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2013-2014 Undergraduate Catalog - Belmont University

Academic Policies | Expenses | Programs of Study

Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.)
Public Relations Management
Professional Bachelor of Business Administration Curriculum
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies
Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in Ministry

Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies

The BA/BS in Liberal Studies is intended to meet the needs of experienced adult learners who are capable of articulating their own educational goals and, in consequence, are willing to pursue a course of study to meet those goals. These students have reached a point in their personal and professional lives in which they are eager to engage in a careful reassessment of their lives and goals, to renew their pursuit of intellectual development, and to gain new insights into a broad range of disciplines. Students may choose either the BA or BS general education curriculum as the core of their Liberal Studies program. In addition to the BA or BS core, each Liberal Studies student must complete the two-credit Intellectual Growth and Inquiry Seminar and the one-credit Liberal Studies Capstone Seminar. The remaining 67-69 hours of credits needed for graduation consist of a self-designed, personalized program of study.


When students enter the Liberal Studies program, they meet with a mentor for orientation and academic planning. With the advice and assistance of the mentor, students articulate their academic goals and plan a course of study. The plan of study will specify the courses needed to complete the general education requirements as well as articulate a framework for identifying the course options that will fulfill the personalized academic program. Each student is personally responsible for completing all requirements established for the degree program.

Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies (B.A.) Hours
Requirements for Liberal Studies Major
Liberal Studies students must take a minimum of 21 hours of coursework at the 3000-level or above.
 
General Education Core Requirements   56-58
Liberal Studies     3
LIS 1100, Intellectual Growth and Inquiry   2  
LIS 4015, Liberal Studies Capstone Seminar   1  
Electives (1) (self-designed program of study)   67-69
Total Hours Required for the Program 128
 
Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies (B.S.) Hours
Requirements for Liberal Studies Major
Liberal Studies students must take a minimum of 21 hours of coursework at the 3000-level or above.
 
General Education Core Requirements   56-58
Liberal Studies     3
LIS 1100, Intellectual Growth and Inquiry   2  
LIS 4015, Liberal Studies Capstone Seminar   1  
Electives (1) (self-designed program of study)   67-69
Total Hours Required for the Program 128
 

1 Liberal Studies students must take a minimum of 18 hours of electives at Belmont.

Liberal Studies Courses (LIS)

LIS 1100. Intellectual Growth and Inquiry (2).    This course provides an introduction to Belmont and the Liberal Studies program and begins the process of developing an individualized curriculum for each student. This course must be completed in the first semester of enrollment in the Liberal Studies program.

LIS 3000. Cooperative Experience (1-6). This is a formal cooperative education assignment in which the qualifiying student works with a participating business organization as an intern for selected period(s) of time. (May be repeated, to a maximum credit of six hours.)

LIS 3200-3290, 4200-4290. General Topics (3). Features courses that blend critical thinking, analytical or scientific reasoning, problem-solving skills, general communication skills, and the embrace of multidisciplinary and multicultural perspectives.

LIS 3300-3390, 4300-4390. Personal Development (3). Features topics that are designed to foster specific skills. For example, a course in creative writing or a course in the History of Baseball would augment a student's personal storehouse of knowledge.

LIS 3400-3490, 4400-4490. Professional Development (3). Features topics that move beyond the development of individual skills and would be more easily associated with broader workplace or career issues. A course in developing leadership skills, for instance, or one in Speaking for Business would fall under the rubric of Professional Development.

LIS 3500-3590, 4500-4590. Valuing (3). Features courses that allow students to explore the range of moral and ethical decisions that underscore human behavior. Students will be encouraged to recognize different value and social systems and to accept responsibility for their actions.

LIS 3600-3690, 4600-4690. Alternative Perspectives (3). Features courses designed to offer fresh scholarly views on classic academic topics as well as innovative contemporary issues. Interdisciplinary courses may be featured under this category and other special topics.

LIS 3700-3790, 4700-4790. Aesthetics (3). Courses that encourage students to appreciate the variety of the world's art forms and to promote critical thinking through the development of value judgments.

LIS 4015. Liberal Studies Capstone Seminar (1). In consultation with a faculty mentor, each Liberal Studies student will complete a project demonstrating the extent to which goals established upon entering the program have been achieved.