The Centers of Distinction Curriculum
Of the 33 3 / 4 units required for a degree at Roanoke College,
14 3 / 4 units (which includes two one-quarter unit physical
education activities and one-quarter unit of co-curricular
learning) are needed to fulfill the Centers of Distinction
requirements.
FRESHMAN YEAR: THE WRITING COURSES
Freshmen begin the Centers of Distinction program at
Roanoke College with two one-unit semester-long writing
courses. Emphasizing writing as a process and using the
workshop method, these courses teach students to develop
and refine their rhetoric and writing styles, to improve their
critical thinking skills, to practice the construction of sound
and persuasive arguments, and to navigate the procedures and
methodologies of research. Students are encouraged to use
their writing skills purposefully, to express themselves
meaningfully, and to explore ideas which interest them.
THE HUMANITIES REQUIREMENT
In the sophomore year, students take a two-semester sequence
of one-unit courses designed to foster a better understanding
of their own culture and the cultures of others. Students are
introduced to significant achievements and developments in
Western and some non-Western cultures from an
interdisciplinary perspective, including history, literature, and
the arts.
VALUES AND THE RESPONSIBLE LIFE
In the junior year, students explore some of the major moral
and ethical issues of our day.The one-unit course is designed
as an opportunity for students to reflect on their own values
and beliefs while investigating the choices and philosophical
systems of other peoples, both contemporary and past. It is
not intended to indoctrinate or merely clarify whatever values
the student has presently; rather, it provides an encounter
wherein students are strongly encouraged to consider in a
serious way values expressed in various traditions of religious,
moral and intellectual thought.
THE SENIOR SYMPOSIUM
The growth and learning achieved in the first three years of
college is the prerequisite for admission to Senior
Symposium.The Senior Symposia are highly reflective and
conceptual explorations conducted by faculty and students
together into problems of contemporary and enduring
importance. Specific topics are proposed by professors and
frequently change, providing fresh opportunities for students
and professors to collaborate, as liberally educated men and
women, in the discussion of fascinating interdisciplinary
questions. In addition to the six one-unit core courses,
students take additional courses in foreign languages,
mathematical skills, scientific reasoning and physical education
throughout their years at Roanoke.
FOREIGN LANGUAGE
Students are required to complete up to one year of study
(two units) of the same foreign language at Roanoke College.
Students may be exempted from the requirement by
demonstrating competency in a foreign language (see
"Competency Standards" described elsewhere in this
Catalog).
MATHEMATICAL AND SCIENTIFIC REASONING
Students complete three one-unit courses designed to develop
mathematical skills and to introduce the scientific method as
applied to modern laboratory sciences.
At least one unit must be from among mathematics or
statistics.These courses emphasize problem-solving skills and
applications of mathematics and statistics in modern society.
Students in some majors will take courses specifically
designed to address the needs of their majors.The courses
MATH 101 and STAT 101 explore ideas appropriate for
majors without special requirements. Substitutions may be
made for these courses by taking any other one-unit MATH
course or STAT course.
At least one unit must be an introductory laboratory course
(biology, chemistry or physics). Students obtain a knowledge
of the modern theories of the science, the ability to use the
language of the science, and an appreciation for experimental
techniques.
The third unit may be from computer science, mathematics,
statistics, or any introductory laboratory course (biology,
chemistry, physics). However, at most one one-unit STAT
course will count toward the requirement, and students who
take two laboratory courses to fulfill the requirement must
take them from different disciplines.
SOCIAL SCIENTIFIC REASONING
Students complete two one-unit introductory courses in the
social sciences chosen from two of the following disciplines:
anthropology, economics, geography, political science,
psychology, and sociology.
INTENSIVE LEARNING
All students are required to complete one unit of Intensive
Learning at Roanoke College.This experience is an in-depth
study of a well-defined topic or issue that occurs during a
period of time when a student is enrolled in one and only
one course.
CO-CURRICULAR LEARNING
Roanoke College recognizes that important learning takes
place both inside and outside the classroom. To reinforce the
idea of co-curricular learning, students in their first year at
the College participate in community service and become
involved in campus activities. Working with their academic
advisors, students identify learning goals in the areas of (a)
intellectual or aesthetic experiences, (b) leadership and
citizenship, or (c) personal growth (physical, emotional and
spiritual) and plan how to meet those goals. Students reflect
on co-curricular learning throughout the semester and write
a paper on their experiences at the end of each semester.
The co-curricular requirement is mandatory for one year,
graded pass/fail, and earns one-quarter unit of credit that is
outside the stipulated 33 academic units required for
graduation. Students can complete additional quarter units of
co-curricular learning. These would be graded pass/fail and
would be listed on the transcript but would not count toward
the number of academic units required for graduation.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
All Roanoke College students will be required to take Health
and Human Performance 160: Fitness for Life (one-quarter
unit) to fulfill graduation requirements. In addition, all
students will take a course (one-quarter unit) in a lifetime
sport or activity which is different from the activity taken in
Health and Human Performance 160. (All varsity athletes will
take Health and Human Performance 160: Fitness for Life,
but may receive a Health and Human Performance activity
competency for satisfactorily completing one season of a
varsity sport.) Health and Human Performance 160 cannot be
repeated for credit. Once the physical education requirement
for graduation has been met, a student may not complete
additional Health and Human Performance activity courses
for credit.