College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

PURPOSE - Back to Top

Like all major research universities, Arizona State University provides the means for undergraduates to acquire a liberal education, an education that broadens students’ understanding in the major areas of human knowledge while providing students with in-depth knowledge in their chosen areas of focus. While the professional schools and colleges can and do provide for important dimensions of a liberal education, the central academic setting for accomplishing this basic university purpose is the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS). The college provides a particularly rich and varied set of opportunities for students to gain the kind of liberal education that helps to prepare them for a lifetime of continued learning and application of knowledge in a diverse and ever-changing world.

As a consequence of the wide range of subjects CLAS offers in the humanities, the natural sciences and mathematics, and the social and behavioral sciences, instruction is provided in a number of core areas for undergraduate students from all of the other colleges. Students with majors in business, education, engineering, nursing, and other professional colleges rely on CLAS for basic foundation courses. CLAS also offers the majority of courses meeting the General Studies requirement.

CLAS initiated and continues to participate actively with the Barrett Honors College. It also offers advising to undergraduates who are working out their undergraduate programs or are planning for graduate studies.

Most of the university faculty’s engagement in the discovery and creation of knowledge and its dissemination occurs in CLAS. As an integral part of this activity, CLAS offers a wide range of graduate training programs leading to a master’s or doctoral degree. For graduate degree application information, see the Graduate Catalog and contact either the Graduate College or the academic unit in which the degree of interest would be earned, the latter in order to receive detailed information on particular degree requirements.

ORGANIZATION - Back to Top

CLAS consists of a School of Life Sciences (beginning in July 2003), 20 academic departments, several interdisciplinary programs, seven centers, and several research institutes and laboratories. The college offers 36 programs leading to a bachelor’s degree, 31 programs leading to a master’s degree, 21 programs leading to a doctoral degree, and interdisciplinary graduate programs in cooperation with other colleges. Undergraduate customized interdisciplinary degrees are also available in the college.

For more information, access the college’s Web site at www.asu.edu/clas.

ADMISSION - Back to Top

Any entering ASU student who has met the minimum university entrance requirements can be admitted to CLAS. Students with fewer than 50 earned hours of credit can, if they wish, be admitted as “no preference,” prelaw or premedical students. Students with 50 or more hours must declare a major to be accepted into the college.

Note: Students who wish to enter a program of study that has a rigidly structured curriculum should be aware that delay in choosing a major could result in added time and cost in the completion of requirements.

Any student with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.00 who is currently registered in good standing in another college at ASU and who wishes to major in a subject offered by CLAS and to follow a program of study in the major may transfer into the college. (Students wishing to transfer into the major of Economics must have an ASU cumulative GPA of at least 2.50.) The student transfers by applying and being initially advised in the Office for Academic Programs in SS 111. Students admitted from other ASU colleges are under mandatory advising during the first semester and must take courses leading directly to a degree in CLAS. Failure to follow mandated advice on course selection can result in enrollment and registration problems, including cancellation and holds.

Transfer Students. The university standards for evaluation of transfer credit are listed under Undergraduate Enrollment, “Transfer Credit.” All students who meet the university standards are admissible to CLAS, but students desiring to major in Economics must have transfer GPAs of at least 2.50. Transfer students are urged to contact the relevant academic department or the Office for Academic Programs in SS 111, to ensure a smooth transition to CLAS. Students who have transferred courses from institutions other than Arizona community colleges must have their transcripts evaluated by an advisor in SS 111. Students who have attended only Arizona community colleges have evaluations performed in the department of the major.

Courses transferred from two-year (community) colleges are accepted as lower-division credit only. Students are urged to choose their community college courses carefully, in view of the fact that a minimum of 45 semester hours of work taken at the university must be upper-division credit (see Undergraduate Enrollment, “Community Colleges”).

ADVISING - Back to Top

All students are urged to seek advising in the appropriate college unit before registration. Students must follow the calendar published in the Schedule of Classes each semester for information regarding enrollment, adding/dropping classes, and withdrawals.

In addition to information provided by an advisor, students must read the requirements for university General Studies, college graduation, and major degree requirements in this edition of the ASU General Catalog. See “General Studies,” “University Graduation Requirements,” “CLAS Graduation Requirements,” and the section of the department offering the major. The ASU General Catalog is the governing source for all degree requirements.

Regular Advising. All students are strongly urged to seek advising in the appropriate college unit before registration.

Advising Locations. CLAS students should seek routine advising at the locations shown in the “Advising Locations” table.

The Office for Academic Programs, in SS 111, is the central resource center for academic information in the college. Requests from students, departmental advisors, and faculty for clarification of rules, procedures, and advising needs of the college and university should be directed to that office.

Mandatory Advising. The following categories of Liberal Arts and Sciences students must receive advising and must be cleared on the Mandatory Advising Computer System (MACS) before their classes are scheduled:

1. students in their first semester at ASU;
    
2. students on probation;
    
3. students with a cumulative GPA of less than 2.00;
    
4. students who have admissions deficiencies;
    
5. other students with “special admissions” status; and
    
6. students who have been disqualified (these students are allowed to attend ASU summer and winter sessions only and must be advised in the Office for Academic Programs in SS 111).
    

Students in the above mandatory advising categories should consult an advisor in the appropriate advising location listed in the previous section. Students with admission deficiencies are carefully monitored to ensure that they take courses that eliminate their deficiencies. Students are encouraged to check their mandatory advising status each semester before attempting registration transactions.

Advising for Preprofessional Programs. Special advising is available for students planning to enter the fields listed in the “Advising for Preprofessional Programs” table. The professional programs shown in the table are not majors in themselves; that is, there are no majors called “premedical,” “prelaw,” etc. In each program, the student must eventually select an established major in CLAS or in one of the other colleges.

Pre-Health Professions. Students pursuing professional schools in the health professions must choose a major offered by ASU. However, certain specific courses must be taken to prepare the student to take the MCAT or other entrance examinations and to succeed in postbaccalaureate training. Therefore, students who plan to pursue a health profession should meet regularly with the Pre-Health Professions office for guidance. While this guidance does not replace the need to meet with an advisor in the department of the student’s major, pre-health advising is a necessary supplement. To schedule a meeting with Pre-Health Professions, located in LSC 206, call 480/965-2365.

Prelaw. The American Bar Association does not recommend any specific major for students who wish to apply to law school upon graduation. ASU does not have a “prelaw” degree program. Therefore, students should select a major that interests them. Recent surveys of law school graduates indicate that students would be well advised to take one or two semesters of accounting as a supplement to their major curriculum. In addition, the American Bar Association recommends a variety of courses in the classics, in economics, and in mathematical reasoning. Courses that engage the student in intense critical analysis and a substantial amount of writing are also recommended. As the student approaches the second semester of his or her junior year, the student should contact the prelaw advisor in the college or department of his or her major to obtain information regarding the procedure to apply to law school.

DEGREES - Back to Top

Majors. Programs leading to the B.A. and B.S. degrees are offered by CLAS, with majors in the subjects listed in the “College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Baccalaureate Degrees and Majors” table. Each major is administered by the academic department indicated.

Minors. Although not required for graduation, special college-approved minors are available in most departments. Check department program descriptions for details. Minors offered by departments must have at least 18 hours of designated courses, including at least 12 hours of upper-division work. The college requires a grade of at least “C” in all upper-division courses in the minor. Some departments have stricter requirements. A minimum of six upper-division hours in the minor must be taken in residence at ASU Main.

University policies prohibit the “double-counting” of courses from the major for the minor. Specific questions concerning double-counting, as well as general questions about the approval processes for minors, should be taken up with an academic advisor in the department offering the minor or the Office for Academic Programs in SS 111.

Refer to the CLAS portion of the “ASU Minors” table.

ASU EXTENDED CAMPUS - Back to Top

The College of Extended Education was created in 1990 to extend the resources of ASU throughout Maricopa County, the state, and beyond. The College of Extended Education is a university-wide college that oversees the ASU Extended Campus and forms partnerships with other ASU colleges, including the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, to meet the instructional and informational needs of a diverse community.

The ASU Extended Campus goes beyond the boundaries of the university’s three physical campuses to provide access to quality academic credit and degree programs for working adults through flexible schedules; a vast network of off-campus sites; classes scheduled days, evenings, and weekends; and innovative delivery technologies including television, the Internet, and Independent Learning. The Extended Campus also offers a variety of professional continuing education and community outreach programs.

For more information, see “ASU Extended Campus” or access the Web site at www.asu.edu/xed.

UNIVERSITY GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS - Back to Top

In addition to fulfilling college and major requirements, students must meet all university graduation requirements. For complete information, see “University Graduation Requirements.”

General Studies Requirement - Back to Top

All students enrolled in a baccalaureate degree program must satisfy a university requirement of a minimum of 35 hours of approved course work in General Studies, as described in “General Studies.” Note that all three General Studies awareness areas are required. Consult an advisor for an approved list of courses.

General Studies courses are listed in the “General Studies Courses” table, in the course descriptions, in the Schedule of Classes, and in the Summer Sessions Bulletin.

COLLEGE DEGREE REQUIREMENTS - Back to Top

CLAS degree requirements are more extensive than the General Studies requirement. Additional course work in the humanities, natural sciences and mathematics, and social and behavioral sciences is required. Students are encouraged to consult with an academic advisor in planning a program to ensure that they meet all necessary requirements.

To graduate from CLAS, a student must satisfy college requirements in addition to university General Studies requirements. These requirements consist of major requirements which involve concentrated course work in a selected field; and CLAS graduation requirements which ensure that the student demonstrates proficiency in a second language while exposing the student to other liberal arts and sciences outside the major field.

1. Major Requirements. Each student is required to select a major from among the fields of study offered by CLAS. The requirements for completion of the major are described under departmental listings.
   
   
   1. The major department may require up to 45 semester hours of course work. The minimum is 30 hours. A maximum of 15 additional hours may be required in related courses and prerequisites. No more than 60 semester hours of course work may be required to complete the major, related courses, and prerequisites. Some departments require calculus-level mathematics; up to five of these semester hours may be excluded from the 60-hour maximum because they satisfy the mathematics proficiency requirement. A minimum of 12 upper-division hours in the major must be taken in residence at ASU Main.
       
   2. No credit is granted toward fulfilling major or minor requirements in any upper-division course in that subject field unless the grade in that course is at least a “C.” In CLAS, the assignment of a grade of “Y” indicates a level of performance that would have resulted in a grade of at least “C” had the normal grading scheme been used.
      
      See the individual departments for other minimum grade requirements.
       
   3. Major fields of study are classified into the following three divisions:
      
      
      1. Humanities:
         
         African American Studies (AFH)
         
         Asian Languages (Chinese/Japanese) (CHI/JPN)
         
         Chicana and Chicano Studies (CSH)
         
         English (ENG)
         
         French (FRE)
         
         German (GER)
         
         Humanities (HUM)
         
         Italian (ITA)
         
         Philosophy (HPS, PHI)
         
         Religious Studies (REL)
         
         Russian (Only meets CLAS graduation requirements in humanities if at least two upper-division literature or civilization courses are taken.) (RUS)
         
         Spanish (SPA)
         
         Women’s Studies (WSH)
          
      2. Natural sciences and mathematics:
         
         Biochemistry (BCH)
         
         Biology (BIO)
         
         Chemistry (CHM)
         
         Clinical Laboratory Sciences (CLS)
         
         Computational Mathematical Sciences (MAT)
         
         Conservation Biology (BIO)
         
         Geological Sciences (GLG)
         
         Mathematics (MAT)
         
         Microbiology (MIC)
         
         Molecular Biosciences/Biotechnology (MBB)
         
         Physics (AST, PHS, PHY)
         
         Plant Biology (PLB)
          
      3. Social and behavioral sciences:
         
         African American Studies (AFS)
         
         Anthropology (ASB)
         
         Chicana and Chicano Studies (CSS)
         
         Economics (ECN)
         
         Family and Human Development (Students majoring in this field must satisfy the CLAS graduation requirements in all three divisions.) (CDE, FAS)
         
         Geography (GCU)
         
         History (HST)
         
         Kinesiology (Students majoring in this field must satisfy the CLAS graduation requirements in all three divisions.) (KIN)
         
         Political Science (POS)
         
         Psychology (PGS, PSY)
         
         Sociology (SOC)
         
         Speech and Hearing Science (Students majoring in this field must satisfy the CLAS graduation requirements in all three divisions.) (SHS)
         
         Women’s Studies (WST)
          
2. CLAS Graduation Requirements. The purpose of the CLAS graduation requirements is to ensure that the student is introduced to disciplines outside the division of the major. A list of major fields and their respective divisions is given under I.C.
   
   Unless the major field notes otherwise in I.C., students are considered to have fulfilled the CLAS graduation requirements in the division of the major.
   
   Students majoring in Family and Human Development, Kinesiology, and Speech and Hearing Science must satisfy CLAS graduation requirements in social behavioral sciences as well as in the other two divisions.
   
   Students majoring in African American Studies or Chicana and Chicano Studies satisfy the CLAS graduation requirements in either the humanities or the social and behavioral sciences, depending upon their concentrations; that is, these students fill the CLAS requirements within the concentration of their major only. They may not use courses in the department to fill the CLAS requirements outside their major concentration.
   
   Students majoring in Women’s Studies may choose to fill CLAS requirements using courses from the department for either the Humanities or Social and Behavioral Sciences but not both.
   
   Students majoring in Anthropology, Geography, or Psychology may not use ASM courses in the case of Anthropology majors, GPH courses in the case of Geography majors, or PSY courses in the case of Psychology majors to satisfy the CLAS graduation requirements in the natural sciences and mathematics.
   
   Note: Courses used to fill the university General Studies requirement in Humanities and Fine Arts (HU), Social and Behavioral Sciences (SB), or laboratory sciences (SQ or SG) may not be used to fill CLAS graduation requirements in the humanities, social and behavioral sciences, and the natural sciences and mathematics.
   
   
   1. Humanities (six semester hours). Each student is required to complete two upper-division courses of at least three semester hours each. Course prefixes are identified in the following section.
      
      Course prefixes for the CLAS graduation requirement in the Humanities:
      
      
      1. AFH (African American Studies Program)
          
      2. CSH (Department of Chicana and Chicano Studies)
          
      3. ENG (Department of English)
          
      4. CHI, FLA, FRE, GER, GRK, HEB, ITA, JPN, KOR, LAT, POR, RUS, SCA, SPA (Department of Languages and Literatures; literature or “civilization” courses at the 300 level or above that are not also used to meet the minimum language proficiency requirement)
          
      5. HUM (Interdisciplinary Humanities Program)
          
      6. HPS, PHI (Department of Philosophy)
          
      7. REL (Department of Religious Studies) religion, Bible, or theology courses from sectarian institutions may not be used to fill any CLAS Humanities requirement. Such courses may be used only for elective credit toward a student’s graduation.
          
      8. WSH (Women’s Studies Program)
          
   2. Natural sciences and mathematics (six semester hours). Each student is required to complete two courses of at least three semester hours each.
      
      Course prefixes for the CLAS graduation requirements in the natural sciences and mathematics:
      1. ASM (Department of Anthropology)
          
      2. BIO (Biology)
          
      3. BCH, CHM (Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry)
          
      4. CSE (Department of Computer Science and Engineering)
          
      5. GPH (Department of Geography)
          
      6. GLG (Department of Geological Sciences)
          
      7. MAT, STP (Department of Mathematics and Statistics)
         
         Note: Only mathematics courses for which MAT 117 or a higher-level mathematics course is a prerequisite may be used to satisfy the CLAS graduation requirements in Natural Sciences and Mathematics.
          
      8. MIC (Microbiology)
          
      9. AST, PHS, PHY (Department of Physics and Astronomy)
          
      10. PLB, MBB (Plant Biology)
           
      11. PSY (Department of Psychology)
           
   3. Social and behavioral sciences (six semester hours). Each student is required to complete two upper-division courses of at least three semester hours each. Course prefixes of approved courses are identified in the following section.
      
      Course prefixes for the CLAS graduation requirements in the social and behavioral sciences:
      1. AFS (African American Studies Program)
          
      2. ASB (Department of Anthropology)
          
      3. CSS (Department of Chicana and Chicano Studies)
          
      4. ECN (Department of Economics)
          
      5. GCU (Department of Geography)
          
      6. HST (Department of History)
          
      7. PGS (Department of Psychology)
          
      8. POS (Department of Political Science)
          
      9. SOC (Department of Sociology)
          
      10. WST (Women’s Studies Program)
          
          Note: Before the 1999–2000 edition of the General Catalog, all Women’s Studies courses were listed as WST. Consult an advisor to verify if an earlier WST course should be considered WSH or WST.
           
   4. Bridge course requirement (three semester hours). Each student is required to complete one CLAS bridge course of at least three semester hours. Bridge courses contain substantial content that bridges at least two of the areas of inquiry noted in sections A., B., and C. Bridge courses cannot be double-counted to fill any other CLAS graduation requirement or the HU, SB, SQ, or SG portions of the General Studies requirement. Bridge courses may be double-counted with the major or Literacy and Critical Inquiry, Mathematical Studies, or any of the awareness areas when applicable.
      
      The following courses have been approved as CLAS bridge courses (see an advisor for any additional bridge courses approved after the General Catalog was published):
      
      
      • ASB 240 Introduction to Southeast Asia
        (Cross-listed as GCU 240/HST 240/POS 240/REL 240)
         
      • ASB 326 Human Impacts on Ancient Environments
         
      • ASB 350 Anthropology and Art
         
      • ASB 353 Death and Dying in Cross-Cultural Perspective
         
      • ASB 462 Medical Anthropology: Culture and Health
         
      • ASM 248 Bioarchaeology of Cannibalism, Violence, and Social Pathology
         
      • ASM 345 Disease and Human Evolution
         
      • BIO 311 Biology and Society
        (Cross-listed as HPS 340)
         
      • BIO 316 History of Biology: Conflicts and Controversies
        (Cross-listed as HPS 330)
         
      • BIO 318 History of Medicine
        (Cross-listed as HPS 331)
         
      • BIO 319 Environmental Science (nonmajor only)
        (Cross-listed as PLB 320)
         
      • BIO 427 Fire
         
      • ENG 312 English in Its Social Setting
         
      • ENG 469 Science and Literature
         
      • GCU 344 Geography of Hispanic Americans
         
      • GPH 210 Society and Environment
         
      • GPH 314 Global Change
         
      • GPH 405 Energy and Environment
         
      • GPH 422 Plant Geography
        (Cross-listed as PLB 422)
         
      • HPS 322 History of Science
         
      • HPS 330 History of Biology: Conflicts and Controversies
        (Cross-listed as BIO 316)
         
      • HPS 331 History of Medicine
        (Cross-listed as BIO 318)
         
      • HPS 340 Biology and Society
        (Cross-listed as BIO 311)
         
      • HST 460 History of Fire
         
      • HUM 294 ST: Introduction to Southeast Asia
         
      • HUM 420 Interpreting Latin America
         
      • KIN 422 Motor Control in Special Populations
         
      • KIN 452 Exercise Psychology
         
      • MIC 394 ST: HIV Disease and AIDS in America
         
      • PGS 394 ST: Disease and AIDS in America
         
      • PLB 320 Environmental Science (nonmajor only)
        (Cross-listed as BIO 319))
         
      • PLB 322 Environmental Science (majors only)
         
      • PLB 422 Plant Geography
        (Cross-listed as GPH 422)
         
      • POS 305 Politics and Film
         
      • PSY 424 Genetic Psychology
         
      • PSY 425 Biological Bases of Behavior
         
      • PSY 426 Neuroanatomy
         
      • PSY 470 Psychopharmacology
         
      • REL 379 Religion, Nationalism, and Ethnic Conflict
         
      • REL 382 Religion, Magic, and Science
         
      • REL 390 Women and Religion
         
      • REL 480 Religion and Global Politics
         
      • SCA 250 Introduction to Scandinavian Culture
         
      • SHS 394 ST: Brain, Memory, and Language
         
      • SOC 334 Technology and Society
         
      • SOC 420 Sociology of Religion
         
      • SOC 451 Comparative Sociology
         
      • SOC 483 History of Social Thought
         
      • WST 394 ST: Women and Religion
         
   5. Second Language Requirement. Each student is required to demonstrate proficiency by completing courses in a second language. Each student must demonstrate proficiency by completing the courses specified below with a grade of “C” or higher in each course. Second language course requirements consist of
      
      
      1. completion of second language course work at the intermediate level (202 or equivalent, those students completing this requirement in Ancient Greek must take both GRK 301 and 302; students completing the requirements in Portuguese or Romanian must complete POR 314 or ROM 314);
          
      2. a foreign language course at the 300 level or higher taught in the foreign language and having 202 or its equivalent as a prerequisite;
          
      3. completion of secondary education at a school in which the language of instruction is not English; or
          
      4. completion of SHS 202 American Sign Language IV or its equivalent.
          
   6. Students are required to take a minimum of MAT 114 or higher. A grade of “C” or higher must be earned in the chosen Mathematics course.
       
3. General Electives. Most CLAS majors can meet all of the above requirements with fewer than 120 semester hours required for graduation. The remaining hours are general electives that may be selected from any of the departments of CLAS and from the offerings of the other colleges.
    

Declaration of Graduation. The declaration of graduation, which is required by university regulations during the semester in which an undergraduate earns the 87th hour, must be filed and approved at least two weeks before the preregistration period for the subsequent semester. Students should run a new DARS report every semester to gauge how well they are meeting all requirements for graduation. Students should contact the Office for Academic Programs, in SS 111, regarding college graduation rules and deadlines. Deadlines for filing the declaration of graduation after enrolling in the 87th hour are March 1 and October 1 of each year. Students with 87 hours must have a college-approved declaration of graduation before registering for the next semester.

Credit Requirement. All candidates for graduation in the B.A. and B.S. degree curricula are required to complete at least 120 semester hours, of which at least 45 hours must consist of upper-division courses. A minimum ASU cumulative GPA of 2.00 is required for graduation.

Concurrent Degrees. Students who wish to obtain concurrent degrees must realize that there are certain combinations that would not be approved because there is too great an overlap between the courses required for each major. For example, students may not obtain concurrent degrees in two life sciences. Students who wish to obtain concurrent degrees may not double-count courses from one major to the next, but must have at least 30 different semester hours in each major.

Course Load. The normal course load is 15 to 16 semester hours. First-semester freshmen and entering transfer students are not permitted to register for more than 18 semester hours in the initial semester. Other students who wish to register for more than 18 hours must have a GPA of at least 3.00 and must file a petition in the Office for Academic Programs, in SS 111, before registration. Any petition for an overload in excess of 21 hours must be presented to the Standards Committee of the college. No student should assume that his or her petition will be granted for overload.

SPECIAL CREDIT OPTIONS - Back to Top

Pass/Fail Grade Option. The pass/fail grade option is intended to broaden the education of Liberal Arts and Sciences undergraduates by encouraging them to take advanced courses outside their specialization. A mark of “P” contributes to the student’s earned hours but does not affect the GPA. A failing grade is computed into the GPA.

Only CLAS students with at least 60 semester hours may take courses under the pass/fail option. The option may be used under the following conditions:

1. enrollment for pass/fail needs the approval of the instructor and the college;
    
2. enrollment under this option must be indicated during registration and may not be changed after the late registration period; and
    
3. a maximum of 12 hours taken for pass/fail may be counted toward graduation.
    

Students may not enroll under the pass/fail option in the following courses:

1. those taken to satisfy the second language or First-Year Composition requirements;
    
2. those in the student’s major, minor, or certificate program;
    
3. those counted toward or required to supplement the major;
    
4. those counted as 499 Individualized Instruction;
    
5. those taken for honors credits; or
    
6. those counted toward satisfying the CLAS graduation requirements or the General Studies requirement.
    

Audit Grade Option. A student may choose to audit a course in which he or she attends regularly scheduled class sessions but earns no credit. The student should obtain the instructor’s approval before registering for the course. For more information, see Undergraduate Enrollment, “Grading System.”

Note: This grade option may not be changed after the drop/add period.

Independent Learning. Study by Independent Learning is not a normal part of a degree program; special circumstances must exist for a degree-seeking student to take Independent Learning courses. Any enrollment in such courses must have the prior approval of the college.

ACADEMIC STANDARDS - Back to Top

The standards for GPA and the terms of probation, disqualification, reinstatement, and appeal are identical to those of the university as set forth under Undergraduate Enrollment, “Retention and Academic Standards,” except that the disqualified student in CLAS is suspended for at least two regular semesters at the university. When students are placed on probation, one of three things can happen:

1. the student may raise his or her cumulative GPA to a 2.00 or better by taking new classes and be removed from probation after the fall or spring semester;
    
2. the student may receive the required semester GPA, but not raise the cumulative GPA to the 2.00 level in which case, the student may continue on probation, earning the required semester GPA, for as many semesters as it takes to raise the cumulative GPA above 2.00; or
    
3. the student may fail to achieve the required semester GPA and be disqualified.
    

Students with cumulative GPAs of less than 2.00 who leave the university for a semester or more are not automatically readmitted. Such students, as well as all disqualified students, should contact the Office for Academic Programs in SS 111, regarding procedures and guidance for reinstatement and returning to good standing. By following recommendations and meeting established standards for summer school work or course work at other institutions, the possibility of successful reinstatement is enhanced. Academic discipline is one of the functions of the Office for Academic Programs. All students having academic difficulties of any kind should contact this office. Also available in this office is information on policies and procedures of the college on academic honesty, student grievances with respect to grades, and various petitions regarding college standards and graduation requirements.

Academic honesty is expected of all students in all examinations, papers, academic transactions, and records. The possible sanctions include, but are not limited to, appropriate grade penalties, loss of registration privileges, disqualification, and dismissal.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES - Back to Top

Any student enrolling in courses offered by CLAS is expected to follow the rules and deadlines specified in this catalog and the current Schedule of Classes. Students are urged to meet with their departmental academic advisors before registration. Students with additional questions or problems are also urged to meet with advisors in the Office for Academic Programs, in SS 111, regarding the academic rules of the college and the university.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS - Back to Top

Barrett Honors College. CLAS works closely with the Barrett Honors College, which affords qualified undergraduates opportunities for enhanced educational experiences. For a complete description of requirements and opportunities, see “The Barrett Honors College.”

Integrated Studies. An Integrated Studies major leading to the B.A. or B.S. degree provides students of outstanding ability in the humanities, natural sciences and mathematics, and social and behavioral sciences opportunities to pursue courses of studies that cut across departmental boundaries and focus on specific topics or problem areas. Completion of 32 semester hours at ASU with a GPA of at least 3.25 and three letters of recommendation from ASU faculty members are required for admission. For more information about degree requirements, visit the Office for Academic Programs in SS 111.

Washington Semester Program. Students have a variety of opportunities for practicum and internship experiences that enable them to meld classroom learning with practical application. Among the several individual departmental programs that provide internships for majors, the Department of Political Science is the ASU sponsor of the Washington Semester Program. The program provides students a one-semester opportunity to study in Washington, D.C., through any one of several programs sponsored by the American University. The program is available to outstanding juniors or seniors and requires careful planning with an academic advisor early in the student’s career. For more information, call the Department of Political Science at 480/965-6551.

Military Officer Training. The Departments of Aerospace Studies and Military Science offer programs leading to commissions in the armed forces, but they do not offer majors or minors. For more information, see the appropriate department descriptions in this catalog.

Certificate Programs and Areas of Emphasis - Back to Top

Certificates are available from numerous units in CLAS, and one collegewide Enriched College Degree Certificate is available to any major in the college as shown in the “CLAS Certificates” table. Areas of emphasis are also available in some of the same subjects (e.g., Latin American Studies).

Enriched College Degree. CLAS offers an Enriched College Degree Certificate, available to any student within the university.

The Enriched College Degree Certificate consists of a minimum of 15 semester hours of a minimum of “C” grade credit. The certificate consists of

1. a theme requirement composed of a three-course sequence outside the student’s major, characterized by an identifiable theme of intellectual relevance for students (courses used for the theme requirement cannot be from one’s major, minor, or another certificate);
    
2. an approved upper-division bridge course selected to address the relationships among areas of inquiry and means of acquiring knowledge; and
    
3. an approved upper-division course in spoken English to provide a meaningful opportunity for substantive oral presentations.
    

For more information, visit the CLAS Office for Academic Programs, in SS 111, or call 480/965-6506.

American Public Policy. See “Certificate in American Public Policy.”

Asian Studies. An Asian Studies Certificate is offered through the Center for Asian Studies.

Students must complete two years (20 semester hours) of an Asian language plus 30 additional hours of Asian-area studies courses selected from core Asian studies courses or courses with a significant focus on Asia chosen in consultation with the Center for Asian Studies advisor. Students whose native language is an Asian language or who have otherwise mastered an Asian language may elect to take four additional Asian studies courses in place of the elementary and intermediate language classes. Language requirements may be selected from Chinese, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Thai, and Vietnamese.

An East Asian Studies Certificate is also available. Students must complete two years (20 semester hours) of Chinese, Japanese, or Korean plus 30 additional semester hours of East Asian area studies courses; these courses must be selected from the core East Asian curriculum or must be courses with a significant focus on East Asia chosen in consultation with the Center for Asian Studies advisor.

Note: Students whose native language is Chinese or Japanese or who have otherwise mastered these languages may elect to take four additional East Asian studies courses in place of the elementary and intermediate language courses.

The center houses a comprehensive library and is involved in student and faculty exchange programs with several Asian universities as well as serving as a liaison with various Asian organizations.

For more information, contact the Center for Asian Studies in WHALL 105, or call 480/965-7184.

B.I.S. Concentrations. Concentrations in Asian studies and East Asian studies are available under the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (B.I.S.) degree, a program intended for the student who has academic interests that might not be satisfied with existing majors. Building on two academic concentrations (or one double concentration) and an interdisciplinary core, students in the B.I.S. program take active roles in creating their educational plans and defining their career goals. For more information, see Division of Undergraduate Academic Services, “Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies.”

Civic Education. See “Certificate in Civic Education.”

Classical Studies. Students admitted to undergraduate degree programs in any field are eligible for the Classical Studies certificate program. In addition to the course work and examinations required in the student’s major, the student is responsible for fulfilling the following minimum requirements:

1. Five semesters of ancient Greek (17 semester hours; GRK 301 and 302 may be repeated for credit) or Latin (19 semester hours) language and literature instruction;
    
2. Two semesters (six semester hours), in courses related to classical studies (to be approved by coordinators of the certificate);
    
3. a thesis (three semester hours), a Barrett Honors College thesis (six semester hours) or two additional courses at or above the 300 level (six semester hours); and
    
4. a minimum of a 2.00 average in all course work leading to the certificate.
    

Students interested in the Classical Studies certificate program need to submit an application before being accepted into the program. For further information call the program coordinators at 480/965-1110 or 727-6512.

B.I.S. Concentration. A concentration in classical studies--Greek or classical studies--Latin is available under the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (B.I.S.) degree, a program intended for the student who has academic interests that might not be satisfied with existing majors. Building on two academic concentrations (or one double concentration) and an interdisciplinary core, students in the B.I.S. program take active roles in creating their educational plans and defining their career goals. For more information, see Division of Undergraduate Academic Services, “Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies.”

Ethics. This certificate is designed to give students a richer understanding of systematic philosophical thinking about ethics. Students with majors in business, nursing, journalism, and public administration, among others, may well find that training in ethics is beneficial for their career goals. The certificate program permits some flexibility about course selection, thereby facilitating the interests of many students. For more information, visit the Department of Philosophy in PS A524, or call 480/965-3394.

B.I.S. Concentration. A concentration in ethics is available under the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (B.I.S.) degree, a program intended for the student who has academic interests that might not be satisfied with existing majors. Building on two academic concentrations (or one double concentration) and an interdisciplinary core, students in the B.I.S. program take active roles in creating their educational plans and defining their career goals. For more information, see Division of Undergraduate Academic Services, “Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies.”

Health Physics. The curriculum of health physics involves work in CLAS and the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences. The purpose of the concentration is to serve undergraduate students who wish to prepare themselves for careers in health physics. To qualify for professional status, a health physicist needs a B.S. degree in one of the physical or life sciences and a group of specialized courses in physics, mathematics, chemistry, engineering, and biology.

A Certificate of Concentration in Health Physics is awarded for the successful completion of a B.S. degree in a physical or life science that follows a prescribed program. For more information, visit the Pre-Health Professions Office in LSC 206C, or call 480/965-2365, where academic advising is available.

History and Philosophy of Science. The Department of Philosophy offers an undergraduate History and Philosophy of Science Certificate. The certificate program is designed to give students an understanding of both traditional philosophic issues surrounding science and the historical development of concrete scientific theories and ideas. The philosophic questions, of the belief-worthiness and interpretation of scientific claims as well as norms within or about science, both enrich and are enriched by their combination with historical study. Such philosophic and historical study will also often include the examination of contemporary sciences and their place within the larger society.

The certificate requires 18 semester hours bearing a PHI or HPS prefix of which 12 semester hours must be upper-division. Included within the 18 semester hours, at least nine must bear the HPS prefix. PHI 314 Philosophy of Science is also required. All courses counting toward the certificate must be approved for this purpose by a Department of Philosophy undergraduate advisor and passed with a grade of “C” or higher.

For more information, visit the Department of Philosophy in PS A524, or call 480/965-3394.

International Studies. See “Certificate in International Studies.”

Islamic Studies Certificate. Students admitted to undergraduate degree programs in any field are eligible for the Islamic Studies Certificate program. Students who complete all the requirements of their major, their college, and the certificate program will receive the certificate plus transcript recognition of their particular emphasis. The certificate program is designed to prepare students for graduate programs in Religious Studies, Islamic Studies and area studies or for any academic discipline (such as professional programs in international law and business) that focus on global Muslim societies. Students must complete a minimum total of 26 semester hours, chosen in consultation with the Islamic Studies program coordinator. A minimum grade of “C” is required in each course. To earn the certificate, students must complete:

1. eight semester hours of Arabic, Indonesian, or another language approved by the program coordinator. Students who are native speakers of these languages or who otherwise have equivalent knowledge shall substitute two additional courses approved by the program coordinator;
    
2. nine semester hours from REL 260 Introduction to Islam (Cross-listed as HUM 260), REL 365 Islamic Civilization and REL 366 Islam in the Modern World;
    
3. three semester hours taken from REL 394 (topics may vary) or REL 460 Studies in Islamic Religion (topics may vary); and
    
4. six semester hours drawn from an approved list of courses in Arabic, Anthropology, French, Geography, History, Religious Studies and Spanish or from other courses approved by the program coordinator.
    

Direct inquiries about the program to the Department of Religious Studies, ECA 377, or call 480/965-7145.

Jewish Studies. The Jewish studies program is designed with the following goals in mind:

1. to examine the history and culture of the Jews;
    
2. to provide a model for interdisciplinary teaching and research;
    
3. to generate and facilitate research on Judaica;
    
4. to provide the community with programs, courses, and research furthering the understanding of Judaica; and
    
5. to stand as an example of the university’s commitment to a program of meaningful ethnic studies on a firm academic base.
    

The Certificate of Concentration in Jewish Studies may be combined with a major in any college. For information about the program, refer to the Department of History or the Department of Religious Studies.

B.I.S. Concentration. A concentration in Jewish studies is available under the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (B.I.S.) degree, a program intended for the student who has academic interests that might not be satisfied with existing majors. Building on two academic concentrations (or one double concentration) and an interdisciplinary core, students in the B.I.S. program take active roles in creating their educational plans and defining their career goals. For more information, see Division of Undergraduate Academic Services, “Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies.”

Latin American Studies. The Latin American Studies Certificate program is designed to give students an understanding of culture, economies, political structures, and the history of Latin American nations. The Departments of Anthropology, Economics, Geography, History, Languages and Literatures (Spanish and Portuguese), and Political Science and the W. P. Carey School of Business offer courses that combine to make up the interdisciplinary certificate. Students must complete 30 semester hours of upper-division courses from the above departments/colleges with a concentration in Latin America—15 semester hours in the major subject and 15 semester hours in other disciplines. The certificate requires Spanish or Portuguese proficiency through the 313 level of conversation and composition. Only language courses above 313 in literature and civilization count toward a major or interdisciplinary areas of preparation. Spanish and Portuguese courses above 313 in grammar and phonology do not count toward the major requirements. The Latin American Studies Center offers the area of emphasis for students who do not wish to attain a high level of language proficiency.

For more information, visit the Latin American Studies Center in SS 213, or call 480/965-5127.

B.I.S. Concentration. A concentration in Latin American studies is available under the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (B.I.S.) degree, a program intended for the student who has academic interests that might not be satisfied with existing majors. Building on two academic concentrations (or one double concentration) and an interdisciplinary core, students in the B.I.S. program take active roles in creating their educational plans and defining their career goals. For more information, see Division of Undergraduate Academic Services, “Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies.”

Medieval and Renaissance Studies. An undergraduate Certificate in Medieval and Renaissance Studies is offered by the Arizona Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies (ACMRS). In addition to the course work and examinations required in a student’s major field of interest, the following minimum requirements must be fulfilled to earn the certificate:

1. six to eight semester hours of classical Latin and six to eight semester hours of Latin (classical and/or medieval) or of a vernacular language of the period (e.g., Old English, Old Norse, Old French, Renaissance Italian);
    
2. six to eight semester hours of course work in medieval and renaissance studies outside the major discipline;
    
3. three semester hours of thesis on a topic concerning the Middle Ages or Renaissance. The thesis may be used to fulfill the Honors College thesis requirement for students enrolled in the Barrett Honors College; and
    
4. a minimum of a “C” average in all course work leading to the certificate.
    

Students interested in the certificate program need to complete an application form before being accepted into the program. Applications are available by calling ACMRS at 480/965-5900.

See the Graduate Catalog for information about the Certificate in Medieval Studies and the Certificate in Renaissance Studies, and General Information, “Arizona Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies (ACMRS)” for information about the center.

B.I.S. Concentration. A concentration in medieval and Renaissance studies is available under the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (B.I.S.) degree, a program intended for the student who has academic interests that might not be satisfied with existing majors. Building on two academic concentrations (or one double concentration) and an interdisciplinary core, students in the B.I.S. program take active roles in creating their educational plans and defining their career goals. For more information, see Division of Undergraduate Academic Services, “Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies.”

Museum Studies. See the Graduate Catalog or contact the Department of Anthropology for more information.

Russian and East European Studies. Undergraduate students may complete an interdisciplinary certificate program leading to a bachelor’s degree with a major in the chosen field with an emphasis in Russian and East European studies. The requirements for the Russian and East European Studies Certificate comprise (1) three years (22 hours) of Russian or another Eurasian or East European language and (2) 30 upper-division semester hours in Russian/East European area-related course work.

At least three disciplines must be represented in the area-related course work, and at least 12 hours must be outside the Department of Languages and Literatures (i.e., non-RUS and non-FLA courses). Fulfillment of these requirements is certified by the Russian and East European Studies Consortium and is recognized on the transcript by a bachelor’s degree with “Major in [Discipline], Emphasis in Russian and East European Studies.” The purpose of this undergraduate certificate program is to encourage students majoring in a chosen discipline to develop special competency in Russian or East European language and area studies. A major in any department may elect this emphasis.

For further information, contact the program coordinator of the Russian and East European Studies Consortium at 480/965-4188.

B.I.S. Concentration. A concentration in Russian and East European studies is available under the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (B.I.S.) degree, a program intended for the student who has academic interests that might not be satisfied with existing majors. Building on two academic concentrations (or one double concentration) and an interdisciplinary core, students in the B.I.S. program take active roles in creating their educational plans and defining their career goals. For more information, see Division of Undergraduate Academic Services, “Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies.”

Scandinavian Studies. Students admitted to undergraduate degree programs in any field are eligible for the Scandinavian Studies Certificate program. In addition to the course work and examinations required in the student’s major, the student is responsible for fulfilling the following minimum requirements (21 semester hours) before the certificate is issued:

1. six semester hours of Norwegian or Swedish at the 200 level or above;
    
2. three semester hours in SCA 250 Introduction to Scandinavian Culture;
    
3. nine semester hours of upper-division course work in Scandinavian Studies outside the student’s major discipline;
    
4. a minimum of a “C” average in all course work leading to the certificate; and
    
5. three semester hours in an independent study thesis on a topic concerning Scandinavian Studies. The thesis may be used to fulfill the Barrett Honors College thesis requirement for students enrolled in the Barrett Honors College.
    

Students who test out of the basic language courses would under advisement take other approved courses to fulfill the minimum requirement of 21 semester hours.

For more information, call the Department of Languages and Literatures at 480/965-6281.

B.I.S. Concentration. A concentration in Scandinavian studies is available under the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (B.I.S.) degree, a program intended for the student who has academic interests that might not be satisfied with existing majors. Building on two academic concentrations (or one double concentration) and an interdisciplinary core, students in the B.I.S. program take active roles in creating their educational plans and defining their career goals. For more information, see Division of Undergraduate Academic Services, “Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies.”

Scholarly Publishing. See the Graduate Catalog for information on this certificate program.

Southeast Asian Studies. A Certificate in Southeast Asian Studies is available to any undergraduate student. The certificate program offers two options: (1) an area studies specialization emphasizing courses in the social sciences and humanities and requiring one year of Indonesian, Thai, or Vietnamese and (2) a language specialization requiring a two-year sequence in a Southeast Asian language and a proportional number of area studies courses.

Students wishing to study a Southeast Asian language other than those offered on campus may transfer credits earned at the Southeast Asian Studies Summer Institute, a consortium for intensive language and area studies, or at other accredited programs. Qualified students may request placement testing on other national languages of the region, administered in accordance with the national American Council of Teachers in Foreign Languages (ACTFL) guidelines.

The ASU curriculum includes

1. language instruction in Indonesian, Thai, or Vietnamese;
    
2. ASB/GCU/HST/POS/REL 240 Introduction to Southeast Asia;
    
3. HST 391 Modern Southeast Asia;
    
4. electives in the social sciences and humanities on the history, geography, culture, politics, and religion of the region; and
    
5. a culminating capstone seminar in which the students share multidisciplinary approaches to the region and integrate knowledge of Southeast Asia with their respective disciplinary orientations.
    

Courses counting toward the Certificate in Southeast Asian Studies fulfill requirements for undergraduate majors and General Studies in the social and behavioral sciences, humanities, literacy, and global and historical awareness areas. A two-year sequence in Southeast Asian language study meets the foreign language requirement for undergraduates in CLAS.

For more information, contact the Program for Southeast Asian Studies in LL 9 (basement), 480/965-4232 or 480/965-0118.

B.I.S. Concentrations. Concentrations in Southeast Asian studies (area studies option or language option) are available under the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (B.I.S.) degree, a program intended for the student who has academic interests that might not be satisfied with existing majors. Building on two academic concentrations (or one double concentration) and an interdisciplinary core, students in the B.I.S. program take active roles in creating their educational plans and defining their career goals. For more information, see Division of Undergraduate Academic Services, “Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies.”

Symbolic Systems. The Department of Philosophy offers a Certificate in Symbolic Systems. The certificate program takes an interdisciplinary approach to cognition, computation, and meaning. Course work is divided evenly between philosophy, psychology, and computer science in order to expose students to the subject matter from a conceptual, empirical, and practical point of view. The certificate may interest students with majors in any of the three disciplines on topics of common interest.

The certificate consists of 28 semester hours approved by an advisor in the Department of Philosophy and divided evenly between computer science and engineering, psychology, and philosophy as follows:

1. CSE 200, 210, and 240;
    
2. PSY 230 and 290 and either PSY 323, 324, or 437; and
    
3. either PHI 319 or 333, either PHI 315 or 317, and either PHI 312 or 314.
    

Students must satisfy the prerequisites for the listed courses. With written approval from the director of undergraduates studies in the Department of Philosophy, one substitution of a course from outside this list may be made. All courses must be passed with a minimum grade of “C.”

For more information, visit the Department of Philosophy in PS A524, or call 480/965-3394.

Translation. See “Translation Certificate (Spanish/English)” for information about the Certificate in Translation.

Women’s Studies. Women’s Studies provides students with an intensive interdisciplinary liberal arts education that enables them to write well, think critically, and analyze problems effectively.

The certificate program is equivalent to an interdisciplinary minor, consisting of 18 credit hours, and is open to graduate as well as undergraduate students. Students pursuing a certificate in Women’s Studies must consult with the Women’s Studies advisor to select appropriate courses and fulfill requirements.

A Certificate of Concentration in Women’s Studies is awarded for the successful completion of WST 100 (or 300) and WST 377 or 378 and an additional 12 semester hours from the list of approved Women’s Studies courses.

Inquiries about the certificate program should be addressed to the Women’s Studies Program academic advisor in ECA 209, 480/965-2358, where the current list of approved courses is available.

GENERAL INFORMATION - Back to Top

Research Centers. To expand educational horizons and to enrich the curriculum, CLAS maintains the following research centers:

CLAS also participates with the College of Education and the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences in maintaining the Center for Research on Education in Science, Mathematics, Engineering, and Technology. See General Information, “Research Centers, Institutes, and Laboratories” for more information.

Courses. The faculty also offer the following LIA course to familiarize students with available resources and services for research purposes.

For information on LIA courses, see the Schedule of Classes, visit the Office for Academic Programs in SS 111, or call 480/965-6506.

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