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Academic Department Policies and Recommendations
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Each major department at Colby has designated an off-campus study liaison, a faculty member who has responsibility for overseeing the off-campus experiences of its majors. These faculty members act as resources for program ideas as well as approving students' destinations (which must also be approved by the major advisor). Many departments also have specific policies and program recommendations with respect to off-campus study. After reading the information below, you should consult with your major advisor and off-campus liaison as you begin the process of choosing a program and a semester for study abroad. The recommended programs in the following section are not all of the programs approved by Colby; these are listed in Section III of the Handbook and on the OCS Web site. This list includes some programs that are not currently approved (“A”) but for which petitions would be encouraged (" * " or “P”); these are generally appropriate for specific majors only. Your department may well support other programs in particular cases, but the programs listed below represent their recommendations. The 2008-2009 Course Catalogue may also contain useful department-specific information regarding study off-campus, and many departments have web sites with relevant information as well. American Studies [Web site] Liaison: Margaret McFadden Policies and Recommendations: Please consult the department. Anthropology [Web site] Liaison: Please consult your Anthropology Advisor Policies and Recommendations: Anthropology encourages all its majors to study abroad, and prefers participation in programs that require a homestay, language acquisition, and a service-learning component. Anthropology majors and minors may not take core courses abroad (AY 112, 113, 313, 332, 333, senior seminar). The department may accept one course from the semester abroad as an elective toward the major, or in the case of School for International Training programs, may accept the semester as worth one elective toward the major. Art [Web site] Liaison: David Simon Policies and Recommendations: Students choosing to study in Italy are encouraged to go to Rome rather than Florence since the American community in Florence can easily dominate the local culture. Syracuse in Florence is nevertheless recommended for students interested in pursuing studies in architecture (these students need only take Italian 125 and 126 before departure). The department supports petitions for the following programs in Italy: Pitzer in Parma and Brown in Bologna. For the 2007-2008 academic year, as a result of oversubscription of Italian courses at Colby, the Art department is willing to allow majors who have not been able to complete the full language prerequisite to attend programs in Italy, provided they complete the equivalent of at least Italian 125 and 126 prior to departure. In the English-speaking world, the department recommends London and University College Cork (particularly for early medieval Irish art) over Australia and New Zealand. Studio students are encouraged to talk with the department about petitioning for permission to attend local art schools (as opposed to American-run programs). All courses taken abroad must be pre-approved by the department. Any subsequent changes to the approved courses must also be pre-approved. Art Majors and Minors are not allowed to take basic courses such as AR 111, 112 and 131 abroad. Art department policy for the all-college Arts requirement: among the courses offered by the Art department only the following fulfill the all-college Arts requirement: AR 111 (Survey of Western Art, part I); AR 112 (Survey of Western Art, part II); AR 131 (Foundations in Studio Art); AR 161 (Sculpture); AR 173 (Survey of Asian Art). The Art department policy is to only grant Arts credit to courses abroad that correspond to those offered at Colby which fulfill the requirement. (Note that the Music and Theater and Dance departments also offer courses that fulfill the Arts Requirement; students should contact these departments). Biology [Web site] Liaison: Judy Stone Policies and Recommendations: The Department of Biology urges its majors to think carefully about their educational goals for their undergraduate years. When those goals have been defined, majors frequently find that some of the goals can best be achieved through off-campus study. If off-campus study would be helpful in reaching those goals, we urge students to consult with their advisor and departmental OCS liaison or other members of the department about: * The off-campus program(s) that can best meet those goals. * The best semester to study abroad. The department has no preferred semester for off-campus study. All classes to be credited toward the major must be pre-approved by the OCS Liaison of the department. Approved classes taken off-campus can count toward fulfilling area requirements for the major. Majors may transfer toward their major requirements a maximum of 8 credit hours for a semester of off-campus study, or 12 credit hours in total from off-campus programs, including credits transferred from other institutions. Biology majors may study at any of the following programs and universities to meet their academic goals for off-campus study. Please note that any program or university not included on this list would require a petition before credit toward the biology major could be awarded. The department recommends that majors consider the following programs and universities to meet their academic goals for off-campus study: Colby Program * Colby in Salamanca (Integrated Program) Field Programs
Australia: Natural and Cultural Ecology Botswana: Ecology and Conservation Brazil: Amazon Resource Management and Human Ecology Ecuador: Comparative Ecology and Conservation Madagascar: Ecology and Conservation Panama: Development and Conservation (petition) Tanzania: Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Tanzania: Zanzibar Coastal Ecology
Universities
Oxford University Cambridge University University of Edinburgh University of Glasgow University of St. Andrews Danish Institute for Study Abroad (DIS): Marine and Environmental Biology
University of Melbourne University of New South Wales (petition) University of Queensland (petition) University of Western Australia
University of Otago Biology majors studying in Latin America need only have taken two semesters (through 126) of Spanish before participating on any of the programs listed above. Chemistry [Web site] Liaison: Jeffrey Katz Policies and Recommendations: Please consult the department. Classics [Web site] Liaison: Kerill O’Neill Policies and Recommendations: Classics and Classical Civilization majors are in a special situation when it comes to studying abroad. If they travel to Italy and Greece, they are not trying to immerse themselves in contemporary life but rather studying the material culture of lost civilizations. For this reason, the requirement to have taken three semesters of the country's modern language before the semester abroad is waived when the student attends departmentally-recommended programs. While studying in Greece or Italy, students should take a class in the modern language. In special circumstances, however, if a particular student needs to take a full load of Classics courses while abroad, the Classics Department in consultation with OCS may permit her/him to omit the modern language class. Classics majors have studied abroad in Greece, Italy, Ireland, and Scotland, to name a few countries. The Department of Classics particularly recommends the College Year in Athens due to the quality of its program, and the favorable experiences of our students. All courses to be taken abroad must be pre-approved by the Department. Any subsequent changes to the approved courses must also be pre-approved. The Department urges students to select courses in the programs abroad that are NOT offered at Colby College so that they will have a wide range of courses available to them when they return to Colby. Computer Science [Web site] Liaison: Bruce Maxwell Policies and Recommendations: Please consult the department. East Asian Studies [Web site] Liaison: Hong Zhang (Chinese); Tamae Prindle (Japanese) Policies and Recommendations: In Japan, AKP, Kansai Gaidai and the Kyoto Consortium for Japanese Studies are the recommended programs. All credits earned at pre-approved off-campus study sites are counted toward the East Asian Studies major and Japanese minor. In China, the approved programs are: AAC in Beijing, CIEE in Beijing and Nanjing and CET in Harbin. In Taiwan, CIEE in Taipei is approved. Credit for pre-approved courses will count toward satisfaction of the requirements for either the Chinese minor or the Chinese concentration within the EAS major. Economics [Web site] Liaison: Debra Barbezat Policies and Recommendations: The Economics Department particularly recommends the following programs for economics majors: The London School of Economics, University College London, University of Edinburgh, Oxford University, University of Melbourne, Australia National University. Other programs are acceptable, but these are programs to which Colby students have recently gone that have provided solid academic experiences in economics. The economics department requires that courses be taught in established and accredited universities in order for them to be eligible for departmental credit. All economics courses taken should be taught in English. Studying abroad during either semester is possible for economics majors. Note, however, that programs in Great Britain must typically be taken in the spring semester for Colby credit. Note also that when the spring semester is spent abroad, students must make special efforts to communicate with members of the department while they are away if they are considering pursuing a senior thesis during their senior year. Transfer credit toward the Economics major or minor will be granted for a maximum of two courses (with the exception of LSE). Credit is rarely pre-approved, with the exception of courses taken at the London School of Economics. To obtain credit toward the major, students must return from their semester abroad with all written course materials and present them to the Economics department Off-Campus Study Advisor for evaluation. Credit is typically granted at the 200 level; to receive credit for a 300-level course, the course must have prerequisites equivalent to Ec223 and Ec224, and must be taught at an advanced level. Note that all Economics majors must complete at least one 300-level course at Colby before graduation. See the department’s “Study Abroad Guidelines” for a complete description of these rules. Complete study abroad guidelines are available from the Economics department web page study abroad guidelines. English [Web site] Liaison: Elizabeth Sagaser Policies and Recommendations: Please consult the department. OCS Liaison signs for departmental credit. Environmental Studies [Web site] Liaison: Cathy Bevier Policies and Recommendations: The Environmental Studies Program urges majors to think carefully about their educational goals when considering off-campus study. Environmental Studies majors frequently find that off-campus study complements their academic program effectively. If you are considering off-campus study, we urge you to consult the ES web site (http://www.colby.edu/environ/beyond/notable.html) for information on recommended programs. Also, students should discuss the following with their advisors and the ES program OCS liaison:
Environmental Studies majors are in a special situation when it comes to studying abroad. Their primary goal is to study the natural history and ecological relationships as well as environmental problems of the area. For this reason, the requirement to have taken three semesters of the country's language before the semester abroad is waived when the student attends selected Environmental Studies-recommended programs. For most ES approved programs in non-English speaking countries, students should complete a class in the language of the country. In special circumstances, however, if a particular student is required to take a full load of natural science and environmental studies courses while abroad, the Environmental Studies Program in consultation with OCS may permit her/him to omit the language class.
School for International Training:
Organization for Tropical Studies:
CIEE in Costa Rica (petition) Round River Conservation Studies (petition)
In Africa:
In Australia:
In New Zealand:
French and Italian [Web site] Liaison: Adrianna Paliyenko (French); Allison Cooper (Italian) Policies and Recommendations: The Department of French and Italian believes that study abroad is an essential part of a student's preparation as a language major. Students who major in French are required to spend at least a semester in a French-speaking country; students who minor in Italian are highly encouraged to spend at least a semester studying in Italy. The French department encourages students to spend an entire academic year of study abroad. For those unable to go for the full year, opportunities are more limited, but the limitations are not such that they would prevent a student from majoring in French. For France (and Europe in general), the department is affiliated with Hamilton College's Junior Year in France program, which is located in Paris, and which allows students to take courses at a variety of institutions. Colby also has its own program in France, Colby in Dijon. This semester-long program, offered every fall, is not only for incoming first-year students. Junior majors can and have participated, with a made-to-order curriculum including some regular university courses. Internships are also available. Students of French should not think that they are limited to study in France, however. There are numerous opportunities in non-European French-speaking countries: in Cameroon, in Madagascar and in Dakar, Sénégal, where the program is organized through the Baobab Center and the Université Cheik Anta Diop. Students may also choose to study in neighboring Quebec, at the Université Laval. Prospective French majors should consult early with their advisors to prepare their study abroad plans for their junior year. Students who minor in Italian should consult with the director of the Italian program to find the most appropriate course of study abroad. Colby maintains a close relationship with a number of programs in Italy, in particular those in Padua, Bologna, Ferrara and Florence. These programs are particularly appropriate for minors in Italian, as students attend classes in Italian universities and study with Italian students and professors. Please note that Temple in Rome is not recommended for Italian minors. Three courses for a semester program and up to five courses for a year-long program of study abroad may be approved for the French major, and for the Italian minor. Geology [Web site] Liaison: Robert Gastaldo Policies and Recommendations: The Department of Geology recognizes that Earth is a geologically diverse planet. The more geology a geologist experiences, the better a geologist the individual becomes. Hence, participation in an international program during which time a student is enrolled in geology courses is but one important part of a student's education. This is particularly true if the program involves field experience. Students also should be advised that foreign universities do not operate under the same general protocol as U.S. institutions. Often, courses that have been scheduled in a university catalog may or may not be taught, depending upon individual faculty and/or enrollment trends. This has resulted in the reorganization and substitution of planned courses once the student has arrived at his/her host institution. The Department also recognizes, based on past experience, that many students who opt for part of the junior year abroad are unable to participate in a summer research experience prior to their senior year (precluding participation in National meetings scheduled during the subsequent fall and winter). This is particularly true of students abroad in the spring semester, who often return to the U.S. in late June or early July. Therefore, the Department recommends that each student considering an international experience in their junior year consult with his/her advisor and/or potential research-project mentor early in their sophomore year to discuss (1) his/her educational and professional goals, and (2) a program of study that will allow for successful progress towards meeting those goals. This may or may not result in enrollment abroad. Each student must weigh the benefits of international study versus opportunities offered in the U.S. Within the past few years, Geology students have participated in several international programs of a diverse nature. To date, the Department of Geology believes that students have been given excellent educational experiences in programs offered at (1) the University of Otago, New Zealand; (2) the University of Auckland, New Zealand; and (3) University College Cork, Ireland. Students are strongly encouraged to consider participation in these programs. German [Web site] Liaison: Arne Koch Policies and Recommendations: The recommended programs in Germany are: Tufts in Tubingen, Lewis and Clark in Munich, Wesleyan in Regensburg and IES in Berlin and Freiburg. The recommended program in Austria is IES Vienna. Majors are encouraged to go abroad for the full year. If they go for a semester, they are advised to go for the spring, which warrants a better integration into the German academic university schedule and life. The January-February orientation period offered by the US sponsors prepare them well for the German university courses, which run into July. Courses that are taken in German may count toward both the German major in language and literature and the major in German Studies. In consultation with the student and the registrar a determination is made if there is a Colby equivalent. Courses taught in English may count towards the German Studies major if the subject matter is relevant. Government [Web site] Liaison: Guilain Denoeux Policies and Recommendations: For recommendations, please consult the department. History [Web site] Liaison: Paul Josephson Policies and Recommendations: History majors have had good experiences in a broad variety of programs. For further information, please consult with the faculty liaison. The History department recommends all of the approved programs in Europe, particularly IES in Berlin as well as the Syracuse in Florence and NYU in Florence. The department also recommends the Loyola University program at Iberoamericana in Mexico City (petition). There is no preferred semester for off-campus study. A maximum of four courses can be counted either from abroad or from other departments at Colby. International Studies [Web site] Liaison: Jennifer Yoder Policies and Recommendations: At least one semester of foreign study is required of International Studies majors. Please consult the department for more specific information. Latin American Studies [Web site] Liaison: Ben Fallaw Policies and Recommendations: Majors are required to spend at least one semester in Latin America matriculated in a program that offers university-level courses (not in a language-acquisition program); all course work abroad must be conducted in Spanish or Portuguese. All study abroad plans must be approved by the director of the Latin American Studies program. No more than the equivalent of four semester courses of foreign study or transfer credit may be counted toward the major. Approved programs in Latin America: CIEE Argentina, Washington University in Chile, and Duke in the Andes (Ecuador). Students interested in study in Mexico are encouraged to petition for the Loyola University program in Mexico City. Mathematics [Web site] Liaison: Otto Bretscher Policies and Recommendations: Please consult the department. Music [Web site] Liaison: Steven Nuss Policies and Recommendations: Music majors choose off-campus programs for a wide variety of reasons: to study for a semester in a conservatory setting, to live in a place with a rich cultural and concert life, to explore particular folk or ethnic traditions, to expand their language skills, or to take music courses not typically offered in a liberal arts setting. No single set of guidelines can cover such diverse situations. Students should therefore meet with the department’s OCS liaison early in their sophomore year in order to plan their course selection and off-campus programs. In general, European music theory differs significantly in terminology and approach from the American system. It is therefore usually advisable to complete the first three courses in the music theory sequence (MU 181, 182, and 281) before studying abroad, since those courses rarely have equivalencies at other institutions. (Students should also have command of the musical vocabulary used in the country of study before embarking on their program, particularly if they plan to enroll in course taught in another language.) In general, it is easier to find music history courses that will meet Colby’s requirements for the major or minor while studying abroad. Arranging for private applied music lessons can often be daunting and time consuming. Students should begin to make such arrangements 6-12 months in advance, and should have direct contact with the instructor. Past students have had success in studying music in virtually all parts of the world. Philosophy [Web site] Liaison: Dan Cohen Policies and Recommendations: Philosophy majors have studied abroad in a variety of countries, and in particular favorable reports have been received about Pitzer in India, University College Cork, Oxford and some of the programs in Scotland. There is no preferred semester for off-campus study, provided that students have taken both Ancient Philosophy and Modern Philosophy prior to the junior year, in which case the lacking course will dictate the available semester for off-campus study. The department is quite liberal about accepting Philosophy courses taken elsewhere for the elective portions of the major. Petitions to accept substitutes for required courses are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Physics [Web site] Liaison: Virginia Long Policies and Recommendations: The physics department does not presently recommend specific OCS programs to their majors. Most physics majors who study abroad do some courses in physics, and unless the student is fluent in a language other than English, an institution in an English-speaking country is recommended. This usually limits the choices to the UK, Australia, and New Zealand, although it could also include Canada and South Africa. Students who do not plan to do any physics during their OCS experience need to ensure that they can satisfy the requirements of the physics major while at Colby. If a specific student needs to complete the core physics major abroad, the department reviews with the student his or her needs, and recommends a program on that basis (availability of the required course at an institution is the main criterion). There is no preferred semester for physics students to study off-campus unless there is specific course that needs to taken. Credits and/or Colby equivalent courses are determined when the student comes to the department for course pre-approval. Students who attend universities in English-speaking countries usually find themselves in a very different environment to Colby with respect to facilities, class size and extent of faculty integration and flexibility within the curriculum. The department encourages majors to be prepared for this difference before they go. Psychology [Web site] Liaison: Tarja Raag Policies and Recommendations: The Department of Psychology encourages students to take advantage of the opportunity to study abroad, particularly for those students for whom it addresses specific educational goals. Students should speak with the OCS liaison and their academic advisor early in their sophomore year to begin investigation of appropriate program and course opportunities. Psychology courses taken abroad must be pre-approved by the department for transfer back to Colby. Courses taught at Colby and those not available here (if the content is of sufficient academic relevance) will be considered for credit toward the major. Neither Psych214 (Research Methods and Statistics) nor Psych215 (Research Methods and Statistics II) can be substituted through study abroad. You will also not be able to obtain credit comparable to the seminars with collaborative research. No more than two courses taken abroad may count toward the major. For purposes of completing the major, there is no preferred semester for off-campus study, but students should plan to complete the PS214/215 sequence at Colby no later than the end of their junior year. Religious Studies [Web site] Liaison: Nikky Singh Policies and Recommendations: Please consult the department. Russian [Web site] Liaison: Sheila McCarthy Policies and Recommendations: The Russian Program recommends Colby in St. Petersburg, a fall or spring semester in St. Petersburg, Russia, which includes language, literature, arts, and history courses. We particularly recommend this program because the small size of classes guarantees individual attention. Residence with Russian families and many cultural events are highlights of this program. Please see student descriptions and photos on the Russian Program website. In Russia there are several excellent semester-long and year-long programs, including the varied content and location of programs sponsored by ACTR (American Council of Teachers of Russian) and by CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange). Nearly all Russia programs require 2 years of college-level Russian before application. There are a few semester programs that offer a combination of study and internship, such as the Middlebury College program (petition). The Russian staff has more information on all study programs in Russia. Sociology [Web site] Liaison: Tom Morrione Policies and Recommendations: University-integrated programs are recommended, and spring semester is preferred for study off-campus. One course may be credited to the major if it is approved in advance and falls within the framework of the sociology major at Colby. Courses specific to the particular culture (e.g. the Australian family) may not be transferred back to Colby, unless specifically petitioned prior to off-campus study. Spanish [Web site] Liaison: Betty Sasaki Policies and Recommendations: Majors are strongly advised to spend one academic year studying abroad at the junior level. A minimum of one semester of study abroad is required of majors. Majors must matriculate in a study abroad program that offers university-level courses (not a language acquisition program); all course work abroad must be conducted in Spanish. All study abroad plans for students majoring in Spanish must be approved by the chair of the department of Spanish. No more than the equivalent of two courses of foreign study credit may be counted toward the major per semester abroad, or four semester courses per year. Eligibility pre-requisites for Spanish majors to study abroad include the completion of Spanish 135 and Spanish 231 with a grade of C or better. The only two recommended programs in Spain are Colby in Salamanca and Hamilton in Madrid. The only three recommended programs in Latin America are CIEE in Argentina, Washington University in Chile, and Duke in the Andes (Ecuador). Theater and Dance [Web site] Liaison: Jim Thurston Policies and Recommendations: The Department of Theater & Dance urges majors to think carefully about their educational goals when considering off-campus study. Majors traditionally find that off-campus study complements their academic program effectively. If you are considering off-campus study, the Department of Theater & Dance urges you to research abroad programs that best suit your interests and academic needs. Also, you should discuss the following with your advisor and the T&D OCS liaison:
All classes that you intend to have credited toward the T&D major or minor must be pre-approved by the chair of the department. T&D majors may transfer twelve credit hours in total from non-Colby programs, including credits transferred from other institutions, toward their major requirements. The Department of Theater & Dance requires that courses be taught in established and accredited colleges and universities in order for them to be eligible for departmental credit. Please consult the department's Study Abroad Guidelines for a complete description of the guidelines. Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies [Web site] Liaison: Elizabeth Leonard Policies and Recommendations: Please consult the department liaison. Several departments offering minors with close connections to off-campus study or specific policies with regard to transfer of credit also have liaisons and may have program recommendations for students: Administrative Science [Web site] Liaison: Lenny Reich Policies and Recommendations: There is not a list of departmentally-approved programs. The majority of AdSci students who study abroad do so in English speaking countries (primarily Great Britain or Australia) where they are able to take business-related courses that may count as Administrative Science electives. AdSci students usually go to universities that have a business school where they are able to take ad sci electives. There is no preferred semester for off-campus study. The department will not usually agree to transfer more than two courses for the minor. Students are urged to discuss their choice of courses with the minor advisors prior to selecting the courses and prior to going abroad. Students have frequently run into problems trying to obtain permission for courses they have selected after they have left the country. African American Studies [Web site] Liaison: Cheryl Townsend Gilkes Policies and Recommendations: Please consult the department. African Studies [Web site] Liaison: Catherine Besteman Policies and Recommendations: Please consult the department. top of page ↑ Creative Writing Liaison: Elizabeth Sagaser Policies and Recommendations: Please consult the department. Education and Human Development [Web site] Liaison: Mark Tappan Policies and Recommendations: Please consult the department. Liaison: Elisa Narin van Court Policies and Recommendations: Please consult the program. Science, Technology and Society [Web site] Liaison: Leonard Reich Policies and Recommendations: Please consult the department. |
