Arts
Since its founding, Manhattan College has sought to broaden the intellectual horizons of its students and to prepare them for the various professions. The School of Arts continues the College’s tradition through its core curriculum and its majors. The faculty of Arts seek to provide students with the skills of analysis and criticism that are central to an understanding of the contemporary world, to provide the informational base for that understanding, and to prepare individual men and women with the flexibility essential for effective professional development in a rapidly changing society.
The Curriculum
The faculty of Arts have adopted a program of education that will provide students with the opportunity for a life of continuing growth and development in the twenty-first century. The core of the program is entitled THE ROOTS OF LEARNING. Its development was supported by a generous grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Foundation courses include composition, foreign language, science, and mathematics. Students then proceed to studies of the modern age through humanities and the social sciences. The program is structured to provide a common learning experience for all students in Arts.
The Core: The Roots of Learning
The Roots of Learning represents a commitment to an educational program that judiciously combines content and process. The program seeks to
• equip students with the intellectual skills essential to a productive professional life of learning and leadership;
• immerse students in the traditions of humanism, the sciences, and the social sciences;
• provide the global perspective essential to living and growing in our ever smaller, but increasingly complex world; and
• develop critical reasoning and analytical skills through an intensive study of fundamental texts.
School of Arts Core Curriculum Requirements
(Course descriptions begin on page 155.)
| General Requirements | Credits |
| College Writing | 3 |
| A first-year requirement | |
| Religious Studies | 9 |
| RELS 110, which is usually taken in the first year, a 300-level elective, and a 400-level elective | |
| Modern Language | 6 |
| A full-year requirement | |
| Mathematics | 3 |
| Course requirement dependent upon program specifications | |
| Science | 9 |
Students select from SCI 230, 231, 232, 201, 202, 203, 204, 221 and BIOL 103-104. Part of the science requirement may also be satisfied by a full year of chemistry, biology, or physics.
Every student will demonstrate computer proficiency in the area of major concentration by passing a test on entrance or taking a computer course.
Core Requirements
| Classical Origins of Western Culture | ||
| (LLRN 102*) | 3 | |
| A first-year requirement | ||
| Global/non-western course | 3 | |
| The Roots of the Social Sciences | 9 | |
| Students choose three of the following: | ||
| Economics (LLRN 120*) | ||
| Government (LLRN 121*) | ||
| Sociology (LLRN 122*) | ||
| Psychology (LLRN 123*) | ||
| The Roots of Modern Age | 12 | |
| History (LLRN 203*) | ||
| Literature (LLRN 204*) | ||
| Philosophy (LLRN 205*) | ||
| Fine Arts (LLRN 207* or LLRN 209*) | ||
*LLRN courses are open only to students in the School of Arts and the School of Science.
The Major
A major is an extensive and detailed study of a particular discipline or a coherent combination of disciplines. Each student in Arts selects a major field of study. It is chosen on the basis of the individual’s interests, educational and career goals, and abilities. Double majors are possible with careful planning.
In Arts, the areas of specialization from which a student selects a major include the following fields: communication, economics, English, government, history, modern languages (French and Spanish), philosophy, psychology, religious studies and sociology.
In addition, several interdisciplinary majors are available to students in Arts. These programs are designed to enhance a student’s knowledge of a particular area of study not easily confined to a traditional academic department and to help the student develop an ability to address multiple perspectives. The interdisciplinary programs currently offered in Arts are international studies, peace studies, and urban affairs. Requirements for the major fields are listed under the department or program.
Students may not take more than 42 credits in their major without the permission of the Department Chair and the Dean. There is a residency requirement in the major for all transfer students: no more than 12 credits may transfer toward the major. Students are encouraged to develop a minor or a cluster.
Minor Fields of Study
Minors may be earned in most departments of Arts. In each department, the minimum grade requirements for the minor are the same as those for the major. A minor ordinarily consists of 15 credits. All courses used to satisfy the requirements for a minor must be taken at Manhattan College.
Students in Arts may pursue minors in other schools at Manhattan: in Accounting, Computer Information Systems, Finance, Management, and Marketing in the School of Business; a general Education minor without state certification in the School of Education; or a minor in Science or in a specific Science or in Mathematics or Computer Science. Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses taken for the minor in these schools. Students generally take no more than fifteen credits in Business or Education.
Clusters
Students in all five schools are invited to use their electives to form a cluster of five courses from various departments that focus on a common theme. The School of Arts offers clusters in American Studies, Pan-African Studies, Latin-American and Caribbean Area Studies, Women’s Studies, Cognitive Science, Environmental Studies, and Roman Catholic Studies.
Information on the courses and on the requirements are available from the Cluster Coordinators: Dr. George Kirsch (American Studies); Dr. Winsome Downie (Pan-African Studies); Dr. Rodney Rodriguez (Latin-American and Caribbean Area Studies); Dr. Ashley Cross (Woman and Gender Studies); Dr. Jay Friedenberg (Cognitive Science); Dr. Pamela Chasek (Environmental Studies); and Dr. Michele Saracino (Roman Catholic Studies).
Electives
Most programs in Arts include the opportunity for a student to select particular electives to meet individual needs. Often elective courses are selected on the basis of their relationship to the student’s major field of study; they also enable students to develop a minor field of study, to structure a second major, or to explore new areas of knowledge. Electives should not be selected without serious consideration. Students are advised to consult regularly with their advisors concerning their electives.
Students generally take no more than fifteen credits in Business, Education, Science, or Engineering. Any courses taken in these programs must be approved by the appropriate chair. Students interested in exercising any of these options must consult with the Academic Advisor in the School of Arts.
Please note: Credits earned in Aerospace Studies may not be used for any degree program in Arts except Peace Studies. Students may not take more than three credits total in health and physical education courses.
Student Course Load
Students may not take more than eighteen credits in the Fall or the Spring semester without the written approval of the Dean of Arts. Students may not take more than three credits in the January or May intersession or the summer session without the written approval of the Dean of Arts.
Bachelor of Science in General Studies
The curriculum for the degree program in General Studies is an alternative to the usual undergraduate curriculum. It features an area of concentration rather than a major, and three areas of lesser concentration. Consequently, there is less specialization, but opportunity for broader and more structured general education. Each program provides core requirements in English, fine arts, history, mathematics and science, philosophy, psychology, religious studies, and sociology as a foundation for self-enrichment, appreciation and understanding. The basic core requires forty-eight credits, including nine credits in religious studies, six of which must be electives at the 300- and 400-level.
A student is required to take one area of greater concentration (a minimum of eighteen credits beyond the core curriculum) in one of the following areas: biology, chemistry, computer science, economics, education, English, French, government, history, international studies, mathematics, peace studies, philosophy, physics, psychology, religious studies, sociology, Spanish, or urban studies. No language courses at the 100-level count in the greater concentration and no more than two 200-level courses or six credits of AP may count toward the greater concentration. Students must achieve a grade of C or better in all courses in the greater concentration.
In addition, a student must follow three areas of lesser concentration (a minimum of twelve credits each beyond the core curriculum) in fields other than the area of greater concentration. Fields of lesser concentration may be selected from the following areas: accounting, applied science, business (general), biology, chemistry, computer science, computer information systems, economics, education, engineering, English, fine arts, French, general science, government, history, international studies, Japanese, management, marketing, mathematics, peace studies, philosophy, physics, psychology, religious studies, sociology, Spanish, or urban studies. No language courses at the 100-level count in the lesser concentration and no more than two 200-level courses or six credits of AP may count toward the lesser concentration. Students must achieve a grade of C or better in all courses in the lesser concentrations.
The balance of the program will include electives. A student’s program should not include electives that exceed twenty-four credits in the field of greater concentration or eighteen credits in the fields of lesser concentration. No more than 18 credits in any combination may be taken in courses offered by the Schools of Business, Education, or Engineering, including courses taken in a concentration. No more than 3 credits may be taken in Physical Education and/or Health Education combined. Credits earned in Aerospace Studies do not count toward graduation in this program. Students in this program must take at least 75 credits in the liberal arts and sciences.
Academic Advising
All freshmen and those sophomores who have not yet declared a major are advised by the Academic Advisor for the School of Arts. Students who have chosen their major are advised by the Chair of their department or his or her delegate. Transfer students plan their first semester with the Academic Advisor.
Study Abroad Opportunities
Arts encourages students to broaden their educational horizons by participating in foreign study programs. In order to participate in such a program a student must have a minimum cumulative index of 2.75.
Arts is affiliated with the American Institute for Foreign Study and is also associated with the Institute for European Study and its campuses world-wide. Foreign study opportunities are available in many countries.
Further information about these and a wide range of other study abroad opportunities is available through the Director for International Programs, Professor Nevart Wanger, or the Coordinator of Study Abroad, Mrs. Nancy Cave. All foreign study programs must be approved by the Office of the Dean of Arts after consultation with the Director for International Programs.
Policy for Off-Campus Courses
Once a student is admitted to Manhattan College, all major and minor department courses and all Core Curriculum courses must be taken at Manhattan College. Certain approved non-resident programs would be exceptions to this requirement. Under unusual circumstances, courses may be taken at another college, with the approval of the Dean, after consultation with the Chair of a student’s major department. Ordinarily, students who have achieved junior or senior status will not be permitted to take courses at two-year junior or community colleges.
Honor Societies and Research Opportunities
The faculty of Arts, in order to encourage and reward the development of serious scholarship among its students, have established on campus a number of national honor societies. Chief among these are Phi Beta Kappa and Sigma Xi.
Phi Beta Kappa, founded in 1776, is dedicated to the ideal of excellence in scholarship in the liberal arts and sciences and is widely regarded as a mark of the highest distinction. The Manhattan College Chapter, the Upsilon of New York, was chartered in 1971. Students elected to Phi Beta Kappa are chosen from among those students who have achieved general scholastic excellence.
Sigma Xi is a national honor society founded in 1886 that encourages original research in the pure and applied sciences. Students are elected to membership on the basis of their accomplishments in research and their enthusiasm for continued scientific investigation.
In addition, most academic departments sponsor local chapters of national honor societies in their disciplines. A list of these may be found on p. 24. The faculty are dedicated to encouraging student research efforts and are pleased to have students join them in their own research. Indeed, one of the hallmarks of Manhattan College is the frequency with which students and faculty join together in research projects.
Independent study courses are available in most departments for students seeking the opportunity to do advanced-level study with a faculty member. In addition, many departments also sponsor supervised internships and field-study opportunities through the department or through the Cooperative Education Program.
Of special note are the Branigan Scholars Grants. These grants, established in 1967 through the generous contributions of Edward Vincent Branigan ’40 with matching gifts from major corporations and support from the National Endowment for the Humanities, provide summer stipends for students pursuing research projects independent of their course work.
Cooperative Education
Opportunities for off-campus work experiences that carry course credit toward graduation are available to juniors and seniors in the School of Arts through the Cooperative Education Program.
Graduate Awards and Fellowships
Manhattan College is among a small, select group of American Colleges sending large numbers of students on to graduate schools. To continue this tradition, Arts has developed programs to assist students seeking information about graduate programs and particularly about fellowships and scholarships for graduate study. Further information is available from the Office of Post-Baccalaureate Studies, DLS 206E, and from the departmental chairs.
Prelegal Advisory Committee
Students interested in entering law school should seek guidance through the Prelegal Advisory Committee. In addition to personal interviews, the Committee conducts group meetings to advise students on specialized fields of law. The Committee also makes information available on requirements for admission to law schools, the availability of scholarships, and special opportunities in the legal profession. Further information is available from Professor Patricia Sheridan of the School of Business.
Health Professions Advisory Committee
The Health Professions Advisory Committee is a body of faculty members from several schools who give guidance to students interested in preparing for careers in medicine, dentistry and allied fields. The Committee advises students on the selection of programs of study that will furnish them with specialized pre-professional courses in the sciences and with a broad liberal education to prepare them for effective participation in the health-care community. Further information is available from the Office of the Chair of the Health Advisory Committee, Dr. Bruce Liby of the Physics Department.
Preparation for Medicine and Dentistry
Requirements are established by the Association of American Medical Colleges, the American Dental Association, and other professional associations in the health field. The pre-professional requirements in the sciences are met within the context of a broad liberal education. Pre-professional students are expected to maintain an average of at least a B in their science courses.
The minimum required courses for admission to professional schools are: Biology 111-112, 113-114, Chemistry 101-102, 319-320, 323-324, English 110, Mathematics 103-104 and Physics 101-102 or 107-108. Specific schools may require or recommend other courses.