WELLS COLLEGE
HOW TO SELECT COURSES FOR FALL 2008
Please let the information and advice (including some sample selections) in this write-up and the Schedule of Classes for Fall 2008 (which also includes the days and times courses are offered) to help you. The Schedule of Classes is available from
under the “Students” tab at the top, then “Registration and Advising” from the list on the left.
Make a preliminary selection of courses you would like to take, with alternative courses (under “Alt.” under each selection). Enter your selection ON-LINE, by May 23, 2008, again at the global.wells.edu website. Note instructions re your user ID and password and information for logging onto the website and making Fall 2008 course selections.
For complete descriptions of courses and also for the “prerequisites “ – courses that you must have finished or conditions that have to be met before taking a course – or “co-requisites” -- courses that must be taken ahead OR simultaneously – please consult the Wells College Catalog and for new courses the beginning pages of the Schedule of Classes. The 2007-2008 catalogue is at
http://www.wells.edu/pdfs/catalog07-08.pdf
(If one of your selections has “permission of instructor” as a prerequisite, you will not be registered for that course until you have a “POI” form signed by the instructor and filed at the Registrar’s office once you arrive on campus. For some courses there are auditions or tryouts needed, too.) You’ll be able to view your fall course schedule online at that same global website in early June. During orientation in August you will have an appointment scheduled to meet with your academic advisor in order to go over and confirm your fall course selection or to make changes.
So, in terms of your courses: The goal of a Wells College degree is to offer you a broad and rigorous liberal arts that provides the knowledge base and thinking skills necessary for both career success and a rich and rewarding life of the mind. Our curriculum emphasizes breadth, because you will need in it a world where more and more people are trained in more and more specialized ways and where you may change careers several times. Our required first-year courses (WLLS 101 and WLLS 111) will provide you and your classmates with a shared educational basis and develop a sound foundation for advanced college study. Our academic majors provide depth in a field and integrate courses from different fields, showing you how concepts and techniques from different disciplines are related.
THE ACADEMIC ADVISING SYSTEM (More “Big Picture”)
Starting in the fall, your academic advisor will be the instructor of your section of the “First-Year Experience” course, WLLS 101. It will be this academic advisor with whom you will have an individual appointment during orientation to finalize the course selection that you mailed or entered on-line by May 23, 2008. This faculty member, your first-year academic advisor, will get to know you well. For your sophomore year, you may be transferred to another advisor by the fall to even out advisor loads. When you declare a major (in your sophomore year, anytime before the March-first deadline), your advisor will then be from that major.
In your first two years at Wells College, we encourage you to explore, taking courses across the curriculum. Meeting the general breadth requirements can lead you to discover areas of interest you never before imagined. If you have quite firm plans for specialization, we encourage you to speak to faculty members in your areas of interest in addition to your academic advisor. We all try to work together to help you plan the most sensible program for your developing interests.
YOUR COURSE SELECTION FOR FALL (Getting down to a more “micro-level”)
You will want to select courses totaling approximately 15 semester hours of credit (the minimum for full-time enrollment is 12 semester hours), perhaps including 1- or 2-hour courses in physical education, art, music, or theatre/dance. (A "semester-hour," in case you are not familiar with the term, often corresponds to the number of hours a class meets per week, with the assumption that the student does 2-3 hours of work outside of class per week for each hour in class. For some courses, for instance in studio art courses, students spend 2 hours in class per semester hour but should have less to do outside class. You will need to finish a total of 120 semester hours to earn your B.A. degree at Wells.) Following is some general advice and some examples of what course selection a student could make. At the end are some sample selections. Also, take care to avoid time conflicts!
I. THE FIRST-YEAR EXPERIENCE AND GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
For the first year experience: Among the requirements that will concern you first, as you consider course selection, are the First-Year Experience courses: WLLS 101, First-Year Experience, and WLLS 111, New-Student Experience: Introduction to Wells, for a total of four semester hours. Both WLLS 101 and WLLS 111 are required of all first-year students.
WLLS 101, is the first-year seminar, for three semester hours. Individual sections of WLLS 101 are offered from a disciplinary or interdisciplinary perspective and emphasize writing skills and other skills necessary for college work. Enrollment is limited in each seminar to ensure active student participation. Seminars will focus on a problem or topics of particular interest to the instructor, and there is a wide range of topics from which students choose. You should list on the form three WLLS 101 sections that interest you. We will try to honor your preferences, while keeping WLLS 101 sections small. All sections of WLLS 101 are offered at the same time, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11:05. You can find the WLLS 101 sections listed at the end of this write-up, and complete course descriptions at the global.wells.edu website, under the “Students” tab at the top, then “Registration and Advising” from the list on the left.
WLLS 111 is titled "New Student Experience: Introduction to Wells," for one semester hour. WLLS 111 will be a lively introduction with a choice of a variety of venues and settings where you will get to know other students and get acquainted with college values, academic programs and resources, and our location and history. WLLS 111 will help guide you in your engagement in the academic and student life at the college.
General requirements: In addition to the first-year experience courses, you will also be required to take courses that will ensure that your program has breadth. These courses, which should be taken mainly during your first two years at Wells, include the following:
· two courses at the college level in a single foreign language, or placement at the 200-level through examination (in August)
· one course in formal reasoning (math, logic, computer science -- CS 131 or above or exemption by examination)
· three courses in the arts and humanities, with at least one in each area;
· three courses in the natural and social sciences, with at least one in each area, including at least one laboratory science course
· one course in wellness and one course in swimming (or exemption through examination) and two other physical education activities courses (a dance technique class or intercollegiate athletics can satisfy an activities requirement).
· And at some point in your college career: a minimum of two experiential activities (e.g., internships, study abroad, Wells’ off-campus courses in January… a variety of options)
Though we certainly do not expect you to satisfy all of these in your first year, you
should select some of your courses for your first semester with some requirements in mind.
II. COURSES IN YOUR POTENTIAL MAJOR
If you have a major – or one of several majors! – in mind, you can take introductory courses (usually numbered in the 100s, some in the 200s) in those majors to gain experience, as well as to meet prerequisites for later courses in the major. These exploratory courses may also satisfy some of the general breadth requirements. For advice about the first courses to take in given majors and programs consult:
http://aurora.wells.edu/~advising/majbeg2.htm
We have sixteen majors, some in traditional disciplines and some interdisciplinary. You will be able to choose one of the majors (see the catalogue for a list). Many of the majors include more specialized areas of emphasis, called “concentrations.” You may also choose a minor in any of a wide range of fields, though a minor is not required for graduation. Don’t worry: you may not have to specialize immediately!
We also have programs in pre-health professions and elementary and secondary education to prepare you for careers in those fields; these programs are taken as a supplement to the major you choose. For pre-professional programs and other programs that require planning it is good to consult regularly with advisors in these programs, in addition to your WLLS 101 academic advisor.
If you are thinking about a pre-med/pre-vet program and/or a major in the Biological and Chemical Sciences, and have a strong science background, take both BIOL 151L, Biology of Cells, and CHEM 107L, General Chemistry, in your first semester. If you are interested in the major in Environmental Studies, you must take ENVR 101L your first semester. If you intend to major in the Mathematical and Physical Sciences, with a concentration in Computer Science, take CS 131 this fall. If you plan a major in English, take ENGL 104; International Studies, INTL 151; Women’s Studies, WS 148; Environmental Studies, ENVR 101L; etc. See also the sample course selections at the end for some ideas and guidance or on the web at the URL above.
III. FOREIGN LANGUAGE
For one of your selections, a foreign language has several advantages. It is especially helpful, of course, for potential majors in Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Cultures and in International Studies. But language study is not just for majors; all students must take two semesters of a foreign language, unless this requirement is fulfilled by advanced standing or placement at the 200-level (no credit is given for placement at the 200-level). If you have had a foreign language and want to continue studying it, it is best not to interrupt your study.
If you have studied French, Spanish in high school, and want to continue in that language, you will register as in the following table. If you have studied German, Italian, or Japanese in high school, use the table below as a guide for now, but please speak with the relevant faculty member about placement when you arrive in fall. Or, you can start a new language.
French, Italian, and Spanish:
|
YEARS OF PREVIOUS STUDY |
REGISTER FOR |
|
1 year only(!) |
101 |
|
2 to 4* |
123 |
|
5 |
Any 200-level course |
|
Other types of background in French, German, Italian, and Spanish |
Take placement test in August |
|
*Students with 4 years may choose a 200-level course instead of 123 by taking a placement exam – see faculty in the language. |
|
A student who feels that her/his background is strong may register for a higher course number than in the table, but must take a placement exam when they arrive. A student may not register for a lower-numbered course. Note that if you place into the 200-level on a Wells placement examination (see foreign language faculty), you will have met the foreign language requirement and will not be required to take foreign language courses, but you are invited to take them. Deepening your knowledge of a foreign language at this level is quite fun, too. Remember: a foreign language course is not required for your first semester, but a foreign language would be a reasonable selection. It can also be easier to fit into your schedule your first year than in your later years.
IV. FORMAL REASONING
Another Wells breadth requirement – the one in formal reasoning – may be met by a course in mathematics, in logic (PHIL 114 – usually offered in the spring), or in computer science (CS 131 or above). The breadth requirement in formal reasoning may be met also with a high AP score in calculus, or obtaining credit by an exam covering the material of a calculus course. Selecting a math course for one of your course selections offers some specific advantages. An early start in mathematics will be particularly advantageous if, for example, you are thinking of future work in science or economics. If you wish to continue in mathematics it is also advantageous not to interrupt your study. If you wish to emphasize computer science, take CS 131.
If you have some doubt about the right entrance level course for you in mathematics or computer science, make an assumption on your preliminary form. You may also wish to consult http://aurora.wells.edu/~advising/mathncs2.htm for more advice. By August, your academic advisor will have a list of recommendations for students based on your high school record, and math faculty are on hand at orientation for placement conversations or exams. Frequent choices are MATH 109 (Elementary Functions – for which you must have placement or permission of the instructor) or MATH 111 (Calculus I: Introductory Calculus) or CS 131 (Computer Programming I). Students with less background in mathematics may choose to take MATH 105, Contemporary Mathematics in the spring semester. But specific advice about such matters – as about all other college procedures and arrangements – will be easy to get when you get here. Don't worry unnecessarily.
V. ADDITIONAL COURSES -- ESPECIALLY FOR EXPLORING
You may be flexible in your remaining courses, especially your first semester. You could consider, for example, your personal interests. In your first two years at Wells, you will have the opportunity to explore a wide range of academic programs; you should explore deliberately, learning about new fields and discovering new interests.
On the other hand, many of you may have already narrowed your range of choices. If you have, take advantage of your progress. In some subjects--in mathematics and the sciences, for example, or in the foreign languages--early focusing could help you to see the best possibilities later on.
You might look at the course listings for any discipline that particularly interests you, and choose from the courses numbered in the 100's (or, sometimes, in the 200's) which do not require prerequisites. A student who wants to check out sociology, for example, might try SOC 151, Principles of Sociology; a student interested in theatre could take PART 100, Introduction to the Performing Arts. Feel free to take anything that will satisfy your spirit of exploration, as long as it does not call for prerequisites you are lacking. You can't go wrong.
VI. More: .5 to 2-CREDIT COURSES
Many entering students also choose some one- or two-hour courses in physical education, or in fields such as music or theatre/dance. All Wells students must take PE 100, Wellness, Swimming (or pass the swim test) and two other seven-week physical education courses as part of the breadth requirements. For such courses, your own personal interests will help you determine your preliminary course selections, and so we needn't offer you general advice about them. Also, as we have already noted, particular advice will be readily available on campus, as courses begin.
VII. SOME SAMPLE SELECTIONS
You may find it helpful to consider the following sets of preliminary course selections made by some hypothetical young women and men entering Wells. The following examples show courses they might choose. (Those courses in this particular set of selections that need permission of instructor, “POI,” or a similar process are noted, but check the college catalogue for your own choices.) These are only samples, to give you an idea of how a schedule might be constructed.
[1] Maria is fairly sure she will study science at Wells, possibly as a pre-med. She has had two years of French in high school, which will allow her to start with FREN 123 (and she will continue in calculus soon, followed by PHYS 111L). Her preliminary schedule:
WLLS 101 – 3,6, or 9 First-Year Seminar 3 Sem. Hrs.
WLLS 111 New Student Experience: Intro. To Wells 1 Sem. Hr.
BIOL 151L Biology of Cells 4 Sem. Hrs.
CHEM 107L General Chemistry 4 Sem. Hrs.
FREN 123 Intermediate French I 3 Sem. Hrs.
PE 180A Self-Defense 0.5 Sem. Hrs.
[2] Dustin has no idea whatsoever what he wants to major in, has no language background, likes to play soprano recorder, and wants a very diverse schedule to allow him to explore.
WLLS 101 – 5, 8, or 11 First-Year Seminar 3 Sem. Hrs.
WLLS 111 New Student Experience: Intro. To Wells 1 Sem. Hr.
SPAN 101 Elementary Spanish I 4 Sem. Hrs.
ANTH 161 Intro. to Anthropology 3 Sem. Hrs.
RELG 263 Hebrew Bible and Jewish Tradition 3 Sem. Hrs.
MUS 161 (needs POI) Early Music Performance 1 Sem. Hr.
[3] Shilvonne enjoys mathematics and is interested in the 3/2 program in engineering. To get a start, while keeping her options open, she chooses:
WLLS 101 – 7, 10, or 13 First-Year Seminar 3 Sem. Hrs.
WLLS 111 New Student Experience: Intro. To Wells 1 Sem. Hr.
MATH 111 Introductory Calculus I 4 Sem. Hrs.
SOC 151 Principles of Sociology 3 Sem. Hrs.
CHEM 107L General Chemistry 4 Sem. Hrs.
PE 119 Canoeing and Kayaking 0.5 Sem. Hr.
PE 185 Beginning Shorin-ryu Karate 0.5 Sem. Hr.
[4] Juan has a strong background in English. He is not at all sure about a major (although English and American Studies are possibilities), and he is taking courses that interest him. He has played bass in a rock band.
WLLS 101 – 1, 2, or 4 First-Year Seminar 3 Sem. Hrs.
WLLS 111 New Student Experience: Intro. To Wells 1 Sem. Hr.
HIST 241 Interpreting US History I 3 Sem. Hrs.
GRMN 101 Elementary German I 4 Sem. Hrs.
ENGL 104 Intro. To Literature: Form and Meaning 3 Sem. Hrs.
MUS 220 (needs audition Jazz Band 0.5 Sem. Hr.
or POI)
DANC 205 (needs POI) Modern Dance Technique 1 Sem. Hr.
[5] Gina's plans are uncertain. She is taking English at a local community college this summer to improve her writing. She has had neither pre-calculus nor foreign language and is excited about starting one.
WLLS 101 – 3, 5, or 13 First-Year Seminar 3 Sem. Hrs.
WLLS 111 New Student Experience: Intro. To Wells 1 Sem. Hr.
MATH 109 (needs POI) Elementary Functions 3 Sem. Hrs.
ITAL 101 Elementary Italian I 4 Sem. Hrs. ART 241 Intro. to Oxidation Fired Pottery 3 Sem. Hrs.
PE 100-01 Wellness 1 Sem. Hr.
PE 110 Beginning Swimming 0.5 Sem. Hr.
[6] Jason is almost certain to major in International Studies or in Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, with a concentration in Spanish, and plans to go to Spain or Latin America for semester as a junior. He has had five years of Spanish:
WLLS 101 – 7, 11, or 12 First-Year Seminar 3 Sem. Hrs.
WLLS 111 New Student Experience: Intro. To Wells 1 Sem. Hr.
HIST 101 Intro. To World Civilization I 3 Sem. Hrs.
SPAN 203 Conversation and Composition 3 Sem. Hrs.
INTL 151 Intro to International Studies 3 Sem. Hrs.
PE 100 Wellness 1 Sem. Hr.
PE 115-01 Aerobic Kickboxing 0.5 Sem. Hr.
[7] Erika has had lots experience with music, theater, and dance, a potential major area. But she is also is thinking about economics/management, especially leading to a career in arts management.
WLLS 101 – 8, 9, or 12 First-Year Seminar 3 Sem. Hrs.
WLLS 111 New Student Experience: Intro. To Wells 1 Sem. Hr.
ECON 101 Intro. To Macroeconomics 3 Sem. Hrs.
MUS 112 Listening: Survey of West. Music 3 Sem Hrs.
PART 100 Intro. To Performing Arts 4 Sem. Hrs.
MUS 261 (MUS 112 as Piano Lessons 0.5 Sem. Hr.
Co-requisite, and needs POI)
MUS 150 (needs audition) Concert Choir 1 Sem. Hr.
[8] Jasmine is interested in environmental activism and wants to check out the majors in Environmental Studies and Women's Studies. Though she will need a year of a science for environmental studies, she will delay it until her sophomore year. As the best varsity tennis player in her high school she will likely make the team.
WLLS 101 – 1, 6, or 10 First-Year Seminar 3 Sem. Hrs.
WLLS 111 New Student Experience: Intro. To Wells 1 Sem. Hr.
ENVR 101L Envr. Sci.: Rules of the Game I 4 Sem. Hrs.
JPN 101 Elementary Japanese I 4 Sem. Hrs.
WS 148 Into. to Women’s Studies 3 Sem. Hrs.
PE 430 (needs tryout) Intercollegiate Tennis 1 Sem. Hr.
WLLS 101, FIRST-YEAR EXPERIENCE: THE FIRST-YEAR WRITING SEMINAR
LIST OF SECTIONS
Complete descriptions are the global.wells.edu website under the “Students” tab at the top, then “Registration and Advising” from the list on the left.
WLLS 101-01 ¿Spanglish? Bilingualism and Society
WLLS 101-02 Writing the Other
WLLS 101-03 From the Plague to Aids
WLLS 101-04 “How do You Plead?”: Crime, Law, Justice in American Film
and Television
WLLS 101-05 Crossing the Line: Exploring Boundaries in Ancient Cultures
and Literature
WLLS 101-06 Ecopsychology
WLLS 101-07 Culture and Water
WLLS 101-08 The Sounds of Change
WLLS 101-09 Contemporary Moral Issues
WLLS 101-10 Time and Space
WLLS 101-11 Childhoods Lost: An Exploration of Resiliency in Youth
WLLS 101-12 Economic, Social, and Global Issues Today
WLLS 101-13 Portrayal of Teachers in Media: Accurate, Distorted, or
Totally Warped?
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This page (How to Select Courses for Fall 2008) is maintained by Diane Koester, Associate Dean for Academic and Learning Resources and Director of Academic Advising, who is solely responsible for its content. Please see our Statement of Responsibility. Last updated May 4, 2008.
Return to Advising at Wells College (top-level page on advising).