Course Scheduling, Designations and Arrangements

VI. COURSES, COURSE CREDIT & DESCRIPTIONS

COURSE SCHEDULING

Like many colleges and universities, Bethany College has opted for a 4-1-4 academic calendar. In addition to the fall and spring terms, a shortened learning period in January, referred to as Interterm, provides an intense learning opportunity for students to explore areas of interest. See Introduction, Academic Calendar, page 3.

Fall and Spring Terms. The fall and spring terms are 15 weeks in length, including one week for final examinations Lecture courses meet 50 minutes per week for each hour of credit. See Section III, Normal Student Load, page 28.

Interterm. Interterm (January) has been designed to give the student and faculty member an opportunity to be a part of a more unique learning situation than the traditional semester affords. The one-course format of Interterm allows for greater flexibility in course organization, but in no case should an Interterm course meet for less than the amount of instructional time allotted to a comparable course during the fifteen-week term. Students may select from on-campus course work or from off -campus experiences which can enhance classroom objectives. Included are opportunities to learn on the job or to travel to places of interest, such as the Urban Life Center in Chicago, the Washington Center in Washington, D.C., or Europe for study abroad opportunities, all of which are described later in this chapter.

Interterm is an integral and essential part of the school year. The tuition for Interterm is part of the regular fee structure for the entire school year. Costs for travel and related experiences during Interterm are to be assumed by the student and are indicated in the course announcements before registration.

In addition to regularly scheduled classes, students and the public are invited to take advantage of special events and speakers designed to enhance the Interterm learning experience.

Summer Term. Bethany’s summer term consists of three sessions held in June, July, and June-August.

COURSE DESIGNATIONS

Identification of Courses. Each course is identified by a course title and an alphanumeric code consisting of a two-letter prefix and a three-digit number. The two-letter prefix indicates the discipline in which the course is offered (e.g., CM is a communication course, SN a Spanish course, and EC an Economics course). The Honors Program includes courses outside the discipline which are designated with an “H” following the three digit identification number. “H” courses can often replace the equivalent non-“H” course. See specific major requirements in Section V, pages 44-98.

The first of the three digits indicates the level of instruction (i.e., 100, 200, or 300 level). The last two digits, along with the prefix and first digit, serve to identify the course for recordkeeping purposes. Also, the last two digits may indicate courses dealing with the same subject at different levels of instruction (e.g., AR110 Drawing I, and AR310 Drawing II), or a sequence of instruction at the same level (e.g., AC201 Financial Accounting and AC202 Managerial Accounting).

Level of Instruction. Courses numbered 100-299 are lower division courses. Courses numbered 300-399 are upper division courses.

For purposes of identifying levels of instruction, courses numbered 400-499 are considered to be 300-level courses; courses numbered 500-599 are graduate level courses.

The different levels of courses are intended for different classifications of students as follows:

Courses 100-199.

All introductory courses appropriate for incoming freshmen in general education or in the highly sequenced majors (e.g., Art).

Courses 200-299.

Courses beyond the introductory level appropriate for sophomores in general education or in the highly sequenced major, or appropriate for freshmen with extensive background in the area.

Courses 300-399.

In-depth courses with prerequisites appropriate for juniors or seniors in general education and in majors, or appropriate for sophomores with extensive background in the area.

Freshmen should not take 300 level courses unless by special permission of the instructor, who might give permission to students with special background or maturity (e.g., older students returning to college).

Courses marked by an asterisk (*) are alternate-year courses, and some of them, therefore, will not appear on the class schedule during a given academic year.

Special Topics Courses. (198, 298 or 398) A Special Topics course is not a regular catalog course, but is a course which is offered one time or for a limited time. It is intended to allow departments some flexibility in course offerings. Every particular proposal for a given topic for a semester must go through regular approval channels for courses.

Special Topics courses may be offered for 100, 200, or 300 level credit, and will be numbered 198, 298, or 398, depending upon the level of credit. Courses offered any given semester will be listed in the Class Schedule for that semester, or in the addendum to the schedule. Students should see the instructor for more information about any particular course.