Anchor Courses

Anchor Courses
Each of the three stages of the Ursuline Studies Program features a specially designed anchor course that holds the courses for that stage of the curriculum together. These interdisciplinary courses convey the main themes, developmental goals, and academic goals for each stage of the curriculum. Course descriptions for the three anchor courses are as follows:

Stage One
Introductory Seminar For New Freshmen or Transitions for Returning Students

These seminars serve as a transition to the college experience. Each is a six-credit, writing-intensive course which gives students the challenge and support they need for high achievement in their college careers. Each offers diversified learning activities that strengthen students' abilities to speak and write effectively, to interact with others in groups, to read and interpret challenging texts, and to progress smoothly through the remainder of their studies. Individual seminar topics may vary. Each seminar deals with four main themes: education, identity, meaning, and voice.

The Introductory Seminar, US 101-102, is a six-credit, two-semester course for new students of traditional age.

Transitions, for returning students, is offered in a variety of formats to meet individual needs:

• US 313-314: A six-credit, two-semester course for adult students

Either the Introductory Seminar or Transitions is taken prior to or concurrently with Stage One courses in the Ursuline Studies Program

Along with the Introductory Seminar, students select courses from the content areas of SCIENCE (Biology, Chemistry, Science), MATH, SOCIETY (Sociology) and SELF (Psychology). A variety of courses in the natural and social sciences may fulfill these area requirements. Students make their choices from among those offered each semester in each area and identified as fulfilling the Ursuline Studies Program requirements.

Students must complete Stage One requirements for the Ursuline Studies Program before beginning Stage Two.

Stage Two -- US 350-351
Introduction to Culture

Introduction to Culture, the anchor course for Stage Two of the Ursuline Studies Program, is a six-credit, two-semester, interdisciplinary course. It identifies key cities from a variety of historical periods and global areas, and studies their culture from the viewpoint of humanities and the fine arts. The course is writing-intensive and students actively pursue individual and group research.

Introduction to Culture is taken prior to or concurrently with Stage Two courses of the Ursuline Studies Program.

Along with the Introduction to Culture course, students select courses from four related areas: World Culture, Western Culture, American Culture and Fine Arts. A variety of courses in the humanities and fine arts may fulfill these area requirements. Students make their choices from among those offered each semester in History, Philosophy, Literature, Religious Studies, Foreign Language, Art, Music and Drama, and identified as fulfilling the Ursuline Studies requirements. Students must select courses from at least three different departments to fulfill these requirements.

Students must complete Stage Two requirements for the Ursuline Studies Program before beginning Stage Three.

Stage Three -- US 401
Culminating Seminar

The anchor course for Stage Three of the Ursuline Studies Program is the Culminating Seminar. This is a writing-intensive, interdisciplinary course focusing on the themes of Values and Social Responsibility. It offers students the opportunity to reflect upon their entire college experience. It challenges them to imagine ways in which their education can make them more fulfilled, productive and responsible. Students may not register for the Culminating Seminar until they have completed at least 90 credits.

Along with the Culminating Seminar, students select courses from the areas of Religious Studies and Philosophy. A variety of upper-division courses from these departments may fulfill these requirements. Students make their choices from among those offered each semester in each area and identified as fulfilling Ursuline Studies Program requirements. Lower-division courses (those taken at 100 or 200 level) do not satisfy Stage Three requirements.

Religious Studies and Philosophy courses are taken prior to or concurrently with the Culminating Seminar. Students must complete all requirements in the Ursuline Studies Program before graduation.

Ursuline Studies Program — Program Chart