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Skidmore College
Curriculum Committee

Liberal Studies 2

  1. Each course must make explicit connections to issues raised in Liberal Studies 1. The nature of such connections may take a variety of forms. The connections exist in order to forge a meaningful relationship between LS 1 and LS 2 courses.
  2. Each course must be interdisciplinary, not simply multidisciplinary. Courses should not only pursue their topics or themes from at least two separate disciplinary perspectives but also should examine those disciplines in relation to one another. Students completing an LS 2 course should gain some understanding of each constituent discipline, as well as the ways in which the disciplines are integrated in the study of the defining themes of the course.
  3. The question of what constitutes a discipline is complex, and the boundaries between disciplines are often subtle. This can make it difficult to determine whether a course involves more than one discipline. For purposes of these guidelines, the constituent disciplines must clearly differ in methodologies, defining questions, course materials, or goals.
  4. Liberal Studies 2 courses should emphasize the continued development of cognitive skills. These skills include the ability to analyze and solve problems, to consider problems from multiple perspectives, to understand the strengths and limitations of various methodologies, to read critically, and to express ideas clearly. In designing courses, instructors should pay particular attention to the College's emphasis on effective writing.
  5. Each course shall carry a minimum of 3 semester hours of credit and shall have no prerequisite other than LS 1 and, when appropriate to the course, EN 103 and/or completion of the QR1 requirement.
  6. Courses that satisfy the Liberal Studies 2 requirement may not be used to also satisfy breadth component requirements.

Procedure:

Individuals who wish to convert an LS II/III/IV course to the new designation should submit a Course and Catalogue Revision Form. Please attach a rationale statement, articulating how the course meets the guidelines printed above.

Individuals who wish to create a new offering for the catalog should submit a New Course Proposal Form and should attach a rationale. That statement should outline how the course meets the guidelines stated above.

Completed forms should be forwarded to Terry Diggory, acting director of liberal studies.

Approved by CEPP 11/96
Amended 2/4/97 9/9/97