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Birmingham-Southern College Catalog 2015-2016
GENERAL INFORMATION
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The College operates on a four-one-four academic calendar, consisting
of a fall term, the January Exploration term, and a spring term. Students
typically enroll in four courses in the fall, one in the Exploration term,
and four in the spring. A more limited number of courses is also offered
over the summer. The Exploration term offers students the opportunity for
intense investigation of a particular subject for a period of approximately
four weeks. This may be a project proposed by a faculty member or one
designed by a student and a faculty sponsor; it may be held on campus
or anywhere off campus, domestic or foreign; it may be an overall
introduction to a subject area or a specialized interest investigated in
depth. Whatever the project chosen, Exploration term is a time intended to
provide students with unique opportunities for creative, experiential, and
independent study.
Birmingham-Southern College is committed to making an education that
changes lives an affordable reality for all students. The robust Explorations
curriculum, caring faculty at the top of their fields, in-depth knowledge of a
major subject area, a highly customizable Exploration term, and abundant
active learning opportunities culminate in an educational experience that
prepares students to meet the world head-on and lead lives of significance.
At Birmingham-Southern College we take pride in our tradition of
providing a high-quality liberal arts education; we are proud of our
continued ability to take a flexible approach to maintaining proven
educational goals and standards; and we value mutual respect among all
segments of our college population. The information in this Catalog will
help future students to understand our degree requirements, curriculum,
and co-curricular activities, and will assist current students in taking full
advantage of all that Birmingham-Southern College has to offer.
HONOR CODE
Members of the Birmingham-Southern College community operate
under an Honor Code, pledging they will not lie, cheat, or steal. One of
the Student Government Association’s most significant responsibilities is
the selection of the Honor Council, which handles any cases involving
students who are accused of violating the Honor Code. If it determines that
a student has violated the Honor Code, the Council imposes appropriate
penalties. This process helps to maintain the academic integrity of the
entire college community. Through this system of self-governance, students
play an integral role in providing a campus atmosphere of profound trust
in which each individual may develop intellectually and socially with