General Academic Information

Organization of the Curriculum

Humanities Division

Communication and Media Studies
English
Hispanic Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
History and Historic Preservation
Modern Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
Philosophy and Religion
World Literature

Social Sciences Division

Business Management
Economics
Education
Political Science and International Relations
Prelaw Studies
Sociology and Anthropology
Special Education
Women’s Studies

Natural Sciences and Mathematics Division

Biological Sciences
Chemistry
Mathematics and Computer Science
Physics and Astronomy
Premedical Studies
Psychology

Arts Division

Art and Art History
Arts Administration
Dance
Music
Theatre

Interdisciplinary Studies Division

Africana Studies
American Studies
Cognitive Studies
Environmental Studies Program
European Studies
Individualized Interdisciplinary Major
Judaic Studies
Peace Studies
Theory, Culture, and Interpretation Minors

Interinstitutional Program

B.A./B.S. Science and Engineering Program– Goucher College/Johns Hopkins University

B.A./B.S. Science and Engineering Program – Goucher College/ Columbia University

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree

One hundred twenty (120) credit hours are required for the degree. A student must achieve a of minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA and a minimum grade of C- in each course that is counted toward fulfilling the requirements of the major. Credit hours at Goucher are defined on a semester basis, as distinct from a trimester or quarter basis. Candidates for the degree must complete a minimum of 60 credit hours at Goucher College.

Residency Requirement

Twelve of the last 24 credit hours must be completed at Goucher unless granted an exception with the approval of the major department and the associate dean for undergraduate studies. Exceptions may be granted for approved summer courses and study-abroad programs or other programs. These approved non-Goucher credits shall ordinarily be completed within two semesters following the petition date to avoid withdrawal from the college. Contact the Registrar’s Office for approval of specific non-Goucher courses.

General Education Requirements

For ALL students who started attending Goucher College prior to Fall 2011. Students beginning at Goucher College in Fall 2011 or later should go by the Liberal Education Requirements listed below.

Students starting at Goucher prior to Fall 2011 will be subject to the general education requirements listed below, with the following exceptions. Students admitted in 2006-07 as first year students or transfers with fewer than 27 credits need not complete GEN. ED. #11. Students admitted prior to Fall 2006 and transfer students entering in 2006-07 with at least 27 credits may complete the general education requirements in effect during the 2005-06 academic year instead of those listed below. Reinstated students should consult the information on Reinstatement of Students Previously Withdrawn  to determine which requirements they will fulfill. One course may satisfy no more than two of these requirements.

Divisional Requirement:

Each student must take at least one course in each of the following divisions listed below but it need not be a course that satisfies a General Education requirement.

Note: English composition courses and courses used to attain foreign language proficiency may not be counted as fulfilling the required Humanities division course.

Division I: The Humanities
Division II: The Social Sciences
Division III: The Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Division IV: The Arts

Courses that fulfill the General Education requirement will be indicated in the course listings with the following reference: (GEN. ED. #__).

Courses that may fulfill a general education requirement pending the topic given in a semester are:

FR 272G  (#9), FR 330  (#8), FR 333  (#11), LAM 272Y (#10), RUS 272G  (#9), and THE 272Y (#9). If the topic allows the course to fulfill the requirement, it will be posted in the Registration Guidebook for that semester.

Physical Education Requirements

Goucher students, including those who transfer to the college, are required to complete a physical education activity course by the end of the junior year. Students who successfully complete a season on a varsity team, a dance performance through the Dance Department, some (but not all) dance courses, or a riding course may use that experience to satisfy the activity component. Goucher does not recognize audits or unsupervised activity as a substitute for course work in physical education. Students with physical education or health science transfer credits on an official transcript from another college may be able to satisfy all or part of Goucher’s physical e ucation requirement. These students should submit course syllabus, catalogue description, or certification document for consideration. Students with a gap of five years or more in their continuous education, or those over the age of 25, are exempt from the physical education requirements but are encouraged to enroll in or audit any physical education course.

Frontiers First Year Colloquium

The Frontiers First Year Colloquium introduces students to the pleasures and demands of the liberal arts and sciences and initiates them into the rich academic life of the Goucher College community. Each Frontiers seminar examines a particular topic in depth and from multiple points of view. Students develop critical reading, writing and thinking skills and explore different perspectives through which to examine assumptions. Class discussions are enriched by community and creative projects, guest speakers, field trips, and hands-on investigations. Taught by faculty from across the disciplines and organized around the common theme of Frontiers, Goucher’s first-year seminars foster independent thought, student responsibility, intellectual curiosity, collaborative inquiry, and the joy of active learning. Goucher II students who enter as first-year students are required to enroll in Frontiers. ISP 110 and ISP 110Y  taken in the fall semester fulfill the Frontiers requirement. All incoming first-year students are required to pass Frontiers, ISP 110 or ISP 110Y  to be eligible for graduation. Individual course listings are available through the First Year Portal and on the Goucher College website.

Connections (FYE 134)

Connections is a required first-semester course that continues the orientation process and helps students as they draw connections between what goes on inside the classroom and experiences in life outside of class. First-year students are introduced to people and resources throughout the Goucher community that can be used as navigational tools as they get acquainted with the college. They also begin to form a learning community in which participants come to know one another, develop a sense of respect for different viewpoints, and learn the value of individual responsibility and accountability. All incoming first-year students must pass this course to be eligible for graduation with the exception of Goucher II students, who are exempt from this requirement.

Liberal Education Requirements (LER)

For ALL students beginning at Goucher College in Fall 2011 or later. Previously attending returning students should go by the General Education Requirements listed previously.

Ways of Knowing & Understanding the World

Goucher College is dedicated to a liberal arts education that prepares students within a broad, humane perspective for a life of inquiry, creativity, and critical and analytical thinking. Students develop an international outlook, extending liberal arts education beyond Western cultures to encompass the perspectives and achievements of other members of the world community. To achieve this education, students must explore different ways of knowing and understanding the world by completing at least one course in each of the following areas. Courses designated for more than one requirement may satisfy a maximum of two requirements.

Courses that may fulfill a Liberal Education Requirement (LER) pending the topic in a given semester are: FRO 100 (LER–TXT), ED 272Y  (LER–DIV). If the topic allows the course to fulfill the requirement, it will be posted in the Registration Guidebook for that semester.

Students in exceptional circumstance may appeal to the Curriculum Committee for consideration of 300- level courses to fulfill a Liberal Education Requirement. Please contact the Registrar for further information before appealing to the Curriculum Committee.

Other Liberal Education Requirements

1. One hundred twenty (120) credit hours are required for the degree. A student must achieve a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average and a minimum grade of C- in each course that is counted toward fulfilling the requirements of the major. Credit hours at Goucher are defined on a semester basis, as distinct from a trimester or quarter basis. Candidates for the degree must complete a minimum of 60 credit hours at Goucher College.
2. Connections is a required first-semester course that continues the orientation process and helps students as they draw connections between what goes on inside the classroom and experiences in life outside of class. First-year students are introduced to people and resources throughout the Goucher community that can be used as navigational tools as they get acquainted with the college. They also begin to form a learning community in which participants come to know one another, develop a sense of respect for different viewpoints, and learn the value of individual responsibility and accountability. All incoming first-year students must pass this course to be eligible for graduation with the exception of Goucher II students, who are exempt from this requirement.
3. Goucher students, including those who transfer to the college, are required to complete one physical education activity course by the end of the junior year. Students who successfully complete a season on a varsity team, a dance performance through the Dance Department, some (but not all) dance courses, or a riding course may use that experience to satisfy the requirement. Goucher does not recognize audits or unsupervised activity as a substitute for course work in physical education. Students with a gap of five years or more in their continuous education, or those over the age of 25, are exempt from the physical education requirements but are encouraged to enroll in or audit any physical education course.

College Writing Proficiency

All students are expected to achieve writing proficiency, which is evaluated twice during their college career. College writing proficiency (CWP) is taught and assessed through the Writing Program. The achievement of CWP signifies that students have learned to write clear and coherent academic prose and complete library research. Students achieve writing proficiency in the major through courses designated by individual departments. These courses insure that students have mastered the particular genres, analytical methods, and styles of their majors.

All incoming first-year and transfer students should submit a writing placement essay, which the Writing Program uses to recommend the best route to achieve CWP. Most first-year students should take ENG 104  to prepare for college-level writing. Some advanced first-year students will be placed in ENG 105  during the fall semester. Transfer students who write a strong placement essay may be asked to submit a portfolio or take a WAC course. First-year students who do not earn CWP credit in ENG 105  must take either ENG 106  or a WAC course in their next semester. Though students who earn a B- or better in ENG 105  are likely to be writing well enough to achieve CWP, the grade itself is not sufficient evidence that the student writes proficiently. CWP is determined only by the writer’s consistent ability to meet the criteria, and may be awarded to students who score somewhat less than a Bin the course, or may be withheld from students who score a B- or better (though the latter case is rare). Some ENG 104  students may be awarded CWP at the end of ENG 104 . To qualify, students should consistently meet the CWP criteria and achieve an A or A- in the course. They should also demonstrate research-writing abilities equivalent to those required of ENG 105  students. Students may ask their ENG 104  instructors to consider submitting a portfolio of papers to the Writing Program at the end of the semester. Only papers submitted by instructors will be evaluated for CWP. All ENG 104  students should register for ENG 105  in case their portfolios do not earn exemption.

Students placed in ENG 103  should take this course in the fall of their first year. Most of these students will take ENG 104  in the spring. However, students with at least an A- average in ENG 103  may, upon the recommendation of their instructor, submit a portfolio to the director of the Writing Program. The director will then decide if the student should be exempted from ENG 104 . Students exempted from ENG 104  should take ENG 105  in the spring. Students who do not earn CWP credit in ENG 105  must take either ENG 106  (Academic Writing III) or a WAC course in their next semester or submit a writing portfolio in each semester until CWP is achieved. Students who earn below a C- average on papers written for ENG 105  should take ENG 106 , but students who are nearly proficient may take a WAC course. Courses offered as part of the WAC program are described in the course offering booklet published by Student Administrative Services.

As of September 2009, seniors may no longer submit portfolios to demonstrate CWP after they have begun classes with senior standing. Students who will begin taking their senior year classes in Fall Semester must submit portfolios by the previous August 1, and students who will begin taking their senior year classes in Spring Semester must submit their portfolios by the previous December 15. Otherwise, these students must register for ENG 106  or, if appropriate, for a WAC course whose instructor explicitly agrees in writing to evaluate their work for CWP. Failure to deal with this fundamental general education requirement will prevent students from graduating.

Foreign Language Proficiency

Competence in a language other than one’s own is an integral part of a liberal arts education. Language training has broad cultural implications and develops skills necessary for many careers. All students are required to complete the intermediate level of a foreign language. A minimum grade of C- is required to progress from one language level to another. Students taking a 130-level language course pass/no pass who achieve class scores lower than 70 percent must take the course again. A student may not fulfill the foreign language requirement by auditing a course.

Students must receive at least a C- in the 110 and 120 foreign language courses in order to enroll in the next course. A student may not re-take the placement test and place into 120 or 130 after having stayed enrolled in the 110 or 120 course past the add/drop date. Students failing to receive a grade of at least C- or Pass in the 110 or 120 course must re-enroll in that course and achieve a C- or Pass before enrolling in the subsequent 120 or 130 course.

Students who are foreign nationals and native speakers of a language other than English may be exempted from the foreign language requirement if they provide evidence of their proficiency. Documents serving as evidence include a high school diploma from a school where English is not the primary language, a note from a high school teacher or college faculty member from the student’s home country attesting to the student’s native-level proficiency in the language, or a placement test score indicating that the student is beyond the level of 130 language courses at Goucher. Exceptionally well-prepared students in the languages offered at Goucher College may be exempted on recommendation of the Modern Languages and Literatures Department or though a placement test (required of all entering students).

Students intending to complete the language proficiency out of residence must obtain prior approval from the Modern Languages and Literatures Department and complete a minimum of 12 credits (or the terminal course in a 12-credit series).

A minimum grade of C- is required. If a student intends to fulfill any portion of the foreign language requirement abroad, written approval by both the Modern Languages and Literatures Department and the Office of International Studies is required prior to departure. Students may be required to demonstrate proficiency upon return to campus. Students participating in summer and winter intensive language programs other than those run by Goucher faculty will also need prior approval if they are seeking Goucher credit. Languages not offered at Goucher College will be accepted provided that students fulfill the same requirements as those for languages offered at Goucher. Students must notify the chair of the Modern Languages and Literature Department of their intentions to fulfill their language requirement at another institution and complete a form specifically designed for this purpose (available online). Results of placement tests taken at institutions in the area must be sent to the chair of the Modern Languages and Literatures Department.

The Modern Languages and Literatures Department will evaluate transfer credits of language courses taken at another institution on an individual basis. Ordinarily, if a student submits transfer credits at the beginner and/or intermediate level with a grade of C- or above and is placed in the first semester of a language, no transfer credit will be given; if placed in the second semester of a language, up to four transfer credits could be given; if placed in the third semester of a language, up to eight transfer credits could be given. For students who place out of Goucher College’s intermediate level, up to 12 transfer credits could be given and the language general education requirement will be fulfilled. In order to ensure timely completion of the foreign language requirement, students need to begin to study a language during their first year. Transfer students who enter as sophomores or higher should begin to study a foreign language immediately. For all students, unless there are extenuating circumstances, the final course to satisfy the foreign language requirement should not be attempted in the fall semester of the senior year.

Study Abroad

All students are expected to make a good faith effort to complete the study-abroad requirement. Students who cannot complete the study-abroad requirement may petition the associate dean for international studies for an exemption. Students who are granted an exemption will be required to substitute an off-campus experience to satisfy this requirement. All transfer students who have studied abroad (for which at least three credits are accepted by Goucher) will have satisfied the study-abroad requirement upon enrollment. Thus, no travel voucher will be issued to these students, even if they undertake subsequent international study.

As with all college-level work completed elsewhere, final approval of credits for study-abroad work completed before enrollment at Goucher must be confirmed by the registrar after a review of a final, official transcript. The registrar will also confirm whether the work approved for credit at Goucher satisfies any academic requirements, including the study-abroad requirement.

Students may study abroad on Goucher ICAs (intensive courses abroad), Goucher short-term or non-Goucher shortterm programs at any time during their undergraduate experience, provided that they obtain approval from their advisors and the OIS. Students pursuing semester or yearlong study-abroad programs must have spent at least three semesters in residence at an accredited college or university. Students may fulfill the study abroad requirement by pursuing an international internship for at least three credits. Students choosing to fulfill the requirement with an internship must work with the CDO, their advisers, and the OIS.

Students can carry their institutional financial aid abroad on Goucher semester programs for only one semester, except in the cases of reciprocal exchange programs, the Goucher MVI Costa Rica Program, or the Goucher Oxford Program. Students cannot carry their institutional financial aid on any non-Goucher semester-abroad programs, but can carry any federal aid such as Pell Grants or Stafford Loans.

Study-Abroad Policy for International Students

All students are expected to make a good-faith effort to complete the study-abroad requirement. However, students who are citizens of a country other than the United States and whose primary residence is in that country may petition the associate dean for international studies for an exemption from the requirement.

Financial Aid for International Study

Students enrolled in a study-abroad program may apply for a Goucher loan up to a maximum of $2000 and are subject to the terms of this agreement. Federal financial aid does not apply to summer or January intersession study abroad programs. However, students may use their study-abroad vouchers to help finance these Goucher or approved non-Goucher experiences.

Scholarships for International Study

Scholarships for study abroad are available through the Office of International Studies. These include:

The Leslie Savage Nelson Mahoney Scholarship (for study at Oxford University)
The Constance R. Caplan ’57 Scholarship Fund (for study at Cambridge University)
The Michele and Marty Cohen Scholarship Fund
The Klara Farkas and Georgette Farkas Balance Scholorship Fund
The Josephine Levy Kohn ’36 Scholarship Fund
The Hajime Mitarai Memorial Fund
The Katherine Manning-Munce ’19 Scholarship Fund
The Doris S. Newman Scholarship for International Studies
The Phyllis Kolker Schreter ’43 Fund for Study Abroad
The Selz Foundation Scholarship Fund
The Louise Scholl Tuttle ’36 Scholarship Fund
Carol Fain Walters ’57 Scholarship
David and Marilyn Southard Warshawsky ’68 Scholarship
The Margaret Messler Winslow ’69 Fund for International Education

Scholarships for summer international internships are available from the Career Development Office (CDO).

Study-Abroad Deposits

Students studying abroad on Goucher semester programs must submit a non-refundable deposit. The amount of this deposit varies by program, so please consult the OIS to learn about specific program deposit amount and deadline dates.

Students participating in ICAs must pay a $50 application fee and a non-refundable $250 program deposit. Specific program deadlines are set each semester by the Office of International Studies.

Refunds

If for any reason, a student withdraws from a Goucher semester or short-term program after the deposit deadline, he or she will not be entitled to a refund of any fees paid to Goucher, including program deposit, tuition fees, travel fees, program fees, or any other fees incurred in connection with the program. If, due to any unforeseen circumstances or other circumstances beyond the control of the college, a semester or short-term Goucher program is cancelled, either prior to departure or during the course of the program, the student will not be guaranteed a refund of any fees paid to Goucher, including program deposit, tuition fees, travel fees, program fees, or any other fees incurred in connection with the program. In most cases, the college forwards program fees to vendors in foreign countries, making it very difficult to recover such fees due to a program cancellation. In such cases, the college will make a good-faith effort to recover such fees and to return any portion of fees that it may recover that may be attributable to a student’s participation in the program. However, the college makes no guarantees regarding the recovery of fees and is not liable for any fees that it is unable to recover.

The Major

Completion of a major is a requirement for the degree. Students are required to declare a major in the second semester of the sophomore year and may choose a major earlier if they are certain of their academic focus. The major enables students to study one or more disciplines in depth. No course may be counted toward requirements for the major unless a grade of C- or higher is earned. Courses elected with a pass/no pass option will not count toward requirementsfor the major unless such courses are graded on a pass/no pass option only.

Students must complete a writing requirement in the major and fulfill the requirements for the major, minor, or concentration that are in effect at the time they declare. Students entering Goucher in Fall 1997 and after will meet the computer proficiency requirement through their declared major.

A student’s major may be designated in any of the following patterns:

Departmental Major

The student follows a program outlined by a particular department for at least 30 credit hours of which at least nine credit hours should be at the 300 level.

Double Major

The student fulfills all the requirements for the major in two departments.

Individualized Interdisciplinary Major

The individualized major is for students whose interdisciplinary interests are not met by an existing interdisciplinary program. The individualized major falls under the jurisdiction of Division V and must be supervised by an interdisciplinary committee composed of a faculty sponsor and at least two other faculty members. The student must meet with the director of individualized interdisciplinary major early in the sophomore year in order to formulate the intended major and must declare the major by spring pre-registration of the sophomore year. The individualized major must include 45 credits at the 200/300 level.

The Minor

Students may select a departmental or interdisciplinary minor in addition to the major. The departmental minor shall be composed of six courses on the 200 and 300 level (18 to 24 credits, depending on the course selection). Departments are encouraged to list a core for the minor; at least 50 percent of the courses should be core. At least one course in the minor should be at the 300 level. A selection of appropriate electives may be designated by the individual departments. The interdisciplinary minor may require eight courses (24 to 32 credits). Students must fulfill all the criteria for the minor. No course may be counted toward the requirements for a minor unless a grade of C- or higher is earned. Courses elected with a pass/no pass option will not count toward requirements for the minor unless such courses are graded on a pass/no pass option only.

The Concentration

Students may select a departmental or interdisciplinary concentration in addition to the major and must meet all the criteria for the concentration. Concentrations are not available in all departments or disciplines. As with the major and minor, no course may be counted toward the requirements for a concentration unless a grade of C- or higher is earned. Courses elected with a pass/no pass option will not count toward requirements for the concentration unless such courses are graded on a pass/no pass option only.

Off-Campus Opportunities

Goucher College has been a pioneer in linking a liberal arts education with internships and other real-world experiences. All students will be subject to the new general education requirements with the following exceptions. Students admitted prior to Fall 2006 and transfer students entering in 2006-07 with at least 27 credits may complete the general education requirements in effect during the 2005-06 academic year, in which an off-campus experience is required. The offcampus general education requirement of at least three semester hours may be completed through academic internships off campus, study abroad, student teaching, or approved independent work conducted off campus. Academic credit for internships will remain an important and valuable opportunity for all students and is required for some majors.

Reinstated students should consult the information in the General Information section of the catalogue to determine which requirements they are to fulfill.

Academic Internships

Students who wish to complete an internship for academic credit must do the following:

• Submit a completed internship learning agreement to the CDO for approval by the established deadline
• Develop learning goals at the beginning of their internship
• Reflect on their learning through journals, papers, and other academic work with guidance from faculty sponsors
• Complete an evaluation of their experience at the end of the semester

Each department has established internship courses with distinct prerequisites and academic requirements. All internships must adhere to the policies outlined by the college. Credit will not be awarded for previously completed work or internship experiences. In addition to credit, students may receive a salary or stipend for their internship. Academic internships are available for almost every major and during every semester. Although the CDO provides resources to assist students throughout the process, students must take an active role in arranging their internship.The CDO also coordinates the Summer Internship Award Program that competitively awards funds to students pursuing summer  internships. The purpose of the awards is to encourage students to participate in academic internships for credit over the summer by supplementing their expenses. The criteria for the awards are varied. Some awards are geared toward students pursuing internships in specific geographic areas, while others target students pursuing certain majors, or internships conducted in certain industries. To learn more about these awards, please refer to the CDO website at www.goucher.edu/cdo/.

Fees for Academic Internships

Refer to the fees and expenses section of the catalogue for detailed information about charges for academic internships.

Internship Policies

The following policies have been established to clarify how students are awarded credit and to address issues relating to registration for internship credit:

1. Three internship credits will be earned for 90 hours of internship experience and four internship credits will be earned for 120 hours of internship experience.
2. Students may earn a total of eight internship credits toward graduation. Students participating in more than eight internship credits will not be able to apply additional credits towards graduation.
3. Internships that fulfill the off-campus experience requirement must be completed off campus unless approved by the associate dean of academic affairs.
4. Credit can be awarded only when the internship experience coincides with the semester that the student registers for such credit.
5. Students may complete only one internship (up to four credits) per semester.
6. Students may complete more than one internship at a site, but the responsibilities and academic work involved in the internship must be different in order for additional credit to be earned.
7. Students are not permitted to audit an internship course.
8. Students must complete an evaluation of their internship experience at the end of each semester and return it to the CDO by the deadline.

These guidelines have been developed to provide a framework for the internship process and to clearly delineate the roles and expectations for all involved in the internship program.

International Internships

Students may expand their knowledge and understanding of unique cultures and people by completing an international internship. Students must contact the offices of International Studies and Career Development to receive specific information on securing international internships. There are three options for international academic internships:

1. Academic internships embedded in Goucher sponsored study-abroad programs (see the Office of International Studies for more information on Goucher-sponsored programs).
2. Academic internships embedded in approved non-Goucher study-abroad programs (see the Office of International Studies for more information on approved non-Goucher programs).
3. Independent international academic internships—a student can create his/her own internships in the country of choice based on interests and areas of study provided the following conditions are met:
   • Students must have previous study or work experience abroad that has prepared them to live independently in another country.
   • Prior to departure, students must sign a waiver of liability provided by the CDO.
   • Internships must be arranged and students should contact OIS and the CDO by specific deadlines. Students should contact the offices for specific deadlines.
   • Students must comply with all policies governing internship credit, and must complete and submit to the CDO an Internship Learning Agreement (ILA).
   • Students must attend a mandatory pre-departure orientation conducted by an OIS staff member. OIS must sign the ILA prior to the internship being approved for academic credit.
   • Students must be enrolled full-time during the previous semester.
   • Students must first speak with OIS, then their academic adviser, then the CDO for final approval. Students must check with the CDO and OIS for applicable deadlines.

Work/Volunteer Experience and Study Abroad for Goucher II

Goucher II students interested in fulfilling the off-campus requirement with work and/or volunteer experience should submit a request in writing to their advisor, the director of the Goucher II program, and the director of the Career Development Office (CDO). Specific guidelines, available from the Goucher II director, the CDO, and the Registrar’s Office, must be consulted in preparing the request. Upon review of the request, the student will be informed of the decision. Goucher II students can pursue a waiver of the internship/off-campus experience or of the study-abroad requirement (as stipulated by the terms of their enrollment) by submitting a petition to the associate dean for international studies.

Other Academic Opportunities

Independent Work

With the permission of the instructor and the department chair involved, a degree candidate may pursue independent study beginning with the second semester of the first year. Ordinarily, a student may not register for more than two independent studies per semester. No more than 12 credits of independent study may be applied toward the 120 credits required for graduation.

The Senior Thesis

The senior thesis is the product of scholarly or scientific research or artistic work of high academic quality. The character of the work leading to the senior thesis is expected to be more advanced than normal course work and should involve an unusually high level of initiative, independence, organization, and effort. It is used by many departments as one criterion for selecting students who are awarded honors in the major. The thesis is also part of the scholarly record of the college. Senior thesis work carries eight credits and ordinarily involves two sequential courses of four semester credit hours each, directed by a faculty adviser selected by the student. The adviser and the thesis subject are ordinarily in the student’s major field. Students must present a proposal for a senior thesis during their junior year. They will qualify to register for senior thesis work after completion of a minimum of 87 semester hours of college credit. Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.50 in the major field(s) and 3.25 overall. They should also be making normal progress toward completion of all requirements in the major(s). When a student is double majoring and both departments require a thesis for honors, it is up to each department whether one thesis will be allowed to count toward both honors. The complete guidelines and appropriate forms can be found at the following website: www.goucher.edu/x1893.xml

International Programs

Goucher provides students with the knowledge and experiences they will need to live and work in the multicultural, global environment of the 21st century. The college creates an innovative living and learning environment that prepares students to be global citizens. Whether students select the international and intercultural studies major, enroll in the Linkage-through-Languages curriculum, live in the Language House, interact with visiting international scholars, or participate in the many other international opportunities available, they engage in a dialogue that transcends borders. Students are encouraged to participate in the growing variety of programs abroad, and many students elect to incorporate several international options into their undergraduate experience.

International Scholars Program

The International Scholars Program (ISP) is open to all incoming first-year students. When elected in a student’s first year, the first-semester seminar will substitute for a Frontiers course. Interested students who have not already applied for or who have not been accepted to ISP may apply in the spring of their first year to participate during their second year. The program consists of one full-year seminar, a second four-credit seminar, and a senior roundtable that is required but carries no credit. The seminars offer multidisciplinary perspectives on the contemporary global condition, and they are designed to complement any major or academic program of study. In addition to course work on campus, students are required to study abroad. Typically, students will travel abroad for a semester or year after completing the first two seminars. This could happen as early as the second semester of their sophomore year or as late as the first semester of their senior year.

Adequate language proficiency will provide students the necessary tools to engage in meaningful exchanges and make the most of a genuine immersion experience when participating in the study-abroad component of the program. Language proficiency for this program is defined as a basic mastery of the four language-learning skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Students are strongly recommended to complete at least one additional semester of language training beyond the level of college proficiency, but will not be required to do so unless mandated by the study-abroad program they select.

Science and Engineering Program

Goucher College has established a dual-degree program through which students earn both a bachelor of arts degree from Goucher and a bachelor of science degree from the G.W.C. Whiting School of Engineering of the Johns Hopkins University. The purpose of the dual-degree program is to enable students to explore the liberal arts and sciences while developing professional knowledge and experience in a specific field of engineering.

Semester in Washington at American University

Goucher students now have the opportunity to spend a semester in the nation’s capital, participating in the American University’s Washington Semester, the oldest and most highly regarded program of its type. Students can choose from an array of program opportunities including semester study in American politics, international business and trade, economic policy, foreign policy, justice, international environment and development, public law, art and architecture, history and cultural policy, peace and conflict resolution, or journalism. The Washington Semester is a 16-week immersion program. Students live and learn at American University’s Tenley campus. In class, they work with an exceptional faculty and important policy leaders and practitioners from the Washington community. The program has three parts: an internship, a seminar, and an elective course or research project. Students draw on the resources of the program staff to land some of the most exciting internships possible. At the core of each program is a seminar in which students read and discuss the issues in their area of study and also meet and interact with leading practitioners in the field. The program is rounded out with either an academic course chosen from the American University catalogue or an independent research project supervised by a member of the American University faculty. The program is best suited for students with at least second-semester sophomore status.

Post-Baccalaureate Opportunities

Through an affiliation with the Monterey Institute of International Studies, Goucher College offers two opportunities for graduate study. Information on these options may be obtained from the International Studies Office.

Graduate Credits

4+1 B.A./M.A.T. and B.A./M.Ed.

For those interested in teaching and/or educational administration, Goucher offers accelerated degree programs in which students can earn both the bachelor of arts degree and either a master of arts in teaching or a master of education degree in five years, rather than the more typical six or seven years. Through these programs, students may take up to nine graduate credits while still undergraduates as long as they have attained junior status, possess a 3.0 or higher GPA, and have applied and been accepted into the program by the chair of the Department of Education and the director of the Graduate Programs in Education. The nine graduate credits apply both to the 120 credits required for the bachelor’s degree as well as the credits required for the master’s degree. Grades are averaged into the undergraduate GPA only. These programs typically require two to three summers’ course work. Courses must be completed within one year of receiving the bachelor’s degree. For more information regarding accelerated degree programs in education, please contact the chair of the Department of Education and the director of Graduate Programs in Education. For students not enrolled in either of these programs, any graduate course taken by a student at Goucher must be approved both by the major advisor and the chair or the program director of the discipline the course is related to before it can count toward the undergraduate degree or be considered for calculation into the GPA. Furthermore, the graduate course must be in the student’s major area of study, and the student must have senior standing. Students are not permitted to take more than nine credits of graduate courses during their undergraduate studies.

Baltimore Student Exchange Program/Interinstutional Programs

Participation in the Baltimore Student Exchange Program (BSEP) that includes Coppin State University, Johns Hopkins University, Loyola College, Maryland Institute College of Art, Morgan State University, College of Notre Dame of Maryland, Peabody Institute, Towson University, University of Baltimore, University of Maryland Baltimore County, and Stevenson University is open to full-time sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Courses in the day programs of the neighboring institutions are part of the reciprocal arrangement. Ordinarily, a Goucher student may take only two courses per year at the other institutions. Courses not duplicated at Goucher are open to election, although visiting students may not displace a student of the host institution in courses where places are limited. Independent work and special tutorial courses may not be taken at another institution. Interinstitutional courses are not open to pass/no pass election. Class schedules of participating colleges are available on the respective colleges’ websites. Complete regulations and registration procedures may be obtained from the Registrar’s Office in Student Administrative Services or on the web at: www.goucher.edu/x16965.xml. Goucher students who participate in the interinstitutional program pay Goucher tuition fees. Any exceptional charges are paid by the student directly to the host college. Students are responsible for their transportation to and from other colleges. There is limited shuttle service to some of the interinstitutional colleges and universities.

Summer Study

Students who wish to obtain credit for work taken at another institution during the summer must have their course elections approved by their advisers and the Registrar’s Office, acting on behalf of the provost. If the course requested is from a department other than that of the advisor, and the course is not similar in context to a listed Goucher course the approval of that department is required. Only 15 credit hours of summer or January intersession work are applicable to the degree.

Only credits with grades of C- or higher will be accepted (or C or higher if completed prior to June 2010).

Air Force ROTC

Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) is available to Goucher students through a (cross-town agreement) agreement with the University of Maryland College Park (UMCP). AFROTC courses are scheduled so students from Goucher may complete all AFROTC requirements during one morning (Thursday) per week at the College Park campus. In addition, students are eligible to compete for all AFROTC scholarship programs. The three-year and two year scholarships pay tuition, books, and a monthly stipend while in school. Students must maintain a 2.0 GPA to participate in the program and a 2.5 GPA if on ROTC scholarship. You must have at least 5 semesters of college remaining and must be under age 31 when you commission. After graduation and successful completion of AFROTC requirements, students are commissioned as second lieutenants in the Air Force. Students interested in AFROTC should visit the detachment website: (http://www.afrotc.umd.edu/), call at 301-314-3242, or visit in person at:

AFROTC Detachment 330
University of Maryland
Cole Field House
2126 Campus Drive
College Park, MD 20742-4321

Army ROTC

Goucher accepts Army ROTC Scholarships as part of the college’s association with the Army ROTC program at Loyola College. Interested students should contact Captain Sarah Bennett at Loyola at 410-617-5179 (srbennett@loyola.edu)

Academic Procedures

Academic Responsibilities

In fulfilling their academic responsibilities, students are granted a degree of autonomy commensurate with their obligations to the social and academic communities. Students’ academic obligations and responsibilities include regular class attendance and systematic preparation in all phases of their work. Any student who must be absent from class for a disproportionate amount of time due to illness may be advised to withdraw from class.

Academic Honor Code

The cornerstone of Goucher’s academic community is the Academic Honor Code. Adopted in the first decade of the 20th century, the code emphasizes the importance of personal honor and moral integrity that reflect the honor and integrity of the Goucher community. As the primary authority to regulate student conduct in matters pertaining to the Academic Honor Code, the Student Government Association provides for the Academic Honor Board. Both the Academic Honor Code and Student Judicial Code may be found in the Campus Handbook. The associate dean for undergraduate studies may be consulted for information about the judicial process.

Academic Advising

Curricular guidance in a student’s first and second years is offered by a faculty adviser who works with student to develop an academic plan of study. When students declare majors/minors, they choose faculty advisers in their major/minor department. The associate dean for undergraduate studies coordinates the advising process. All the information pertaining to the fulfillment of requirements for graduation is found in this catalogue. Ultimately, it is the students’ responsibility to monitor their progress toward the fulfillment of degree requirements. Students can track completion of their general education requirements by viewing their Academic Plan on MyGoucher.

Academic Center for Excellence

The Academic Center for Excellence (ACE) is the academic support service designed to assist all Goucher students in developing those study and learning skills necessary for college success. ACE services include individual assistance in study skills offered by peer mentors, supplemental instruction led by student leaders, math lab, language lab, and study skills workshops. ACE also implements the academic adjustments for those students who submit documentation of a disability to the disabilities specialist.

Commencement

Commencement exercises are held once a year in May. In order to participate, a student must have completed all academic requirements for the appropriate degree and have settled all college accounts and all student disciplinary matters. A student who is in good academic standing (cumulative GPA of at least 2.0) and is within four credits of completing graduation requirements may participate in commencement exercises only if documentation demonstrates that the remaining credits will be completed by August 31 of that year. Permission to participate in Commencement must be granted by the associate dean for undergraduate studies. Students must submit their requests, with documentation, to the associate dean at least three weeks prior to Commencement. The commencement program will list all such students as completing degree requirements by August 31 of that year.

The college reserves the right to not permit the release of a cap and gown to any student who has not been cleared for graduation. Students completing graduation requirements in the summer will be awarded their degree in late August, and students completing requirements in the Fall will be awarded their degree in January. Exceptions to the commencement policy can only be made by the provost and are expected to be rare. Petitions for exception are only considered from students who have been enrolled in the spring for all remaining courses needed for participation in commencement exercises, and for whom unforeseen and unpreventable forces at the end of the semester are the cause of the failure to complete those courses. Such petitions must be submitted in writing to the provost three weeks prior to Commencement, and must be accompanied by an endorsement from one or more of the student’s faculty members or advisors.

The college reserves the right to not permit the release of a cap and gown to any student who has not been cleared for graduation. Any student completing graduation requirements after the May Commencement will have their degree and diploma awarded in August or late December/early January.

Course Load

Fifteen semester hours are considered the norm. However, a full-time student may take as few as 12 credit hours in any semester. Students who elect fewer than 12 credit hours in a semester are considered to be part-time. The maximum number of credits students may take is as follows:

• All students, unless otherwise restricted for academic standing or other reasons, may take up to 16 credit hours (fall and spring).
• Students who have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 may take up to 18 credits per semester (fall and spring).
• Students who, due to extraordinary circumstances, are in need of a heavier course load than the aforementioned academic credit limit policy allows may petition the associate dean for undergraduate studies.
• Students taking more than 18 credits per semester will be charged the part-time tuition rate for additional credits.

Goucher credits taken over the summer and/or winter terms will not count toward the semester credit limit.

Audits

A full-time student may audit one or more courses a semester without additional charge. Election of the audit option must be done at the point of registration for the course or within the add/drop deadline for adding a course. Permission to audit must be obtained in writing from the instructor of each course. Successful completion of audits will result in an AU on the transcript. There will be no notation on the transcript in the case of unsuccessful completion or withdrawal from an audited course. Students may withdraw from an audit through the last day of classes. College policy prohibits changing an audit to credit or vice versa after the add/drop deadline. Faculty may request a student’s withdrawal from an audit if the audit requirements were not met.

Withdrawals from Courses

A student may drop a semester course without a withdrawal appearing on the transcript until the ninth day of class. If a student withdraws from a class after this time, the student will receive a grade of W. The last day to withdraw from a semester course with a W is the end of the 10th week. Deadlines for half-semester courses are in proportion to their seven-week length. Students should consult the important dates for students calendar for exact dates.

Course Examinations

Final examinations are given at the end of each semester. Unexcused absence from a final examination is counted as a failure on the examination. The semester officially ends at the close of the examination period. No course work is accepted after this time unless an incomplete has been authorized. Students are responsible for submitting examinations and other assigned work to the instructor when they are due.

Course Evaluations

A comprehensive system of student evaluation course and teaching is considered vital to the academic community. At the end of each course, students are expected to complete and return the course evaluation form distributed by the Committee on Reappointment, Promotion, and Tenure.

Determination of Rank

First-year, sophomore, junior, or senior rank is determined at the beginning of the fall and spring semesters. Rank is based on credits achieved as follows:

Grading System

The grading system at Goucher is as follows: A, excellent; B, good; C, satisfactory; D, poor; F, failing; P, pass; NP, no pass; I, incomplete; AU, audit. The letter grades may be modified by plus or minus as follows: A-, B+, B-, C+, C-, D+, and D-. The incomplete is deleted from the student’s record when the grade for the course is submitted. PW and NW refer to college writing proficiency grades. PW refers to passing college writing proficiency, and NW refers to not passing college writing proficiency. W is defined under withdrawals. AU is defined under audits.

Students may choose to take two courses per academic year on a pass/no pass basis. In the regular semester, the pass/ no pass option must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office in Student Administrative Services by the end of the tenth week of classes; in half-semester courses, by the end of the third week. Pass is equivalent to any grade from A through C- as normally interpreted at Goucher College. Students who wish to switch from pass/no pass to graded status may do so up until week 10 of the semester (week three of seven-week courses). After that the choice is irrevocable.

Interinstitutional/BSEP courses and summer courses taken elsewhere are not ordinarily open to pass/no pass election. Department chairs may specify that an off-campus experience can be taken only on a pass/no pass basis; such a requirement is not part of the student’s pass/no pass quota. Courses elected with a pass/no pass option will not count toward requirements in the major or minor (unless such courses are required to be so graded). If a major requirement is taken pass/no pass, the department must require that the course be re-taken for a regular grade or identify an appropriate substitute.

The deadline for any grade changes is 12 months past the semester in which the grade was originally received.

Grade Appeal

The purpose of the Grade Appeal Policy is to establish a consistent procedure by which students may seek review of final grades assigned in undergraduate courses at Goucher College. Grades other than final course grades may not be appealed. The policy recognizes the right and responsibility of faculty members to exercise their professional judgment in evaluating academic performance and the right of students to have their academic performance judged in a fair and impartial manner.

Grounds for Appeal

The purpose of the Grade Appeal Policy is to establish a consistent procedure by which students may seek review of final grades assigned in undergraduate courses at Goucher College. Grades other than final course grades may not be appealed. The policy recognizes the right and responsibility of faculty members to exercise their professional judgment in evaluating academic performance and the right of students to have their academic performance judged in a fair and impartial manner.

A student may appeal a final course grade only on the grounds that

1. the grade was assigned based on a miscalculation or clerical error;
2. the grading standards for the course were not clearly articulated by the instructor, or the grade was assigned in a manner inconsistent with articulated standards;
3. the grade was assigned on some basis other than performance in the course; or
4. the grade was assigned in a manner other than that used for other students in the course. At all levels of review, the burden of demonstrating that a grade should be changed rests with the students. The deadline for any grade changes is 12 months past the semester in which the grade was originally received.

A copy of the procedures for appeals can be obtained from the Office of the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies or from the Registrar’s Office in Student Administrative Services.

Incompletes

A semester officially ends at the close of the examination period. No course work will be accepted by a faculty member after this time unless an extension has been agreed upon and documented in writing by the instructor and the student. The student is responsible for filing the signed incomplete form with Registrar’s Office. The student will need their advisor’s signature on the incomplete form before the incomplete can be posted.

Incompletes can be granted only for reasons clearly beyond the student’s control such as medical conditions of truly incapacitating nature, personal crisis (for example, the death of a parent), or academic reasons (factors within the course that have caused an unavoidable delay and would have posed an insurmountable difficulty for any person taking the course, regardless of ability or previous preparation).

In all instances, the student must initiate application for an incomplete with the instructor and, except in the case of last-minute crisis or illness, no later than the end of the 12th week. Incompletes are intended to apply to cases where approximately 10 weeks or three-quarters of the work of the semester can be completed by the end of the semester.

Resolution of Incompletes

The resolution of an incomplete is the responsibility of the student and the instructor. The student should have all work completed as soon as possible but no later than the last day of the sixth week of the semester following the semester in which the incomplete was granted. The student should submit papers, projects, and examinations directly to the instructor. If the work has been completed by the last day of the sixth week, the instructor shall award a grade. Unresolved incompletes will be changed to an F on the transcript unless an extension until the end of the semester following the incomplete is granted by the associate academic dean. At that time, the incomplete is converted to an F if a grade is not submitted.

Repeated Courses

If a student repeats a course for which a passing grade below C- was received the first time, the student will receive a grade of RA, RB, RC, etc., the second time the course is taken. This allows the grade to be averaged into the GPA but does not count the credits.

If a student repeats a course for which a grade of C- or above was received the first time, the student will receive a grade of XA, XB, XC, etc., the second time the course is taken. In this case, the credit will not be counted and the grade will not be averaged into the GPA.

If a student repeats a course in which a failing grade was received, the initial failing grade and the new grade will both be averaged into the student’s GPA.

Departments decide if a student must repeat a course in the major if the grade was below C-, or if they will permit the student to substitute another course for the major. Any department may set a policy that majors may not retake more than two courses required for the major for which they received a less than satisfactory grade. Ordinarily, no student may register for the same course more than twice, with the exception of special topic courses with different content. Approval must be obtained from the appropriate department chair if a student wishes to repeat a course beyond this limit. This policy does not include courses that may be repeated for credit as listed in this catalogue.

Calculation of the GPA 

Only courses completed at Goucher, through the interinstitutional(BSEP) cross-registration program, or through a Goucher sponsored program, are included in the GPA calculation. Each semester, the credit hour value of each course attempted for a grade is multiplied by the numerical value of the earned grade to determine the quality points earned. The total number of quality points earned in these courses is divided by the total number of graded credit hours attempted resulting in the GPA for the semester.

The cumulative GPA is the cumulative total of the quality points earned in all courses divided by the total number of graded credit hours attempted. The semester GPAs are not averaged together to create the cumulative average. The numerical value of grades is as follows: A=4.0, A-=3.67, B+=3.33 B=3.0, B-=2.67, C+=2.33, C=2.0, C-=1.67, D+=1.33, D=1.0, D-=0.67, F=0.0

The following is an example of how to calculate a GPA:

Academic Standards

At the end of each semester, the associate dean for undergraduate studies reviews the records of all students. The table below sets the minimum standards set by the academic policies committee. Credits attempted include all transfer credits accepted by Goucher. GPAs listed in the table are based on Goucher work only. 

*For first-semester first-year students only, the GPA to remain in good standing is 1.8.

As part of the continuing guidance offered to each Goucher student, the associate dean for undergraduate studies, in consultation with the dean of students, reviews and acts on the record of any student who does not meet the standards outlined above or who meets the standards but whose work shows a marked negative trend. The review includes an assessment of each student’s academic achievement and an evaluation of extenuating circumstances and of the student’s potential for substantial academic improvement. On the basis of this review, the associate dean for undergraduate studies may place the student on academic warning, probation, or suspension, or may dismiss the student from the college. A student who is placed on academic probation may not hold any elected or appointed office in any college organization, participate in any varsity sport (with the exception of supervised on-campus training and practice sessions), or register for more than 16 credit hours in a semester. A student who has been suspended may apply for reinstatement following the completion of a minimum 12 credit hours, excluding summer school, at an accredited academic institution with no grade lower than a C, or one year of successful work experience with a letter from the employer stating the dates of employment. A student who has been dismissed may not return to the college.

Academic Leaves of Absence

The college recognizes that many students derive educational and personal benefits from spending a period of time away from the campus to study at another institution or to pursue other appropriate educational goals. Students in good academic and financial standing may request a leave of absence for either one or two semesters. A leave begins at the end of a regular semester, and students are expected to return to the college at the conclusion of their leave. They will receive registration and housing information at the appropriate time in the semester preceding their return and are responsible for meeting all deadlines. Although reinstatement is guaranteed, the college reserves the right to postpone the date of return depending on available residential space. Students who leave Goucher without declaring a leave will be withdrawn and have to apply for reinstatement.

Students who take a leave of absence from the college to study at another institution in the United States should complete the non-Goucher course approval form available from the Registrar’s Office in Student Administrative Services. It takes time to arrange an academic leave; therefore, students should begin discussing their plans at least a full semester in advance. To ensure academic credit, students should enroll at another institution as visiting nondegree students. They must obtain approval for the courses they have selected from their major adviser (to ensure that all major requirements will be fulfilled) and from the Registrar’s Office.

Students who wish to take a leave of absence for other reasons or wish to withdraw from the college should discuss their plans and seek approval from the dean of students.

Deadlines for Application for Leave

The deadline for leave during the fall semester is April 15. The deadline for leave during the spring semester is November 1.

Assessment

Goucher has an ongoing program of assessment to evaluate the effectiveness of the college and to insure that it is meeting its goal of providing a high quality education. The assessment program includes opinion surveys, interviews, and testing. Students are expected to participate in assessment activities throughout their time at Goucher.

Honors and Awards

Dean’s List

At the end of each semester, students who have demonstrated an exceptional level of academic achievement for that semester are named to the Dean’s List. The minimum grade point average for Dean’s List is as follows:

First-year: 3.5
Sophomores: 3.7
Juniors: 3.75
Seniors: 3.8

Full-time students must complete at least 12 graded credits in a given semester to be eligible. Part-time students must complete at least 12 graded credits within two semesters of a given academic year.

Honors at Graduation

A student may graduate having achieved one or more of two distinctions.

Honors in the Major

Honors in the major is designed to give recognition to outstanding work in the major. This designation is awarded on the recommendation of the faculty who have taught and supervised a student’s work in the major at the upper level. Requirements for honors in the major are determined by each department.

Latin Honors

Students who have taken at least 60 semester credit hours on a letter-grade basis at Goucher or as part of a Goucher sponsored study-abroad program may be awarded their degrees

• summa cum laude with a grade point average of 3.9,
• magna cum laude with a grade point average of 3.7 to 3.89, or
• cum laude with a grade point average of 3.5 to 3.69.

Grade point averages are not rounded off for Latin honors. Transfer students may not be able to take courses pass/ no pass and still qualify for Latin honors unless they take a minimum of 60 graded credits in residence excluding pass/no pass.

Phi Beta Kappa

Goucher College, formerly the Woman’s College of Baltimore, was granted a charter by the Phi Beta Kappa national honor society in 1904 as the Beta of Maryland Chapter.

Students are eligible for election on the basis of academic standing and rules of eligibility established by the Senate of the Chapter. These rules stipulate a minimum grade point average of 3.5; in addition, no more than 10 percent of the credit hours completed ordinarily may be graded pass/no pass (courses that may not be taken for a grade do not count in the 10 percent). All college-level work is considered, but work done at Goucher is weighted more heavily. Achievements of these standards do not guarantee membership. Students must also demonstrate academic integrity, commitment to intellectual pursuits, and breadth within their academic program. The latter ordinarily requires a student to complete courses in each of the five divisions beyond those taken to satisfy the general education requirements.

Annual Prizes and Awards

Fellowships for Graduates of Goucher College

Special fellowships are available to graduating seniors of Goucher College for full-time graduate work. Applications for fellowships should be made on forms secured from the associate dean for undergraduate studies and should be returned to the associate dean no later than March 1. For the Class of 1905, the Eleanor Voss, and the Flora E. Langdon Fellowships, need is also a criterion. Applicants must complete the Financial Aid Form and submit it directly to Student Administrative Services no later than March 1.