China and Japan to the Mongol Invasions
HI 230/EH 230 Plural America I
HI 231/EH 231 Plural America II
HI 242 Industry, Imperialism, and World War: History of England from George III to the Present
HI 249 Social and Cultural History of Germany
HI 260 Social History of Latin America
HI 265 The Middle East in the Twentieth Century
HI 288 Remembering World War II (A): The War in Asia and the Pacific
HI 289 Remembering World War II (B): The War in Europe and the Holocaust
HI 300 Colonial America
HI 304 Minorities in America
HI 330/RE 330 Religion in America
HI 341 The Renaissance and Reformation
HI 387 Western Images of Asia

MU 126 Music of the World's People

PL 251 History of Western Philosophy I

PS 238 Introduction to Comparative Politics
PS 240 Introduction to Latin American Politics
PS 307 Civil Rights and Justice
PS 332 International Politics of Latin America
PS 338 Comparative Political Behavior
PS 342 Comparative Political Development
PS 361 Politics in China and Japan

PY 300 Service: Motivations and Outcomes
PY 320 Cross Cultural Psychology

RE 330/HI 330 Religion in America

SO 102 Contemporary Social Problems
SO 305 Sociology of the Family
SO 335 Race and Ethnic Relations
SO 380 Sociology of Religion

SN 340 Cinema in Spain and Latin America
SN 350 Latinos in the United States
SN 360 Spanish Civilization
SN 365 Latin American Civilization
SN 370 Special Topics in Culture
SN 401 Panorama of Spanish Literature
SN 402 Panorama of Latin American Literature
SN 495 Special Topics in Literature

(5) Scholarship Foundations

Scholarship is the primary product of disciplinary study. We use this word in the broadest sense. It may mean research in the sciences, writing in the humanities, performing in the arts. Each discipline defines what is appropriate scholarship for its students. In the academic world, scholarship is presented publicly and reviewed by peers. This process of presentation, review, and commentary creates a richer intellectual community for both scholars and the world at large. Scholarship occurs throughout the liberal arts experience, and the culminating piece of scholarship at Birmingham-Southern College is the Senior Conference, a time during which seniors publicly share their research, scholarship, and creativity with faculty and students inside and outside their major.

All students must complete a scholarly senior seminar, interim, or independent study as deemed appropriate by disciplinary faculty in the major. To demonstrate this disciplinary scholarship, all students must participate in a Senior Conference prior to graduation.

(6) Intellectual and Cultural Foundations

The intellectual and cultural opportunities presented during the course of a college education are immense. During this time, life long learners deepen their intellectual and cultural understandings and experiences. They enrich their interests in certain areas and develop new tastes in others. To assist in this development, all students must accumulate 40 points in the College’s intellectual and cultural life program. Prior to graduation, students are required to attend at least 40 approved cultural and intellectual programs held on campus and in the community, an average of ten per year. No more than ten of these may come from off campus events. Each semester a list of specially approved lectures, events, performances, recitals, etc., will be published through print and electronic means. Many of these events will occur during the “Common Hour” on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Transfer students must obtain points equivalent to five per each semester they attend Birmingham-Southern College. (Students on foreign study receive five points for each semester abroad.)

A student’s time of registration is linked to a student’s class standing and the number of cultural events attended. The minimum required number of events are as follows:

Foundations Curriculum for B.M., B.M.E., and B.F.A. Degree Programs

Students who wish to earn a Bachelor of Music degree, Bachelor of Music Education degree, or a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree must complete the following requirements.

(1) First-Year Foundations (2 units)
Students must take two (2) 1Y courses from at least two of the following six academic areas: behavioral and social sciences; business; education; fine and performing arts; humanities; and mathematics and natural, physical, and computer sciences. (For B.M. and B.M.E. students, the fall semester 1Y course will be MU 123.)

(2) Disciplinary Foundations (5 units)
Students must complete five (5) units in divisions outside of the fine and performing arts, and are required to take one each from science and mathematics, humanities, and the behavioral and social sciences.

(3) Skills Foundations (3-4 units)
Skills Foundations units are in addition to the Disciplinary Foundations units listed above. For required units from Foreign Language and Culture (1-2 units), Mathematics (1 unit) and Writing (1 unit) see the “Skills Foundations” section under “Foundations Curriculum Requirements for B.A. and B.S. Degree Programs.”

(4) Intercultural Foundations (1 unit)
Each student must take one (1) IC designated course, which may count as another requirement above or towards a major or minor.

(5) Scholarship Foundations
Students must complete a scholarly senior seminar, interim or independent study as directed by disciplinary faculty in the major.

(6) Intellectual and Cultural Foundations
Students should attend at least 40 approved cultural and intellectual programs, an average of ten per year. For required attendance per year, see the “Intellectual and Cultural Foundations” section under “Foundations Curriculum Requirements for B.A. and B.S. Degree Programs.” Each student must accumulate 40 points in the intellectual and cultural life program.

Optional Means for Satisfying General Education Requirements

Selected interim term projects may satisfy general education requirements. Such projects must be recommended by the discipline involved, and approved by the Interim/Contract Learning Committee and the Academic Council.

At the discretion of the disciplinary faculties involved, a maximum of four units of general education requirements may be satisfied by Advanced Placement credits, International Baccalaureate credits, challenge examinations, and prior learning. Students should consult the respective disciplinary sections of the catalog for exceptions.

Interim Term

Carlye Dudgeon, Director of Interim and Contract Learning

A major objective of the curriculum is to encourage all students to develop their potentials for creative activity and independent study. Under the 4-1-4 academic calendar on which the College operates, the January interim term provides a unique opportunity for innovation and experimentation on the part of both students and faculty. Consequently, project activities during the January interim term vary in content and in technique, but students are encouraged to use initiative and imagination whether their project is a group endeavor or an individual effort. Students should complete interim projects during the winter interim, a period of four weeks beginning early in January.

During the sophomore, junior, and senior years, students may contract individualized interim projects. All contracted projects must meet high academic standards and be supervised by faculty members from Birmingham-Southern College. Each contracted project must be approved by the student’s faculty advisor, the project sponsor, the appropriate division chair, and the Interim/Contract Learning Committee. First-year students may not contract individualized interim projects; they must select from the “Interim Term Bulletin” one of the projects open to them. All first-year students must work under the close supervision of a Birmingham-Southern College faculty member. Additionally, students may participate in the Interim Exchange Program and work under the supervision of faculty members from other institutions with which the College is affiliated in the program.

A student is required to complete one interim project for each full academic year of enrollment in the College up to a maximum of four. Each project counts as a full unit. For those majors that require a senior interim project, the senior interim project must receive a letter grade. A student who accelerates his or her program in order to graduate after three academic years plus summers is required to take only three interim projects. A transfer student who meets only the minimum residence requirements for a degree must complete at least two interim projects.

All interim projects are recorded on permanent records and class schedules according to discipline abbreviations (including “GEN” for those projects outside of the disciplines offered at the College) and the number 199, 299, 399. If required for the major, senior interims will be recorded as 499. Although not listed in the catalog, all disciplines normally offer projects every January interim term. Each fall a published “Interim Term Bulletin” lists projects offered in the upcoming term. The College also receives information concerning January offerings at other 4-1-4 colleges and encourages students to consider these opportunities.