GENERAL ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
The following academic requirements apply to all liberal arts degree candidates who begin their enrollment at the
College Fall 2013 or later.
I.
ACADEMIC SKILLS
Effective writing and reasoning are important in all academic disciplines and are hallmarks of the educated person.
The development and utilization of these skills will be evident in courses throughout the curriculum. Students are
also required to have some knowledge of a language other than English—a skill which helps in understanding the
structure of language as well as providing access to another culture. Requirements have been established so that all
students may have the opportunity to achieve competency in these skills early in their college experience.
1.
First-Year Seminars (FY)
Small, discussion-oriented courses that focus on the development of effective thinking, writing, and
speaking skills. In the concentration on writing, emphasis is placed on the formulation of thesis, critical
use of evidence, and processes of revision. All students are required to complete a First-Year Seminar.
2.
Writing (W)
Competency in writing clear and cogent expository prose. Required: First-Year Seminar and two
additional writing intensive courses; one of these must be a course designated by the major department.
3.
Language (FL)
The development of the basic skills of language acquisition and usage such as understanding grammatical
structure, oral-aural ability, reading comprehension, and writing ability as well as an introduction to the
cultural aspects of language study. Required: two courses in the same language OR proficiency adequate
to prepare students for the Conversation & Composition course (301, 302) in the language. Students are
encouraged to complete the language requirement by the end of the sophomore year. Initial placement in
language study at Muhlenberg is dependent upon experience and placement test results as recommended by
the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures.
4.
Reasoning (RG)
The ability to understand and utilize mathematical and/or logical relationships, to analyze data, to construct
and assess arguments, and to make sound judgments. A course used to fulfill the Reasoning requirement
may not be double counted for a distribution requirement. Required: one course. Students are encouraged
to complete the reasoning requirement no later than the end of the sophomore year.
II.
INTELLECTUAL BREADTH
The following requirements provide breadth in the academic experience of all students. Courses meeting
distribution designations will introduce students to the different types of assumptions, questions, ways of
understanding, and results that characterize various fields of inquiry in the liberal arts. Within a distribution area
each course satisfying that area requirement must have a different prefix. A maximum of two courses required for
the major may be used to satisfy a distribution requirement.
Departments listed with distribution areas will generally offer courses with that designation, although there may be
certain instances where the department may offer a course in another distribution area. Interdisciplinary Programs
that offer a course(s) within a distribution area are listed as well. Because the nature of interdisciplinary programs is
to span several academic areas, an Interdisciplinary Program may be listed in more than one distribution area.
1.
Arts (AR) one course
Students develop the technical skills, problem-solving ability, judgment, and courage necessary to create
new work in the visual, performing, and literary arts, together with the knowledge of the theory, history,
and social context of artistic practice.
Departments and Programs: Art, Music, Theatre, Dance, and Creative Writing and Film Studies
2.
Humanities (HU) three courses with different prefixes
Students interpret and evaluate issues of human concern, experience, and expression by means of analysis,
critical reasoning, and historical reflection. They cultivate knowledge and understanding of human activity
and world views across time, geography, and cultures.
Departments and Programs: English; History; Languages, Literatures, and Cultures; Philosophy; Religion
Studies; and American Studies; Film Studies; and Jewish Studies
3.
Natural Sciences and Mathematics (SC) two courses with different prefixes
Students explore biological, computational, mathematical, and physical theories and paradigms. They use
quantitative and scientific problem solving skills to investigate natural phenomena.
Departments and Programs: Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Computer Science, Physics, and
Environmental Science, Neuroscience, and Sustainability Studies
4.
Social Sciences (SL) two courses with different prefixes
Students investigate how modern institutional structures and social, political, economic and cultural
practices shape and are shaped by individual choices, group behavior, and public policies. Students
develop an understanding of the operations of power and ideology across social contexts, relationships, and
practices.
Departments and Programs: Accounting, Business, Economics, and Finance; Education; Media and
Communication; Political Science; Psychology; Sociology and Anthropology; and International Studies
III. EXPLORATION AND INTEGRATION
Muhlenberg College is committed to the interdisciplinary exploration and integration of ideas throughout the four
years of undergraduate education. We strive to enable our students to make connections between various areas of
knowledge and approaches to inquiry, to prepare for life as global citizens, and to integrate what they are learning in
their major with their broad educational experience at Muhlenberg.
1.
Cluster Courses (CL) two directly linked courses with different prefixes
Students must enroll in two courses with different prefixes that form an integrated cluster. The courses will
focus on a shared area of interest, theme, or question, examining it from the perspective of each discipline.
Clustered courses may double count for distribution the HDGE requirements (see below).
2.
Human Difference and Global Engagement (DE) two courses
Students must take two designated courses in the areas of Human Difference and Global Engagement.
HDGE courses across the curriculum aim to broaden and deepen students’ understanding of human
difference and to develop the intellectual and civic skills students require for participation in an
increasingly diverse and interconnected world. HDGE courses may double count for distribution and
cluster requirements.
3.
Culminating Undergraduate Experience (CUE)
Culminating Undergraduate Experiences (CUEs) are the capstone experience in a major and provide the
opportunity for students to clarify their relationship to a discipline, demonstrate their mastery of content,
reflect on accumulated content and experiences, and open new paths for the future. They are required for
all majors offered by departments and programs at Muhlenberg College and are the purview of the
departments and programs. The CUE can be a credit-bearing course or an assignment embedded within a
credit-bearing course.
IV. PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Courses in physical education are designed to promote an understanding of the elements of physical well being. All
students are required to successfully complete Principles of Fitness & Wellness which is a semester long course
exploring the dimensions of wellness and the health-related components of fitness. Students are strongly
encouraged to complete the physical education requirement no later than the end of the sophomore year.