Effective Fall 2015
Advising
1813 East Quadrangle
(734) 647-2745
The Residential College (RC) is a four-year undergraduate liberal arts program with about 900 students and 60 faculty, situated within LSA. All RC advisors are RC faculty members and are available to meet with students to discuss RC and LSA requirements, possible majors, graduation requirements, etc. The RC Board on Academic Standing considers petitions submitted by RC students relating to requirements, deadlines, and academic circumstances. Appointments with academic advisors can be scheduled by calling the RC Academic Services Office at (734) 647-2745 or by stopping by the offices at 1813 East Quadrangle.
Prerequisites
RCSSCI 260: Understanding Power, Theorizing Knowledge and RCSSCI 290, a one credit course taken in the same academic term that helps develop a prospectus for the major.
One other “gateway” course, either an RCSSCI 200 level course or another course chosen in consultation with the STP department advisor. The aim of the gateway course is to introduce students to issues and approaches in the social sciences as well as to the ways questions are framed from different disciplinary perspectives.
Requirements
Complete the following non-overlapping groupings:
- Required Institutional Framework Courses:
- Core Course: RCSSCI 301.
- Quantitative Methods: at least one, typically STATS 250 or 280, SOC 310 or 312, or ECON 251 ( or 404 elected prior to Winter 2015).
- Research Seminar: RCSSCI 460, in which the student completes a Senior Project or Senior Thesis.
- Thematic Courses. A minimum of six courses (and at least 18 credits) at the upper level (300 and above). Students are directed to consider how to create a cohesive union of theory, practice, and other course work that reflects the unique set of social issues they are attempting to understand. The thematic coursework must be conceptualized and defended by the student, be chosen in consultation with the advisor, and be organized in the following manner:
- Social Theory: At least 3 additional social theory credits
- Community Engagement: At least 3 approved “practicum” credits. Acceptable practicum courses require some form of community engagement beyond the classroom, in addition to regular critical reflection on that engagement. Examples include Project Outreach courses, Practicum in Sociology courses, the RC Spanish Language Internship Program, The RC Telling It Program, the RC Semester in Detroit Program, the Prison Creative Arts Project, some sections of RCSSCI 360, RCSSCI 461, and RCIDIV 302.
- Additional electives
RCSSCI 460 does not count toward this requirement.
Distribution Policy
No course used to fulfill a major requirement may be used toward the LSA Distribution Requirement. In addition, the two prerequisite courses for Social Theory & Practice (RCSSCI 260 & 290) may not be used toward the Distribution Requirement.