Undergraduate Programs
Bachelors Requirements
All students admitted to the School of Liberal Arts after June 1, 2010, must fulfill the requirements described below. Students admitted before that date may elect these requirements by informing their advisor and the Miriam Z. Langsam Office of Student Affairs or may obtain their degree under the requirements in effect at the date they were admitted to the School of Liberal Arts.All students must meet three types of requirements: general-education requirements, distribution requirements, and major requirements. Questions about general-education and distribution requirements can be answered by the School of Liberal Arts Miriam Z. Langsam Office of Student Affairs, Cavanaugh Hall 401, (317) 274-3976. Questions having to do with major requirements should be directed to a faculty advisor or the chairperson of the major department.
General Education Requirements
- A minimum of 122 credit hours is required for either a B.A. or a B.S. degree in the School of Liberal Arts.
- A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (C) is required for graduation.
- A minimum of 30 credit hours must be at the 300-400 level.
- A minimum of 26 credit hours must be completed after formal admission to the School of Liberal Arts. This requirement may be waived by petitioning the Academic Affairs Committee. Petitions are available in Cavanaugh Hall 401.
- Students must complete a minimum of 12 credit hours of their major course work in residence in the appropriate department in the School of Liberal Arts. Some departments have more restrictive residency requirements. Students should check with their major advisor.
- Courses taken using the Pass/Fail option can be applied only as electives or toward the 300- to 400-level requirements (Area III of the distribution requirements for the bachelor’s degree). A maximum of eight courses, with no more than two per year, may be taken as pass/fail.
- With permission from the departmental advisor and the Office of Student Affairs, a maximum of 12 credit hours may be taken by correspondence through the School of Continuing Studies.
- All candidates for degrees in May and August must file an application for the degree by December 1 of that year. All candidates for December degrees must file an application for the degree by September 1 of that year. Candidates for degrees in December, May, or August may participate in the May commencement.
- Credit hours from the following courses will not count toward the 122 hours needed for graduation: English G010, G011, G012, and G013; Mathematics M130, M131, M132, M136, and any mathematics course lower than M118; Business C221, C222, and C225.
- Once a course has been applied toward one requirement, it cannot be used to satisfy a second requirement, except where explicitly stated otherwise. In addition, except in cases of variable title courses, internships, and other special courses, no course will be counted more than once toward graduation.
- A maximum of 15 credit hours in unapproved electives can be counted toward the degree.
Distribution Requirements
The requirements for School of Liberal Arts baccalaureate degree programs include the common general-education core approved by the faculties of both the School of Liberal Arts and the School of Science, and are a curriculum based on the IUPUI Principles of Undergraduate Learning.
Core Course Requirements
A. First-Year Experience (1-3 cr.)
This course introduces students to IUPUI’s culture and values; familiarizes them with campus resources, especially academic uses of technology; provides them with skills in dealing with life at IUPUI; and introduces them to an overview of the humanities and the social and natural sciences. Transfer students with 18 or more credit hours are not required to take this course. First year students entering or intending to enter the School of Liberal Arts should enroll in:
School of Liberal Arts: S100 (2 cr.)
Students transferring from another IUPUI school may use University College: UC110 (1-2 cr.)
B. Junior/Senior Integrator (3 cr.)
This course shows how the humanities and social and natural sciences are interrelated and interdependent. Before taking this course, students must complete the following: one course in their major, English W131 and W132, History H114, one science course, one mathematics course (M118 or above), and one course from two of the following areas: humanities, social science, or comparative world cultures. Ideally, students should complete one course from each of the three lists before taking the integrator course. This course may be used in Area III.
Lists of approved courses will be available in the Schedule of Classes in the Miriam Z. Langsam Office of Student Affairs (Cavanaugh Hall 401) and on the School of Liberal Arts Student Affairs Web site: http://liberalarts.iupui.edu/curriculum/
C. Capstone Experience (1-3 cr.)
The capstone course is generally taken in a student’s major as a cumulative integrating experience that addresses the principles of undergraduate learning as well as values and ethics as they relate to a student’s major. The capstone may be an independent research project or study, a practicum, or a seminar or field experience building on students’ previous work. Special interdisciplinary capstones may also satisfy this requirement. Students should check with their advisors about which courses satisfy this requirement.
Area I. Communications Core (19 cr.)
The courses in the communications core provide work in English and foreign language to help students organize and present their thoughts in an effective manner. Students should enroll in these courses as early in their college careers as possible.
English Composition (6 cr.) Competency in English composition is required. This requirement may be satisfied in the following ways:
- by completing W131 (or W140) and W132 (or W150) with a grade of C (2.0) or higher; W231 will also be accepted as the second English course; (students may also self-place into the W130-W131 "stretch" program to meet the W131 portion of the writing requirement).
- by becoming eligible for the W131 exemption portfolio through the English Placement Exam and receiving special credit for W131 after submitting a portfolio, and completing W132 (or W150) with a grade of C (2.0) or higher; or
- for transfer students, by completing course work equivalent to W131 (or W140) and W132 (or W150) with a grade of C (2.0) or higher at another campus or institution.
- for transfer students with 80 or more transfer credits, by completing a petition for exemption from W132 available in the Miriam Z. Langsam Office of Student Affairs, CA 401.
Note: Special English as a Second Language (ESL) sections of W001 and W131 have been designated for students whose first language is not English.
Speech Communication R110 (3 cr.) Students with previously acquired competency in public speaking may be eligible for special credit and exemption from this requirement; contact the chairperson of the Department of Communication Studies, Cavanaugh Hall 309, (317) 274-0566.
Foreign Languages Requirement First-year competency is required and second-year competency is strongly recommended. Students may earn additional language credit by taking a placement test and completing an advanced course. This requirement may be satisfied in one of the following ways:
- by passing first-year (10 credit hours) courses in a single language with passing grades;
- by completing a second- or third-year course1;
- by taking a placement test and placing into the 200 level or higher; this waives the 100-level requirement but does not carry with it credit toward graduation.
Placement Test Students with previous experience in French, German, or Spanish should take the Foreign Language Placement Test at the Testing Center to assess their level of language proficiency.
Students who complete the course into which they were placed with a grade of C or higher are eligible for special credit at a reduced fee for the appropriate lower-division course(s) that precede the course taken. Foreign language special credits can only be awarded for languages taught in the World Languages and Cultures department at IUPUI. Special credits count toward graduation and toward the foreign language requirements.
117 Courses Courses numbered 117 are reserved for students who have studied no more than one year of the language. Students who have had two or more years of formal study in the language should take either the 131 course in that language for a letter grade or they may take the 117 course for a Satisfactory/Fair (S/F) grade. Students must earn a minimum grade of C to receive an S grade.
Nonnative Speakers Students for whom English is not a first language may be exempted from the foreign language requirement, without credit, by completion of English W131 and W132 with the required grade of C or higher.
Students whose native language is not English may demonstrate proficiency in their native language and earn 3 to 6 hours of 298/299 special credit by successfully completing a specific 300-level course. They may not, however, receive credit for taking first- and second-year courses in their native language. Students are also considered “native speakers of another language” if they have completed secondary (high) school in that language. For questions, check with the Department of World Languages and Cultures (WLAC). Area II. Basic Courses
Analytic Skills (6 cr.) These courses provide the student with insight into the process of logical reasoning. Each student must complete 3 credit hours in mathematics (Math M118 or above) plus 3 credit hours in one of the following: mathematics 2, a statistics course (Economics E270, Geography G488, Psychology B305, Sociology R359, Statistics 301), a computer programming course (N201, N211), a course in logic (Philosophy P162 or P265), Sociology R251, Political Science Y205, or Computer Science N207. A logic or statistics course in a student’s major can be applied toward the second requirement.
Computer science and computer technology courses that develop the student’s problem-solving ability and promote the understanding and use of logical structures of thought are appropriate for the analytical skills requirement. Computer courses must focus on programming or data manipulation.
Natural Science (9-11 cr.) This area allows for a choice of courses treating the natural phenomena of the world according to models of scientific thought. The credit hours are to be selected from at least two of the following areas, and at least one of the courses must be a laboratory course:
- Anthropology A103
- Astronomy A100, A105
- Biology K101, K103, N100, N107, N200, N212, N213 (lab), N214, N215 (lab), N217, N251, N322
- Chemistry C100, C101, C102, C105, C106
- Geography G107, G108 (lab), G185, G303, G307
- Geology G107, G117 (lab), G109, G119 (lab), G110, G120 (lab), G206 (lab), G115, G132, G180
- Physics P100, P152, P200, P218, P219, P251, P201, P202
- Psychology B105
History (6 cr.) These courses explore patterns and processes of history essential for making decisions in the present and give the background necessary for students to assume their responsibility as citizens. This requirement is fulfilled by taking H114 or H109, and H113 or H108.
Arts and Humanities (6 cr.) This area presents insights into aesthetics, ideas, and systems of values.
The 6 credit hours must come from TWO OF THE AREAS below. Courses in one’s major cannot be used to fulfill this requirement; however, one course taken as part of a minor may be used. Creative writing, drawing, performance, or studio courses will not satisfy the arts and humanities requirement.
- American Studies A103
- Africana Studies: A150*
- Classics: C205*
- English Literature: L105, L115
- Fine Arts: Communication Studies (theater) T130; English (film) C292; Herron H100, H101, H102; Music M174
- Folklore: F101*
- History: H105, H106, H108*, H113*, H217
- Philanthropic Studies: P105
- Philosophy: P110, P120
- Religious Studies: R111, R120, R133*, R173, R180, R212*
- Women’s Studies: W105*
- World Languages and Cultures: F200, German G265, Japanese E231
- Africana Studies: A150*
- Anthropology: A104
- Communication Studies: C180
- Economics: E101, E201, E202
- Folklore: F101*
- Geography: G110*, G130
- History: H117
- Language Awareness: G104
- Political Science: Y101, Y103, Y213, Y219
- Psychology: B104, B310
- Public and Environmental Affairs: V170
- Sociology: R100, R121
- Women’s Studies: W105*
- Anthropology: A104
- Classics: C205
- Geography: G110
- History: H108
- Political Science: Y217
- Religious Studies: R133, R212
- World Languages and Cultures: F200
Area III. Advanced Courses (15 cr. at 300-400 level)
Students are required to have 15 credit hours in 300-400 level courses outside their major. At least three courses must come from different departments within the School of Liberal Arts and/or School of Science unless the student is pursuing a minor, certificate, or second major or degree. The Junior/Senior Integrator course is generally used to satisfy one of the Area III requirements.
Two courses may come from outside liberal arts and science. If a student is pursuing a second major or degree, the student may use four courses at the 300-400 level from his or her secondary program to count for the Area III requirement. A student may use three 300–400-level courses from an approved minor to count toward the Area III requirement. For exceptions to these rules, students must petition the Academic Affairs Committee.
Major Requirements
The requirements for each major in the School of Liberal Arts are described, along with course descriptions, in the Liberal Arts section of this bulletin entitled ‘‘Departments and Programs.’’ A minimum of 30 credit hours must be taken in the major subject area. Any course in which the student receives a grade below C (2.0) may not be used to fulfill the major area requirement (thus a C– does not qualify). However, courses in which the student receives below C, but above an F, will count toward the 122 credit hour total provided that the student does not repeat the course.
Electives
Candidates for a degree in the School of Liberal Arts must complete their general-education requirements and the requirements of their major department. Usually students will still need to complete additional hours in order to reach the graduation requirement of 122 credit hours. These remaining credit hours are known as electives; up to 15 credit hours of course work (electives) may be accepted from any degree-granting university. The remaining electives must come from courses within the School of Liberal Arts, the Herron School of Art and Design, the School of Journalism, the School of Science, or from a list of courses approved by the faculty of the School of Liberal Arts.
Second Bachelor’s Degree
Normally, holders of bachelor’s degrees seeking further education are encouraged to enter graduate programs; in certain cases, however, students may prefer to work toward a second bachelor’s degree. If admitted by the dean to candidacy for a second degree, students must earn at least 26 additional credit hours in residence and meet the requirements of the School of Liberal Arts and of the department in which they are candidates.
Minors and Certificate Programs
School of Liberal Arts students may complete one or more minors and/or certificate programs. Minors will not appear on the student’s transcript until graduation. Students in other schools of IUPUI may complete minors in the School of Liberal Arts.
Only courses in which students receive a C (2.0) or higher can be applied to the minors and certificates. Specific requirements are described in the section of this bulletin entitled ‘‘Departments and Programs.’’
Courses required for minors and certificates may also be used in fulfilling other requirements, including distribution requirements.
School of Liberal Arts minors are presently offered in the following areas (as additional minors, such as Motorsports Studies and Latino Studies, are being developed and approved they will be added to the electronic version of the Bulletin):
- Africana Studies
- American Studies
- Anthropology
- Arabic and Islamic Studies
- Business and Professional Writing
- Classical Studies
- Communication Arts
- Creative Writing
- Cultural Diversity
- Economics
- English
- Film Studies
- French
- Geography
- German Culture
- Germanic Language Skills
- German
- Global Economics
- History
- International Studies
- Japanese Studies
- Latin
- Legal Studies
- Media Studies
- Medical Humanities and Health Studies
- Medical Sociology
- Organizational Communication
- Philanthropic Studies
- Philosophy
- Political Science
- Religious Studies
- Rhetorical Studies
- Sociology
- Spanish
- General Theatre
- Urban Studies
- Women’s Studies
- Writing
- American Sign Language/English Interpreting
- Geographic Information Science
- Human Communication in a Mediated World
- International Studies
- Museum Studies
- Paralegal Studies
- Performance and Theatre Studies
- Technical Communication
- Translation Studies
Other Options
The School of Liberal Arts allows students to complete double majors and double degrees. For further information, see the section in the front of this bulletin.
1 Students interested in receiving credit for lower-division language courses, see the section ‘‘Special Credit for Foreign Language Study.’’
2 Additional mathematics courses for this requirement must be above M118 and may not include 130, 131, or 132.
* This course appears on more than one list or in more than one section. However, this course may be used to satisfy only one requirement unless specifically stated.
**These courses may be used for comparative World Cultures and one other requirement if it appears on the Arts and Humanities, the Social Science, or history lists.