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Undergraduate Catalog

College of Arts and Sciences

Interim Dean: Dr. James A. Schmidt
Interim Associate Dean: Dr. Keith A. Boeckelman
Office: Morgan Hall 114
Telephone: (309) 298-1828
Fax: (309) 298-2585
Email: Arts-Sciences@wiu.edu
Website: wiu.edu/cas

The College of Arts and Sciences occupies a central position in the University. This college houses the departments concerned with human cumulative culture and knowledge, usually referred to under the broad categories of the Natural Sciences and Mathematics, the Social Sciences, and the Humanities. Dedicated to the concept of excellent teaching, the college provides General Education Curriculum courses for all students in the University. Dedicated to the concept of impartial inquiry, the college encourages research that expands the frontiers of knowledge and applies that knowledge to the betterment of humanity.

With some exceptions, the programs in the College of Arts and Sciences are not primarily vocational in their orientation. In addition to making available a liberal education, these programs provide the theoretical basis for specialized work in graduate and professional schools. The college also educates future teachers in the basic secondary school disciplines. There is a continuing and growing demand for broadly educated young men and women who have the skills and knowledge essential to compete in a diverse and constantly changing landscape of careers and occupations.

Departments and Programs

Students in the College of Arts and Sciences may pursue studies in the following departments/schools and programs:

Department of Accounting, Finance, Economics, and Decision Sciences
  • B.A. in Economics
Department of Biological Sciences
  • B.S. in Biology with options in:
    • Botany
    • Environmental Biology
    • Medical Sciences
    • Microbiology
    • Science/Biology Teacher Education
    • Zoology
  • B.S. in Clinical Laboratory Science
Department of Chemistry
  • B.S. in Chemistry with additional options in:
    • Biochemistry
    • Pharmacy
    • Science/Chemistry Teacher Education
  • B.S. in Forensic Chemistry
Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Geographic Information Sciences
  • B.S. in Geographic Information Science with options in:
    • Geoenvironment and Planning
    • Geospatial Science
  • B.S. in Meteorology with options in:
    • Applied Meteorology
    • Operational Meteorology
Department of English
  • B.A. in English with options in:
    • Creative Writing
    • Literature and Language
    • Professional Writing
    • Teacher Education
Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures
  • B.A. in Foreign Languages and Cultures with options in:
    • French
    • French Teacher Education
    • Spanish
    • Spanish Teacher Education
Department of History
  • B.A. in History with additional options in:
    • Pre-Law
    • Teacher Education
Department of Mathematics and Philosophy
  • B.S. in Mathematics with additional options in:
    • Actuarial Science
    • Data Science and Statistics
    • Teacher Education
School of Nursing
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.)
Department of Physics
  • B.S. in Physics with additional options in:
    • Engineering Physics
    • Science/Physics Teacher Education
Department of Political Science
  • B.A. in Political Science with additional options in:
    • American Government
    • International Relations/Comparative Politics
    • Pre-Law
    • Public Administration/Public Policy
Department of Psychology
  • B.S. in Psychology with an additional option in:
    • Forensic Psychology
Department of Race, Religion, Gender, and Multidisciplinary Studies
  • Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Sciences (B.L.A.S.) with options in:
    • African American Studies
    • Paired Minors
Department of Sociology and Anthropology
  • B.A. in Anthropology
  • B.A. in Sociology

The College of Arts and Sciences offers minor programs in the same fields as the major programs and options listed above (except in Clinical Laboratory Science, Liberal Arts and Sciences, Meteorology, and Nursing). In addition, the college offers the following minor programs that have no corresponding majors: Aging Studies, Applied Mathematics, Cannabis and Culture, Conceptual Physics, Environmental Studies, Film, Forensic Science, Geographic Information Systems, Geography, Geology, Global Politics, International Studies, Latinx Studies, Law and Society, Mental Health, Middle Level Mathematics Teaching, Middle Level Science Teaching, Middle Level Social Studies Teaching, Neuroscience, Philosophy, Public Administration and Public Service, Queer Studies, Religious Studies, Weather and Climate, and Women’s Studies.

The College of Arts and Sciences provides dual programs in Clinical Laboratory Science, Engineering, and Law, whereby a student can complete requirements for a bachelor’s degree in the College of Arts and Sciences while working toward a professional degree or certificate. In addition, the college provides advising for pre-professional programs in Engineering and Law.

College Graduation Requirements

In addition to meeting University graduation requirements, students in the College of Arts and Sciences must:

  • Satisfy the University and other general requirements.
  • Complete a minimum of 120 s.h. of credit in approved courses, of which at least 42 s.h. are in courses numbered 300 or above.
  • Achieve and maintain a minimum scholastic average of 2.00 in the major, minor, and total program.
  • Satisfy the University General Education and College of Arts and Sciences Curriculum requirements for the degree sought. A minimum of 16 s.h. should be taken to meet these requirements during the freshman year and a minimum of 16 s.h. during the sophomore year.
  • Complete an approved major of a minimum of 32 s.h. At least 15 s.h. of the 32 s.h. of a major must be in courses numbered 300 or above.
  • Complete a recognized minor with a minimum of 16 s.h. The minor may not be in the same department as the major, unless the minor does not have a corresponding recognized major, except by written permission of the dean.
  • Complete courses required in related departments as listed with course requirements for the major in the individual departments.

Licensure to Teach

Students enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences who wish to obtain a teaching license must meet all criteria for admission to the Teacher Education Program, complete the Teacher Education curriculum, and complete the major or minor requirements for Teacher Education students as described under the various department offerings in Arts and Sciences. See Teacher Education for additional information and specific requirements.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.)

A Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in the College of Arts and Sciences is granted to students who fulfill the general University requirements as to total number of hours, scholarship standards, the University General Education requirements, the graduation requirements, and the Nursing major requirements.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing students complete the University General Education Curriculum.

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Sciences (B.L.A.S.)

A Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, or Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Sciences degree in the College of Arts and Sciences is granted to students who fulfill the general University requirements as to total number of hours, scholarship standards, the University General Education requirements, the College of Arts and Sciences Curriculum requirements, the graduation requirements, and a major and minor.

UNIVERSITY GENERAL EDUCATION AND COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES CURRICULUM REQUIREMENTS (for B.A., B.S., B.L.A.S.)

Courses taken to satisfy the University General Education and Arts and Sciences Curriculum requirements may apply to the major or minor if approved by the academic advisor, unless otherwise restricted. Proficiency exams, where applicable, may be taken in place of these required courses. If successfully completed, they are graded Pass (P). Course credit is given. No other requirements are then imposed in lieu of the courses so completed.

Note: Students enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences who wish to obtain a teaching license complete the University General Education Curriculum requirements instead of the Arts and Sciences Curriculum requirements.

The following restrictions apply:

  • No courses numbered 275, 298, 450, 475, and 498 are acceptable for credit in the General Education Curriculum.
  • Students may not use any one course to satisfy two General Education distribution requirements.
  • Students may not count more than two courses from the discipline in which they major toward satisfaction of the General Education requirements.
  • No courses under the Pass/Fail option may apply to the General Education requirements.
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Degree

University General Education and College Curriculum Requirements: 60 s.h.

  1. Communication Skills (9 s.h.)
    ENG 180 and ENG 280; COMM 241 or COMM 242
    See University General Education Curriculum for additional information.
  2. Natural Sciences and Mathematics (12 s.h.)
    Students must complete 12 s.h. from the Natural Sciences and Mathematics section (I) of the list. At least one laboratory course must be included. Courses from at least two departments must be included. Students may take no more than two courses from any one grouping. At least 10 s.h. of this requirement must be satisfied from courses not listed in boldface type.
  3. Social Sciences (15 s.h.)
    Students must complete 15 s.h. from the Social Sciences section (II) of the list. Courses from at least three departments must be included. Students may take no more than two courses from any one grouping. At least 9 s.h. of this requirement must be satisfied from courses not listed in boldface type.
  4. Humanities and Fine Arts (18 s.h.)
    Students must complete 18 s.h. from the Humanities and Fine Arts section (III) of the list. At least one course must come from Area 1: Humanities, and at least one course must come from Area 2: Fine Arts. Students are then free to choose either Humanities or Fine Arts courses to fulfill the required 18 hours in Humanities/Fine Arts. Courses from at least three departments must be included. Students may take no more than two courses from any one grouping. At least 9 s.h. of this requirement must be satisfied from courses not listed in boldface type.
  5. Multicultural Studies (3 s.h.)
    Students must select at least 3 s.h. from the Multicultural Studies section (IV) of the list.
  6. Human Well Being (3 s.h.)
    Students may select any combination of courses from at least two of the groupings in the Human Well Being section (V) of the list.
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree

University General Education and College Curriculum Requirements 55 s.h.

  1. Communication Skills (9 s.h.)
    ENG 180 and ENG 280; COMM 241 or COMM 242
    See University General Education Curriculum for additional information.
  2. Natural Sciences and Mathematics (16 s.h.)
    Students must complete 16 s.h. from the Natural Sciences and Mathematics section (I) of the list. At least one laboratory course must be included. Courses from at least two departments must be selected. A one-year sequence outside the major must be included; students should consult with their academic advisors for sequences appropriate to their majors. Students may take no more than two courses from any one grouping. At least 10 s.h. of this requirement must be satisfied from courses not listed in boldface type.
  3. Social Sciences (12 s.h.)
    Students must complete 12 s.h. from the Social Sciences section (II) of the list on. Courses from at least two departments must be included. Students may take no more than two courses from any one grouping. At least 9 s.h. of this requirement must be satisfied from courses not listed in boldface type.
  4. Humanities and Fine Arts (12 s.h.)
    Students must complete 12 s.h. from the Humanities and Fine Arts section (III) of the list. At least one course must come from Area 1: Humanities, and at least one course must come from Area 2: Fine Arts. Students are then free to choose either Humanities or Fine Arts courses to fulfill the required 12 hours in Humanities/Fine Arts. Courses from at least two departments must be included. Students may take no more than two courses from any one grouping. At least 9 s.h. of this requirement must be satisfied from courses not listed in boldface type.
  5. Multicultural Studies (3 s.h.)
    Students must select at least 3 s.h. from the Multicultural Studies section (IV) of the list.
  6. Human Well Being (3 s.h.)
    Students may select any combination of courses from at least two of the groupings in the Human Well Being section (V) of the list.
Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Sciences (B.L.A.S.) Degree

University General Education and College Curriculum Requirements: 57 s.h.

  1. Communication Skills (9 s.h.)
    ENG 180 and ENG 280; COMM 241 or COMM 242
    See University General Education Curriculum for additional information.
  2. Natural Sciences and Mathematics (12–15 s.h.*)
    Students must complete 12–15 s.h.* from the Natural Sciences and Mathematics section (I) of the list. At least one laboratory course must be included. Courses from at least two departments must be selected. Students may take no more than two courses from any one grouping. At least 10 s.h. of this requirement must be satisfied from courses not listed in boldface type.
  3. Social Sciences (12–15 s.h.*)
    Students must complete 12–15 s.h.* from the Social Sciences section (II) of the list. Courses from at least two departments must be included. Students may take no more than two courses from any one grouping. At least 9 s.h. of this requirement must be satisfied from courses not listed in boldface type.
  4. Humanities and Fine Arts (12–15 s.h.*)
    Students must complete 12–15 s.h.* from the Humanities and Fine Arts section (III) of the list. At least one course must come from Area 1: Humanities, and at least one course must come from Area 2: Fine Arts. Students are then free to choose either Humanities or Fine Arts courses to fulfill the required 12–15 hours in Humanities/Fine Arts. Courses from at least two departments must be included. Students may take no more than two courses from any one grouping. At least 9 s.h. of this requirement must be satisfied from courses not listed in boldface type.
  5. Multicultural Studies (3 s.h.)
    Students must select at least 3 s.h. from the Multicultural Studies section (IV) of the list.
  6. Human Well Being (3 s.h.)
    Students may select any combination of courses from at least two of the groupings in the Human Well Being section (V) of the list.

*Must take 15 s.h. in two of these three categories and 12 s.h. in the third category: Natural Sciences/Mathematics, Social Sciences, and Humanities.

UNIVERSITY GENERAL EDUCATION/COLLEGE CURRICULUM COURSE LISTING

(for B.A., B.S., B.L.A.S.)

The courses below may be used to fulfill the University General Education/College of Arts and Sciences Curriculum requirements for the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Sciences degrees within the College of Arts and Sciences. Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) program must complete the University General Education Curriculum.

  1. Natural Sciences and Mathematics†
    Biology: BIOL 100, 101, 181, 204
    Botany: BOT 200
    Chemistry: CHEM 101, 102, 114, 150, 201, 202
    Computer Science: CS 114, 214
    General Honors: G H 103, 104, 203, 204, 303
    Geographic Information Science: GIS 108
    Geography: GEOG 121, 182
    Geology: GEOL 110, 112, 113, 115, 181
    Mathematics: MATH 101, 102, 123, 133, 134, 137, 138, 139, 206
    Meteorology: METR 120
    Microbiology: MICR 200
    Physics: PHYS 100, 101, 114, 115, 150, 182, 211
    Statistics: STAT 171, 276
    Zoology: ZOOL 200
  2. Social Sciences†
    African American Studies: AAS 100*, 145*, 325
    Anthropology: ANTH 110*, 111, 201, 210, 215
    Communication: COMM 235
    Economics: ECON 100, 231, 232
    General Honors: G H 102, 202, 302
    Geography: GEOG 100, 110*, 251
    Political Science: POLS 101, 122, 200, 228, 267, 284
    Psychology: PSY 100, 221, 250, 251
    Sociology: SOC 100, 200, 250, 272, 285*, 300*, 313, 360*, 370
    Women’s Studies: WS 285*, 360*
  3. Humanities and Fine Arts†
    AREA 1: HUMANITIES
    African American Studies: AAS 281*, 283*, 290, 381
    Broadcasting and Journalism: BC&J 290, 350
    Communication: COMM 130, 254
    English: ENG 195, 200, 201, 202, 205, 206, 281, 285, 290, 300, 301*, 353, 355, 356, 358*
    Foreign Language: F L 101
    French: FR 121, 122, 223, 224, 325, 326, 327
    General Honors: G H 101, 201, 301
    German: GER 121, 122, 223, 224, 325, 326, 327
    History: HIST 105, 106, 115*, 116*, 211, 241*, 245*, 300, 320, 321, 345
    Music: MUS 197, 198*
    Philosophy: PHIL 100, 120, 140, 205, 300, 310, 330
    Portuguese: PORT 121
    Religious Studies: REL 101, 107, 110*, 111*, 301, 303*, 350, 355, 365*, 370
    Spanish: SPAN 121, 122, 223, 224, 325, 326, 327
    Women’s Studies: WS 265, 270, 280, 301*, 303*
    AREA 2: FINE ARTS
    African American Studies: AAS 282*
    Art History: ARTH 180, 282, 283, 284*, 394
    Art Studio: ARTS 181
    Music: MUS 190, 194*, 195*, 390, 391, 394*
    Theatre: THEA 101, 110, 172, 390, 391
  4. Multicultural Studies†
    African American Studies: AAS 100*, 145*, 281*, 282*, 283*, 314, 345, 349
    Anthropology: ANTH 110*, 225, 249, 395
    Art History: ARTH 284*
    Broadcasting and Journalism: BC&J 352
    Business and Technology: BAT 300
    Economics: ECON 350, 351
    Educational Studies: EDS 202
    English: ENG 301*, 345, 348, 358*
    Foreign Language: F L 350
    General Honors: G H 207
    Geography: GEOG 110*
    German: GER 337
    Health Education: HE 325
    History: HIST 115*, 116*, 241*, 245*, 302, 314, 317, 318, 337, 342, 349
    Information Systems: IS 325
    International Agriculture: INAG 310
    Liberal Arts and Sciences: LAS 195, 210
    Music: MUS 194*, 195*, 196, 198*, 394*
    Nutrition: NUTR 300
    Philosophy: PHIL 220
    Political Science: POLS 329, 335
    Psychology: PSY 357
    Queer Studies: QS 100
    Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration: RPTA 293
    Religious Studies: REL 110*, 111*, 225, 303*, 365*
    Sociology: SOC 285*, 300*, 360*
    Spanish: SPAN 320
    Theatre: THEA 201
    Women’s Studies: WS 190, 220, 285*, 301*, 303*, 317, 318, 335, 342, 357, 360*, 370, 395
  5. Human Well-Being
    Cybersecurity: CSEC 101
    Educational Studies: EDS 121
    Finance: FIN 101
    Health Education: HE 120, 121, 123
    Kinesiology: KIN 102, 111, 118, 121, 128, 131, 140, 147, 149, 151, 158
    Nutrition: NUTR 109
    Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration: RPTA 110, 112
    University: UNIV 100

† Some General Honors (G H) courses will be accepted to fulfill this College of Arts and Sciences General Education category.
* Dual-category course. Students may only count a dual-category course to satisfy the requirements in one General Education category.