GW Bulletin 2007-2008

Since its founding in 1821, Columbian College, the original college of liberal arts and sciences of The George Washington University, has been the cornerstone of the campus community. Columbian College of Arts and Sciences today houses all undergraduate and graduate programs in the arts and sciences, offering bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.

The rich and diverse arts and sciences curriculum is designed to strengthen the student’s ability to analyze the social, cultural, and physical environment and to communicate findings in an articulate fashion. These purposes are accomplished by means of the study of various disciplines within the humanities, the social sciences, and the mathematical and natural sciences. Students may elect one of 50 departmental or interdisciplinary majors; they may also elect double majors or individualized degree programs. Dean’s Seminars constitute a set of courses available only to first-year Columbian College students; the seminars offer a focused introduction to issues of particular significance.

The Bachelor's Degree

Columbian College offers undergraduate programs leading to the degrees of Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Fine Arts. In cooperation with the School of Medicine and Health Sciences, a seven-year integrated Bachelor of Arts/Doctor of Medicine is offered, and in cooperation with the Law School, a six-year Bachelor of Arts/Juris Doctor is offered.

One hundred twenty hours of academic course work must be passed and a grade-point average of at least 2.0 maintained. Note that some courses outside Columbian College (notably exercise and sport activities courses) do not count toward the 120-credit requirement. General curriculum, major, and other requirements described below must be met.

Each student must declare a major during the sophomore year. A student will normally declare a major in the third full-time semester but not later than the registration period during the fourth full-time semester or the semester following completion of 45 credit hours, whichever comes first. A student may change the major with the consent of the dean and of the department or committee concerned; the student must meet the requirements for the new major in effect at the time the change is approved. At least 60 hours of course work must be taken outside the major-field department or major program. (This does not apply to the Bachelor of Fine Arts curriculum.)

Residence

Students must complete at least 60 of the total number of credit hours required for the degree at or through the University and must complete 45 of the final 60 hours in residence in the Columbian College, including at least 12 hours of course work at the 100 level in the major field. (Students who study abroad must complete 45 of their final 75 hours in residence. No more than 30 credit hours may be transferred through study abroad at institutions other than those affiliated with GW.) Nine of the final 15 hours must be completed in residence.

Students wishing to transfer from another division of the University into a degree program in Columbian College must have a cumulative grade-point average above 2.0 at the time of their last completed semester before transfer. Courses applicable to the degree taken while registered in any division of The George Washington University in the semester or summer sessions immediately prior to admission to degree candidacy in Columbian College are counted as courses in residence.

Advising

Students have the responsibility for determining their schedules and meeting degree requirements. Because faculty and staff advisors can help students learn to make well-informed choices, students are required to meet with an advisor prior to registering each semester. A CCAS advising hold prevents registration until students have consulted with their advisors.

Freshmen entering Columbian College participate in an advising system designed to provide students ready access to a knowledgeable member of the faculty. All freshmen register for CCAS 10, Proseminar for Scholarship and Advising; each section of the course is led by a faculty member who serves as the academic advisor until the student declares a major. The proseminar is required for all new freshmen; it will be graded, but only with the grades of P or NP; the course does not count toward the 120 credits required for the B.A., B.F.A., or B.S.

Once students declare their major, they are advised by the faculty of their major department. Transfer students without declared majors are advised in the College’s Office of Undergraduate Studies, while those with majors are advised by their major department. Professional advisors are available year-round in the Office of Undergraduate Studies for academic assistance and for an accurate appraisal of procedural issues that may arise in any student’s program of study.

Students concerned about their academic performance should see their professors, their proseminar advisor, or a professional advisor in the College’s Office of Undergraduate Studies. First-year students who receive any grade of C− or lower in the first eight weeks must meet with their proseminar advisor to review their academic progress. The Writing Center in the English Department offers walk-in and by-appointment assistance; peer tutors and study skills workshops are available through the Counseling Center.

Academic Work Load

To encourage academic performance of high quality, the College limits the student’s work load. After the freshman year, a full-time student who is not on probation may take a course load of up to 18 credit hours. The 18th and all subsequent hours require additional tuition charges. A full-time student who, during the immediately preceding semester, has received no grades below B− and has earned grades of A or A− in three courses totaling at least 9 credit hours may take 21 credits. Students may not register for more than 21 credits without approval of the dean. Students registered for 12 to 15 credits should be employed for no more than 20 hours per week. The number of credits students on probation may take is determined by the Committee on Undergraduate Studies.

Academic Standing

The following rules governing probation and suspension are applicable to students enrolled for a full-time program (12 credit hours or more) during the fall or spring semester. Students enrolled for fewer than 12 credit hours during the fall or spring semester and students enrolled during the summer sessions are subject to probation or suspension on the basis of their cumulative record, a “semester” considered as the time interval in which at least 12 credit hours have accrued.

Probation—A student whose cumulative grade-point average is below 2.0 but above 1.0 after attempting a minimum of 24 credit hours is placed on probation. The course load of a student on probation may be no more than 13 credit hours. A student returns to good standing if, after a first or second semester on probation, the cumulative grade-point average is raised to 2.0 or more. A student still on probation after two semesters (or 24 additional credit hours attempted) ordinarily will be suspended but may be continued on probation by the Committee on Undergraduate Studies (see below).

Suspension—The following circumstances constitute grounds for suspension: (1) a cumulative grade-point average
below 1.0 after attempting a minimum of 24 credit hours; (2) failure to attain a cumulative grade-point average of 2.0 or more after two successive full-time semesters (or 24 additional credit hours attempted) on probation. Suspension will take effect at the end of the third consecutive semester immediately following two semesters on probation. The Committee on Undergraduate Studies may continue a student on probation (in lieu of suspension) if satisfactory progress is demonstrated during the probationary period and sufficient evidence of academic promise, by way of a statement of appeal, is offered by the student.

Once suspended, students may not register for or complete any courses at The George Washington University. Suspended students may apply for readmission following completion of the term of suspension. Final dates for applying for readmission are the same as those governing undergraduate admission (see Admissions). A suspended student seeking readmission must submit evidence to the Committee on Undergraduate Studies of conduct during absence from the University that indicates that the student will profit from readmission. A student suspended twice for poor scholarship will not be readmitted.

Mid-semester Warning—When, at the end of the eighth week of each semes-ter, instructors submit to the Office of Undergraduate Studies names of freshmen who are doing unsatisfactory work, a notice of warning is sent to the student and a copy filed with the appropriate advisor. A warning constitutes notice to the student to consult the instructor and advisor at the earliest opportunity.

Timely Progress Toward the Degree

Students who fail to make adequate and timely progress toward the degree, through repeated leaves or repeated failure to complete an appropriate number of credits per semester, may be dismissed from the University (see Right to Dismiss Students under University Regulations). Students dismissed on these grounds may apply for readmission after supplying sufficient evidence of academic promise.

Dean’s List and Dean’s Commendation List

The name of any student who completes 15 credit hours or more of graded course work in any one semester and attains a semester grade-point average that places the student in the highest 20% of CCAS graduates, with no grades below B− and no grade of Incomplete, will be placed on the Dean’s List for that semester. A course taken on a Pass/No Pass basis beyond the 15-hour minimum does not affect the student’s eligibility for the Dean’s List, nor are the credit hours of such a course computed in the above figures. However, a grade of No Pass in a credit-bearing course disqualifies the student from the Dean’s List. Once established for a given semester, Dean’s List eligibility is not recomputed.

Incompletes

Conditions under which the symbol I (Incomplete) may be assigned are described under University Regulations. In Columbian College, the conditions for granting a notation of I should be documented by a written contract between the faculty member and the student. Contracts must be on official Columbian College forms and a copy must be on file in the departmental office. A grade of Incomplete disqualifies the student for inclusion in the Dean’s List for the semester in which it is received.

Changing an Incomplete—Incomplete work must be completed as specified in the contract but no later than one calendar year from the last day of the examination period of the semester or summer session in which the symbol I was assigned. In cases of well-documented extenuating circumstances, an instructor and a student may jointly petition the dean for additional time in which to complete the work of the course. Such petitions should be submitted within a year of the assignment of the symbol I. When work for the course is completed, the grade earned will be indicated in the form of I, followed by the grade. The indication of I cannot be removed from the transcript. An Incomplete that is not changed within this period automatically becomes an IF. The symbol I cannot be changed by reregistering for the course here or by taking its equivalent elsewhere.

Pass/No Pass Option

A junior or senior student in Columbian College who is in good standing may, with the approval of the advisor and the dean, take one course a semester for a grade of P, Pass, or NP, No Pass. No student will be allowed to take more than four pass/no pass courses under this regulation. The student may, however, also receive grades of P/NP in proseminars for certain majors and in other courses in which these grades are assigned. Courses required for the College’s general curriculum requirements or in the student’s major or minor field (including those courses required for the major that are offered by other departments) may not be taken on the pass/no pass basis. A transfer student may not choose this option until the second semester of enrollment in this University. Under no circumstances may a student change from pass/no pass status to graded status, or vice versa, after the end of the eighth week of class.

Earning an Additional Hour of Credit

Tutorial Study

A junior or senior of demonstrated capacity, with a special interest in the subject matter of a regularly listed course, may be permitted to take tutorial study in residence under the personal direction of the instructor, in accordance with the rules of the appropriate department and with the approval of the dean. Credit under this plan is limited to the specific hours of credit designated for each course in the list of courses of instruction. It assumes frequent and regular conferences between the student and instructor.

Service–Learning Program

A maximum of 6 credit hours in the Service–Learning Program course may be credited toward bachelor’s degrees in Columbian College. Students must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and may not take this course until completion of the freshman year. Students must meet with the SLP coordinator in the Office of Undergraduate Studies to review policy and procedures and the nature of their specific proposal.

Courses Outside Columbian College

No more than 18 credit hours of courses in schools of the University other than Columbian College may count toward the 120 credits required for graduation with a bachelor’s degree in Columbian College. Pursuing a secondary field may increase the 18-hour limit, with prior permission of the dean of Columbian College. No credit toward the degree is allowed for exercise and sport activities courses. No more than 45 credit hours of courses completed by a student while in nondegree status in the Office of University Students may be applied toward a degree in Columbian College.

Placement, Waiver, and Credit Examinations

Preliminary Placement Examinations

All foreign language departments require students to take placement tests to determine the level of proficiency or eligibility for languages studied in high school. The student is placed in an appropriate course on the basis of these tests. Students may not register for a course other than that determined by the placement test without written permission of the language department. There is no charge to the student for placement tests, and no credit (advanced standing) is awarded for courses bypassed or waived as a result of these tests.

Earning Credit by Examination

Special Departmental Examinations—A student may request any department of Columbian College to offer a special examination covering the subject matter of any specific course. The student must offer evidence of sufficient background to have a reasonable command of the subject matter. Departments reserve the right to deny such requests. Assigning credit by special departmental examinations will depend on the department’s evaluation of the examination paper. These examinations will normally be of at least three hours’ duration. A fee is charged for preparation, administration, and grading of each course examination. Credit by special departmental examination is not permitted for the first two years of college-level courses in a native language other than English. A student who has previously taken examinations to waive course requirements may not subsequently take examinations for credit in the same courses.

Waiving Introductory Courses by Examination

Some departments in Columbian College offer periodic waiver examinations for introductory courses. Such examinations may be attempted at the option of the student; a fee is charged. Specific departments should be consulted for further details. Passing a waiver examination does not entitle a student to any credit toward the degree.

General Curriculum Requirements

General curriculum requirements are established by the Arts and Sciences faculty as a whole and administered through its elected committees. Students must demonstrate that they have acquired familiarity with the breadth and diversity of the arts and sciences. Students will typically fulfill these requirements by taking the required number of GW courses in seven categories. Excluding the University Writing and Writing in the Discipline courses (see below), students may also fulfill these requirements in the following ways: (1) transfer credit for equivalent courses from an accredited institution; (2) credit earned by means of AP, IB, or other nationally approved examination programs; (3) waiver examinations such as SAT II or ACT subject tests. (See Advanced Standing and Advanced Placement under Admissions in this Bulletin, and note that waiver exams do not satisfy the Foreign Languages and Cultures requirement.) The seven categories are listed below. Excluding courses designated Writing in the Discipline, no course may fulfill a requirement in more than one of the seven categories. The description of each category includes a rationale. The Office of Undergraduate Studies maintains a list of courses appropriate for freshmen.

Students take University Writing 20 (4 hours) in their freshman year plus two courses designated as Writing in the Discipline (6 hours) before graduation, preferably in their sophomore or junior years. Students may not take two Writing in the Discipline courses in the same semester to fulfill this requirement. For the academic world and beyond, students develop their ability to write effectively and to read analytically.

Students must take two courses (6 hours) from the fields of mathematics, logic, or statistics. (Note that Math 3 is considered remedial and does not satisfy this requirement. Two statistics courses or two mathematics courses that are related in subject matter may not be taken; see the notes preceding the course lists under Statistics and under Mathematics in the Courses of Instruction section of this Bulletin.) Argumentation and quantitative evidence play important roles in social discourse. Students enhance their capacity to think logically and critically and to reason symbolically or with numerical data.

Students must take three courses with laboratories (9–12 hours) in at least two of the following fields: biology (including biological anthropology), chemistry, geological sciences, and physics (including astronomy). The health, security, and economic well-being of our society are linked to a scientifically literate citizenry. Students explore the fundamental principles of the natural world and see how the tools of science—careful observation and experimentation—not only help develop technology but also lead to a deeper understanding of the universe.

Students must take two courses (6 hours) in one or more of the following fields: anthropology (except biological anthropology), communication, economics, geography, linguistics, media and public affairs, political science, psychology, speech and hearing science, and sociology (including human services). Structures and processes in society and personality shape public events and the behavior of individuals and groups. Students explore empirical results in the literature and the implications of these results for social and behavioral issues, thereby gaining an appreciation for theory and methods of analysis, evidence, and proof.

Students must take 3 credits in one of the following fields: fine arts, creative writing, dance performance, music performance (a single instrument or a single ensemble), and theatre performance. Imagination and its expression play an important part in the cultural life of a society. Through courses that require participation in a creative or performing art, students gain insight into the interactions among materials, talent, and imagination, and develop sensitivity to the diverse elements involved in the arts.

Students must take four courses (12 hours) in at least two of the following fields: American studies, classical studies, literatures in English, foreign literatures in their original language and in translation, history (including the history and appreciation of art, dance, music, film, and theatre), humanities, philosophy (except logic), religion, and women’s studies. The humanities express the ideas, aspirations, and values of individuals and the societies in which they live. Through courses in the humanities, students experience the richness of ideas, traditions, and stories that have shaped the world.

Students must take two courses (6–8 hours) in one language other than English, beginning at the level at which they place, or students must take two courses (6–8 hours) in aspects of foreign, non-English speaking cultures from the fields of anthropology, art history, classical and Semitic languages and literatures, East Asian languages and literatures, German and Slavic languages and literatures, geography, history, humanities, international affairs, music, political science, religion, and women’s studies. In our increasingly multicultural society, familiarity with a second language or another culture is important to understanding ourselves in relation to the world. Students must study a second language or other cultures in order to help develop this understanding, to facilitate communication across cultural and national boundaries, and to gain an appreciation for cultural diversity. For those who choose the foreign cultures option, courses must be selected from the following: Anth 170 to 175, 177 to 179, 185, 186, 188; Clas 71, 72, 81, 82, 100, 101, 117 to 120; Chin 111, 112; Chin/WStu 136; Japn 111, 112, 162; Kor 111, 112, 162; EALL 75; EALL/Rel 182 to 186; AH 101, 102, 103, 104, 106, 120, 121, 131, 132, 134, 135, 160, 190, 191; Geog 154, 161, 164, 165; Ger 91, 92, 161, 162, 165; Slav 91, 92, 151, 152, 161, 162, 165, 166, 185, 186; Hist 107 to 115, 118, 132, 141 to 146, 148, 149, 158, 159, 163, 164, 187 to 190, 193 to 195; Mus 7; PSc 130, 131, 170, 173, 176, 177, 179 to 181, 183; Rel 106, 107, 112, 113, 115, 156 to 161, 163, 164, 165, 771. The Office of Undergraduate Studies periodically updates the list of approved courses.

The Major

In order to declare a major, all students must receive academic guidance from a faculty advisor in the major department and submit a Declaration of Major form, signed by the major advisor, to the Office of Undergraduate Studies. The Declaration of Major form must be submitted no later than the registration period during the student’s fourth full-time semester or the semester following the completion of 45 credit hours (whichever comes first). No student is considered to have declared a major until this process is completed. Thereafter, the student receives academic guidance from a faculty advisor in the major department. In most cases, filing of the approved declaration form assures the student of admission to the major declared; however, if space, equipment, or other requirements compel a department or major program to limit the number of students in that major, admission to the major may be on a selective or space-available basis. Majors with selective admission are communication, journalism and mass communication, political communication, and English and creative writing. Once students declare their major, they must receive academic guidance from a faculty advisor in the major department in order to register for all subsequent semesters.

Major Fields

Scholarship Performance in the Major

Majors are defined in terms of credit hours, required courses, and the attainment of grades no lower than C− in the minimum number of 100-level courses required in the major field. If a student receives a grade of D+, D, or D− in a 100-level course specifically required in the major, the major department or program may permit the course to satisfy a curricular requirement even though it would not normally count toward the minimum number of hours required for the major. However, the department or program may instead require the student to repeat the course until a satisfactory grade (C− or better) is earned. (The department chair or program director must authorize such repetition in a memo to the Office of Undergraduate Studies before the student may register a second time.) Once the student has completed the course with a satisfactory grade, credit hours earned the first time the course was taken will count toward the minimum number of hours required in the major. Credit earned for the repetition will not count toward the degree. The minimum specific requirements for majors are listed under the department concerned in Courses of Instruction. The chair of the department, or designated departmental advisor, should be consulted before registration concerning the student’s program of courses; the entire program, including electives, must be approved by the department. The student is also expected to consult a departmental advisor in all matters affecting the program of studies, such as changes, substitutions, withdrawals, or transfer of credit from other institutions.

Double Majors

A student who completes the requirements of two major fields in Columbian College (for example, mathematics and physics, or history and economics) may graduate with a double major. Such a student should consult with advisors in the two departments concerned and officially declare both majors on the Declaration of Major form available in the Office of Undergraduate Studies. A Columbian College student may pursue two majors at the same time, even though one is toward a B.A. and the other is toward a B.S. A major field in Columbian College cannot be combined with a major field offered by another degree-granting unit of the University, with the exception of the Elliott School of International Affairs and the School of Engineering and Applied Science.

A Columbian College student (whether in a B.A. or B.S. program) may pursue a second major in the Elliott School of International Affairs or the School of Engineering and Applied Science, provided that permission to do so has been obtained from the appropriate administrative office of the Elliott School or SEAS. Students in the Elliott School or SEAS may also take a second major (excluding majors in communication, journalism and mass communication, political communication, and English and creative writing) in Columbian College; students in the Elliott School may pursue a B.A. major in Columbian College, while students in SEAS may pursue either a B.A. or B.S. major in Columbian College.

Students wishing to pursue one of these options must request approval through the appropriate department and the Columbian College’s Office of Undergraduate Studies. In all cases, students must complete the major in their own school in order to graduate. A second major in the Elliott School or SEAS may supplement the Columbian College major but may not substitute for it.

Interdisciplinary Programs

Special Interdisciplinary Programs—A student may propose a special interdisciplinary major program, in consultation with appropriate academic advisors. The proposed program must have valid and clearly defined academic goals to be considered for approval. Only students with a B average or better are eligible to propose a special interdisciplinary program. The proposal must be submitted for approval by the end of the fourth semester or the semester following completion of 45 credit hours (whichever comes first).

Approval of the proposed program rests with the Committee on Undergraduate Studies, which must also approve the proposed name of the program and the composition of the committee that will oversee it. At least 45 credit hours of the program must be completed in Columbian College. Because of the broad scope of an interdisciplinary program, it may not be part of a double major.

At the discretion of the committee overseeing the program, the student must either write an acceptable senior thesis or pass a comprehensive examination in the last semester of study toward the degree. Students may apply for Special Honors by registering for CCAS 191. To be eligible, students must meet the requirements for Special Honors stated under University Regulations, must have a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.5, and must receive a Pass With Distinction from all members of the major committee on the final project or thesis.

Program in the Liberal Arts—This program is designed to provide a general education in the liberal arts, with or without another major, as the student chooses. It offers opportunity for achieving a substantial acquaintance with each of the three divisions of knowledge through a selection of courses that cultivate a broad perspective in the fundamental divisions of the arts and sciences. For curriculum requirements, see Liberal Arts, under Courses of Instruction.

Minors and Secondary Fields

Minors

Students who wish to familiarize themselves with a field outside their major may graduate with a minor in addition to the major. Not all Columbian College departments offer undergraduate minors; the requirements prescribed by those that do are listed under the department concerned. A student interested in a minor should consult a faculty advisor in the department concerned and declare both major and minor programs on the Declaration of Major form available in the Office of Undergraduate Studies.

At least one-half of the course work required for a minor must be done in residence. Grades of C− or better must be earned in 100-level courses, including such courses transferred as advanced standing from another institution. Courses passed with a grade below C− may be used to fulfill a minor field curricular requirement but may not be counted toward the total number of credit hours required for the minor.

Secondary Fields

Just as students enrolled at the University but outside the College may pursue Columbian College minors as secondary fields, such study is permitted Columbian College students in other schools of the University. Secondary fields are available in the School of Engineering and Applied Science, the School of Business, the School of Medicine and Health Sciences, the School of Public Health and Health Services, and the Elliott School of International Affairs. Columbian College students are limited in the number of hours they may take in courses outside the College (“professional credit” courses). Refer to Courses Outside Columbian College, above.

Preparation for Medical School

A student who plans to apply to medical school fulfills the general requirements of Columbian College stated above and may select any major in Columbian College. Advice about academic preparation for medical school is provided by the health professions advisor in the Office of Undergraduate Studies. For admission to most medical schools, the student must have a minimum of 90 credit hours applicable toward a degree in an approved college of arts and sciences; the 90 hours must include:

Seven-Year Integrated Bachelor of Arts/Doctor of Medicine

In addition to the early selection program described under the School of Medicine & Health Sciences, a seven-year integrated B.A./M.D. program has been designed for students of high ability and maturity who have decided, before applying to college, that they wish to become physicians and want to accomplish that goal in a shorter amount of time. Detailed information on this program is available through the College.

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