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There
are a variety of ways in which students can customize their programs
of study at Berea College.
Independent Major
Independent Majors are designed by students who wish to pursue an integrating idea or principle that cannot be met through a standard Berea College major program. Students are free to propose topics. While the list is not exhaustive, some examples of previously approved independent majors are: Appalachian Studies, Classical Studies or Classical Civilizations, Comparative Literature, Ecological Building Design, Film and Video Studies, and Peace and Social Justice Studies
Independent Studies and Team-Initiated Studies
These studies are designed to provide students with the opportunity
to study topics not ordinarily covered in regular course offerings,
to continue previous research, to undertake off-campus projects
not otherwise available, or to conduct readings in greater
depth in topics previously studied. These studies may be undertaken
by an individual, or by a group of students interested in the
same topic. Proposals are submitted to the Office of Academic
Services and approved by the Academic Program Council.
Past examples include: Poverty in Developing Nations, Continued
Readings in Cell and Molecular Biology, and Mass Media in Japan.
Undergraduate
Research
Berea College students can take advantage of a number of on-
and off-campus opportunities to engage in a mentor-apprentice
summer undergraduate research experience, including those
funded by Berea’s Undergraduate Research and Creative
Projects Program (URCPP), or by the Appalachian College Association
(ACA) and other external sources.
As an example, the goals of the Berea-funded URCPP, similar
to research projects funded from other resources, include:
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to enhance student learning by providing opportunities
for the engagement of challenging, collaborative and directed
projects in an apprentice-mentor relationship with faculty;
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to
foster student-faculty interaction in creative work;
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to
help students understand the critical interplay between
collaboration and independent thought and action
in any team
effort to engage a complex, open-ended project;
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to
enhance students’ communication skills;
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to provide
experience that would be helpful to students who
wish to pursue subsequent research
and learning/creative
opportunities (e.g., off-campus, summer research
programs, or international learning opportunities);
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to
allow students to build their self-confidence to pursue
careers and further study beyond Berea.
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to supply experience
that will help students make informed career and graduate
school decisions.
In addition to the valuable research experience gained, students participating in a full-time (minimum of 8-10 weeks, 40 hours per week) URCPP- or other department-approved summer undergraduate research project may request to be registered by the Office of Academic Services for UGR 010 (for URCPP-funded projects) or UGR 020 (for other department-approved projects), which will result in earning a grade of “S” or “U” and will appear on the student’s college transcript as “Undergraduate Research.”
Domestic and International Exchanges
In an effort to further diversify its educational offerings,
Berea College has established exchange agreements with a number
of other colleges and universities. During the January Short
Term, Berea students are allowed to enroll in a class at one
of these other institutions while paying room and board at
Berea. A list of participating schools is available in the
Office of Academic Services.
Students interested in personally experiencing a culture and
learning environment different from their own have the opportunity
to study abroad through an arrangement with a growing list
of universities outside the United States. Students should
consult with the Center for International Education for a current list of
those universities and the regulations governing those programs.
Other Study Abroad Opportunities
Students can spend a Short or Summer term abroad. Three or
four international courses are offered by Berea faculty each
year during Short Term. Check the Short Term Catalog (available
online mid October) and the Schedule of Classes for current
information. Summer study programs are offered by the Kentucky
Institute for International Studies (KIIS), which provides
not only strong academic programs, but also opportunities for
independent learning and travel while abroad. Many KIIS programs
are designed to help students improve their command of foreign
languages, although the programs are not limited to language
study.
In addition, Berea students can apply to the Berea Term Abroad
program to spend a Fall or Spring Term abroad. Opportunities
exist in most countries of the world and for most majors. Students
generally prepare applications for Berea Term Abroad during
their sophomore year using the information on international
education available in the Study Abroad Resource Library, located
in the Berea College College Center for International Education. Approval by the
Berea Term Abroad Committee assures them of the financial support
needed to spend a term abroad during their junior year. An
additional source of term abroad support is available to foreign
language majors who can apply to the Foreign
Languages Department.
Non-Degree Student
Non-degree students are those taking courses
for personal enrichment or for limited educational gain. This
status is
open to Berea
College employees, Berea Community and Madison Southern High
School students, and others within the community comprising
Madison, Garrard, Jackson, and Rockcastle counties. In order
to be eligible to take classes as a nondegree student, applicants
must not be seeking a degree from Berea College. Other restrictions
may apply, and further details are included in the application
materials
(below). Nondegree students must wait
three years beyond their non-degree status before they may
apply to the College for regular admission. (Note: This
would not apply to Berea Community, Madison Southern, and Berea
College
employee students.)
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