General Studies
The College offers not only departmental or single-discipline courses but also a variety of interdisciplinary courses which may not fall into the classical disciplines.
Preterm Seminar (PTS)
Open to new students, these one-credit seminars provide an academic component to Preterm Orientation.
First Year Seminar (FYS)
As part of the General Education curriculum, first year students are required to successfully complete a minimum of two credits of a first year seminar during either their first or second term. These courses focus on the interdisciplinary nature of important and timely social, scientific and cultural issues and are designed to provide every new student with high quality student-faculty interaction that helps students develop skills in critical thinking and communication. Some courses will apply toward the Quill requirement, as indicated on the schedule for the term.
Foreign Service (FOR)
Advisor: Dr. Hulme.
The interdepartmental major in Foreign Service prepares students for careers in the State Department or for graduate work in international relations, geographic area studies and foreign service. Requirements should be discussed with the advisor since they change as departments change their course offerings; most of the courses are in economics, history and political science.
| FOR *440. | Seminar | |
|---|---|---|
| 4 credits | ||
| Permission | ||
| Integration and application of work taken in various required courses. Problems considered will be determined by the international climate at the time the course is given. | ||
| FOR *500. | Senior Thesis | |
 |
4 credits | |
| Permission | ||
| Individual research culminating in the preparation of a major paper. Work should be initiated during the Fall Term of the senior year. | ||
Health Studies (HSS)
| HSS 201. | Health, Medicine and Humans (NS-1) | |
|---|---|---|
| 4 credits | ||
| MTH 099 | ||
| Topics in physiology, health and medicine including a laboratory experience which emphasizes diagnostic testing. Sample topics include circulation, respiration, digestion, reproduction and excretion. | ||
Honors Program (HNR)
Courses with this designation are open to students accepted into the Alma College Liberal Arts and Sciences Honors Program. As the foundational course in the Honors Program, the First-Year Seminar explores variable topics from a multi-disciplinary and integrative perspective while addressing essential issues of liberal education. For an explanation of the program requirements, please refer to the Honors Program under Section II Programs and Opportunities.
Humanities (HUM)
| HUM 180. | Topics in Humanities | |
|---|---|---|
| 4 credits | ||
| Courses in the humanities, often incorporating an interdisciplinary focus from two or more programs, which do not fit within current departmental boundaries. | ||
Physical Science (PSC)
| PSC 101. | Basic Physical Science (NS-2) | |
|---|---|---|
| 4 credits | ||
| MTH 099, Placement | ||
| An introduction to the fundamental definitions and concepts of physics and chemistry which will enable those with no previous background in physical science to proceed into a regular introductory physical science course (e.g., Physics, Chemistry, Astronomy, Geology). | ||
| PSC 380. | Physical Science Concepts | |
| 4 credits | ||
| Permission | ||
| A standards-based class and laboratory experience in physics and astronomy that supports K-8 pre-service teachers in understanding the physical sciences and expanding their repertoire of teaching and assessment techniques suitable for science subject areas. | ||
Non-Departmental (STC)
Non-Departmental courses are offered during Spring Term along with a large number of departmental courses. An announcement of current Spring Term course offerings is issued each January. The following non-departmental courses have been offered. They do not count toward departmental majors.
| STC 003. | Cross-Cultural Learning in Scotland | |
|---|---|---|
 |
4 credits | Fee TBA |
| Permission | ||
| International experience emphasizes active involvement with Scottish people both at home and at work. Students will carry out a research project which takes advantage of the site. | ||
| STC 005. | Interdisciplinary Seminar in Cross-Cultural Learning | |
|
4 credits | Fee TBA |
| By application | ||
| Cross-cultural learning experience offered in a significantly different culture. Consideration of the history, social structure, and geographic setting of the culture. Participation in community-oriented service. Location/country varies. | ||
| STC 006. | Serious Games: Simulation in the Social Sciences | |
| 4 credits | ||
| Introduction of concepts in the social sciences and the use of simulations/games in teaching and research. The class: (1) examines the rationale for gaming and simulations; (2) participates in large-group games, small-group games and computer simulations; and (3) designs simulations/games for topics of interest. | ||
| STC 007. | Understanding Relief Efforts | |
| 4 credits | Fee TBA | |
| Permission | ||
| Service learning course. Introduction to relief efforts of local and global non-profit organizations (American Red Cross, United Way, Habitat for Humanity, Community Cafe and Hands to Honduras). Students perform service for local organizations, complete a service project and construct Web pages about their experiences. Journal required. Location varies. | ||
| STC 009. | The Holocaust: Causes, Legacies | |
|
4 credits | Fee TBA |
| Permission | ||
| Team-taught service learning course. Exploration of causes and legacies of the Holocaust. Includes restoration of a Jewish cemetery in Poland. Through interaction with members of a local Jewish community, visits to former centers of Jewish culture and tradition (Berlin, Prague, Krakow), students gain first-hand experience. | ||
| STC 012. | New Zealand Experience | |
|
4 credits | Fee TBA |
| Permission | ||
| Students spend Spring Term studying natural history, flora and fauna, economics, politics, culture and other aspects of New Zealand. | ||