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College of Liberal Arts
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founded 1884
Morris Vogel, Acting Dean
(215) 204-7743

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The College's undergraduate programs prepare students to enter the world as informed, responsible citizens, as women and men making consequential choices about the future of their communities, and as leaders in the careers they choose to pursue. Because a rapidly changing technological society cannot prosper without men and women trained in the methods of logical inquiry, deductive reasoning, and critical analysis, the College holds fundamental assumptions about undergraduate education:

  • that there are certain skills and concepts basic to all academic disciplines, and that their mastery is essential for all subsequent study;
  • that a liberal education should teach students how to learn;
  • that factual knowledge has value only when the methods of inquiry which led to its creation are understood.

The undergraduate Core Curriculum is based upon the skills and knowledge essential to a liberal education. In a world which every year becomes more complex and where information becomes more highly specialized, the ability to speak and write well -- to communicate and describe ideas in language that is clear and precise -- is the greatest asset of an educated man or woman. The increasing reliance of society upon numbers also requires the ability to manipulate numerical data, to recognize their misuse, and to understand the multiple interpretations they often permit. Informed judgment requires of the student an awareness of the diversity of cultures, and a knowledge of our intellectual heritage and the major texts through which it is transmitted. Personal fulfillment rests upon the appreciation of truth and beauty manifested in works of religion, philosophy, and the arts.

Baccalaureate programs in the divisions of the College -- social sciences and humanities -- lead from the Core Curriculum toward mastery of the subject matter, methods, and values of a chosen field, and prepare the student for productive work or for graduate study. In conjunction with the major, many students complete pre-professional coursework required for preparation for further studies in the health sciences, dentistry, law, pharmacy, or medicine. All programs offer undergraduates the opportunity to work with distinguished faculty and a richly diverse and stimulating student body as they prepare for an active role in a future of change and challenge.

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SPECIAL PROGRAMS

Study Abroad

Undergraduates majoring in any of the arts and sciences may pursue a large variety of study abroad options. Temple University has campuses in Rome, Italy, and Tokyo, Japan; a program in London, England, and exchange programs with universities in England, Germany, and Puerto Rico and summer programs in France, Ghana, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, and South Africa. See International Programs for more information about study abroad options.

University Honors Program

Students in the College of Liberal Arts are eligible to apply to the University Honors Program. College of Liberal Arts students in the Honors Program will take specially designated Honors courses to their University Core requirements. See Academic Programs/University Honors.

Departmental Honors Programs

Most departments in the College of Liberal Arts offer departmental Honors Programs.

At the time of choosing a field of concentration, the student should consult the Chair of the Honors Program in the selected department regarding eligibility and the special courses in which to enroll.

Teacher Certification

Students who want to combine teacher certification with a major in liberal arts may take a minor in Education during their undergraduate years. After earning a bachelor's degree in the field of choice, an additional year is spent as a graduate student in the College of Education, simultaneously earning a Master of Education degree and Pennsylvania teaching certification. See the College of Education for more details.

Information about all programs leading to certification can be found in the appropriate section of this Bulletin, and is indexed.

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AWARDS AND STUDENT ASSOCIATIONS

Awards

Many awards are granted to juniors and seniors for outstanding performance in many scholastic areas and for exceptional service to the College. Information is available in Department Offices or in the Academic Advising Center, Sullivan Hall.

Majors' Associations

Many of the departments within the College of Liberal Arts support student interest organizations known as Majors' Associations. Each department organization provides an opportunity for students to interact with other students of similar interests as well as their faculty. This is essential to making a student's academic life more than merely classroom oriented work.

It is important that there be student involvement on the departmental level because it is here that the student can have the most input concerning course offerings, faculty, and departmental functions.

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COLLEGE COUNCIL OF LIBERAL ARTS

The College Council of Liberal Arts is the student government of the College of Liberal Arts. The goal of CCLA is to unite students so they can work together to enhance their education both inside and outside the classroom. CCLA provides valuable services and programs such as support for Majors' Associations, educational programs and lectures, a student representation on College and University committees, the CCLA newsletter, a course evaluation survey, and representation in Temple Student Government.

CCLA provides an open forum for students to express their concerns and to act on them. All students of the College of Liberal Arts, both graduates and undergraduates, are welcome to become members of CCLA. CCLA meetings are open to everyone. Students' opinions are shared and decisions are conveyed to the students through the Majors' Associations and to the faculty and administration through College and University committees such as the Executive Committee, the Committee on Instruction, the Committee on Writing, and the Student Grievance Committee.

Additional information and meeting times can be obtained at the CCLA offices in Suite 213 of Anderson Hall, (215) 204-8262.

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POLICIES AND REGULATIONS

University policies and regulations generally apply to all undergraduate students and provide a framework within which schools and colleges may specify further conditions or variations appropriate to students in their courses or programs.

Academic Residency Requirements

Students who transfer into CLA must complete at least 30 semester hours of course work in the College, and at least half of the courses required in the major at Temple.

Course Eligibility

All College of Liberal Arts undergraduate courses are divided into three kinds:

  • Preparatory courses numbered 0001-0049: open to all students, full-time, part-time, matriculated, and non-matriculated.
  • Lower Level courses numbered 0050-0099: open to all students including non-matriculated students who are in the process of completing required remedial courses or who have completed them, and who have completed appropriate course prerequisites.
  • Upper Level courses numbered 0100-0399: open to all matriculated students who have completed all necessary remedial courses and appropriate course prerequisites.

Courses Taken Elsewhere by CLA Students

Matriculated Temple students must always petition for the prior approval of their dean to take courses at another institution. (See Permission to Take Courses at Another Institution under Academic Policies and Regulations.) Petitions are available in the Academic Advising Center, Sullivan Hall.

Courses Inapplicable to Graduation

Semester hours earned in Mathematics 0015, Military Science, RCC-Enhanced are excluded from the total minimum semester hours required for graduation.

Dean's List

Each semester, undergraduate students who achieve a grade point average of 3.5 or above for the semester with 12 or more graded credits toward the degree and with no grade of Incomplete or "R" are selected for the Dean's List. Letters of congratulation are sent to each of these students.

Grading

  • Major, Minor, and Core courses must be completed with a letter grade of C- or higher.
  • Credit/No Credit -- during the junior and senior years, any College of Liberal Arts student in good standing, who is taking a minimum of 12 semester hours, may elect to take one course each semester on a Credit/No Credit basis except for courses that count toward major, minor, Core, or distributional requirements. Application must be made at the Academic Advising Center of the College of Liberal Arts, Sullivan Hall, during the first two weeks of a fall or spring semester course and during the first th ree days of a first or second summer session course.

Graduation Procedures

In the first semester of the senior year, all students are required to review, with their advisers in the Academic Advising Center, a summary sheet indicating the requirements for the degree which remain to be completed. This summary is then reviewed b y the Advising Coordinator for the specific major and a copy sent to the student to delineate the courses which remain to be completed in the final semester.

Appointments for this review will be scheduled in the Academic Advising Center, first floor, Sullivan Hall, in the fall semester for graduations anticipated the next May and in the spring semester for graduations anticipated the next August and January .

Notice of Anticipation of Graduation

Early in the semester in which students will complete their degree requirements, they must notify, in writing, the Academic Advising Center. Forms for this purpose are available at the reception desk on the first floor of Sullivan Hall. The deadline fo r returning the form is:

  • October 8, 1999, for fall semester,1999;
  • February 8, 2000, for spring semester, 2000;
  • June 1, 2000, for Summer semester, 2000.

Plagiarism and Academic Cheating

Plagiarism and academic cheating are prohibited in CLA courses. Essential to intellectual growth is the development of independent thought and a respect for the thoughts of others. The prohibition against plagiarism and cheating is intended to f oster this independence and respect. See Academic Policies in this Bulletin.

The penalty for plagiarism or cheating as a first offense is normally an F in the course in which the offense is committed. In such cases, the instructor will write a report to the Dean. The CLA Grievance Committee will adjudicate appeals made b y students and serious cases, or repeat offenses, referred to the Committee by an instructor or the Dean. The Dean may recommend suspension or expulsion from the University when warranted.

Probation and Dismissal

Students whose cumulative GPA falls below 2.0 may be subject to probation. Students whose semester GPA falls below a 1.0 or who fail to remove themselves from probation after one semester may be subject to dismissal. Students not making academic progre ss toward a degree may be subject to probation and/or dismissal.

Readmission

To apply to reenter the College after a full semester of non-attendance, a student must submit a Readmission Application.

Applications may be obtained from the Academic Advising Center and are due November 1 for the spring semester and June 1 for the fall semester.

Withdrawal from Classes

After notifying the instructor and filing the correct form, a student may withdraw from a course without penalty up to six weeks after the beginning of the semester. After six weeks have passed, but before the end of the twelfth week, permission to withdraw must be obtained from both the instructor and the Academic Advising Center of the College of Liberal Arts, Sullivan Hall. If withdrawal is approved, the instructor may file a W (withdrew without penalty), or WF (withdrew with failing grade). Permission to withdraw is not given after the twelfth week of the semester. Students may not withdraw from Mathematics 0015.

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ADVISING

It is recommended, and in some cases required, that students consult with an adviser prior to registration. The adviser will review the proposed coursework and will attempt to keep students informed of the requirements for graduation. In addition, the adviser will help the student achieve breadth in the curriculum and will provide other assistance needed by the student.

Academic advisers attempt to avoid errors when advising students about program requirements, although the college cannot assume liability for errors in advising. Therefore, students must assume primary responsibility for knowing the requirements for their degree and for acquiring current information about their academic status.

Academic Advising Center

The Academic Advising Center serves as the advising division of the College of Liberal Arts helping students plan curriculum, choose majors, make vocational and post graduate plans and resolve a variety of academic problems. Services are provided by a staff of full-time professional advisers and part-time faculty advisers. The center informs students about the results of placement testing and assignment into corresponding courses. Monitoring of academic progress and graduation clearance are also the responsibility of the Advising Center.

Through individual interviews and group workshops, the Center offers the following services:

  • New Student Orientation for freshmen and first semester transfer students.
  • Curriculum Advising for CLA students in declared majors in the Humanities or Social Sciences who have completed fewer than 30 credits. Students enrolled in the University Honors Program are advised in Room 648, Ritter Annex until they have completed 60 semester hours. All other students are advised in their departments.
  • Registration Assistance for students ineligible for phone registration. Includes on-line processing of original registrations and/or schedule revisions, and course withdrawals through the twelfth week of the semester or the third day of the summer sessions.
  • Academic Counseling which provides an opportunity for students to develop a meaningful education plan compatible with life goals. Students can also meet with advisers to discuss a variety of academic concerns and develop some possible solutions. Students on academic probation and others experiencing academic difficulty work with advisers to learn strategies for overcoming the obstacles to success.
  • Pre-Professional Advising for students planning to enter law school. Pre-professional advising for the health professions is offered through the Academic Resource Center, Room 113, Curtis Hall.
  • Graduation Reviews for students entering their senior year.
  • Withdrawal and ReAdmission interviews.

Requests that require students to petition include those to: attend another university for a semester or summer course, be graded in one course on a credit/no credit system, register for an overload, evaluate life experience credit and credit by examination, receive approval for an exception to policy.

Students are advised by a Departmental adviser within their major once they have accumulated at least 30 credits and have declared a major. Through contact with departmental faculty, students gain an in-depth appreciation of a specific discipline and discover opportunities associated with their field of interest.

Departmental Advisers

Students are advised by a departmental adviser within their major once they have accumulated at least 30 credits at Temple University and have declared a major.

Student Advisers/Ombudspersons

Departments in the College of Liberal Arts and the College of Science and Technology have student advisers/ombudspersons who are qualified undergraduate majors of the departments they represent. Thoroughly familiar with requirements and curricula, they can add something far more valuable than just information -- the voice of experience. These student advisers/ombudspersons can competently direct fellow students to the courses and faculty members that will enhance their interests. They also have informa tion concerning career options for graduates from their departments.

The ombudsperson part of the job is as important as the advising aspect and may be the reason that a student would seek help. As the departments' ombudspersons, they will try to solve any academic grievance that may arise, acting as the student-faculty "go-between." A student must initiate the first stage of an academic grievance no later than 30 days after the beginning of the fall or spring semester immediately following the completion of the course in which the grievance occurred. Copies of the Coll ege of Liberal Arts grievance procedure can be obtained from the Student Advisers/Ombudspersons. The Student Advisers/Ombudspersons have offices within their respective departments. This program serves as a means for student expression and concer n with the hope of benefiting the student and the department.

Continuing Student Registration

Continuing student registration is the period during the fall and spring semesters when currently enrolled students should register. Degree Audit Reports (DARS) for declared majors with under 30 credits are available in the Academic Advising Center prior to the registration period. Declared majors with 30 or more credits obtain their documents from their departmental advising offices.

Prior to processing their registrations, freshmen meet with advisers in a group setting to review their DARS documents, discuss course selections for the upcoming semester and have their Personal Identification Numbers (PINS) activated. New transfer students and continuing students in good academic standing are encouraged to meet with their advisers before processing their schedules via telephone registration. Students ineligible to use telephone registration are required to meet with an adviser.

Pre-professional Advising

Preparation for the Study of Law

The degree of Bachelor of Arts is accepted by all law schools as fulfillment of their requirements for admission.

The Pre-Legal Education Committee of the Association of American Law Schools and the Temple University School of Law stress the importance of a well-rounded education. Since the legal profession makes extensive use of both the written and spoken English language as professional tools, the law student should have extensive preparation in English in undergraduate courses. Because a large part of a lawyer's work requires problem solving and sound judgment, students should take courses that help develop creative power in thinking. The study of law, furthermore, rests upon a broad knowledge of western civilization, including its political, economic, and social institutions; hence, the student preparing for law should schedule courses which afford this broad background. Some law schools also recommend two semesters of accounting.

After selecting a field of concentration, the student schedules courses in consultation with both the adviser in the area of concentration and with the pre-law adviser in the Academic Advising Center of the College of Liberal Arts.

Courses of Special Interest to Pre-Law Students

While no specific undergraduate courses or majors are required for admission to accredited law schools, pre-law students are advised to select courses and programs of study that are intellectually challenging while helping to develop necessary skills and knowledge.

Courses that are "law-related" because they either require reading of law cases or concern the study of particular legal issues are listed below for the convenience of interested students. Law school admissions officials prefer that pre-law students take very few such courses believing that the teaching of law more appropriately belongs in the province of the law school. It may be useful, however, for students who are uncertain about attending law school to test their level of interest by selecting one or more of the following courses in the College of Liberal Arts:

American Studies 0109 -- Courtroom in American Society
Anthropology 0223 -- Comparative Law
Criminal Justice 0150 -- Introduction to Criminal Law
Criminal Justice 0243 -- American Jury System
Criminal Justice 0247 -- Criminal Procedure: Prosecution and Adjudication
History R246 -- Race & U.S. Constitution
Philosophy C062 -- Morality and the Law
Philosophy 0154 -- Political Philosophy
Philosophy 0243 -- Philosophy of Law
Political Science 0117 -- American Constitution Principle I & II
Political Science 0151 -- Public Policy Analysis
Political Science 0270- Classics in Political Philosophy
Sociology 0270 -- Sociology of Law
Sociology 0283 -- Social Movements
Women's Studies -- 0273 -Women and Criminal Justice

To develop the communications skills of reading and comprehension, expository writing, and speaking:

Communication Sciences 0180 -- Introduction to Linguistics
Communication Sciences 0214 -- Conflict and Communication
English W103 -- Writing the Research Essay
English W101 -- Developing Prose Style
English Upper level literature courses
Speech Communication 0065 -- Public Speaking
Speech Communication 0180 -- Persuasion

To develop analytical reasoning skills:

Philosophy C055 -- Critical Thinking
Philosophy C066 -- Logic
Philosophy 0100 -- Introduction to Philosophy
Philosophy 0121 -- Introduction to Ethics
Speech Communication 0174 -- Argumentation
Courses in Computer Science and Mathematics
Courses in Natural Science

Since most law schools require applicants to submit the score made on the Law School Aptitude Test, administered periodically by the Law School Admissions Service, students planning to study law should consult the pre-law adviser prior to the senior ye ar to determine whether the school to which they plan to apply will require such a test and to determine the dates when such examinations are given.

Prospective law students should consult the pre-law adviser about requirements for admission to law school, law school scholarship assistance, and opportunities in the legal profession. To satisfy statutory requirements, early in the senior year prospe ctive law students should consult the pre-law adviser concerning the legal requirements for practicing law in the state in which the student desires to study and practice.

Early Admission to Professional Programs

Students in the College of Liberal Arts, who have been admitted to health-related professional schools at the end of their third year and have completed 90 semester hours in CLA or CST coursework including the requirements of the College and their majors with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5, may petition the Dean for the transfer of their first year in professional study toward the completion of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Arts.

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REQUIREMENTS FOR THE BACCALAUREATE DEGREES

Note: Students matriculated in the College of Arts and Sciences before fall 1988 and students transferring from another university or college with 15 or more credit hours into the College of Arts and Sciences before September 1990 are not obligated to complete the graduation requirements listed below. Such students may continue to follow the program described in the 1987-1988 Bulletin with the transition modifications specified in the CAS Bulletin Supplement. This special Supplement is available at the Academic Advising Center in Sullivan Hall as well as from departmental advisers.

Credit Hour Requirements

The College of Liberal Arts requires that students complete a total of 123 credits. Of that total, 90 credits must be in CLA or CST courses (excluding Engineering). Of those 90 credits, 45 must be in upper level CLA or CST courses (excluding Engineering). Of those 45 credits, students receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree must distribute their course selections to satisfy the upper level distribution requirements.

Students must also satisfy the requirements of the University Core Curriculum.

The detailed explanations of the College of Liberal Arts’ credit hour requirements appear in the paragraphs that follow.

The liberal arts baccalaureate degrees require a minimum of 123 credit hours, distributed according to University and College policy outlined below, with at least a 2.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA). A minimum 2.0 GPA must also be maintained in CLA/CST courses (excluding Engineering) and in the major.

To earn a CLA baccalaureate degree, a student must complete a minimum of 90 semester hours in CLA/CST courses (excluding Engineering courses).

A course shall be classified as CLA or CST if it is listed in the Undergraduate Course Descriptions (excluding Engineering) or if it is in the department of Economics.

Students with inter-collegial majors (e.g. music, organizational studies) can obtain information concerning the minimum number of semester hours in CLA/CST courses required for graduation from their major advisers and from the description of their major found in this Bulletin.

These credit hour requirements apply to students entering fall, 1995 or later.

A maximum of nine semester hours in preparatory courses (courses numbered 0001-0049) may be applied to any baccalaureate degree. Semester hours earned in Mathematics 0015), military science, and RCC-Enhanced do not receive credit toward the minimum sem ester hours required for graduation.

Bachelor of Arts Requirements

Core. Bachelor of Arts candidates must complete the University Core requirements with the following difference: For the Core Language or International Studies requirement, candidates for the B.A. degree are required by the College of Liberal Art s to complete both an International Studies and a Language requirement.

  • Complete the third semester of a language (course number C061, except in Critical Languages) and one international studies course or
  • Complete the second semester of a language (course number 0052, except in Critical Languages) and two international studies courses, at least one of which must be "Third World/Non-Western."

Upper level distribution requirements.B.A. students must complete upper level distribution requirements by taking two upper level CLA courses outside the curriculum division of the major (or upper level CST courses excluding Engineering.) Students who have double majors in the same division must take two upper level courses outside this division. Students who have double majors in two different divisions automatically satisfy the distribution requirement. Students taking an interdisciplin ary major or program must take at least one upper level course in each of the two divisions.

Major. They must also complete the requirements of a major. The minimum acceptable grade in a course taken to fulfill major requirements is a C-. Students are encouraged to declare their major by the end of the freshman year; forms for this purp ose are available in the Academic Advising Center in Sullivan Hall. B.A. majors are offered in the following programs:

African American Studies
American Studies
Anthropology
Asian Studies
Criminal Justice
Economics
English
Environmental Studies (BA or BS)
French
Geography and Urban Studies
Germanic and Slavic Languages and Literature
Greek and Roman Classics
Hebrew
History
Interdisciplinary Studies
Italian
Jewish Studies
Latin American Studies
Mathematical Economics
Music
Organizational Studies
Philosophy
Political Science
Psychology
Religion
Russian (See German and Slavic)
Sociology
Spanish
Women's Studies

Curriculum Divisions

Students should use the following curriculum divisions in satisfying the distribution requirements mentioned above:

  • Humanities: English, Foreign Languages, Greek and Roman Classics, Music*, Philosophy, Religion.
  • Social Sciences: African American Studies, American Studies, Anthropology, Asian Studies, Criminal Justice, Economics, Environmental Studies, Geography and Urban Studies, History, Jewish Studies, Latin American Studies, Mathematical Economics, Organi
  • Environmental Studies: Geography and Urban Studies, History, Jewish Studies, Latin American Studies, Mathematical Economics, Organizational Studies, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Women's Studies.
  • zational Studies, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Women's Studies.

*Courses in Music may not be used to satisfy upper level distribution requirements.

Placement Tests

All new freshmen must take diagnostic English and mathematics placement tests. Transfer students who have not completed English C050 or a college level math course are also required to take placement examinations. The results of these tests determine i f students are required to enroll in preparatory composition and mathematics courses. Students assigned to English 40/41 must register each semester for that course until the requirement is completed. Only upon successful completion of English 40/41 can s uch students enroll in English C050/51. Students assigned to courses designed to remedy deficiencies in mathematics are required to complete those courses before enrolling in the mathematics component of the University Core. Incoming students must also take a foreign language placement examination if they plan to continue a language previously studied, or if they wish to place out of a foreign language requirement.

Special Major and Minor Requirements

Interdisciplinary Major.
Rather than major in an existing department or program, students may apply for a major in Interdisciplinary Studies. The proposed major should consist of coursework totaling at least 36 semester hours, and be justified in terms of some thematic unit o f cohesive rationale. The program should not closely resemble any major currently available in the College of Liberal Arts.

The proposed major program may include courses outside of the College of Liberal Arts, but at least 24 semester hours must be in upper level liberal arts or science courses. The student's proposal must be sponsored by two faculty members from di fferent departments, at least one from the College of Liberal Arts. Approval for the program must be obtained from the College of Liberal Arts Academic Advising Center prior to the initiation of the last 60 semester hours of the degree.

Honors Interdisciplinary Major.
Students in the University Honors Program may apply for a College of Liberal Arts Honors Interdisciplinary Major. They must complete the degree requirements of the B.A. in the College of Liberal Arts and the requirements for the Interdisciplinary Major de scribed above as well as the requirements for the University Honors Program. Approval for this program must also be obtained from the University Honors Committee prior to the initiation of the last 60 semester hours of the degree.

In addition, the proposed Major Program should include submission of an acceptable Honors Thesis to the University Honors Steering Committee.

Minor.
Students may also choose to complete the requirements for a minor. The minimum acceptable grade in a course taken to fulfill minor requirements is C-. The minimum GPA for all CLA minors is 2.0. This requirement is superseded if some higher GPA is required by any specific minor program. At least half of the courses taken by a student to fulfill the minor must be taken at Temple. Forms for declaring a minor are available in the following programs:

African American Studies
American Studies
Ancient Mediterranean Studies
Anthropology
Asian Studies
Cognitive Neuroscience (see Psychology)
Criminal Justice
Economics
English
French
Geography and Urban Studies
German
Greek and Roman Classics
Hebrew
History
Italian
Jewish Studies (see Religion)
Latin American Studies
Mathematical Economics
Music
Philosophy
Polish (see German and Slavic)
Political Science
Portuguese (see Spanish and Portuguese)
Psychology
Religion
Russian
Sociology
Spanish
Women's Studies

4.Additional Specialization, Concentrations, Certificates

Finally, students may choose to complete the requirements for an additional specialization. Forms for declaring an additional specialization are available in the Academic Advising Center in Sullivan Hall. Additional specializations are available in the following programs:

Chinese (see Critical Languages)
Foreign Language
Latin-American Studies (Certificate Program)
Mapping and Data Handling (see Geography and Urban Studies)
Multilingual Business and Government Studies (see Spanish)
Neuroscience
Political Economy
Writing (see English)

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