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ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
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Birmingham-Southern College Catalog 2015-2016
an approved travel experience during the Exploration term (no more
than one may be counted toward the three) (GP or CI)
(4) Connectivity.
Creative insight and generative problem solving frequently
occur by connecting previously disconnected areas of thought. In this vein,
we expect students to be able to identify and employ connections within
one academic area, among academic areas, and between the academy
and the wider world. Two courses, one at the beginning and one at the
conclusion of the Explorations curriculum, assist in developing this ability:
one designated first-year explorations in scholarship seminar (ES)
one connection in scholarship senior experience, which serves as the
capstone within the major and includes a required public
presentation
(5) Self-Directed Teaching and Learning.
In any exploration, unplanned,
unscripted, or non-routine events frequently provide the most memorable
experience. Recognizing the difficulty in scripting the unscripted, we hope
to foster such unplanned insights by providing a space for students to
engage in independent study, seek out new opportunities and experiences,
and actively pursue those experiences based on their own interests and
concerns by enrolling in three units beyond their other general education
requirements and outside the disciplines of the major. Partial-unit activity
courses in DA, MS, MU, and THA may be grouped to equal one unit of
the same experience. Approved independent study (-93) and internship
experiences (-97) may count.
Exploration Term
Exploration term refers to a period of four weeks during January that
provides an opportunity for innovation and experimentation for both
students and faculty. The projects offered during the Exploration term may
vary in content and technique, but they all share the goal of providing an
opportunity for exploration not possible during a regular term, including
opportunities for study-travel or focused creative production. In addition
to faculty-led projects, students are encouraged to use initiative and
imagination to develop their own contracted projects through the Office of
Exploration Term and Contract Learning.
First-year students must enroll in an Exploration term project listed in the
Exploration Term Bulletin
. They may not contract individualized Exploration
term projects.