Texas A&M University Undergraduate Catalog

• Academic Calendar
• Board of Regents
  & System Adminstrative
  Officers
• TAMU Administrative
  Officers
• General Information
• International Programs
  for Students
• University Honors Program
• General Academic Programs
• University Studies Degrees
• Environmental Programs for Students
• College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
• College of Architecture
• Mays Business School
• College of Education and Human Development
• Dwight Look College of Engineering
• College of Geosciences
• College of Liberal Arts
• College of Science
• College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
• General Academic Programs
• School of Military Sciences
• Texas A&M University at Galveston
• Graduate Studies
• Course Descriptions
• Faculty
• Appendices

College of Liberal Arts

Curricular Options

International and Intercultural Experiences.

The International and Cultural Diversity requirement encourages all students to learn about attitudes and cultures different from their own. All students are required to select from a list of approved courses that foster greater awareness of our interdependent and diverse world.

Students also may select, as free electives, courses which address cultural diversity issues in the United States. Courses in this area encourage students to focus on issues of race, ethnicity and gender and to develop a broader understanding of the diverse cultures and traditions in the United States.

Further opportunity to increase international and national intercultural awareness can be accomplished through our study abroad and internship programs. More information on these programs is available through the Undergraduate Student Services Office in the College of Liberal Arts.

LBAR Honors PLAN

The College of Liberal Arts encourages qualified majors to participate in its Honors Plan, which is designed for academically talented high school graduates who have distinguished secondary school records (top 10%) and high scores on achievement tests (1250 SAT or 28 ACT). Students accepted into the LBAR PLAN take courses that foster an interdisciplinary outlook characteristic of the Liberal Arts and that synthesize knowledge from other courses. Participants work in small classes with some of the most distinguished faculty at Texas A&M University. Students develop their own interests and eventually write an honors thesis under the direct supervision of a professor with whom they have chosen to work. Requirements are 18 hours in other honors courses (half at the 300- or 400- level) including 1 credit in LBAR 181, Freshman Honors Seminar (a one-hour seminar on a focused subject that introduces students to honors work); 6 credits in LBAR 203-204, Foundations of the Liberal Arts (a team-taught, interdisciplinary exploration of the humanities and social sciences through classic texts in the various disciplines); 3 credits in LBAR 381, The Junior Seminar (an interdisciplinary special topics course that places emphasis on developing the critical skills necessary for sustained original research). Note: LBAR 203 counts toward the University Core Curriculum humanities requirement; LBAR 204 counts towards the University Core Curriculum social and behavioral sciences requirement. For information about Texas A&M Honors Program and Fellows Program (i.e., the senior thesis), see the website honors.tamu.edu.

B.A. in American Studies

The B.A. in American Studies is an interdisciplinary degree administered by the College of Liberal Arts. Its principal educational objectives are: (1) to introduce students to the theories and methods of the well-established and vibrant field of American Studies; (2) to develop in students a sophisticated knowledge and appreciation of the rich diversity and complexity of United States culture, past and present; (3) to explore the interrelationships between United States culture and other national cultures; and (4) to provide students the opportunity and intellectual tools to explore in depth a particular aspect or aspects of American culture from an interdisciplinary perspective.

The B.A. in American Studies requires the completion of 33 hours (at least 12 advanced) in the major, including 15 hours of core courses and 18 hours of directed electives from four broad areas of interest: Arts and Culture, Ethnicity, Science and Technology, and Society and Government. Students are also required to complete a 15–18 hour minor. For more information, contact the Undergraduate Student Services Office in the College of Liberal Arts.

B.A. in International Studies

The B.A. in International Studies is an interdisciplinary degree administered by the College of Liberal Arts. Its principal objectives are: (1) to provide an international perspective on such issues as economics, political science, and history and to allow more concentrated course work in subjects and geographical regions aligned with a student’s interest; (2) to assure competency in a foreign language appropriate for an International Studies degree; (3) to offer an integrated study experience at an international site; and (4) to develop an understanding of the important and complex human, social, political, and economic issues at work in international affairs.

The B.A. in International Studies thus requires: (1) a minimum of 23 credit hours in a foreign language at the college level; (2) at least one long semester or one 14 week summer approved experience in a study abroad or other international program with an emphasis on cultural and language immersion; (3) the completion of 36 hours (at least 12 advanced) in the major, including 18 hours of Core courses including an introductory course and a senior seminar; 3) 24 hours in one of five tracks or topic areas: International Politics and Diplomacy, International Commerce, International Environmental Studies, International Communication and Media, and International Arts and Culture; 4) 12 hours of area studies in courses related to Latin America, Europe, Africa and the Middle East or Asia. For more information, contact the Director of the International Studies Degree Program, 230 Reed McDonald.

Certificate in European Union Politics

The Certificate in European Union Politics is an initiative of the European Union Center and the Department of Political Science. Both interdisciplinary and international in its orientation, the Certificate program offers students seeking a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree at Texas A&M University the opportunity to combine courses, intermediate level foreign language skills, other relevant experiences on campus, and a study abroad.

Certificate requirements include 18 semester hours of course work including an approved study abroad program. The 18 semester hours of course work can be accommodated within the regular undergraduate curriculum. Students are encouraged to begin planning as freshmen to avoid the addition of extra hours to the degree plan. Certificate requirements are specified in a current brochure available in the Department of Political Science’s Undergraduate Program Office, Allen Building, room 2024.

Interdisciplinary Minors

Formally organized interdisciplinary minors are offered in Africana Studies, Asian Studies, Classical Studies, Comparative Cultural Studies, Comparative Literature, Film Studies, Hispanic Studies, Journalism Studies, Religious Studies and Women’s Studies. Specific course requirements and options are available from each interdisciplinary program director.

Requirements for the minor in Africana Studies total 18 hours including: (1) 6 hours in residence at 300/400 level taken as AFST 302, AFST 481, (2) a total of 12 hours from the following three-hour courses: AFST 201, ANTH 315, ENGL 205, ENGL 393, HIST 300, HIST 301, HIST 344, HIST 345, HIST 346, COMM 425, SOCI 317 or SOCI 323.

Requirements for the interdisciplinary minor in Asian Studies total 18 credit hours, as follows: (1) six hours of Asian Studies humanities courses; (2) six hours of Asian Studies social sciences courses; (3) a three-hour Asian studies capstone course selected in consultation with the program coordinator; and (4) three hours of Asian Studies electives. Up to six hours of upper-division Asian language courses (300-level or higher) may count toward the minor. If six hours of language courses are used for the minor, the required hours in Asian Studies humanities and social sciences courses will be reduced from 12 hours to 9 hours, and the Asian language courses will be credited as electives.

Requirements for the minor in Classical Studies include 18 hours to be taken as follows: (1) two semesters of either Greek or Latin language at the college level; (2) a minimum of four courses in classical civilization from an approved list.

Requirements for the minor in Comparative Cultural Studies total 18 hours, including: (1) a foundation course (3 hours) in a national or international focus; (2) a “capstone course” (3 hours) chosen in consultation with the program coordinator; (3) and four courses (12 hours) from program areas with no more than three courses (9 hours) from any one area. At least 9 hours in the minor must be at the 300- or 400-level.

Requirements for the minor in Film Studies total 18 hours including: (1) a foundation course which is FILM 201 or (with approval of the program coordinator) ENGL 251; (2) FILM 481; (3) FILM 301; (4) three additional FILM courses (9 hours). Courses that are primarily concerned with film and which are offered in any department within the College may be credited for the minor with the approval of the program coordinator.

Requirements for the minor in Hispanic Studies total 18 hours including (1) two courses (6 hours) in upper-level Spanish language courses: SPAN 301, Hispanic Culture and Civilization; SPAN 302, Contrastive Grammar; SPAN 303, Composition and Conversation; SPAN 304, Advanced Grammar for Native Speakers; or SPAN 350, Phonetics; (2) three courses (9 hours) in Hispanic topics and issues, to be selected from a list of recommended courses, with no more than two courses from any area; and (3) one “capstone” or “exit course” (3 hours) selected in consultation with the program coordinator.

Requirements of the interdisciplinary minor in Journalism Studies include 18 credit hours, not counting JOUR 102, a 3-hour prerequisite for admission to the minor. Fifteen credit hours are devoted to: (1) basic news-gathering and writing courses (6 hours), (2) a choice among advanced reporting, editing or communication law courses (3 hours), and (3) two “capstone” courses that include a media internship and a professional practices course taught by visiting Journalists-in-Residence (6 hours). The final three hours can be taken in a number of classes offered through Anthropology, Communication, Economics, English, History, Music, Political Science, Psychology or Architecture.

Requirements for the minor in Religious Studies total 18 hours, including: (1) 6 hours of World Religious Traditions taken as RELS 303 and 304; (2) 3 hours in Religious Texts selected from RELS 211, 213, 351, 360 or 392; (3) 3 hours in Religion in History selected from RELS 220, 317, 347, 365 or 404; (4) 3 hours in Religion in Psychology and the Social Sciences selected from RELS 326, 403 or 405; and (5) RELS 331, Philosophy of Religion.

Requirements for the minor in Women’s Studies total 18 hours, including at least 6 hours at the upper-level, as follows: WMST 200, WMST 481, 3 hours in humanities women’s studies courses, 3 hours in social science women’s studies courses, and additional women’s studies courses as approved by the coordinator of women’s studies and the dean’s office.

Departmental Minors

Departmental Minors are offered by all departments and some academic programs within the College of Liberal Arts (see page 40). Requirements total 15–18 hours of courses specified by the department; courses in the minor may also meet other degree requirements, but not in the major. At least 6 hours (9 hours for 18 hour minor) must be at the 300- or 400- level. Grades of C or better are required in each course.

Requirements for the minor in Music total 18 hours including (1) a total of 3 hours chosen from MUSC 200 Topics in Music or MUSC 201 Music and the Human Experience; (2) MUSC 204 Theory and Musicianship I; (3) a total of 3 hours of Individual/Ensemble Performance chosen from MUSC 250 Individual Performance—Piano I, MUSC 280 Ensemble Performance—Symphonic Band, MUSC 286 Ensemble Performance—Symphony Orchestra, or MUSC 290 Ensemble Performance—Choir; (4) elective courses: 9 additional credits in MUSC at the upper-level (300- or 400-level course). No more than 9 credits of the minor may be at the lower-level (100- or 200-level course). Students must earn grades of C or better in their minor course work.

Combined Degree Plan (Double Degree)

Students may pursue a five-year program to qualify for two bachelor’s degrees, either a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science degree from different departments, or two Bachelor of Arts or two Bachelor of Science degrees, with the second degree from another college. Students must declare the double degree no later than the semester in which they will complete 95 hours. Students must have and maintain at least a 2.5 GPR cumulative and in the majors (or the minimum departmental GPR requirement in the major, whichever is higher), with at least a 2.5 GPR in at least 9 hours in the second field of study at the time of declaration. Transfer students who enter with a junior classification must file for the double degree no later than the end of their second semester in attendance. Before declaring the double degree, students should consult with the appropriate advisors and deans to formulate the combined degree plan.

Candidates for a double bachelor’s degree must have been in residence at least two academic years and must complete all essential work of the second curriculum not covered in the first. To qualify for the double degree, the student must complete a minimum of 30 semester hours more than the higher of credit hours required for either degree.

Cooperative Education Program

Cooperative education enables students to gain practical work experience and a salary while completing academic requirements. During the four-year academic program, co-op students complete two to four periods of work away from campus, gaining experience through on-the-job training and thus improving their opportunities for future employment. An advisor in the cooperative education office provides additional information about this program. The student must register himself or herself.

Double Major

Instead of a major and a minor field, students in the College of Liberal Arts may elect to have two major fields of study. Both majors may be within the college, or one major may be outside the college, provided both majors lead to the same baccalaureate degree. Students must declare a double major no later than the semester in which they will complete 95 credit hours. Students must have and maintain at least a 3.0 GPR cumulative and in the majors (or the minimum departmental GPR requirement in the major, whichever is higher) with at least a 3.0 GPR in at least 9 hours in the second field of study at the time of declaration. Transfer students who enter with junior classification must file for the double major no later than the end of their second semester in attendance. The following requirements must be met: the student must (1) satisfy all University and college requirements; (2) complete all required courses in each major, if both majors are in the College of Liberal Arts (i.e., take all courses which are specifically listed in each regular degree program); and (3) in cases where one major is in the College of Liberal Arts and the other major is in another college, the student shall take in his or her liberal arts major field of study the same number of credit hours required of regular majors in that field and also satisfy whatever conditions are set by the other college for its major field.

For further information, contact the Undergraduate Student Services Office in the College of Liberal Arts.