(Updated May 14, 2008)
New courses
Revised courses
Deleted coursesRevised degree,
major, and
program requirements
Policy Changes
Miscellaneous Information
Anthropology 288 (3) - Childhood. This course explores the experience of childhood cross culturally. It investigates how different societies conceptualize children, and our readings progress through representations of the life cycle. Beginning with the topic of conception, the courses moves through issues pertaining to the fetus, infants, children, and adolescents. Discussions of socialization, discipline, emotion, education, gender, and sexuality are included, and special attention is given to the effects of war, poverty, social inequality, and disease on children and youth. Goluboff. Winter 2009 and alternate years.
Biology 222 (4), Animal Development. Prerequisites: Biology 111 and 113. This course investigates cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate invertebrate and vertebrate development. Topics include fertilization, cleavage, gastrulation, axis specification, patterning, organogenesis, morphogens, and stem cells. Students examine research strategies used to understand the basic principles underlying development such as gene function, cell signaling, and signal transduction during embryogenesis. Laboratory sessions focus on experimental manipulations of early invertebrate and vertebrate embryos and emphasize student-designed research projects. Watson. Fall
Business Administration 197 (0) - Washington and Lee Student Consulting. Pass/fail basis only. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. This co-curricular student organization provides pro bono consulting services to businesses and not-for-profits. Experiential learning draws from business fields such as marketing, finance, accounting, e commerce, database management, business strategy, and human resources. In addition to working on various projects, students gain experience managing the organization. Students must participate in a competitive application process in order to participate. Straughan, Oliver. Fall, Winter, Spring
Classics 208 (3), The Classical Epic Tradition. In this course, we read some of the most famous stories of the Western world, from the Iliad and the Odyssey, to Milton's Paradise Lost and Joyce's Ulysses, via Vergil's Aeneid and Lucan's Civil War. All of these works are epic narratives, each presenting a different concept of the hero, and yet, at the same time, participating in a coherent, ongoing, and unfinished tradition. Questions explored include: the problematic nature of the hero; the relation between poetry and violence; the nature of a literary tradition. (HL, GE3) Crotty. Fall 2008 and every third year
Computer Science 297
(3) - Topics in Computer Science.
Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. Readings and conferences for
a student or students on topics agreed upon by the directing staff. May be
repeated for degree credit with permission and if the topics are different. A
maximum of six credits may be used toward the major requirements.
Staff.
Offered when interest is expressed and departmental resources permit. Dance 403 (3) - Directed Individual Study.
Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. Specialized applied research
in dance. This course requires study through both practical experience in
technique as well as a product-oriented experience through written work
analyzing the historical and kinesthetic aspects of movement. A performance and
written product are the results. May not be repeated.
Davies. Portuguese 101 (3) Beginning Portuguese II. Prerequisite:
Portuguese 100. A second introductory level course designed to help prepare
students in Portuguese Language proficiency for participation in the US/Brazil
Consortium for Environmental Studies, a federally funded Washington and Lee
University exchange program with the Universidade do Amazonas and the
Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. Non exchange students are also welcome
to take the course. Basic language skills are taught in preparation for a
Portuguese Language immersion course taught in Brazil as part of the exchange
program. The immersion course focuses on language skills required for
environmental studies. Staff Religion 222 (Law 355) (3) - Law and Religion - newly offered course -
Open to undergraduates and law students. Drawing on examples from diverse
periods and legal cultures, this seminar addresses 'law' and 'religion' as two
realms of life that have much shared history and continue to intersect in the
modern world. Several important topics in comparative law and jurisprudence are
covered, including authority and legitimacy, the relation between custom and
statute, legal pluralism, church-state relations, and competing models of
constitutional secularism. A selective survey of legal systems and practices
rooted in particular religious traditions is followed by an examination of how
secular legal systems conceptualize religion and balance the protection of
religious freedom with their standards of equity and neutrality. (SS4, GE6D)
Lubin Religion 287 (3) - Central Asian Islam and The Religions of
The Silk Road.
Central Asia has long been a crossroads of peoples and ideas, connecting India,
China, the Middle East, and the northern steppes of what is now Russia. This
course explores this region's rich religious history and diversity in three
parts: the religions of the ancient "Silk Road”" (including Zoroastrianism,
Buddhism, Christianity, and Manichaeism); Islam's arrival in Central Asia and
how Islam was transformed in the process; and the response of Central Asia’s
modern Muslim communities to the advent of colonialism, Communism, Economic
Liberalism, and politically-mobilized Islam. (HU, GE4d)
Hatcher. Fall 2008
and every third year Theater 493 (3-3) - Honors Thesis. Prerequisites: Completion of the
required courses for the major, a 3.500 grade-point average in courses used for
the major, and permission of the department. Students must have completed
advanced theater courses in their area of interest, demonstrated ability in the
area of interest as evidenced by course work, performance and/or production
experience, and completion of additional area-specific requirements. An
advanced theater course that serves as a capstone to the major. Theater majors
selected by the department conduct advanced theater research and individual
artistic preparation, contribute artistically to the department’s performance
season, and produce a significant written thesis under the guidance of a thesis
adviser. Staff. Fall-Winter
Course
Revisions
Back to Top
Art
Biology 220 and 221: Genetics and Genetics Laboratory -
does not meet GE5 requirement as stated on page 136 of the 2007-08 catalog.Chemistry 342 (3) Advanced Biochemistry. Prerequisite: Either Chemistry 342, or Chemistry 341 and Biology 220. A more advanced treatment of current topics in biochemistry. Specific topics vary by year but may include enzyme/ribozyme kinetics and mechanisms, signaling pathways, biomolecular transport, chromatin structure/function, RNA processing pathways, and regulation of gene expression. LaRiviere. Spring 2008 and alternate years
All English 300-level courses: Prerequisite: Three-credits in 200-level English.
French 274 (3) - Cinéma français et francophone: 1980‑2000. Prerequisite: French 261 or equivalent or permission of instructor. An introduction to the study of film in French. Students familiarize themselves with the vocabulary and analytical tools necessary to analyze, discuss films and write about them. This course shows how film language has evolved since the New Wave of the 1960s through the critical study of selected films, representative of some of the major trends of the French and Francophone cinema production of the 1980‑2000 period. Viewings, presentations, discussions, and papers in French for development of communication skills. (HL, GE3) Frégnac‑Clave
Geology 350 (3) - Structural Geology and Tectonics. Prerequisites: Geology 160 and Mathematics 101. Description and methods of analysis of large- and small-scale structural features of the Earth's crust. Topics also include the analysis of geometry, strain and stress as they relate to deformation in the earth. Rock mechanics, application of structural geology in environmental engineering and resource exploration, geometric and computational techniques used in structural analysis, interpretation of geologic maps, and the structural development of mountain systems are also covered. Laboratory course. Connors. Fall
PHIL 251 (3) - Existentialism - New permanent course description - Overview of Existential thought in the 19th and 20th Century. The course presents core Existentialist thinkers and their critics, e.g. Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Sartre, de Beauvoir, Fanon, Heidegger and Camus, and explores important Existential themes such as human experience, anxiety, freedom, authenticity and absurdity. (HU, GE4C)
Sociology 272 (3), Social Revolutions, cross-listed as Politics 272 (3), Social Revolutions. The course meets FDR SS4 and GE6d requirements.
Course Deletions
Revisions
to Degree, Major and Program Requirements
Biology
(for 2008-09 catalog)
revise biology major leading to BA:
"3...a. Molecules and Cells: Biology 215* or 215S*, 222*, 310*, ..."
revise biology major leading to BS:
"2...a. Molecules and Cells: Biology 215* or 215S*, 220, 222*, 295 (in a
relevant topic), 310*,..."
Chemistry
Approved the following revisions to major requirements (for 2008-09 catalog):
Chemistry leading to a Bachelor of Science
"...3. Two courses chosen from Chemistry 311, 345, 347, 350, and 365."
Biochemistry leading to a Bachelor of Science
"...2. Two additional courses totaling at least four credits chosen from the
following
...Chemistry 262, 311, 345 ..."
Geology
Approved revising the
geology majors as follows
- the major in geology leading to a Bachelor of Science degree:
"3. Additional courses must be selected from among Biology 111
and 113; Geology 108, 209, 247, 260, 275, 340, 335, 360, 373…"
- the major in geology leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree
"2. At least 18 additional credits in geology, including at
least 12 credits numbered 200 or above, and including at least one course chosen
from Geology 247, 311, 330, 350, 360.
3. Additional courses must be selected from among Biology 105 or
higher; Chemistry 111 or higher; Computer Science 111 or higher; Economics 101
and 102; Interdepartmental 202; all engineering; all geology; all mathematics;
Philosophy 108; Physics 111 or higher."
- the major
in environmental geology leading to a Bachelor of Arts
"4. Additional courses must be selected from among Biology 105,
111, 113, 230, 240, 245, 330; Chemistry 111; Economics 101, 102, 255; Geology
146, 275, 211, 330, 335, 350, 360; Philosophy 108; politics 230, 232."
Politics
Approved the following revision of the politics major
effective with the 2008-09 catalog. 1. Politics 100, 105, 111; Economics 101 and 102;
Interdepartmental 201, 202
Theater
Language Study Abroad "6. Language Study Abroad: Students studying abroad in a non-English speaking
host culture will be required to study the language of that culture at an
appropriate level during the period of their enrollment there. Exceptions to
this requirement may be granted by the Committee on Courses and Degrees upon
recommendation of the Committee on International Education. This policy is not
intended to cover W&L Spring Term Abroad programs." New
Undergraduates taking a course at the School of Law
(approved by the faculty, January 7, 2008):
"A major in politics leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree requires completion of
at least 41 credits as follows:
2. 15 additional credits in politics, including completion of one of the
following four sequences and including at least one seminar course (indicated by
*) which entails an independent research and writing component:
a. General Study: completion of five courses chosen from at least
two of the three subfields below, including a seminar course.
b. American Government: completion of four courses chosen from
Politics 229, 230, 232, 233, 250, 330, 335, 340*, 342, 350 (Sociology 350),
360*, 370*, 397*, 466 and at least one course chosen from the
remaining 200- and 300-level courses in international/global politics or
political philosophy.
c. International/Global Politics: completion of four courses chosen
from Politics 214, 215, 221, 227, 240, 245 (Sociology 245), 246 (Sociology 246),
247, 260, 327, 355, 380*, 381, 385, 392, 395 and at least one course chosen from
the remaining 200- and 300-level courses in American government or political
philosophy.
d. Political Philosophy: completion of four courses chosen from
Politics 265, 266, 360*, 370*, 396* and at least one course chosen from the
remaining 200- and 300-level courses in international/global politics or
political philosophy.
3. Six additional credits which must include courses from two of the following
disciplines: anthropology, economics, philosophy, psychology, or sociology."
Approved adding Honors in the major.
Approved revising the following catalog language related to approving exceptions
for imbedded language study abroad. (Language Study Abroad, page 103):
Seniors may approach the Associate Dean for
Academic Affairs at the School of Law for permission to take one course in both
the fall and winter terms (law fall and spring semesters). Only certain courses
will be available, and approval must be granted by the instructor, the
undergraduate faculty adviser, and law and undergraduate deans. Attendance in
the class is required on the same schedule as law students, so seniors must be
aware of calendar differences (e.g., course start and end dates, different
holiday and examination schedules) and work load. If approved, the course will
count toward a term's required full-time course load, will be graded only on a
Pass/Fail basis, and will not count as credits toward either a law or
undergraduate degree. See the form available on the University Registrar's web
site at registrar.wlu.edu/forms.
First-Year Seminars
Implementation of a pilot series of first-year seminars. The definition of
"seminar" will for the moment remain a "big umbrella" with the primary
determinations of size (limit 15), style (discussion vs. lecture), and
activities designed to engage the student actively (readings vs. rote, projects
vs. tests). In the initial effort, existing first-year-level courses will retain
their course numbers in order to facilitate tracking for requirements and for
repeats. New courses (either topics or tailoring upper-level courses for
freshmen) will have a number assigned in the 180s. Individual approvals, including general-education
or foundation and distribution designations are listed above in
Course Additions.
Revisions
Incomplete Grade Policy Approved revising the policies regarding Incomplete grades, as follows,
effective with grades to be assigned at the end of the Spring 2008 term. Definition of the Incomplete Grade (2007-08, page 80) I (Incomplete) signifies that, due to some cause beyond the student's
reasonable control (e.g. illness, injury, incapacitation), the work of the
course has not been completed or the final examination has been deferred. The
decision to grant an Incomplete should be made no sooner than the last three
weeks of the term when it is clear the work of the course cannot be completed.
When the deficiency is subsequently removed, the grade then attained is
substituted for I in the permanent record. (See "Incomplete Grade" on page 82.).
Removal of an Incomplete (2007-08 catalog, page 82) A. To receive credit for a course in which an I (Incomplete) grade has been
received, students must remove the deficiency by the due date set by the
instructor and no later than the end of the 15th class day (three weeks) into
the next term, whether or not they are still enrolled at Washington and Lee. If
unchanged by the instructor, the "I" grade becomes an F. For any
extension, the student must obtain approval from the responsible faculty member
on an Incomplete Extension form and submit the form to the Registrar's Office
before the current deadline. All I grades remaining at the end of the subsequent
term will automatically become F grades, whether or not the students are still
enrolled. B. Students may not register if they have four or more Incompletes on their
record. C. Students may not graduate with an Incomplete remaining on their record,
unless there are extraordinary circumstances, satisfactory to the Committee on
Courses and Degrees.
Miscellaneous
information
CORRECTION - Academic Probation, page 87
The last paragraph of this section should read:
"Students placed on academic probation are warned of their precarious position
and advised to limit their participation in extracurricular activities during
the period of their probation. Students whose probationary status is not removed
by the end of the next term fall under the Automatic Rule."