Southwestern University

2005-2006 Catalog

Course Descriptions

Brown College of Arts & Sciences
Biology
Chemistry
Classics
Communication Studies
Economics & Business
Education
English
History
Kinesiology
Math & Computer Science
Modern Languages & Literatures
Physics
Political Science
Psychology
Religion & Philosophy
Sociology & Anthropology

Sarofim School of Fine Arts
Art
Music
Theatre

Interdisciplinary Programs
Special Academic Programs

Admission & Financial Aid
Student Life
Cultural Activities
History & Governance
Endowments & Scholarships

University Directory
Board & Officers
Faculty
Administration

STUDENT LIFE

PHILOSOPHY OF STUDENT AFFAIRS

The quality of student life on campus is very important to the success of the educational process at Southwestern University. The University’s goal is to involve students in inquiry and scholarship of the highest quality, and to see that learning extends beyond the classroom. The educational process includes finding a sense of lifelong personal and social direction, developing the ability to communicate effectively, learning to think clearly, and learning to make discriminating judgments. To accomplish these goals, students must have a fertile community life. Indeed, students spend more time out of the classroom than in, and it is during these times that they integrate their acquired knowledge into their personal orientations and value systems. Students need to encounter each other and the faculty in informal but creative ways. Student organizations and activities provide the matrix for much of this development.

Student Life revised and reaffirmed its mission statement in August 2003: Student Affairs promotes the mission of Southwestern University by implementing programs and delivering services that provide values-centered education of the whole person. These programs and services facilitate students’ development of social competencies, and reflect a shared responsibility for student learning within an undergraduate liberal arts community. Student Life fosters a challenging, secure environment in which the uniqueness of each individual is respected and celebrated.

STUDENT GOVERNMENT AND ORGANIZATIONS

Student Government

One benefit of University life is the opportunity for students to participate in their own governance. This opportunity comes through participation in the Southwestern Student Congress, the Student Judiciary, the University Program Council, and other college-wide committees. The Student Congress is a group of elected representatives; it sponsors monthly Town Meetings to inform all students of Southwestern University issues and provides a forum for concerns and opinions. The Student Judiciary is composed exclusively of students and hears all cases involving Honor Code violations. The University Program Council is responsible for community programming. In addition, students have the unique opportunity to participate with faculty and administrators in the major governing councils of the University and on standing and ad hoc committees. The men’s Interfraternity Council is a governing and legislative body for the fraternities on campus. IFC works for the improvement of the fraternity system at SU. The women’s Panhellenic Council provides programming on women’s issues and compiles standards that govern rushing, pledging and initiating for sororities.

Student Organizations

With more than 100 registered organizations, the Office of Student Activities at Southwestern University offers involvement opportunities outside of the classroom. A listing of all currently active organizations is available in two formats:

1. Online at www.southwestern.edu/student-life/stuorglist.html, and

2. In the Student Organization Guide, which is published each semester.

Organizations represent opportunities ranging from student legislation to social activism, literary publications to Greek life. If you cannot find an organization that suits your interest, then create your own with the help of the Student Activities Office. Organizations are classified in eight main categories, including governing bodies, departmental, scholastic/honorary, Greek/social, religious, special interest, sports, and student publications. If you have any questions about students organizations, please call the Student Activities Office at x1345.

ATHLETIC AND RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

The University provides comprehensive and meaningful opportunities for students at all levels of skill and physical ability. Sports and recreational facilities on campus include an indoor swimming pool; racquetball courts; tennis courts; outdoor volleyball court; indoor track; gymnasium floors; exercise and weight rooms; soccer, softball and lacrosse fields; a golf course; and games and media rooms in the student center. Students will find sports, recreation, and wellness activities available in four areas at Southwestern: intercollegiate athletics, club sports, intramurals, and wellness/leisure departments.

Intercollegiate Athletics

Southwestern University competes nationally as an intercollegiate program without athletic scholarships in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III. Conference affiliation is the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC), which includes Centre College (Danville, Ky.), DePauw University (Greencastle, Ind.), Hendrix College (Conway, Ark.), Millsaps College (Jackson, Miss.), Oglethorpe University (Atlanta, Ga.), Rhodes College (Memphis, Tenn.), Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (Terre Haute, Ind.), Trinity University (San Antonio, Texas), and the University of the South (Sewanee, Tenn.). Competition includes basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, swimming and diving, and tennis for men and women, as well as volleyball for women and baseball for men. The faculty is responsible for ensuring that athletic policy meets the academic standards of the University, especially with regard to eligibility and scheduling in conformity to the University calendar.

Intramural sports provide an opportunity for participation in organized team and individual sports at various skill levels. A schedule of seven team sports, over 15 individual sports and special events allows students, faculty and staff to compete against others of similar skill in men’s, women’s, and co-ed divisions of play.

Fitness/wellness programming assists individuals in identifying and meeting their health and fitness oriented goals through a variety of different offerings. Please stop by the office to pick up a flyer or call x1665 for more information about each of these programs including massage therapy, personal training, aqua fitness classes, traditional aerobics classes, and our self-directed exercise program. Our self-directed program is based on a central theme for the year and includes a monthly newsletter to inspire participants to reach their exercise goals while keeping them aware of a variety of special events offered each semester.

Sport clubs are student organizations that are focused on a specific sport or physical activity. Current clubs include: gymnastics, handball, lacrosse (men’s and women’s), martial arts, officials association, rock climbing and women’s fast pitch softball. A club may be instructional, recreational, and/or competitively oriented depending upon the interest of the club members.

Outdoor recreation offers students a wide variety of camping equipment that can be checked out for weekend use. Workshops are conducted to give novices the opportunity to learn about equipment and basic skills necessary before planning an outing. Additionally, outdoor trips—canoeing, rock climbing, horseback riding, sailing, and more—are offered each semester. A nominal registration fee is required for each trip.

Also, more than 50 students are employed annually in several important positions within the Intramural and Recreational Activities Department including: Intramural Supervisor, Intramural Sports Official, Office Assistant, Publicity Assistant, and Outdoor Trip Supervisor. Each of these positions allows for personal growth, a sense of accomplishment, and contribution to the University community.

For more information, call x1606 or stop by the SIRA Office in the Robertson Center, Room 215.

GENERAL REGULATIONS

General Conduct

Enrollment in Southwestern University is considered an implicit declaration of acceptance on the part of the students of University regulations as outlined in the most recent issues of the Catalog and Student Handbook. The Student Handbook is published once each year and made available to students at the time of registration or through the Dean of Students’ Office. Responsible citizenship among college students includes honesty and integrity in class work, regard for the rights of others, respect for local, state, and national laws, and for campus regulations. Specific regulations concerning the rights and responsibilities of students at Southwestern are contained in the Student Handbook, and students are expected to become thoroughly familiar with these regulations.

The Honor Code

When students enter Southwestern University, they agree to support the academic honor system, which dates back to the beginning of the 20^th century. The students established the honor system and assume responsibility for honorable conduct in all academic work including tests and examinations. Students are on their honor to do their own work and to report other students who violate this commitment.

Students write the following pledge on all examinations: “I have neither given nor received aid on this examination, nor have I seen anyone else do so.”

Motor Vehicle Regulations

Students who operate motor vehicles on campus are required to register their vehicles and comply with the currently approved and published traffic and parking regulations. Vehicle registration forms are available at housing sign-ups and in the University Police Office.

Residential Living

Residence halls are a vital part of the total Southwestern campus community and are intended to complement the educational purposes of the University by providing an atmosphere conducive to meeting academic, social, and personal needs of students.

Students who have had less than two full semesters in college are required to live on campus. Students living in traditional residence halls are required to participate in the board plans provided by the University Food Service. Students who have completed at least two full semesters are not subject to a residential requirement; however, most sophomores, juniors and seniors choose to live on campus. Should upperclass housing not be available, the University has no obligation to provide it.

The Residence Life staff is responsible for the physical and educational program of the halls, which includes program development to enhance the growth of students, advising of students, counseling and referral, supervision of the student staff and administrative tasks.

Residence hall reservations are made by filling out a housing application. A check in the amount of $500 (partial tuition prepayment of $250 and a one-time housing deposit of $250), payable to Southwestern University, must accompany the housing application. The application and check may be sent to the Office of Admission. Upperclass students wishing to live on campus reserve a space during the annual spring room sign-up period which usually occurs in April.

The University assumes no responsibility for the loss of property belonging to students in any building owned by the University, whether the loss is the result of fire, theft, flood, or an unknown cause. Students are strongly urged to obtain personal property insurance.

Information concerning room and board rates, payment plans, and refund policies may be found in the Financial Information section.

RELIGIOUS LIFE

Believing that the education of students is incomplete without an understanding of their own religious heritage and that of their neighbors, the University requires all students to meet certain curriculum requirements in the study of religion. It is also believed that students mature in their religious life only as they participate in those rites of worship and service which are a part of their faith. Students are encouraged to become involved in organizations related to their religious interests. In addition, the University Chaplain is available to offer counsel, information or referral to students seeking spiritual support and to those interested in learning more about opportunities for involvement in religious activities at Southwestern University. Voluntary mid-week chapel services are held weekly during the school year in Lois Perkins Chapel under the direction of the University Chaplain.

The Office of Religious Life sponsors Bible study, faith discussions, seminars, Interfaith Dialogue, and the annual Destination: Service alternate Spring Break. The Bishop-in-Residence is available to pre-ministry students and others interested in church careers.

DIVERSITY EDUCATION

Diversity Education programs seek to make SU a welcoming and affirming place for students of all backgrounds and to help all students capitalize on diversity opportunities to enrich their SU learning experience. Past programs have included the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration, workshops and cultural events on campus, weekend retreats, and “Diversity Drives” to such destinations as the Diez y Seis celebration at Plaza Saltillo in Austin, a Lunar New Year festival at the Asian American Cultural Center, a Navratri celebration, a Native American Powwow, worship services at an historic African-American church followed by Sunday dinner at an East Austin “Soul Food” restaurant, the Austin Jewish Film Festival, and a Czech Polka Mass in a small Central Texas town. For more information, contact Diversity Education staff at 863-1342.

HEALTH SERVICES

Health Services, located in the Robertson Center, provides education and care by a registered nurse to assist students as they learn to take responsibility for their own well-being. Emphasis is placed on the importance of preventing illness through a healthy lifestyle. The nurse is also available to treat minor illnesses, injuries, and emergencies and to refer students to appropriate physicians for illnesses that Health Services is not equipped to handle. Other services available include: strep tests, mono tests, T.B. skin tests, pregnancy testing and counseling, individual counseling on nutrition, exercise, stress management, or other health-related topics, and presentations to residence halls, classes, or groups on health-related issues. Health Services also keeps tapes, videos, books, and brochures on many health-related topics for students’ personal information or as resources for research or presentations. There are daily drop-in hours available Monday through Friday. Students who are not able to come to Health Services during posted drop-in hours can be accommodated by scheduling an appointment during other hours. Emergency care is always available at the offices of local physicians or at the Georgetown Hospital if the nurse is not available or the situation is more serious. A group insurance policy is available in cooperation with EIIA/Markel, a nationally recognized provider of student health insurance. Participation in this group policy is mandatory unless the student can provide proof of other health insurance coverage. This plan covers students for a full 12 months at a cost of $156.00/year. For further information, contact Health Services by calling 863-1555 or stopping by the office on the first floor of the Robertson Center.

COUNSELING SERVICES

Counseling Services provides free, confidential, short-term individual counseling concerning personal issues. Counseling groups are also offered each semester on specific topics. Students seek counseling for a wide variety of concerns. These include adjustment to college, motivation, depression, anxiety, relationships with peers or family, sexuality, alcohol or drug use, body image, suicidal thoughts, self-esteem, mood swings, disordered eating, and stress. Referrals to off-campus professionals are available for medical concerns and for long-term counseling. Counseling Services also provides educational outreach programs on such topics as stress management, eating disorder prevention, alcohol education, sexual assault risk reduction, perfectionism, and relationship skills. For more information call 863-1252 or stop by the Counseling Services office on the first floor of the Robertson Center.

CAREER SERVICES

Career Services' mission is to help students and alumni explore career options, gain marketable experience and engage in the search process for internships, jobs and graduate/professional school admission. Career Services provides individual career advising; a wide variety of workshops to teach career development skills and help students explore different career fields; and numerous resources, including the Resource Center library of more than 500 publications and a comprehensive website (www.southwestern.edu/careers).

Students are encouraged to start visiting Career Services as early as their first year, when they can take self-assessments such as personality and interest inventories to help explore majors and careers. Career Services staff continues to work one-on-one with students to help them develop effective resumes and interviewing skills and create personalized internship/job search strategies. A comprehensive internship program helps students research and secure internships, either for academic credit or for experience only. Career Services works closely with faculty to ensure students are aware of opportunities and responsibilities involved in internships for academic credit, as well as cultivating employer contacts to enhance future opportunities for students.

The staff also provide graduate/professional school application assistance, including researching programs, reviewing personal statements and other application materials and conducting practice interviews. To help with internship and job searches, Career Services posts vacancies via voicemail and in the Resource Center, sponsors employer information sessions and on-campus interviews, provides access to numerous internship and job fairs around Central Texas and uses an electronic resume referral and job listing system that connects SU candidates with national employment opportunities. Students can access this system, as well as a schedule of all department events and job fairs and numerous career and graduate school links, through the regularly-updated website.

UNIVERSITY POLICE DEPARTMENT

The Southwestern University Police Department provides year-round, 24-hour uniformed patrol and security duty in marked vehicles on campus property and throughout campus buildings. Patrol procedures also include regular walking assignments for areas of campus not accessible to vehicles, providing on-campus escorts and extra patrol requests. They also present special crime awareness programs to the community throughout the year.

All University Police officers are licensed and certified by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officers’ Standards and Education as meeting the training requirements of the State of Texas for peace officers. SU’s police officers are recognized as peace officers under Article 2.12 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, and they make arrests pursuant to the code for crimes defined in the Texas Penal Code and ordinances of the City of Georgetown. Traffic offenses and other minor incidents also may be handled through the SU Traffic and Safety Committee or the University Committee on Discipline. SU officers are armed and in uniform to be highly visible for the campus community and to act as a deterrent against crime.

The University Police Department prepares and submits offense and incident reports to the Vice President for Student Life and to the Associate Vice President and Dean of Students. Information also is shared with other departments when applicable. Arrest and serious crime information is reported to the Department of Public Safety’s Uniform Crime Reporting service. Minor accidents are handled by University Police, and the Georgetown Police Department is called in to assist when major accidents occur. Any time criminal activity or anything suspicious is observed on campus, students are encouraged to notify University Police. The department also should be contacted in the event of the following: any accident involving vehicles, pedestrians and/or bicycles; injured persons; fire or smell of smoke; intoxicated or otherwise chemically impaired person walking or driving; or a situation in which a student has been or is being threatened.

Southwestern University 2005-2006 Catalog