College of Arts and Sciences

from 2022-23 Bulletin

Index

Interim Dean Nancy Curtin • (217) 424-6205

Philosophy of the College of Arts & Sciences

In the College of Arts and Sciences students become seekers and creators of new knowledge and put their new knowledge to work to transform themselves, their communities, and their professions. Through performance learning, faculty members invite students to learn beyond the instant, to be creators of new knowledge, to go beyond knack into eative uses of knowledge to solve problems, to understand the physical world and the social world, and to transform ourselves and our communities and our world with our arts and sciences.

What are the Arts & Sciences?

Both the liberal arts and sciences are primarily ways of developing and using new knowledge to improve the human condition.

Rooted in classical traditions of higher education, the most fundamental concept of a liberal art is the distinction between "knack" and "art." Someone who can do something very well over and over again may have developed a "knack" for doing that one thing. However, if they are asked to explain how they do it or if they are asked to do something else in a different context, they have difficulty transferring that knack to the new situation. On the other hand, someone who has an "art" not only knows the tools of the trade, but they also have a broader theoretical understanding of how to use those tools in a variety of situations. They are not limited to simply doing the same thing over and over. They can adjust and adapt to the needs, the contexts, the problems never faced before in a new situation. They can reflect on their art and explain their knowledge and skills to others. Therefore, the highest level of learning valued in the liberal arts is the integration of theory and practice—a knowledge that transcends the particular problem combined with the ability to practice the art effectively in particular instances. The goal of studying the liberal arts is to create new knowledge that can be applied in a variety of possible situations.

In the same way, the primary goal of the sciences is to create new knowledge, by means of the scientific method of investigation. The sciences seek to discover, understand, or to understand better, how the physical world works, with observable physical evidence as the basis of that understanding. It is done through observation of existing phenomena, and/or through experimentation that tries to simulate phenomena under controlled conditions. Through firsthand research in laboratories or in the field, students and faculty in the sciences seek to discover new knowledge and ways to use that knowledge in a variety of applications.

In the College of Arts and Sciences we ask students to take the academic stage, to perform their knowledge, to develop habits of life-long learning, to start contributing to a better personal life, a better community, and a better world. There are plenty of problems in the world. Our students are the perfect ones to develop the arts and sciences that the world needs now to solve those problems.

Celebrating Performance Learning in the College of Arts & Sciences

The College offers seven distinctive programs of excellence that feature the integration of theory and practice through performance learning. These programs are characterized by (1) doing work in the discipline with a professional public performance required of all students before graduation; (2) extra-curricular academic engagement and professional growth experiences beyond the classroom, (3) opportunities for interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary studies, (4) a strong commitment to quality learning experiences for majors and students in other academic programs. The seven programs of excellence are:

Natural Sciences Research – Natural Science students engage in research—in the laboratory, in the field, and through pre-professional internships. Students in Chemistry and Biology learn to be effective laboratory researchers and are encouraged to share the results of that research with others through poster exhibits, conference presentations, and community outreach events. Field studies often take the form of intense immersion travel courses. In addition to preparing students to be chemists and biology researchers, the natural-sciences research program teaches all students about natural science methods and serves the science instruction needs of many programs including the Pre-Professional Program (Pre-Med & Pre-Pharmacy), Nursing, Exercise Science and Athletic Training.

Behavioral Science Research & Social Action – Students in this program can choose an emphasis on research or social action. The Psychology major prepares students in experimental research methods and invites students to join ongoing research projects, such as the Social Perception Research Project. The Human Services major emphasizes service learning and social action, preparing students to become professionals in organizations dedicated to helping people and communities. Students in this program have often participated in Alternative Spring Breaks and similar immersion courses, where they go to a community in need and work directly with others attempting to make a difference. In addition to preparing majors, the social structures & action program teaches all Millikin students about United States and global social structures and supports specific learning goals in the Nursing and Education programs.

Applied Mathematics & Physics – Students in this program develop advanced mathematical modeling abilities in a variety of applied mathematics fields including actuarial science, physics, or mathematics education. The mathematics department hosts an undergraduate mathematics conference each year, and the physics faculty and honor society hosts numerous science and astronomy outreach programs to schools and the community. In addition to preparing students for applied mathematics professions, this program prepares all Millikin students with necessary quantitative reasoning skills necessary for an educated person in our society.

Professional Communication – Students in professional communication develop advanced skills in public relations, organizational communication or media production. All students have opportunities to practice their professional communication through campus organizations such as the award-winning Millikin University radio station, WJMU, and through required professional internships. The program provides instruction in professional oral communication skills to all Millikin students.

Writing & Publishing – Students in the writing and publishing program can concentrate on journalism, eative writing, professional writing, literature, or English Education. In addition to courses on the art of publishing and web publishing, students in this program join student-run publishing companies at Millikin University. The journalism students write, and publish the student newspaper, the Decaturian. Students interested in book publishing manage Sting & Honey Press, which publishes literary chapbooks. Students interested in literary editing publish Collage, the Millikin University literary magazine, or join Blue Satellite, a poetry broadside publishing company. Students in this program usually complete a professional writing internship and those interested in teaching complete a teaching writing internship or work in the Writing Center as tutors. This program also provides writing instruction to all Millikin University students and literary studies to all College of Arts and Sciences students.

Ethical Reasoning & Political Action – Students in Political Science or Philosophy engage in ethical reasoning and political action. This program is designed for students interested in careers in politics or law. Beyond classes on political science research methods or traditions of argumentation, students learn to apply their abilities through simulations and competitions such as Moot Court, Model Illinois Government, and Model United Nations and Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl. Millikin University students have routinely been among the highest achieving participants in these competitions. All Millikin students engage in ethical reasoning and activities characteristic of democratic citizenship in a global environment as they complete our University Studies program. The Ethical Reasoning and Political Action program reinforces and substantially extends Millikin's commitment to the importance of ethical reasoning is a main thread throughout the University Studies courses, so it is not surprising that this program provides instruction to all Millikin University students on ethical reasoning and democratic citizenship in a global environment by giving students the opportunity to perform their learning in a public professional setting. This program also supports instruction on ethical reasoning in the Tabor School of Business.

International Cultures & History – Students interested in studying international cultures have many opportunities to study abroad through immersion or semesterlong opportunities. Students in History conduct research including field studies or primary texts in their courses and through internships with historical organizations, such as museums. Courses in Modern Languages and many courses in History provide opportunities for Millikin University students to learn more about the United States and other cultures. Our Modern Languages program emphasizes a communicative pedagogy, in which students learn by using a modern language and immersing themselves in another culture. Each modern language has an active extra-curricular organization that features guest speakers, events and programs such as the WJMU weekly program Espanol en Accion hosted by chair of the department. The international cultures and history program instructs all students at Millikin University through international cultures and structures courses.

Academic Organizations and Majors

The College of Arts and Sciences is composed of three divisions and 12 academic departments. The College offers a variety of majors leading to the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree or the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree. Additional degree programs are outlined in the Honors Programs section of this Bulletin and several Pre-Professional and Interdisciplinary programs are noted in the section on Special Academic Programs.

The divisions of the College, respective majors and degrees available are:

Humanities

English - Education, B.A.* English - Literature, B.A English - Writing, B.A. Ethics, B.A. Foreign Language Spanish Education, B.A. History, B.A. Social Sciences, Secondary Teaching B.A.** Philosophy, B.A. Political Science, B.A. Spanish, B.A.

Social Sciences

Criminal Justice, B.A., B.S. Human Services, B.A., B.S. Psychology, B.S. Sociology, B.A., B.S.

Natural Science and Mathematics

Biology Life Science Studies, B.A., B.S. Biology Pre-Professional Studies: Pre-Health 1, B.A., B.S. Biology Pre-Professional Studies: Pre-Health 2, B.A., B.S. Biology Education, B.A., B.S.* Chemistry, B.A., B.S.* Computer Science, B.A., B.S. Engineering Science, B.S. Mathematics, B.A., B.S.* Physics, B.A., B.S.

Interdisciplinary

Interdepartmental, B.A., B.S. Environmental Studies, B.A., B.S.

*Teacher certification available. **Teacher certification available in Social Sciences, Secondary Education, with emphasis on teaching history.

Exploratory Studies

The Exploratory Studies program is designed for students who are not ready to declare an academic major. Exploratory Studies is a temporary program that provides the benefits of a declared major, including faculty advising, access to introductory major courses, and the opportunity to gain broad exposure to academic disciplines across the University. Most Exploratory Studies students will declare a major during their first year. However, all students must declare a major prior to completing 60 cr.

During their first full semester in the program, all Exploratory Studies students will complete a one , pass/fail practicum supervised by the Center for Academic and Professional Performance in consultation with the Dean of Arts & Sciences. This practicum experience will include assessment of interest and abilities, exploration of career options, education relating to professional success, and interaction with faculty across the disciplines.

Degree Requirements

Academic Minors

Students may complete an academic minor in addition to a major. The minor consists of a minimum of 21 credits in the minor program. A minimum of 9 credits must be earned in courses numbered 300 or above in the minor program. Students wishing to complete a minor should consult the chair of the department in which they wish to minor. In addition to the minors available within the College, minors in the areas of business administration, finance and information technology, dance, economics, music and theatre are available to students majoring in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Graduation Requirements