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Birmingham-Southern College Catalog 2017-2018
42
ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
major will be evaluated. For a unit of credit, students should complete at least 150 clock
hours of work associated with the contract during the term, including time spent reading,
writing, or completing other assignments, as well as time on site for an internship
experience. The department chair of the faculty sponsor, the student’s academic advisor,
and the Exploration Term and Contract Learning Committee review and must approve all
proposals. Contract titles and descriptions appear on the academic transcript, and
contracts are kept on file in the Office of Academic Records.
Contracts are not an alternative for existing courses in the curriculum. Courses may not
be redeemed by contract. Not-candidate-for-degree students are not allowed to design and
contract individualized learning experiences. Individualized courses usually carry the
designation of the supervising discipline. The college-wide designations “IND,” “GEN,”
and other interdisciplinary designations are also available as alternatives for courses that
do not fall clearly within a single discipline. Courses with non-disciplinary designations
do not satisfy Explorations curriculum requirements. Exploration term contracts are
numbered 299 or 499; regular term independent study contracts are numbered 293, 393,
or 493; and regular term career orientation practicums or pre-professional internships are
numbered 297, 397, or 497. See the “Common Course Numbers” section in this catalog
for more information. A maximum of two units counting toward graduation may be
earned for independent study and internships. Career orientation practicums or pre-
professional internships for academic credit normally carry a satisfactory or
unsatisfactory grade (“S”/“U”).
Bunting Center for Engaged Study and Community Action
Kristin Harper, Director
The Bunting Center for Engaged Study and Community Action promotes active civic
engagement by encouraging participation in service-learning projects with local, national,
and international agencies or organizations. Service-learning combines academic study,
community work, and intentional reflection. The essential question posed by Bunting
Center experiences is
how do we develop the best combination of knowledge, skills, and
values that will make a positive difference in our communities?
The Bunting Center provides opportunities for the Birmingham-Southern College
community to
•
engage in the community beyond the gate
•
recognize and challenge assumptions
•
interact across cultures
•
reconsider ways of knowing and sources of knowledge
•
understand and practice civic involvement
•
channel personal and academic interests to address community-identified needs
•
act to recognize and correct injustice
•
prepare for lives of active citizenship