THE HIRAM COLLEGE CATALOG Hiram College is fully accredited by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Hiram’s current Statement of Affiliation Status may be obtained from NCA by calling 312.263.0456. The College also has specialized accreditation or certification for its programs in chemistry, education, and music. Hiram College is committed to equality of opportunity and does not discriminate in its educational and admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs and employment on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, or disability. The College will not tolerate harassment, prejudice, abuse, or discrimination by or of any of its students, faculty, or staff. CORRESPONDENCE Thomas V. Chema President On general matters Michael Grajek Vice President and Dean of the College On the academic program and matters concerning the faculty Lisa Thibodeau Vice President for Business and Finance On payment of bills and business matters Timothy A. Bryan Vice President for Institutional Advancement On general matters concerning development, admission, and athletics Eric Riedel Vice President and Dean of Students On student affairs and extracurricular programs James F. Barrett Executive Director of Admission On applications for admission and related information Jane Preston Rose Dean of the Weekend College On information concerning study for adults Ann Marie Gruber Director of Financial Aid On financial aid information and application forms The College mailing address is P.O. Box 67, Hiram, Ohio 44234. The College switchboard number is (330) 569-3211 and the FAX is (330) 569-5290. While every effort was made to provide accurate and up-to-date information in this publication, the College reserves the right to change, without notice, statements in the catalog concerning rules, policies, fees, curricula, courses or other matters. Courses may be cancelled because of unavailability of faculty or insufficient enrollment. CONTENTS Academic Calendar The Mission of Hiram College The Curriculum Graduation Requirements Admission and Financial Aid 2004-2005 Fees and Charges Academic Procedures Student Life Special Academic Programs Center for International Studies Hiram College Resources The Weekend College Summer Session Courses of Instruction Scholarships Awards and Prizes Directory of Officers of the College ACADEMIC CALENDAR 2006-07 FALL SEMESTER 2005-06 (Preliminarily Approved) New Student Institute Aug 20-24 Aug 22-27 Fall 12-Week Classes Begin Aug 25 Aug 28 Labor Day – No Classes Sept 5 Sept 4 Fall Weekend Oct 13-14 Oct 14-17 Homecoming Sept 30-Oct 1 Sept 29-30 12-Week Classes End Nov 18 Nov 17 Reading Day Nov 19 Nov 18 Final Exam Days Nov 20-22 Nov 19-21 Thanksgiving – No Classes Nov 23-29 Nov 22-28 3-Week Classes Begin Nov 30 Nov 29 3-Week Classes End Dec 20 Dec 19 Final Exam Day Dec 21 Dec 20 Holiday Break Dec 22-Jan 8 Dec 21-Jan 7 2005-06 SPRING SEMESTER 2005-06 (Preliminarily Approved) Spring 12-Week Classes Begin Jan 9 Jan 8 M.L.K. Day – No Classes Jan 16 Jan 15 Spring Break Mar 4-Mar 12 Mar 3-11 Spring 12-Week Classes End Apr 7 Apr 6 Final Exam Days Apr 10-12 Apr 9-11 Term Break Apr 12-18 Apr 12-17 Spring 3-Week Classes Begin Apr 19 Apr 18 Spring 3-Week Classes End May 9 May 8 Final Exam Day May 10 May 9 Commencement May 13 May 12 T M H C HE ISSION OF IRAM OLLEGE The report of the Hiram College Planning Commission which was approved by the Board of Trustees at its meeting on October 12, 1990, contained the following statement of mission: Our mission at Hiram College is to enable students of all ages to develop as intellectually alive, socially responsible, ethical citizens ready for leadership and for continuous personal and professional growth. With the approval of the Planning Commission’s report the Trustees, administration, faculty and staff expressed a commitment: 1. To fostering a rigorous and demanding intellectual environment with an able, carefully selected student body and a strong, dedicated faculty; 2. To maintaining a creative and value-based curriculum; 3. To maintaining a mentoring community which integrates academic life with the total campus experience; fosters mutual regard and shared responsibility among students, faculty, staff, and village residents; and honors our historical traditions and environment. HIRAM HERITAGE The sentiments embedded in the current mission statement can be traced back to a letter dated January 15, 1857 from James A. Garfield, principal of Hiram College (1857-1860) and later the twentieth President of the United States, to his student Burke A. Hinsdale, later president of Hiram College (1870-1882). “Tell me Burke, do you not feel a spirit stirring within you that longs to know — to do and to dare — to hold converse with the great world of thought and hold before you some high and noble object to which the vigor of your mind and the strength of your arm may be given?” TO KNOW Since 1850, men and women have come to Hiram College expecting to gain valuable knowledge. For all, the broad base of the liberal arts and sciences seemed the best way to prepare for the lessons of life. Some saw their Hiram education as preparation for specific careers after graduation; others sought an undergraduate degree to pursue professional interests, as in medicine or law. Still others, perhaps without realizing it, came to refine their powers of observation, their skills in writing or speaking, their aesthetic sensibilities, and their analytical or critical skills, as well as to examine those moral and ethical foundations upon which culture is built. Hiram College continues to respect these various motives for gaining a liberal education. We believe that the study of the liberal arts and sciences is an inherently valuable activity, an end in itself; we also recognize that this kind of education is useful in a multitude of ways. Certainly the experience of our graduates demonstrates that our students, having been here, know how to lead more fulfilling lives. TO DO In our aspirations for the future, we strive to build upon what has been done by our predecessors. Hiram College has maintained a strong academic reputation from the time that it was founded by members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). As principal of the College before he became President of the United States, James A. Garfield solidified the institution’s reputation for excellence. Our College is proud of its succession of distinguished scholars and teachers, from Almeda Booth and Burke Hinsdale in the nineteenth century through John Kenyon and Mary Louise Vincent in the twentieth. Traditionally, our faculty find new and effective ways to communicate an understanding of the liberal arts and sciences. They reach beyond the classroom to establish relationships of trust, mutual respect, and friendship with individual students. These distinctive qualities of a Hiram education are enhanced by the College’s small size and village setting in the rolling hills of Ohio’s Western Reserve. Future deeds must continue to be worthy of what has historically been done here. TO DARE Hiram College is a distinctive institution in that it has dared to foster innovation in the context of tradition, as evidenced by its introduction of the single-course plan, the Weekend College, and other experimental programs. In the coming years, Hiram must continue to meet contemporary needs while holding fast to that which is good in its rich heritage. This spirit of venturing forth into new and evolving disciplines while respecting the roots of liberal learning is enhanced by the resources of our own campus, by our nearby cities, and, through extramural programs, by the world at large. We are committed to a curriculum that requires the understanding of the interrelatedness of knowledge, recognizes the integration of information for the resolution of issues, and examines the ethical dimensions of human behavior. From this foundation, students shall pursue a sound understanding of a particular discipline that will prepare them for lifelong learning. In order to take advantage of these opportunities, the students who come to Hiram, from a variety of backgrounds, should be individuals capable of intellectual and social growth, and ready to learn. As such, they will join a community enriched by their fellow students, the faculty and staff, our alumni, the parents of our students, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and our friends and colleagues near and far. Hiram College’s strategic plan, adopted during the 1997-98 academic year, clearly builds on this heritage. In response to changing circumstances, the plan focuses the College’s efforts to educate men and women who will be responsible citizens in complex and demanding times, and who will grow as intelligent, ethical, and imaginative human beings. VISION STATEMENT Hiram College will exemplify excellence in liberal arts education as a dynamic center of intellectual exchange linking our close-knit academic village to region, nation, and the farthest reaches of our world. In the future as in the past, the College will dedicate itself to the transformational growth of the individual as citizen, professional, and leader. Energized by its tradition of community, our college will define the student-centered, mentoring ideal of residential liberal arts learning. Building on 150 years of innovation, Hiram’s rigorous educational experience—leveraged by technology as well as off-campus, experiential, and interdisciplinary studies—will engage critically and creatively the 21st century’s global environment. With generosity of spirit and bold vision, the women and men of Hiram will step forward to shape and serve their world. STATEMENT OF CORE VALUES Core values are the essential enduring tenets which guide the Hiram College community. They set forth what we believe and define how we should conduct our affairs. At the heart of these values is the student. COMMUNITY • We are a community that fosters mentoring relationships and shared responsibility for learning. • We are committed to the well-being of each member of the community. • We value the distinctive contributions of every person in the learning environment. • LEARNING • We believe in the interrelationship of knowledge exemplified in the liberal arts. • We demonstrate unwavering commitment to the pursuit of learning and quality scholarship. • We value superior teaching and comprehensive mentoring. • We are committed to supporting the continuous personal and professional growth of community members. • We foster an environment that encourages open inquiry. • RESPONSIBILITY • We recognize that the well-being and governance of the community are a shared responsibility among community members. • We believe that community members are accountable for their actions and should be held to high standards. • We embrace our responsibility to the larger community beyond the boundaries of Hiram College and encourage learning through service. • DIVERSITY • We respect the dignity of each individual. • We are an inclusive community that welcomes people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and points of view. • We recognize the value of diversity in our educational program. • We seek to foster a supportive environment in which community members will be challenged to explore knowledge, values, and ethics from varied perspectives. • We celebrate freedom of thought and freedom of choice. • INNOVATION • We honor our tradition in the liberal arts and its profound relevance to society. • We are eager to explore new issues and practices and integrate them into our academic vision. • We encourage individual initiative, creativity, and talent. T C HE URRICULUM Hiram College has adopted an innovative academic program which is designed to strengthen the educational partnership between faculty and students that has always defined a Hiram education. The Hiram Plan combines the best aspects of a traditional semester calendar with the benefits of the intensive educational opportunities offered through concentration on a single course. Through the Hiram Plan, each academic semester is divided into two sessions: one of twelve weeks and one of three weeks. During the twelve-week session, students usually enroll in three courses of four semester hours each. The longer session provides a suitable format for courses which cover a broad range of material, allows students to integrate what they learn in their concurrent classes, and provides opportunities for substantial research and writing projects. During the three-week session, each student enrolls in one three- or four-hour seminar or course, each of which will have a limited enrollment. Each faculty member will teach only one course or seminar during the three-week session. These intensive classes provide students and faculty with numerous special opportunities that are not possible in the twelve-week sessions. The students and faculty participating in a seminar can, for example, meet at any time or location mutually agreeable. Faculty have developed special topic courses which include field trips experimental learning and numerous study abroad opportunities. The three-week sessions provide students with an intensive learning opportunity, and a useful skill for work or graduate and professional studies after Hiram. Perhaps most importantly, the small class sizes and daily class meetings experienced in the three-week session enable students and faculty to form close, educationally meaningful relationships which can last a lifetime. We pride ourselves on easing the transition from high school to college and begin this journey with Summer Orientation. Students and their families are invited to spend a couple of days on campus during the summer where students will get together with one another, meet with staff and current students, and advise with a faculty member and sign up for their fall classes. New students will then arrive about a week before classes begin where they will discuss a common reading sent to them over the summer, participate in social events, engage in a community service project, and gradually become adjusted to living away from home. One of the students three classes during their first 12 week term will be a Colloquium. The Colloquia are a series of seminars on such special topics. As seminars, the Colloquia are introductions to scholarship in the liberal arts tradition taught by faculty from many different departments. Each Colloquium group consists of 12 to 15 students and the professor stressing both written and oral communication. This Colloquium group, formed during the Institute, serves as the first step in the transition to college life. In addition, during institute week, each student has the opportunity and responsibility to discuss academic interests, possible academic majors, college graduation requirements, and change their classes. Following their Colloquium, students will enroll during the 12 week Spring Semester a First Year Seminar. This course continues the students’ introduction to the examination of substantial intellectual issues. Students develop their ability to acquire and integrate new knowledge with roots in one or more of the disciplines taught in the College. The First Year Seminar seeks to improve the students’ college-level writing and analytical abilities. All students will enroll in an interdisciplinary experience as a graduation requirement. Through their interdisciplinary studies, which focus on both contemporary and timeless questions of intellectual relevance to humankind, students explore and experience the interconnectedness of knowledge. The College’s graduation requirements constitute the general education component of a student’s liberal arts education at Hiram. Each student explores the breadth and diversity of the liberal arts through the distribution requirements. Students will improve their writing and analytical skills with the Colloquium and the First Year Seminar requirement. They will learn about the interrelatedness of knowledge through their interdisciplinary requirement. While the general education requirements comprise approximately one-third of a student’s course work at Hiram, students, through the process of completing these requirements, acquire a foundation of experience to guide their decision about a major. We believe each Hiram student, upon completion of the graduation requirements, will have an education in the depth, breadth, and interrelatedness of knowledge that is the liberal arts tradition. Students will usually declare a major after exploring the opportunities available and discussions with their advisor, other faculty and the Career Center. The student’s decision about a major is most often influenced by a genuine enjoyment of the department’s faculty and course work. Hiram’s small classes foster a mentoring relationship between professor and student, which is strengthened by the depth of study in a student’s major. The completion of a major at Hiram will likely occupy most of the student’s junior and senior years; majors in the natural sciences begin earlier. Most majors require the student to take a minimum of 40 semester hours within the department along with correlative course requirements in related areas. Generally about one-third of students’ course work is devoted to their major. 32 Majors are offered in many different disciplines as indicated below: Art Art History Biochemistry Biology Biomedical Humanities Chemistry Classical Studies Communication Computer Science Economics Education English English (Creative Writing Emphasis) Environmental Studies French German History Integrated Language Arts Integrated Social Studies Management Mathematics Music Philosophy Physics Political Science Neuroscience Psychology Religious Studies Science Sociology/Anthropology Spanish Theatre Arts A student may choose to propose an individualized major that combines coursework from two or more departments. Anyone interested should consult with the Associate Dean of the College. Students may also choose a minor at Hiram. Minors are offered in almost every department. Some minors offered are interdisciplinary in nature. Usually a minor consists of 18 to 20 semester hours. Most minors cannot be taken in the same academic department as the major. Information about the requirements for both majors and minors is available from either the department chair or the program coordinator. G R RADUATION EQUIREMENTS Hiram College students are candidates for the Bachelor of Arts degree. The degree requires completion of 120 or more semester hours of work in which the student must have attained a grade-point average of at least 2.00. In addition, students must attain a cumulative grade-point average of 2.00 in their major field of study. We consider each student to be responsible for fulfilling the current graduation requirements. Faculty advisors provide assistance in explaining the graduation requirements listed below. All students entering Hiram College in the fall of 1999 and after are required to complete: I. Core Courses and Requirements A. The New Student Institute and Colloquium B. The First Year Seminar: a four semester hour course which refines writing and speaking skills while also providing an introductory educational experience through the examination of the ideas of important contributors to our understanding on a particular topic. This is to be completed in the first year. C. Interdisciplinary requirement: Completion of one of the following: 1) Two Interdisciplinary Courses, one of which must be team taught; 2) A Collegium; 3) An Interdisciplinary Minor or Interdisciplinary Major. A list of majors and minors that fulfill this requirement is available from the Registrar and/or the Associate Dean of the College. Courses taken to complete this requirement may be counted toward completion of the Distribution Requirements. II. The Distribution Requirement To gain breadth in the liberal arts, students are required to select courses from the broad spectrum of the curriculum by taking two courses from different disciplines within each of the four divisions listed below. A student’s major satisfies the distribution requirement for the division in which the department is listed. A. Fine Arts: Two courses selected from different departments in the areas of art, music, theatre arts and creative writing. The arts have a necessary role to play in the training of the mind. The arts sharpen our powers of observation, expand our ability to feel and respond, strengthen our capacity for critical judgment, and heighten our sensitivity of what is uncommon and fine. B. Humanities: Two courses selected from different departments in the areas of English, literature, philosophy, religion, history, and foreign language. The humanities provide critical self-knowledge and liberation from provincialism. The texts studied provide standards and ideas against which we measure ourselves, our culture, and the historical situation. C. Natural Sciences: Two courses, one of which must be a laboratory course, selected from different disciplines in the areas of biochemistry, biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, physics, and geology. As far back as records show, people have made an effort to understand, influence, and control the world in which they live. These efforts have given rise to the natural sciences. The technologies which so strongly influence our lives are applications of the knowledge gained through these sciences. D. Social Sciences: Two courses selected from different departments in communication, economics, education, management, political science, psychology, and sociology. People live in a social context. The various social sciences have developed perspectives for the understanding of the world as we experience it. In studying the social sciences, students acquire information and analytical skills for understanding and influencing what is going on around them. Note: Some courses, as determined by individual departments, do not satisfy the distribution requirements. These are noted in the catalog or course schedules by an “N” designation. All courses numbered 281, 298, 480, 481, and 498 do not satisfy distribution requirements. III. Major Area of Study Students may choose a departmental major, or propose an individualized major involving more than one department. For the departmental major the student must have a faculty advisor in the department. The individualized major must be sponsored by faculty member(s) and approved by the Academic Program Committee. Guidelines are available from the Associate Academic Dean. IV. Total academic credit hours for graduation: 120 semester hours. Hiram College students are candidates for the Bachelor of Arts degree. The degree requires completion of 120 or more hours of work. In order to graduate, all students must have attained a cumulative grade point average of 2.00. In addition, students must have attained a grade point average of at least 2.00 in departmental courses taken to fulfill their major area of study, and a 2.00 in courses taken to fulfill the requirements for a minor. Each department calculates departmental GPA differently, so please check with the Department Chair for the particulars.