Philosophy

J. McKeon, Chair; D. Adams, F. Best, D. Blitz, P. English, E. Godway, A. P. Iannone (Dept. phone 832-2915). Cross appointed: B. O’Connell (Computer Science)

Philosophy is a critical, self-critical, comprehensive inquiry about knowledge, reasoning, reality, norms and values. It deals with corresponding problems arising in science, morality, art, literature, religion and the social and natural worlds. Accordingly, engaging in philosophy can both address curiosity about matters of lasting significance and help us develop skills for dealing intelligently and sensitively with life.

The Department of Philosophy offers undergraduate major and minor programs with a broad spectrum of courses reflecting the diversity of Western and non-Western thought. Majors select two specializations and minors select one specialization from among the following: (1) History of Western Philosophy, (2) African, African-American and Asian Philosophy, (3) Logic and Philosophy of Science, (4) Continental Philosophy, (5) Theoretical and Practical Ethics and (6) Philosophy of Religion and Religious Studies. The Department offers its majors the opportunity to write an undergraduate thesis, supervised by a member of the Department. In addition, the Department is responsible for interdisciplinary minors in Religious Studies and in African-American Studies, and is an active participant in the University Honors Program.

The department strives above all for excellence in teaching and for the cultivation of an active and supportive milieu for undergraduate study and for professional growth. It supports the scholarly research and professional activities of the faculty.

Major in Philosophy, B.A.

Thirty-nine (39) credits as follows:

Core Curriculum (15 credits): PHIL 112, 220, 290, either 230 or 330, 400

Specializations (two required with at least 6 credits at 300-level or higher in each) (12 credits):

(a)   History of Philosophy: PHIL 230, 232, 330, 332, 368

(b)  African, African-American and Asian Philosophy: AFAM 110, PHIL 250, 260, 275, 360

(c)   Logic and Philosophy of Science: PHIL 135, 235, 320, 335

(d)  Continental Philosophy: PHIL 222, 248, 332, 366, 368

(e)   Theoretical and Practical Ethics: PHIL 240, 241, 242, 346, 349, 440; HHSP 246, 341, 342

(f)     Philosophy of Religion and Religious Studies: REL 105 or 110, 256, 257, 361, PHIL 232, 250, 255, 376, and courses listed under the minor in Religious Studies

Note: If PHIL 400 is taken more than once, the additional credit will be counted in a specialization.

Note: Any specialization course(s) taken to fulfill the Core Curriculum will be replaced by directed elective(s) selected in consultation with advisor.

Note: PHIL 382, 441 or 492 may be included in a specialization if approved by the faculty advisor.

Minor in Philosophy

Eighteen (18) credits as follows:

PHIL 112, 220, 290, either 230 or 330, and 6 credits of PHIL or REL electives listed in the specializations for philosophy majors (at least 3 credits of 300-level or higher).

Physics and Earth Sciences

A. Antar, Chair; C. Baskerville, M. Bednarski, K. Larsen, P. LeMaire, S. B. Newman, N. Parikh, T. A. Roman, N. Sadanand, L. Tongson (Dept. phone 832-2930)

Located in Copernicus Hall, the facilities of the Physics and Earth Sciences Department include numerous introductory and intermediate/advanced laboratories as well as two teaching laboratories, an observatory containing a 16-inch telescope, a 100-seat planetarium, a 400-kv Van de Graaff linear accelerator, an ion implanter and a fully-equipped weather center which includes a National Weather Service Digital Computer Facsimile System, a rooftop satellite data retrieval system and a fully operational color weather radar monitoring system.

In addition to teaching, the faculty pursues many areas of interest, including atomic collisions; ground water pollution; public planetarium productions; lunar, planetary and deep sky observing; weather forecasting and analysis; prediction of thunderstorm activity in Connecticut; science education; particle physics; solid state physics; applied holography and general relativity.

Wherever possible, students enrolled in the programs listed below are encouraged to join with the faculty in ongoing studies in these and other areas.

Credit is not given toward a major or minor in this department for PHYS 111, 113, or ESCI 110, 111, 117 or 118.

Major in Physics, B.S. (non-teaching)

39 credits in Physics, including:  PHYS 125, 126, 220, 250, 305, 320, 325, 331, 350, 425, 450, 460, 470 and 471. In addition, the student must take CHEM 121 and 122 and MATH 152, 221 and 222. Completion of a minor is required, and for students planning graduate work a year of French, German or Russian should be taken.

Major in Earth Sciences, B.S. (non-teaching)

30 credits in the Earth Sciences are required, including ESCI 121, 122, 123, 129, 178 or 179, and 460. The remaining 13 hours of Earth Science shall be elected from the following: ESCI 218, 221, 222, 278, 330, 342, 421, 424, 430, 431, 442, 450, 462 or GEOG 374.

In addition, CHEM 121, 122; PHYS 121, 122; and MATH 152, 221 are required.

Note: A minor is not required except for those in the general (i.e., non-specific track) program.

Note: A year of French, German or Russian is recommended if graduate study is being contemplated.

Major in Physics, B.S. (Certifiable for secondary teaching)

33 credits in Physics: PHYS 125, 126, 220, 250, 305, 320, 331, 350, 325, 425, 450 and 470. In addition, the student must take BIO 121; CHEM 121 and 122; EDTE 315; EDF 415; SPED 315; EDSC 425, 435; RDG 440; SCI 416, 417, 419; MATH 152, 221 and 222.

Minor in Physics (Certifiable for secondary teaching) Subject to change.

18 credits in Physics, including: PHYS 125, 126, 220 and 250, and 6 credits of Physics electives. In addition, a student must take CHEM 121 and 122, MATH 152, 221, 222 and SCI 417.

Major in Earth Sciences, B.S. (Certifiable for secondary teaching)

30 credits in Earth Sciences, including ESCI 121, 122, 123, 129, 178 or 179, 430, and other electives as approved by faculty advisor. In addition, the student must take CHEM 121, 122; PHYS 121, 122; BIO 121, 122; EDTE 315; EDF 415; SPED 315; EDSC 425, 435; RDG 440; SCI 416, 417, 419; and MATH 152, 221.

Minor in Earth Sciences (Certifiable for secondary teaching) Subject to change.

20 credits in Earth Sciences, including ESCI 121, 122, 123, 129, 178 or 179, and other electives as approved by faculty advisor. In addition, a student must take SCI 416, 417, 419; MATH 152, 221; and PHYS 121, 122.

Interdisciplinary Major — Sciences with Specialization in Earth Sciences, B.S.

(Acceptable for certification in elementary education) 

39 credits. For course listing, see major in Interdisciplinary Sciences, page 57.

Minor in Physics

18 credits in Physics, including:  PHYS 125, 126 and 220.  The remaining Physics courses will be selected after consultation with the student’s Physics Department advisor.  In addition, the student must take MATH 152, 221 and 222.

Minor in Meteorology

18 credits in Earth Sciences and related fields including: ESCI 129, 461 and 462. The remaining 8 credits will be chosen from ESCI 342, 430, 442, GEOG 374. In addition, the student must take MATH 152, 221.

Minor in Geology

18 credits in Earth Sciences, including: ESCI 121, 122, 123, 221, 222 and one course from ESCI 421, 424 and 450.

Minor in Astronomy

18 credits in Astronomy and related fields, including ESCI 178, 179, 278 and 330. The remaining course will be selected from PHYS 220, 325 or 425 after consultation with an Earth Sciences Department advisor. In addition, the student must take MATH 152, 221 and PHYS 121, 122.

For certification in elementary or middle level education, Complementary Subject Matter Area in Earth Sciences:

18/19 credits, as follows: ESCI 111, 121, 123 and 129; two courses from the following, one of which must be either ESCI 178 or 179: ESCI 122, 178, 179, 222, 278 or 424. Please consult with the School of Education and Professional Studies concerning additional requirements for dual subject programs and interdisciplinary majors.

Political Science

P. Petterson, Chair; W. Brown Foster, J. Duquette, G. El-Eid, A. C. Moran, A. G. Smith, M. A. Triebwasser (Dept. phone 832-2967)

Major in Political Science, B.A.

36 credits in Political Science, as follows:  PS 104 or 110 and one course in each of the following five areas— American Government and Politics; Political Theory; Comparative Government; International Relations and Organization; Public Law, Methodology and Organizational Behavior. COMM 360 may be applied to the 36-credit Political Science requirement, as well as 6 credits from the fields of history, sociology, psychology, economics, geography, mathematics and statistics, when approved in advance by the departmental chair.

Major in Political Science with Specialization in Public Administration, B.A.

36 credits in Political Science, as follows:  PS 110, 230, 260, 344, 446, 450; 6 credits from PS 480/481 or 482/483 or 490/491, or approved 400-level courses in Political Science or other fields. 12 credits of electives from Political Science, or from fields directly related to Public Administration, with prior approval of the department advisor. Particularly appropriate electives are PS 315, 330, 331 or 332, 335, 430 and 431. Students must also complete a minor in an area relevant to Public Administration.

Minor in Political Science

18 credits, of which at least 15 must be in Political Science; the remaining credits may be earned in a discipline relevant to Political Science.

Minor in Political Science (For students completing secondary certification)

18 credits, including PS 104 or 110. Credit for not more than 6 credits towards a Political Science minor may be granted, with approval of the department chair, from those areas listed as options under the major.

Note: Credit will be given for COMM 360 in any of the above programs.

Psychology

F. Donis, Chair; C. Shaw Austad, L. Bowman, A. Chavarro, P. Chu, J. Conway, J. DiPlacido, D. Engwall, C. A. Ford, M. B. Goldstein, S. W. Horowitz, L. Levine, C. C. Mate-Kole, L. Perdue, M. Salinas, B. Waite (Dept. phone 832-3100)

The Department of Psychology offers courses leading to the bachelor of arts degree. The Psychology curriculum provides students with a broad view of the field, its methods of study and the various specialties of modern psychology.

Many psychology majors may wish to continue their studies in graduate or professional schools of psychology. Others enroll in non-psychology Professional Programs such as law, education or social work. Still others study psychology to gain an understanding of people, for later use in management, teaching or other business-related careers. Many students enter directly into psychology-related positions in such areas as rehabilitation or human services. Psychology provides a vehicle for personal development and an avenue for pursuing a liberal arts education. The study of psychology will broaden one’s knowledge of people and their behavior and teach one how to study behavior in a scientific way.

The Department places emphasis on quality teaching and supports and encourages student research and scholarship. For students interested in experimental psychology, laboratory and computer facilities are available. For those interested in developmental issues, excellent opportunities exist for observing and interacting with children. Faculty resources are always available for student consultation.

Upon completion of a data sheet in the department office, students wishing to major in Psychology will be assigned advisors to guide their program choices. Curriculum sheets and advisory materials are also available from the department office.

Major in Psychology, B.A.

40 credits in Psychology, including the following required courses: PSY 112, 113, 221, 222, 236, 330 and 490. One course is required from each of the following categories: Social/Personality, PSY 372 or 470; Biological, PSY 342 or 450; Experimental, PSY 200, 281 or 440; Diversity, PSY 350 or 430 and 9 credits of Psychology electives.

In addition, in order to graduate, students must take a Standardized Psychology outcomes test. The test will be administered by the department twice each semester; students may take the test only once.

Note:  PSY 112 (C or higher) and STAT 215 (C or higher) are prerequisites for PSY 221.

Minor in Psychology

18 credits, including PSY 112, and 15 credits of Psychology electives.

Minor in Psychology, Special Education

18 credits, as follows:  PSY 112, 200 and 236; any three courses from PSY 281, 330, 362, 363, 365, 372, 380, 446, 454, 470.

Minor in Gerontology

18 credits as follows: HHSP 342; PSY 364, 458; one three-hour practicum chosen from PHIL 440, PSY 496, PE 450 or 470, BIO 390; and 6 credits of electives chosen from HHSP 490, PE 215, PSY 380, SOC 340, SOC 440, BIO 401.

Human Growth and Development Program for Early Childhood (N–3) Certification

18 credits as follows: PSY 112, 200, 239, 365, 462 and SOC 233. Please consult with the School of Education and Professional Studies for additional requirements.