In the fall of 2010, the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences will offer a variety of new majors and minors to its undergraduates. These degrees will present students with an opportunity to experience diverse areas of science, society, and the business world.
The Division of Humanities will offer majors in philosophy and general studies. The philosophy program will provide students with a view into complex philosophical issues and will aid in improving the students’ writing and analytical skills. Courses offered for this major include moral issues and biomedical ethics.
The general studies major is a multidisciplinary program that gives students the opportunity to customize their educational experience according to their individual areas of interest. It also allows a student to explore different curricular domains. Two core courses and three minors chosen by the students themselves aid in determining the degree.
Don Rosenblum, Ph.D., dean of the college, said, “I believe that graduates with this degree will be effective communicators, have strong analytic and critical thinking skills, and be comfortable in new and diverse dimensions as they advance in their prospective careers.”
The Math, Science and Technology Division is now offering a major in exercise and sports science. This program targets those who wish to go into the fields specializing in the various aspects of exercise, such as fitness and wellness coordinator, sports performance researcher and strength and conditioning specialist.
Those who wish to obtain this bachelor’s degree will learn about academic fields such as biomechanics, motor behavior, and exercise physiology. Students who wish to pursue this degree will take courses in sports nutrition and emergency care, among others.
International studies is a minor offered by the Division of Humanities. This minor introduces the student to the global aspects of sociology and ecology. Some of the courses that will be available for study are global issues and the Holocaust. It will benefit students who wish to pursue careers in areas such as government, medical and psychological services.
Another minor offered by the Division of Humanities is African Diaspora studies. This minor includes a comprehensive, multicultural look into the history of how enslaved Africans, the African Diaspora, managed to retain traditions and language of their homeland while they lived in Western Europe and the Caribbean. Black cinema and African dance are two of the courses that students will take.
The Social and Behavioral Sciences division will offer a minor in neuropsychology. This program focuses on how the brain functions in relation to memory and language. Students will also learn about what happens to the brain when it is injured. The courses available for this major include hormones and the brain.
These are only a few among the many new majors and minors that will be offered in the fall. As the new academic year starts, students are encouraged to explore the various areas of study that the university offers. However, before a student decides to pick a new major, minor, or to pursue additional ones, he or she should check with their adviser.
