Alvernia College offers courses that are college-wide in nature; some of which are required of all students in any major program and other courses that are recommended to all students.

Course Descriptions

COL 100 (3 credits)
Critical Reading for College Study
Develops critical reading skills and problem-solving strategies necessary for college success. College textbook chapters, crossing all disciplines, will be utilized to provide meaningful, analytical reading experiences designed to teach strategies, which will transfer to other college classes. Course carries transcript credit but does not count in credits required for graduation.

COL 101 (1 credit)
Freshman Tutorial I
Provides academic support for students admitted to the Freshman Foundations program. It will be attached to two core courses during the fall semester at one credit per course. Students spend one hour twice a week working with student assistant(s) reviewing notes and assignments and taking and reviewing quizzes and tests for the specified courses to which this course is attached. Grading is Pass/Fail.

COL 102 (1 credit)
Freshman Tutorial II
Provides academic support for students admitted to the Freshman Foundations program. It will be attached to two core courses during the spring semester at one credit per course. Students spend one hour twice a week working with student assistant(s) reviewing notes and assignments and taking/reviewing quizzes and tests for the specified courses to which this course is attached. This course is graded Pass/Fail.

COL 110 (2 credits)
First Year Seminar
Designed especially for new college students. Emphasis is on learning and adopting the principles and methods that will promote academic success and personal development in college. Topics include goal setting and decision-making; time management; attention, memory, reading, and note taking; test-taking and study skills; health maintenance and stress management; campus resources; personal identity and relationships.

COL 150 (3 credits)
The Community Classroom
Students have opportunity to integrate service with academic study. Students will identify directly with the needy and seek to meet their needs through service projects. Academic area consists of readings, reflections, projects, research, and papers.

COL 160 (2 credits)
First Year Honors Seminar(FYHS)
Introduces students to intellectual inquiry, orients them to campus life (includes Honors Program), assists in development of academic and personal goals, and introduces preparation for graduate and professional school. Students learn to use various methods of inquiry to explore questions, collect evidence, critically evaluate and synthesize information, construct reasoned arguments, and communicate results to others both orally and in writing. Builds on classroom learning through related co-curricular activities and field experiences. Generates collaboration and builds intellectual community among students and faculty. Course is team-taught by faculty in diverse areas; students lead discussion and complete individual and group projects. Satisfies COL 110 requirement.

COL 180 (1 credit)
Information Literacy
Information retrieval and evaluation assume growing importance in most professions and occupations. This course focuses on the skills necessary to effectively use technology-based information resources. Through classroom instruction and hands-on experience, students explore computer-mediated information resources while acquiring skills needed to intelligently use such resources.

COL 210 (credits vary)
Life Experience Portfolio
Students entering Alvernia have a one-time opportunity to earn general college credits for life experiences and work achievements made prior to admission. Students must write a statement of goals and objectives and complete a portfolio that both describes and documents the achievements for which they are seeking college credit. Portfolio will be examined by the Life Experience Committee, which will determine the number of credits, if any, awarded to the student. A detailed description of the requirements for the portfolio is available at the Registrar’s Office.

COL 260/360 (3/3 credits)
Interdisciplinary Honors Colloquia
Honors Colloquia build on the foundation established in the First Year Honors Seminar. An interdisciplinary approach is taken, emphasizing integration of methods from both the arts and the sciences to approach complex questions. The course topic will be used as a context within which methods of investigation, synthesis and expression will be further developed. Topics are based on expertise of faculty members in diverse areas, and on student interest. In the course students will lead discussion, complete individual and group projects, and participate in co-curricular activities and field trips. Recent colloquia examples: Titanic: Myth and Reality; Good and Evil in Fact and Fiction; and Leaders: Born, Made & Portrayed.

COL 300 (3 credits)
Contemporary American Culture
Examination of American culture and society at the threshold of the 21st century. Emphasis is on value systems and their relation to technology, economics and social issues. Prerequisite: junior standing.

COL 400 (1 credit)
Seminar in Liberal Studies
Senior seminar in liberal studies is designed as a culminating course for baccalaureate Liberal Studies majors. Explores topics of present day interests as seen through the filter of liberal arts. Advanced research techniques, extensive reading, class discussion and presentation will be stressed. Prerequisite: senior status or permission of instructor.

COL 460 (6 credits*)
Honors Thesis
Working closely with a faculty mentor, students complete a thesis which involves identifying and solving a scholarly problem or developing a creative work. Project must be interdisciplinary, and students must successfully defend a proposal and final project to the Honors Advisory Board and present to the college community. *Must be taken twice for a total of 6 credits.

COL 471 (12 credits)
The Washington Center Experience
Students spend a semester in Washington, D.C., interning in a Congressional office, government agency, non-profit institution, major corporation, newspaper network, or special interest group. Opportunities exist in: environment, women’s issues, the arts, education, science, and labor relations, among others. Participants should be juniors or seniors, have a 2.5 grade point average, and have approval of department under which credit will be awarded. (If internship is interdisciplinary, credit is awarded for COL 471, as listed here; if internship is within an Alvernia discipline, credit is awarded under appropriate department.) After conferring with academic advisor, students enroll in an additional 3-credit course, which must be registered for separately, to be taken at the Washington Center concurrent with internship.

Updated: January 3, 2006

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