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.