School of Liberal Studies | Spalding University Catalog

School of Liberal Studies

Mission
The faculty of the School of Liberal Studies uphold the mission of Spalding University through their commitment to the following: recognition of the creative and intellectual potential of all students; creation of a vigorous and caring learning environment; and active participation with their students in the promotion of peace and justice through the interdisciplinary study of African American Studies, art, literature, philosophy, religious studies, linguistics, writing, anthropology, history, sociology, and psychology.

Program Overview
The School of Liberal Studies offers a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Humanities, a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing.

The Interdisciplinary Humanities degree is composed of courses in art (both studio art and art history), English (including writing, literature, and linguistics), philosophy, and religious studies. The Interdisciplinary Social Sciences degree is composed of courses in anthropology, history, sociology, and psychology. The Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies degree is composed of courses in two of the following: art, creative writing, English, philosophy, psychology, religious studies, anthropology, and history. Students take at least 6 courses in two disciplines. The interdisciplinary BFA in Creative Writing degree emphasizes the study of writing and literature, in addition to studies across disciplines such as art, history, religious studies, and anthropology.

All four degrees offer a focused and integrated curriculum emphasizing the development of critical abilities; an empathic understanding of ethical, social, and cultural issues; an appreciation of art forms as cultural achievements; a capacity to enlarge one's perspective; and creative, original, unconventional thought.

Each academic year students and faculty study a designated theme from the disciplinary perspectives of art, anthropology, language/literature, philosophy, psychology, religion, history, and psychology, with an emphasis on integrating disciplines to create projects highlighting the interrelations among cultural and social practices. Topics in past years have been peace and justice, the natural environment, and community and responsibility.

Admission
Students may declare a major at any time. Students completing the Interdisciplinary Humanities major, the Interdisciplinary Social Sciences major, the Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies major, and the BFA in Creative Writing major, must complete 52 credit hours in University Studies courses.

Requirements
For the Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Humanities or Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, students complete 51 credit hours in the major.  These include 36 credit hours in at least three disciplines, and HUM/SS 101: Inquiry, Discovery, Practice; HUM/SS 201 Special Topics in Interdisciplinary Studies; HUM/SS 300: Interdisciplinary Research Methods; the senior seminar; and an internship. One half of the 51 credit hours must be upper division courses. Students must take one half of the credit hours required for the major at Spalding University.

For the Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies, students complete 51 credit hours in the major.  These include 36 credit hours in at least two disciplines, and LS 101: Inquiry, Discovery, Practice; LS 201: Special Topics in Interdisciplinary Studies; LS 300: Interdisciplinary Research Methods; the senior seminar; and an internship. In most cases, one half of the 51 credit hours must be upper division courses. Students must take one half of the credit hours required for the major at Spalding University.

The BFA in Creative Writing requires students to complete 120 credit hours, including 52 hours of University Studies courses and then, to serve their major, 48 additional hours, including: 21 hours in writing; 21 hours in literature and linguistics, 6 hours in the Senior Seminar and Internship, and 20 hours in a minor or free electives. One half of the 48 credit hours must be upper division courses. In addition, students must take one-half of the credit hours required for the major at Spalding University.

Minors

Students majoring in Liberal Studies degree programs and students in majors other than Liberal Studies degree programs may minor in African American Studies or Film Studies

African American Studies Minor (18 total credit hours)
AAS 201
AAS 300
HIST 383
2 electives chosen from: AAS 349, AAS 385, ANTH 315, HIST 330, HIST 384
1 elective chosen from: ENG 310, RS 218, ENG 364, ANTH 305

Film Studies Minor (18 total credit hours)
ENG 208
TA 264
ENG 325
COM 330
CW 335
ENG 365

Programs
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing
Interdisciplinary Bachelor of Arts in Humanities
Interdisciplinary Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies
Interdisciplinary Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences