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College of Liberal Arts (CLA)
CLA Administration
306A Kirby Plaza, 218-726-8981
E-mail: cla@d.umn.edu
Interim Dean: Olaf Kuhlke,
306C Kirby Plaza, 218-726-8981
Associate Dean: Gerald L. Pepper,
306 KPLz, 218-726-7274
Administrative Director: Linda J. Kinnear,
306E KPlz, 218-726-6505
Associate Administrator: Molly B. Larson,
306A KPlz, 218-726-8981
Accountant: Maria Rinne
306A Kirby Plaza, 218-726-8545
Development Officer: Adam Meyer
306F Kirby Plaza, 218-726-6708
Technology Program Director: Peter J. Angelos,
306F KPlz, 218-726-7350
Assistant Director of Technology: Chad E. Johnson,
306G KPlz, 218-726-8359
The College of Liberal Arts emphasizes the foundations of knowledge and techniques of analysis and expression essential for lifelong learning. Critical thinking, imagination, curiosity, and healthy doubt tempered by wisdom, tolerance, and a sense of humor are attributes of the truly educated individual. The college is dedicated to accomplishing diversity through greater representation of minorities and women in the faculty, staff, and student population as well as through the integration of materials relating to cultural diversity in the curriculum.
The college faculty is committed to the advancement of knowledge through scholarly research and other creative activities. Faculty members are encouraged to develop interdisciplinary teaching agendas thus providing students with rich and varied instructional opportunities. The college’s vitality is maintained through the faculty’s commitment to their own research and teaching and dedication to University and community service.
Students are provided the opportunity to develop competence in a particular field of knowledge by learning its principles, history, and perspectives. Skills in written composition and oral communication through public speaking and persuasion are the backbone of the curriculum. Opportunities are provided for study in a wide variety of disciplines in the humanities and social sciences. The CLA offers programs leading to the bachelor of arts degree and a master of advocacy and political leadership.
Admission
See the Policies and Procedures section of this catalog.
CLA Learning
Community Program
The College of Liberal Arts is committed to supporting new students who wish to begin college without a designated major. The CLA Learning Community Program supports undecided freshmen during their transition to college life and in their exploration of academic majors and career options.
A learning community is a group of 25–30 students enrolled in a common set of freshman courses. Each community is designed to satisfy the UMD Liberal Education Program requirements, a core element of all UMD degrees, while introducing courses recommended by possible majors.
Participation in a learning community is required of all first-semester CLA undecided freshmen. Undecided students admitted to CLA will receive additional information prior to Academic Orientation.
For more information, contact the CLA Student Affairs and Advising Center (CLA, SAAC), 310 Kirby or www.d.umn.edu/~clasa/undecided/learning.php.
College Honors
At UMD, a maximum of 15 percent of the graduating class can graduate with college honors. In CLA, the top 3 percent of the graduating class is designated summa cum laude, the next 5 percent magna cum laude, and the next 7 percent cum laude.
At the beginning of each year, GPAs necessary to achieve these honors are posted in the CLA Student Affairs and Advising Center. The GPAs are based on those of the previous spring semester’s graduating class. To be eligible for honors, students must earn at least 30 credits at UMD.
For more information, contact the CLA Student Affairs and Advising Center (SAAC).
Dean’s List of
Academic Excellence
Each semester, CLA students are recognized for high academic achievement by being placed on the CLA Dean’s List of Academic Excellence. A memo is placed on their transcript indicating this achievement. To be eligible for this honor, students must have a 3.50 minimum term GPA and 12 graded credits. Incompletes, Ns, and Fs disqualify a student from eligibility.
Department Honors
Honors are awarded to graduates who have successfully fulfilled the additional requirements of the special honors program in the department offering their major programs. For information, see American Indian studies, communication, English, foreign language and literature, geography, history, philosophy, political science, sociology-anthropology.
Scholarships
CLA Scholarship—This scholarship is given annually to two students who have demonstrated high academic achievement in, and commitment to, the liberal arts. Students must have completed 60 credits of coursework and have an overall GPA of 3.25 or above. Applications are available through the CLA Dean’s Office during spring semester.
Additional departmental scholarships are available online at www.d.umn.edu/cla/undergraduate/scholarships.php. Generally, applications are accepted during the spring semester.
Baccalaureate Degrees
CLA offers the bachelor of arts (B.A.) degree involving traditional liberal arts studies.
For information about other possible minors available to students pursuing the B.A. degree, see Labovitz School of Business and Economics, School of Fine Arts, College of Education and Human Service Professions, and Swenson College of Science and Engineering.
B.A. Requirements
Completion of at least 120 degree credits, including the liberal education program, an approved major for the B.A., a second field of study (either a minor or another major), and elective credits. Majors with sub-plans must be declared through the CLA SAAC office. Majors which do not require a second field of study are: English (literature, language and culture), environmental studies, interdisciplinary studies, and urban regional studies.
Degree candidates must complete at least 30 degree credits at UMD. At least 20 of the last 30 degree credits immediately before graduation must be taken at UMD.
A 2.00 cumulative U of M grade point average (GPA). (Transfer grades and credits outside the University are not calculated into the University GPA; however, transfer credits are counted as degree credits.) A 2.00 minimum GPA in the major(s) and minor(s).
Advanced writing requirement: WRIT 31xx course or equivalent (3 cr)
CLA 1001—Learning Community Integrative Seminar (1 cr) or SSP 1000—Introduction to College Learning (1 cr). (These are not required for transfer students or for current UMD students who change college into the CLA. New high school students with 24 or more PSEO credits may request to waive this requirement by contacting CLA Student Affairs and Advising Center, 310 Kirby Plaza.)
Completion of liberal education program requirements (see the Liberal Education Program section for a list of approved liberal education courses and requirements on course and grading option selection).
Students pursuing two degrees (e.g., a B.A. and a B.S.) must apply for the second degree (Application for Admission to Additional Undergraduate Degree Program) through the college granting the degree.
Academic Standing
Good Academic Standing
CLA requires students to maintain a cumulative University GPA of at least a 2.00 and to earn a term GPA of a least 2.00 each semester. Students' records are reviewed after each term.
Probation
Students who do not maintain good academic standing are placed on academic probation. Students have one semester to attain the required cumulative and term GPAs to reach good academic standing. All probationary students are encouraged to talk with their academic advisor or advisors within the CLA Student Affairs and Advising Center to determine an individual plan for improvement and are required to submit a Midterm Progress Report form.
Dismissal
Students whose cumulative GPA remains below good academic standing after one term of probation are subjected to dismissal. The associate dean along with the CLA Student Affairs and Advising Center decides either to dismiss or to extend a student’s probation. Only students whose cumulative GPA is below 2.0 will be dismissed. Dismissed students are notified immediately and their registration for the next semester, financial aid, and on-campus housing contract are canceled. Students are encouraged to seek academic advisement from the CLA Student Affairs and Advising Center regarding future academic plans. Students with a first-term GPA below 1.00 are subject to immediate dismissal. Probationary readmission may be permitted only through contractual agreement with the CLA Student Affairs and Advising Center.
Readmission
Academic dismissal lasts for one year after which time the student may apply for readmission through UMD's Continuing Education (CE) program. CLA students who apply for admission (change of college form) into CE will be encouraged to seek advisement through CE. At this advisement session the amount of credits and course selection will be determined. Students may be limited to a maximum amount of credits (half-time status). Continued registration through CE may be granted as long as the student shows academic success. However, if the student does not peform academically well through CE, the ability to register through CE may be discontinued. Readmission to CLA will be granted when students achieve good academic standing.
CLA Student Affairs
and Advising Center
(CLA SAAC)
310 M Kirby Plaza, 218-726-8180
E-mail: clasa@d.umn.edu
Web site: www.d.umn.edu/cla/saac
Executive Office and Administrative Specialist:
Jayme B. Battaglia, 306M KPlz, 218-726-8180
Assistant Academic Adviser:
Suzanne D. Lyndon, 306H KPlz, 218-726-6783
Undeclared Student Advising Services Coordinator:
Michele Hatcher, 306G Kirby Plaza, 218-726-7583
Director of Records and Advisement:
Pam Spencer, 306K KPlz, 218-726-8563
The CLA SAAC offers academic advisement for all levels of students (freshmen through seniors, reenrolling students, academic probation or dismissal). For information and advice on academic matters (such as academic standing; admission, advising; academic programs; change of major/minor, college, or adviser; or grievance and appeal procedures), contact the office. Forms and petitions are also available.
The CLA SAAC offers help in exploring majors and assessing individual needs. The Center’s academic advisers advise first-year undecided majors as well as other students requiring additional help exploring majors, minors, and careers. The SAAC is home to the LINK, CLA’s academic major and career resource center, which houses numerous career publications and online resources. Students are welcome to stop by to schedule an appointment or to use printed resources.
Undecided Students
CLA requires students to declare a major once they have reached 45 or more semester credits. This includes both completed and in-progress credits. Undecided students who reach this credit plateau have an OT, CLA Declare Major, hold placed on their record. The hold is removed once a major is declared. Students may request a one-time release of the hold by filing a Plan for Major Declaration form. For more information, contact the CLA Student Affairs and Advising Center.
Major and Minor Verification
This is one of the first steps in preparing for graduation. Students who have 90+ credits in progress are required to verify the majors and minors registered on their records with the CLA SAAC. The CLA SAAC notifies all students through their U of M e-mail account when major and minor verification is necessary. At this time students will confirm their majors and minors and can request a UMD Credit Check (which is a manual review of the student’s APAS report through the Office of Financial Aid and Registrar). Students are encouraged to meet with their advisor regularly to review their APAS. Seniors should also access the online Office of Financial Aid and Registrar Web site for more degree information.
Pre-Professional Programs
The college offers programs and special advising services for students who plan to enter professional schools in law (see Department of Political Science). In addition, some students who plan to attend medical school major in a CLA program (see also Pre-Medicine in the College of Science and Engineering).
Variations in curriculum may be arranged upon agreement between the student, preprofessional adviser, and the admissions office of the pertinent professional school. Students are encouraged to avoid narrow specialization during their undergraduate years.
Pre-Law
Because entrance requirements differ among law schools, prospective law students should obtain information from the law schools to which they expect to apply as early as possible. Students should be aware that successful completion of the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is required for admission to most law schools. The Department of Political Science and the Career Services office maintain files on law schools and provide LSAT materials to students. They also hold informational meetings during the year with representatives of law schools.
Admission to law school requires a bachelor of arts (B.A.) degree or its equivalent. Well-balanced bachelor of science and bachelor of business administration programs are accepted as the equivalent of the B.A. degree by most law schools.
Because law schools do not recommend any particular major, pre-law students may find a variety of majors useful, including economics, history, political science, philosophy, cultural studies, English, sociology, psychology, mathematics, physical sciences, anthropology, geography, journalism, communication, modern languages, international studies, and women’s studies.
Each student’s education should be as broad as possible. Electives should be chosen in areas outside the major field to develop and demonstrate multiple competencies in varying subject areas and methods.
Law schools attach special importance to training that helps students express themselves forcefully, effectively, and accurately in the English language. Whatever the specialty, a professional career in law requires the communication of ideas and information through words. Success in law school, as well as in subsequent professional practice, depends to a great extent on a capacity for effective writing and speaking. Therefore, students are encouraged to take courses that require considerable reading, writing, and analytical thinking, and they should develop through coursework or activities their capacity for expressing themselves orally. Knowledge of the principles of accounting is also helpful.
Departments
American Indian Studies
116 Cina Hall, 218-726-8771
E-mail: amind@d.umn.edu
Web site: www.d.umn.edu/~amind/
Executive and Office Administrative Specialist:
Laura Stolle Schmidt
Professor: John Red Horse; Assistant Professors: David Aubid, Jill Doerfler,
Linda Grover; Instructor: Heidi Stark
The program developed by Indian faculty and students and members of the local Indian Community serves Indian and non-Indian students by broadening their knowledge of traditional and modern Indian history and culture. It promoted Indian awareness through an examination of the ways in which traditional tribal culture has been maintained, altered, and expressed in present-day Indian political and social life. It is hoped that this promotes, of the Indian student, a positive Indian identity and pride in ancestry. The major and the minor provide opportunities for Indian and non-Indians to pursue in-depth studies in Indian history and culture.
Communication
465 AB Anderson Hall, 218-726-8576
E-mail: comm@d.umn.edu
Web site: www.d.umn.edu/comm/
Executive Office and Administrative Specialist:
Sue Brockopp
Professors: Gerald L. Pepper, Michael J. Sunnafrank; Associate Professors: Linda Krug, Elizabeth J. Nelson, Deborah S. Petersen-Perlman, Michael Pfau; Assistant Professors: Aaron R. Boyson, Rebecca de Souza, Edward Downs, Hairong Feng, Ryan C. Goei, David Gore; Instructors: Angela Blais, Kristin Carlson, Jean Farrell, John Hansen, Julia Hoffman, Barbara Titus, Trista Vucetich Anderson
At the core of the communication discipline is a concern for the relationship between symbolic action (speaking, writing, etc.) and social change. This program emphasizes the breadth and diversity of the communication field, with an integrated focus that spans social scientific and cultural/history methodologies. Student will develop conceptual and research competence in the areas of interpersonal communication, mass media and rhetorical theory and practice.
English
410 Humanities, 218-726-8228
E-mail: engl@d.umn.edu
Web site: www.d.umn.edu/engl/
Executive Office and Administrative Specialist:
Michele L. Larson
Professors: Martin F. Bock, Joseph C. Maiolo, Linda Miller-Cleary; Associate Professors: Katherine L. Basham, Carol A. Bock, Paul D. Cannan, Carolyn Sigler, Krista S. Twu; Assistant Professors: Evan Brier, Hilary Kowino, John D. Schwetman, Rochelle Zuck.
Students may major or minor in programs leading to the B.A. or the B.A.A. teaching degree. UMD’s English program is designed to instruct students in critical reading and analytical thinking, to familiarize them with significant literature, and to prepare them to become responsible citizens and productive members of society. Depending on career goals, majors should choose one of the three tracks: liberal arts; literature, language, and culture; or pre-graduate studies.
Liberal arts track – This track offers a traditional combination of survey, genre, major figure, and linguistic courses focusing on the study of literature as a humanities discipline.
Literature, language, and culture – This track enhances career opportunities in fields such as business, writing, publishing, and government service.
Pre-graduate track – This track prepares students for study in English and American literature linguistics, and related fields.
Foreign Languages
and Literatures
457 Humanities, 218-726-7951
E-mail: flglt@d.umn.edu
Web site: www.d.umn.edu/fll/main/
Executive Office and Administrative Specialist:
Lori Roberts
Professor: Eileen M. Zeitz; Associate Professors: Milan Kovacovic, Maureen Stanley, Gesa Zinn; Assistant Professors: Juli Caceres-Garcia, Kristen Hylenski Instructors: Irene E. Hellie, Michael J. Mullins, Andrew Snustad
The department offers majors and minors for the B.A. and B.A.A. degrees in French studies, German studies, and Spanish. (The B.A. in French studies is offered as part of the Interdisciplinary Studies major.) It also offers, when feasible, instruction in Chinese, Russian, and other languages; as well as instruction in Swedish through the Study in Sweden Program (also when feasible).
Geography
329 Cina Hall, 218-726-6300
E-mail: geog@d.umn.edu
Web site: www.d.umn.edu/geog/
Executive Office and Administrative Specialist:
Linda A. Klint
Associate Professors: Pat Farrell, Scott M. Freundschuh, Olaf Kuhlke, Tongxin Zhu; Assistant Professors: Sutapa Chattopadhyay, Olaf Kuhlke, Michael T. Mageau; Instructors: Kate Carlson, Susan Hartley
Environmental Studies
Associate Professors: Pat Farrell, Olaf Kuhlke, Tongxin Zhu; Assistant Professor: Michael T. Mageau (director)
Urban and Regional Studies
Assistant Professor: Adam Pine (director)
The department offers majors and minors in geography, environmental studies, and urban and regional studies. These three degree programs provide professional and academic preparation for careers related to geography and environmental studies and planning, and for graduate work in these areas, or teaching in secondary schools. The programs offer a full range of regional and topical courses, including human geography; urban planning; political and gender geography; physical geography; soils geography; water resources and hydrology; ecosystems; environmental studies; conservation and planning; geographic information sciences including map design and graphic methods, animated and multimedia maps, geographic information systems, and remote sensing; field techniques; geographic thought; and opportunities for independent study courses of special interest to the student. Students in all programs have many opportunities for internships with public and private agencies in their respective fields of interest.
The geography department also administers the Center for Community and Regional Research, Center for Sustainable Community Development and contributes majors to the international studies program, and is actively involved with the master of liberal studies program, which can be developed with a geography emphasis. The department houses and maintains a physical geography and soils laboratory complete with equipment for highly detailed soils analysis. Students and faculty also utilize CLA's Geographic Information Sciences Laboratory (GISL), which is managed by a full-time GI Scientist. This research and instructional facility is comprised of 18 cartographic/GIS/visualization workstations, scanners, and a variety of output platforms.
History
265 AB Anderson Hall, 218-726-7253
E-mail: hist@d.umn.edu
Web site: www.d.umn.edu/hist
Executive Office and Administrative Specialist:
Maria T. Morisseau
Professor: Judith A. Trolander; Associate Professors: Alexis E. Pogorelskin, Rosemary Stanfield-Johnson, Nkasa T. Yelengi; Assistant Professors: Qiang Fang, Scott Laderman, Steve Matthews
History is a liberal arts major that provides students with cultural depth and understanding through a broadly diverse curriculum. The major offers a global perspective on the past. Faculty areas of specialization include ancient and medieval history, history of Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, history of Russia, western heritage, history of the United States, and history of the modern world. Students are encouraged to participate in internships, undergraduate research, honor projects, and study abroad in addition to the required curriculum.
Philosophy
365 AB Anderson Hall, 218-726-8548
E-mail: phil@d.umn.edu
Web site: www.d.umn.edu/phil/
Executive Office and Administrative Specialist:
Elizabeth A. Matson
Professor: Eve A. Browning; Associate Professor: David J. Cole; Assistant Professors: Jason Ford, Mark Newman, Tristram McPherson, Sean Walsh
Political Science
304 Cina Hall, 218-726-7534
E-mail: pol@d.umn.edu
Web site: www.d.umn.edu/pol/
Executive Office and Administrative Specialist:
Geraldine Hughes
Professor: Paul Sharp; Assistant Professor: Mary Caprioli; Assistant Professors: Mark Jennings, Mary Currin-Percival, Runa Das, Garrick Percival, Amy L. Shuster, Joseph Staats, Jeremy Youde
The Department of Political Science prepares students for careers in government and business, the study of law, and graduate study in political science, domestic and international public policy, and related fields. It offers general liberal education coursework, specialized coursework for students majoring in other disciplines, and a related field for graduate studies. The interdisciplinary international studies program provides students with a broad background in contemporary international affairs and the skills necessary to participate effectively in the global community. The program incorporates course and faculty from more than 14 different departments and programs. Majors and minors are encourages to incorporate study abroad experiences into their programs.
International Studies
Professors: Paul Sharp, (director, political science), Eileen M. Zeitz (Spanish); Associate Professors: Mary Caprioli (political science) Alexis E. Pogorelskin (history), Tineke Ritmeester (women’s studies); Assistant Professor: Runa Das (political science)
The Department of Political Science prepares students for careers in government and business, the study of law, and graduate study in political science, domestic and international public policy, and related fields. It offers general liberal education coursework, specialized coursework for students majoring in other disciplines, and a related field for graduate students. The interdisciplinary international studies program provides students with a broad background in contemporary international affairs and the skills necessary to participate effectively in the global community. The program incorporates courses and faculty from more than 14 different departments and programs. Majors and minors are encouraged to incorporate study abroad experiences into their programs.
Sociology and Anthropology
228 Cina Hall, 218-726-7551
E-mail: socanth@d.umn.edu
Web site: www.d.umn.edu/socanth
Executive Secretary: Judy Salyards
Sociology/Crimology
Professors: John A. Arthur, Janelle L. Wilson; Associate Professors: Sheryl J. Grana (criminology coordinator), John E. Hamlin, Jeffrey R. Maahs, Robert R. Weidner; Assistant Professors: Emily Gaarder, Denise S. Hesselton, Susan L. Janssen, Daniel D. Martin, Kathryn Milun, Melissa L. Walls; Instructor: Bruce Mork (sociology coordinator)
Criminology is the study of crime and criminal behavior. The criminology program focuses on crime as a social phenomenon and the causes of criminal behavior. The major provides an overview of institutions, issues, and causes of crime, and social control; it also offers a strong foundation in liberal arts, a basic knowledge of behavioral sciences, and a strong professional growth potential for those pursuing a career in criminology or the criminal justice system. Many criminology majors enter law, law enforcement, corrections, and other social service careers or graduate school.
Sociology focuses on the relationship between social structure and the dynamics of establishing, maintaining, and changing patterns of human social behavior. The program is built around a theoretical-methodological core with courses integrated to develop students’ conceptual and research competence. These courses focus on social psychology, social organization, and social change. The major provides a background for careers in human services and business and preparation for related graduate and professional school study.
Anthropology
Professors: Timothy G. Roufs; Associate Professors: Jennifer E. Jones (anthropology coordinator); Assistant Professor: David M. Syring: Instructor: Kari L. Kuhlke
Anthropology is concerned with the study of diverse peoples and cultures with a central focus on what it means to be human. This understanding is developed using an integrative and comparative approach that examines the role of culture in human society. Areas of knowledge include:
- Specific ethnographic areas such as Central and South America, the Middle Ease and Africa along with specific subfields of anthropology: cultural anthropology, archaeology, linguistics, and physical anthropology
- Political, social and environmental issues within the context of international and intranational diversity
- Major historical and contemporary theoretical perspectives
To illustrate how anthropological knowledge is obtained, qualitative methodology is emphasized, including knowledge of the uses and limitations of standard methods, a strong ethical component concerning the study of humans, and the relationship between theory and method in qualitative fieldwork.
Cultural Studies
Professors: Elizabeth A. Bartlett (women’s studies), Joseph Gallian (mathematics), Janelle L. Wilson (sociology); Associate Professors: Mitra C. Emad (program coordinator); Assistant Professors: Kathryn Milun, David M. Syring (anthropology), Joan D. Varney
The cultural studies minor are an interdisciplinary program that focuses on how culture and power intersect everyday life. Cultural studies work specializes in creating and practicing methods of critical thinking that can be applied to the study of popular culture. The program makes “theory” and scholarly research a participatory project. Students develop expertise in critical cultural analysis, especially in the workings of gender, race, social class, different abilities, and sexual orientation in everyday life.
Interdisciplinary Studies
Associate Professor: Jerry Pepper (director)
Women’s Studies
494 Humanities, 218-726-7953
E-mail: ws@d.umn.edu
Web site: www.d.umn.edu/ws
Executive Office and Administrative Specialist: Laura C. Stolle Schmidt
Professor: Elizabeth A. Bartlett; Associate Professors: Margaret Njoki Kamau, Tineke Ritmeester; Assistant Professor: Deborah Plechner
The Women’s Studies Department emphasizes the diversity of women’s lives, and actively engages students in the generation of new knowledge and areas of inquiry.
Writing Studies
420 Humanities, 218-726-8131
E-mail: writ@d.umn.edu
Web site: www.d.umn.edu/writ/
Executive Office and Administrative Specialist:
Emily Flo
Professor: Michael D. Linn; Associate Professors: Jill D. Jenson, Kenneth C. Risdon, H. Craig Stroupe; Assistant Professors: David E. Beard, John A. Hatcher, Kenneth Marunowski, Chongwon Park, Juli Parrish; Instructors: Heidi R. Anderson, Robin K. Fuller, Neal T. Gilbert Redman, Brandon L. Hoffmann, Chris Julin, Michael S. Lynch, Susan Perala-Dewey, Nancy J. Peterson, Avesa I. Rockwell, Martha A. Sozansky
The Department of Writing Studies is committed to teaching, research, and service in the areas of writing, journalism, information design, and linguistics. The department’s primary responsibility is to improve student engagement and performance in academic and professional writing. In addition to the college writing course required of all incoming students, advanced writing courses are offered in the areas of language and literature, grant writing, arts and letters, business, engineering, human services, social science, visual rhetoric, science, research methods, documents design, and new media. The department offers writing internships and independent study courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels along with graduate seminars in the teaching of writing and in topics relevant to all genres of non-fiction written discourse.
Information Design Minor
Contact: H. Craig Stroupe
Journalism
Contact: John A. Hatcher
Linguistics
Contacts: Michael D. Linn, Chongwon Park
Professional Writing Minor
Contacts: Jill D. Jensen, Kenneth C. Risdon
The Department of Writing Studies is committed to teaching, research, and service in the areas of writing, journalism, information design, and linguistics. The department’s primary responsibility is to improve student engagement and performance in academic and professional writing. In addition to the college writing course required of all incoming students, advanced writing courses are offered in the areas of language and literature, grant writing, arts and letters, business, engineering, human services, social science, visual rhetoric, science, research methods, documents design, and new media. The department offers writing internships and independent study courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels along with graduate seminars in the teaching of writing and in topics relevant to all genres of non-fiction written discourse.
Writing Requirements
WRIT 1120—College Writing (3 cr) or its equivalent must be completed during the first two semesters of attendance at UMD as part of the UMD liberal education program or Minnesota Transfer Curriculum. UMD also requires all students to take one upper division composition course. This requirement is clarified under each program’s description.
Entering freshmen who score a 4 or above on either of the Educational Testing Service Advanced Placement examinations in English: Literature and Composition or Language and Composition are granted 3 credits for WRIT 1120. Students scoring a 32 or above on the ACT English test are exempt from WRIT 1120. UMD Honors students are exempt from WRIT 1120 when those students have taken WRIT 1015—Freshman Seminar: Honors, Cyber Theory and Practice and/or WRIT 1017—Freshman Seminar: Honors, The Rhetoric of Popular Culture. Students must contact their Student Affairs Office for this exemption to be processed.
Credit by exam is not an option for either the lower- or upper-division composition requirement.
Collegiate
Graduate Program
Master of Advocacy and Political Leadership (M.A.P.L.)
Program Director: Wy Spano, 112 Cina Hall, 218-726-6658
Program Associate: Suzanne Bonomo, 112 Cina Hall,
218-726-6711
Assistant Professor: Jennifer Imsande
This applied degree, weekend program is designed for individuals in Minnesota and western Wisconsin with experience or interest in having an impact on and changing public policy through positions as local community leaders, labor leaders, government relations specialists in businesses, nonprofit sector policy advocates, inter-governmental relations specialists, political operatives, lobbyists, elected and appointed officials, staff to policy-makers, and citizens. This program hopes to create a professional group of ethically-grounded advocates and organizers. The program welcomes students from throughout the region and those who already may be working in one of the above interest areas, either professionally or advocationally, or those who are hoping to work in one of these areas.
Cohorts of 15 students will form at the beginning of each semester and progress together through the four semesters (two years) required to complete the program. Students may choose a concentration in community leadership, nonprofit and community advocacy, or labor organizing and leadership, or no concentration.
Degree Requirements
Four core courses (12 cr)
Two internships (5 cr)
Five electives (15 cr)
Concentration requirement (9 of the 15 elective cr)
Core courses
MAPL 6001—Political Process and Public Policy (3 cr)
MAPL 6002—Policy Evaluation (3 cr)
MAPL 6003—Civic Engagement and Political Cultures (3 cr)
MAPL 6004—Political Organizing and Communication (3 cr)
Labor Organizing and Leadership
MAPL 5111—Labor Organizing (3 cr)
MAPL 5112—Politics of Labor (3 cr)
MAPL 5113—Labor and Political Economy (3 cr)
Additional option under this concentration:
MAPL 5306—Gender and Public Policy (3 cr)
Community Leadership
MAPL 5115—Small Community Leadership (3 cr)
MAPL 5116—Rural Politics (3 cr)
MAPL 5117—Urban Policy and Community Organizing (3 cr)
Additional option under this concentration:
MAPL 5307—Leadership
Nonprofit and Community Advocacy
MAPL 5119—Techniques for Nonprofit Advocacy (3 cr)
MAPL 5200—Nonprofits and Civic Engagement (3 cr)
MAPL 5202—Nonprofits and Government: The Public and Private Partnership (3 cr)
Additional option under this concentration:
MAPL 5308—The Impact of Art on Social Change (3 cr)
General electives:
MAPL 5300—Issues in Policy Advocacy (3 cr)
MAPL 5301—Campaigns and Elections (3 cr)
MAPL 5302—Feminist Policy Advocacy (3 cr)
MAPL 5303—Lobbying and Intergovernmental Relations (3 cr)
MAPL 5304—Public Opinion Formation and Measurement (3 cr)
In addition, two internship experiences are completed.
Degree Programs
For updated CLA degree programs go to the index page of this Catalog:
http://www.d.umn.edu/catalogs/current/