Academic Options & General Information

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Note: Every effort is made to keep the information in this section current. The schedule for any semester is published separately on-line. The College must reserve the right to cancel any course if there is insufficient demand or if there are circumstances beyond the College’s reasonable control. Students should consult with their advisers and the Registrar’s Office in planning their program. New students in particular should consult the Registrar’s Office website.

Courses are taught in English with the exception of higher-level language courses.      

Davidson seeks to lay intellectual foundations on which students build an understanding of the emerging world of the twenty-first century so that they may take their places as leaders in it. Davidson insists all students have the experience of studying societies or cultures that differ from those of the United States or Western Europe. Required study in foreign language and in diverse cultural viewpoints is incorporated into the curriculum. For students wishing to pursue international studies beyond the general requirements, curricular and programmatic opportunities exist to allow for international emphasis.

The college expects many facets of the Davidson experience - studying abroad, enjoying friendships with international students, hearing speakers of note, taking part in conferences on world affairs themes - to contribute to the process of producing graduates with a world vision. Some of the components of Davidson’s international studies programs are described below.

Dean Rusk International Studies Program

Davidson strives for distinction among national liberal arts colleges in its emphasis on understanding the world at large and preparing students for the challenges of national and international leadership. Recognizing that international awareness is critical in today’s interdependent world, the college inaugurated the Dean Rusk Program in 1985 to provide a cornerstone for efforts to enhance international offerings on campus and to “give each student, first, an informed awareness of our whole planet, and second, a direct knowledge of at least one foreign area.” The Program, named for Davidson’s distinguished alumnus who was Secretary of State during the Kennedy and Johnson administrations, serves as an organizing mechanism for expanding internationalism across the Davidson experience.

The Dean Rusk Program fosters initiatives designed to ensure that Davidson students leave the college with a broad understanding of all dimensions of global affairs - political, cultural, social, economic, and historical. It sponsors visits by experts on international issues, hosts conferences and cultural events, and counsels students about international travel, internships, and careers. It encourages pursuit of an international curriculum through a major at the Center for Interdisciplinary Studies, area studies, or courses in various academic departments. The Dean Rusk Program coordinates Davidson’s chapter of the Phi Beta Delta Honor Society for international scholars. In support of international experience, the program provides grants for student and faculty research, study, or service abroad, including medical volunteer work in developing countries. The Dean Rusk Program serves as a catalyst for dialogue on world issues in the greater Charlotte business, professional, cultural, and educational communities through programs it organizes in the Charlotte area and through a speakers program in local schools. It also promotes cultural interaction between American students and foreign nationals studying at the college.

Student and Faculty Advisory Committees help ensure that the Dean Rusk International Studies Program is attuned to student interests and serves the college’s educational objectives. Members of the Student Advisory Committee also organize a number of international activities on campus and in the community. 

The Dean Rusk Program is located in the heart of campus on the first floor of Duke Residence Hall. Reflecting its mission to build global bridges between students’ lives inside and out of the classroom, the Dean Rusk Program is the only curricular or co-curricular program located in a residence hall. Its lounge, kitchen, and courtyard provide valuable programming resources to internationally-themed student organizations and residential communities.

International Students

Davidson College defines international students broadly to include dual citizens, Americans living abroad, foreign nationals, and permanent residents. This broad definition capitalizes on the diversity and wealth of experiences international students bring to campus. The International Student Office provides advising on immigration regulations and work permits, coordinates international student orientation, aids with student advocacy, and promotes interaction among international students, the college, and local communities. Also available is guidance on cultural adjustments as well as academic, personal, and financial concerns. Services offered are as diverse as the students and are meant to encourage a meaningful educational experience while students achieve personal and academic goals.

The Davidson International Association, composed of international and domestic students who are interested in international issues and programming, holds weekly meetings, organizes excursions in the surrounding area, and represents international interests on campus.

Education Abroad

Education Abroad offers challenging and fulfilling academic opportunities that allow students to enhance their on-campus experience with international or domestic study, and experiential learning activities such as research, internships, field work, and other co-curricular options.  There are multiple, diverse course options across disciplines.  The Office of Education Abroad works closely with academic departments and other campus partners to align programs with Davidson’s areas of study and student interests, and provides extensive advising, resources, and support to students during the application, pre-departure, off campus, and returnee phases.  As a high-impact learning practice, education abroad and away provides significant benefits for participants, including but not limited to increased academic focus and success, intercultural sensitivity, and the development of skills and competencies required by both graduate programs and the globalized workforce.

Students are encouraged to study abroad or away during their time at Davidson, and may choose from a dynamic roster of program options.  Davidson manages some of its own faculty-led, off-campus study programs.  The current roster includes semester programs in China, France, Peru, and Spain, as well as summer program options in England, Ghana, Spain, and Zambia.  Davidson also works closely with many partner organizations to offer a broad range of program choices around the world.  Students are eligible to study off campus for the first time the summer following their first year, and they may incorporate multiple off-campus experiences into their time at Davidson while studying at the sophomore or junior level, or as seniors on a Davidson fall semester program.

All students who study off campus must complete an application through Davidson’s Office of Education Abroad, whether on Davidson or with non-Davidson, partner programs, and whether during the academic year or during breaks. During academic terms, students may only study on partner programs that have been approved by the International Education Committee.  In this way, the college directs students toward quality programs that align with Davidson’s curriculum. A list of approved programs is available online from the Office of Education Abroad and Away, as is a more extensive description of policies and procedures designed for students who intend to make international or off-campus domestic study a part of their Davidson education. 

Davidson follows a home tuition policy for fall, spring, and academic year off-campus study programs.  Students enrolling in an approved partner program to study off-campus will receive two bills; one from the College remittable to Davidson for Davidson’s tuition fees, and the other from the program partner for all other fees, including non-refundable deposits, that the student pays directly to the partner program.  Students participating in Davidson’s faculty-led semester programs pay comprehensive fees to Davidson College.

Self-Instructional Language Program

Competence in a foreign language is essential to international mobility and understanding. While Davidson maintains strong programs in French, German, Spanish, Russian, Arabic, and Chinese, it also offers a Self-Instructional Language Program (SILP) that enables qualified students to study less commonly taught languages for which classroom instruction is unavailable. Each offering is an intensive audio-lingual course utilizing appropriate texts and audio/video materials, combined with three hours of small group work per week with a native speaker. The emphasis is on the spoken language with some work on basic reading and writing skills. A final oral examination, which forms the basis for the semester grade, is conducted by a specialist, usually invited from another institution. The languages offered depend on the current availability of native speaker conversation partners and appropriate materials. Self-Instructional Language Program courses do not satisfy the foreign language requirement or the cultural diversity requirement. Normally, participants must satisfy the foreign language requirement before enrolling in a SILP course. An additional fee is required. For more information, see the section about the program under Courses of Instruction.

Many Davidson graduates continue their education at graduate or professional schools. The sound liberal arts education that Davidson offers serves as an excellent preparation for further study or for entering a career directly following graduation.

Students who have definite plans for graduate or professional school are urged to become familiar with graduate school admission requirements and to consult with their advisers early about the best program to pursue. In general, graduate school standards are high. Applicants are expected to have done undergraduate work of good quality, to have a reading knowledge of at least one foreign language, and to make acceptable scores on the Graduate Record Examination.

PREMEDICINE (PREDENTISTRY): In general, premedicine and predentistry students complete the same course of study. Medical schools in particular recommend that premedicine students be as academically diverse as possible. With its strong tradition in the liberal arts, Davidson College supports this recommendation in three ways. First, all Davidson students are required to take classes in diverse academic disciplines. Second, premedicine and predentistry students may major in the department of their choice. Third, premedicine and predentistry students, whether they major in the sciences or in other areas, are encouraged to take a variety of courses outside their major.

1. Required Courses, Tests and Recommendations
   1. Coursework - Premedicine and predentistry students should take the following courses: Biology 111 or 113 and Bio 112 or 114; Chemistry 115, 220 or 240, 250 and 350; Physics 120 and 220 or 130 and 230. * Website, academic, premedicine, requirements and courses. Some medical schools have a mathematics requirement and additional required and/or recommended courses. All medical school course requirements are found at www.aamc.org/msar; a modest fee is required for access to this website. Requirements for dental schools are listed in Admission Requirements of U.S. and Canadian Dental School, a publication of the American Association of Dental Schools.
   2. Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) - Medical schools require all candidates for admission to take the MCAT, an exam that is administered multiple times from January to September of each calendar year. This electronic exam, which should not be attempted before all premedical courses are completed, is typically taken in the spring of the junior year. If not satisfied with the results, students may retake the MCAT in the summer of the rising senior year without delaying application to medical school. Dentistry students take the Dental Admissions Test (DAT), which is offered year round and is self-scheduled by the student.
   3. Premedical Advisory Committee (PAC) Recommendation - The committee, which is chaired by the director of premedicine and allied health professions, evaluates premedicine and predentistry students. It is highly recommended that all students, preparing to apply to medical or dental school, take advantage of the PAC evaluation process. This evaluation ordinarily takes place in the junior year but it is offered to seniors and alums.
2. ​Recommended Courses and Experiences
   1. ​ Humanities and Social Sciences - Academic diversity can be achieved by selecting courses in the languages, fine arts, and social sciences. Courses in academic disciplines such as Sociology, Psychology, and Statistics are especially recommended for optimal preparation for the new Medical College Admission Test.
   2. Medical Humanities - Students must understand the major controversies and dilemmas facing American healthcare. Medical Humanities offers interdisciplinary courses in the theory and practice of medicine.
   3. Advanced Biology, Chemistry, and Neuroscience - Courses in these disciplines help students build vocabulary and further their understanding of concepts important in medical and dental studies.
3. Experiences
   1. Hospital or Clinical Experience - Enjoying work in a medical setting is essential to a successful medical or dental career. Medical Humanities offers “Issues in Medicine” and “Health Care Ethics” courses which incorporate internships in area hospitals and clinics. Physicians, dentists, and other healthcare professionals in the Davidson area routinely provide shadowing opportunities to students interested in health-related careers. International opportunities are available through the Dean Rusk International Studies Program.
   2. Service Experience - Service to humanity is one of the highest ideals of the medical profession. The Center for Civic Engagement provides many opportunities to serve the needs of communities around Davidson College.
   3. Study Abroad - Foreign travel adds immeasurably to a student’s education and personal growth. Students who plan to study abroad for a semester or in the summer must plan for it early in their studies at Davidson College in order to complete all course requirements in a timely fashion.
   4. Research - The advancement of medicine and dentistry depends on an understanding of basic science research while research in general allows students to develop critical thinking and analytic abilities.  Many research opportunities are available in the science and social science departments at Davidson College and with collaborators and mentors in laboratories and clinics outside Davidson.
4.  Services to Premedicine and Prehealth related students
   1. ​Director of Premedicine and Allied Health Professions - The prehealth director is the adjunct adviser for all pre-medicine and predentistry students and assists in all matters related to preparation for admission to professional school.  It is recommended that students consult with the director early in their careers at Davidson and as often as possible. The prehealth director also provides advice to students seeking careers in other health professions such as advanced practice nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant, pharmacy, etc.
   2. Alpha Epsilon Delta (AED), the Minority Association of Premedical Students (MAPS), the Predental Society, the Prenursing and the Prephysician Assistant Society - These organizations provide opportunities for featuring leadership, citizenship, and education through speaker series, admissions deans and a variety of health care professionals, community service opportunities, social activities including book clubs and travel to premedicine/allied health student conferences, MCAT/DAT Forum-AMCAS/AADSAS Forum, and personal statement writing and traditional and multiple mini-interview workshops. 

PRELAW ADVISING: Davidson’s prelaw advisers provide guidance to students interested in pursuing law school and legal careers. Support includes one-on-one and group advising; the opportunity to meet with law school admission representatives at Davidson’s annual law school fair; access to Davidson alumni who work in the legal field; exposure to legal issues and law school admission advice through speakers, panel discussions, and other programs on campus; and feedback on students’ law school application materials.

TEACHER EDUCATION: The Educational Studies department specializes in the study of formal and non-formal educational settings. We challenge students to think deeply about complex social issues and strategies for lives of leadership and service. A major in Educational Studies (non-teaching) is offered through the Center for Interdisciplinary Studies. In addition, we are committed to preparing future teachers in non-traditional ways, which matches the needs and interests of students at Davidson College. Students who desire to teach should consult with Educational Studies faculty about the various routes available to them, including alternate route certification programs, graduate school programs, and independent school teaching opportunities. For more detailed information, interested students should contact the chair of the Educational Studies department during their first or second year.

ENGINEERING DUAL DEGREE PROGRAM: Believing that the liberal arts college has a contribution to make toward the education of engineers in a society faced with increasingly complex technological and human problems, Davidson has cooperative dual degree engineering programs with Columbia University in New York and Washington University in St. Louis. The student attends Davidson for three or four years and, if accepted, attends the engineering school for the last two years.

To receive a Davidson degree under the cooperative dual degree plan a student must:

1. complete at Davidson all distribution requirements with at least a “C” average;
2. choose a Davidson major and complete a course of study for that major;
3. complete Davidson graduation requirements in foreign language, composition, cultural diversity, and physical education; and
4. graduate from one of the cooperating schools in an approved engineering curriculum.

Other 4/2 engineering options exist, which include applying to any engineering school for an M.S. or Ph.D. program or an M.B.A. program.

Since many of the required preparatory courses for the 3/2 path must be taken in proper sequence, it is wise, and for some schools and/or curricula essential, for a prospective 3/2 student to begin the program during the first semester at Davidson. For further information and assistance, contact the faculty 3/2 engineering adviser, Dr. Tim Gfroerer.

ARMY RESERVE OFFICERS’ TRAINING CORPS (ROTC): The Army ROTC program at Davidson is designed to enhance a student’s college education by providing unique training and practical experience in leadership and management qualities that are essential to success in any career. Upon graduation from Davidson, students who have successfully completed ROTC training are awarded a commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army, Army National Guard, or Army Reserve. To prepare students to become commissioned officers, the ROTC program combines college courses and leadership labs in military studies with various summer training opportunities. The military studies curriculum consists of a two-year Basic Course and a two-year Advanced Course.

The Basic Course is taken during the first and second years and covers six tracks of instruction: leadership, personal development, values and ethics, officership, military tactics, and physical training. No military commitment is incurred for participation in the Basic Course. Some or all of the Basic Course requirements may be waived by the Professor of Military Studies for those who have completed Junior ROTC programs or have previous military experience. For more information see the Military Studies section under Courses of Instruction.

The Advanced Course is limited to students who have completed (or have received credit for) the Basic Course and have demonstrated the leadership and scholastic potential to become a commissioned officer. The course provides instruction in advanced leadership development, military history, training management, organization and management techniques, tactics, logistics, and the military judicial system. Advanced Course students attend a 32-day Cadet Summer Training Course (CST) at Fort Knox, Kentucky during the summer between their junior and senior years. Students receive travel expenses, room and board, medical and dental care, and a stipend while attending CST.

The Army ROTC program offers Davidson students the opportunity to participate in numerous challenging and rewarding extracurricular activities such as adventure training, social events, and community service activities. Both men and women may enroll in the program and apply for Army ROTC scholarships. High school juniors/seniors may apply for a 4-year scholarship online at www.goarmy.com before January 10th of their senior year. Current Davidson undergraduates may enroll in Military Science Courses and compete for 2 to 3-year academic scholarships.  Army ROTC scholarships provide full tuition and mandatory fees, an allowance for books, and a monthly personal expense stipend. Guaranteed National Guard or Army Reserve commissions are available. Students interested in a part-time career with the National Guard or Army Reserves may apply solely for Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty (GRFD) scholarships.

AIR FORCE ROTC: Davidson College students may participate in the Air Force ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corp) program through the Greater Charlotte Consortium agreement with UNC-Charlotte (UNCC). Classes are taught one day per week at the UNCC campus. Lecture and lab are taught on the same day. Participating students must adhere to the academic calendars for both institutions. A consortium form must be completed and submitted to the Registrar for review and approval prior to registration. Contact Marcia Stoutjesdyk, Associate Registrar mastoutjesdyk@davidson.edu

VETERANS EDUCATION BENEFITS: Individuals who have accepted admission to Davidson College and are eligible for education benefits through the Veteran’s Administration, must provide the Registrar’s Office with a copy of their Certificate of Eligibility (COE) in order to participate in a program of education.

THE CENTER FOR INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES: The Center for Interdisciplinary Studies (CIS) provides opportunities for students and faculty to explore topics that cross traditional disciplinary boundaries, including a route for students to complete a major that is not offered by an academic department or program.

SUMMER CONTRACT COURSES: Students may arrange with individual professors to initiate and take independent study courses on a contract basis during the summer. Tuition for contract courses is announced annually.  The form is located on the Registrar’s Office webpage. A completed and filed contract constitutes registration.

DAVIDSON COLLEGE-BROUGHTON HOSPITAL SUMMER STUDY PROGRAM: During the summer, Davidson offers a one-course program in Clinical Psychology at Broughton Hospital in Morganton, NC. Students receive credit for Practicum in Psychology (Psychology 290). The program includes supervised work in the service units of the hospital.

DAVIDSON IN SILICON VALLEY: Davidson in Silicon Valley is an immersive and place-based 14-week study away program in San Francisco. Students will learn computational thinking and coding skills while critically exploring technology and its role in society. Connecting closely with alumni and industry experts, students will understand the world’s most dynamic ecosystem of technological innovation. Through project-based learning, students earn one semester’s worth of credit (including two distribution requirements), develop technical and interpersonal skills, and receive unique mentoring, networking, and career development opportunities, including an interview for a summer internship. The program is open to all graduate years and majors. Computer science experience is not required.Participants must have a 2.5 grade point average.

DAVIDSON IN WASHINGTON PROGRAM: The Political Science Department sponsors the Davidson in Washington program, an eight-week summer session of work and study in Washington, DC. Students serve as interns in Congressional offices, government agencies, or interest group offices and take part in a symposium conducted by a Davidson faculty member in residence. Students earn two course credits. The program is open to a limited number of students, with preference given to rising juniors and seniors.  Participants must have a 2.5 grade point average.

INDEPENDENT STUDY: Independent studies and tutorials allow students to work on topics of special interest and to design a personal course of study with the approval of a Department Chair and a faculty member who supervises the student and determines the means of evaluation.  The form is located on the Registrar’s Office webpage.

MEDICAL INTERNSHIPS: Davidson College has an institutional affiliation agreement with the Carolinas Medical Center that provides students interested in medicine or medical research with internship and independent study opportunities in a clinical hospital environment. These experiences are normally arranged through the Pre-medical Studies or Medical Humanities Programs.

STUDENT RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES: The Davidson Research Initiative, Abernethy Endowment, Dean Rusk International Studies Program, Kemp Scholars Program, Research In Sciences Experiences (RISE), Van Fellows in Biomedical Research, and Davidson Research Network provide students with funding for study and research projects during the summer or the academic year. Additional student summer research support is available through individual faculty who receive externally or internally funded grants that include support for student fellowships. Some research projects result in collaborative papers that are presented at professional conferences and published in scholarly journals. On-campus summer research fellows or assistants may receive a housing allowance through the grant program, or they can apply for a limited number of summer supplemental housing grants, which help defray the expense of remaining on campus for eight to ten weeks. Application guidelines and due dates for each program are announced annually and can be found on Davidson’s website. 

KATHERINE AND TOM BELK VISUAL ARTS CENTER: This 43,000 square foot building, designed by the architect Graham Gund, houses classroom and laboratory facilities for painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, and digital arts. Art history is taught in Semans Auditoriumand a seminar room, each equipped with digital technology. The Visual Arts Center contains two public galleries and an art collection area, as well as studios and offices for faculty, the gallery director and gallery assistant, visual resource curator, lab technician, and administrative assistant.  Declared majors with an emphasis in studio art may apply for one of the seven individual student studios in the building.

CHARLES A. DANA SCIENCE BUILDING: The Dana Science Building is home to the Physics Department and the Physics Student Resource Center. Dana houses physics faculty and staff offices, classrooms, and astronomy and physics instructional and research laboratories on three floors (basement, first, and second floors). There are special facilities for student-faculty collaborative research in the areas of applied physics, astronomy and astrophysics, atomic and molecular physics, computational physics, condensed matter physics, nuclear physics, laser spectroscopy, and theoretical physics.  Student instructional laboratories are used for the study of astronomy, introductory physics, electronics, optics, and advanced physics. All labs contain networked computers. Major physics instrumentation includes a diode-pumped Nd:YAG laser coupled to a Ti-sapphire ring cavity and a 20-femtosecond ultrafast oscillator, a pulsed frequency-doubled optical parametric oscillator and a pulsed Nd:YAG dye laser system, dual-beam optical tweezers, a 1.3-m scanning monochromator, a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, a differential scanning calorimeter, wavemeters and spectrum analyzers, a transient capacitance spectroscopy system, liquid helium and nitrogen cryostats, a Penning ion trap,  a 2-Tesla electromagnet, and an X-ray cabinet with DR plate and Digitome volumetric technology. This equipment is used to study negative ions, nuclear physics, semiconductors, doped insulators, and other interdisciplinary applications. The Physics Student Resource Center contains high-end workstations for science computation in astrophysics, computational physics, and theoretical physics. The second floor of the Dana Science Building houses two teaching laboratories; one upper-level electronics and instrumentation laboratory and one introductory physics studio classroom for teaching in an integrated laboratory/classroom setting.

E. CRAIG Wall JR. ACADEMIC CENTER:  Organized such that it roughly resembles the letter π, the ‘top piece’ contains 44 individual offices for departmental faculty and support staff, a computer lab (16 Mac/PC dual boot computers), spectroscopy lab, laser/optics lab, and meeting spaces.  The building wings contain a staffed animal care facility, 11 additional faculty offices, 4 laboratory research support staff offices, 35 research labs, a central forum appropriate for TED-talk style seminars and poster session/conference space, 18 teaching labs with computing capability, 5 flexible instructional spaces, a staffed stockroom, a second computer lab (32 Mac/PC dual boot computers) and dedicated spaces for research-specific instrumentation (Confocal microscopy, GC/MS Triple Quad, GC/ECD Chromatograph, 2 Agilent PDA UV/Vis spectrophotometers, 2 Cary UV/Vis spectrophotometers, Nicolet FTIR, Dionex Ion Chromatograph, Dionex HPLC, Varian GC/FID Chromatograph, JOEL 400 MHz NMR, Fluorometer, Circular Dichroism, and Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer).  The building houses the Departments of Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Studies, and Psychology, as well as the Center for Interdisciplinary Studies and the Sustainability Office. This learning complex serves as a “hub” for collaboration, connecting faculty and students in new, creative ways and promoting undergraduate research and the creation of students’ original work.

WATSON BUILDING: The four floors of the Watson Building house classrooms, offices, and laboratory spaces.  

APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY BUILDING:  The two floors of the Applied Psychology Building house laboratories for instruction and research in Psychology.  Special facilities are available for student-faculty research and laboratory courses in the areas of cognitive aging, memory, life stories, clinical psychology, positive psychology and well-being, , industrial-organizational psychology, and organization development.  Major instrumentation includes computer stations in all teaching laboratories, controlled environments for cognitive testing, computerized stimulus presentation and experiment management, and interview space for community participants.

MUSIC FACILITIES: The Music Department occupies the Sloan Music Center. Departmental and faculty offices, a classroom, and the Music Library are on the main level. The wing devoted to the Music Library preserves and maintains collections of music scores, reference books, videos, DVDs and CDs, and has six lab computers with audio editing capabilities, LP and cassette digitization equipment, and a small group listening/viewing room.

Tyler-Tallman Recital Hall on the upper level seats 200 and provides an intimate performance space for student recitals, lectures, and master classes. Available on the stage are two concert grand pianos: a New York Steinway “D” and a Hamburg Steinway “D,” and a two-manual Kingston Harpsichord.  A spacious instrumental rehearsal room and a large choral room equipped with a Steinway “D” offer students excellent rehearsal spaces.

The lower level houses piano, voice, and string studios and includes instructional spaces for string, wind, and brass teachers. A state-of-the-art recording studio suite and a digital music classroom are located here. There are six spacious practice rooms, fully soundproofed and equipped with pianos and stands, as well as a multi-functional classroom/small ensemble rehearsal space. A student lounge with lounge chairs, lab computers, and study tables sits in the center of this level.

Other venues for the Music Department’s concerts are the Duke Family Performance Hall, with a drop-in acoustical shell and a Steinway “D” concert grand piano, and the sanctuary of the Davidson College Presbyterian Church, which is the site of many choral concerts and the annual Christmas Vespers Service.

THEATRE FACILITIES: Theatre productions take place in The Duke Family Performance Hall, A state-of-the-art theatre with a seating capacity of 625 and a 49 lineset fly system, and the recently renovated, flexible Rupert T. Barber Theatre, with a seating capacity of 175, located in the Cunningham Theatre Center. Production support facilities within the Cunningham Theatre Center include a 3000 square foot scene shop with woodworking and metalworking capabilities, a paint shop with integrated spray booth, the Thomas Design Classroom with a dedicated theatrical lighting lab, a sound studio with digital recording and editing equipment, the Studio 145 Rehearsal Room with dedicated lighting and audio system, and props and costume storage. The Cunningham Theatre Center is also home to the Zuravel Green Room, which houses the Script Library, and departmental offices and production meeting spaces.

Notice of Student Rights with Respect to Education Records (FERPA)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords you certain rights with respect to your education records. These rights include:

1. The right to inspect and review your education records (with certain limited exceptions) within 45 days of the day Davidson College receives your request for access. You should submit any such request to the Registrar’s Office in writing, identifying the records you wish to inspect. The Registrar’s Office will make arrangements for access and notify you of the time and place where the records may be inspected. Records that are customarily open for student inspection will be accessible without written request.
2. The right to request the amendment of your education records if you believe them to be inaccurate. You should submit any such request to the Registrar’s Office in writing, clearly identifying the records that you want to have amended and specifying the reasons you believe them to be inaccurate. The Registrar’s Office will notify you of its decision. (Grade appeals are handled differently. Please see the Registrar’s web site for more information or contact the Registrar’s Office.)
3. The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in your education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.

• One such exception permits disclosure to “school officials” with “legitimate educational interests.” A “school official” is any person employed by Davidson College in any administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position (including public safety and student health services staff); any person or company with whom Davidson College has contracted to provide a service to or on behalf of Davidson College (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent); any person serving on Davidson’s Board of Trustees; or any student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official has a “legitimate educational interest” if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill the official’s professional responsibility.
• Another such exception permits Davidson College to disclose your “directory information,” consisting of your name; local, home, and e-mail addresses; local, home, and mobile telephone number; major field of study (to include minors and interdisciplinary minors); enrollment status and class; dates of attendance; anticipated degree and degree date; degrees, honors, and awards received; participation in officially recognized activities and sports; most recent educational agency or institution attended; photographs and videos; eating house affiliation; and weight and height of members of athletic teams, to anyone within the Davidson College community and to the general public. Students who wish to have their directory information withheld must notify the Registrar’s Office in writing. (Please note that such a notification will prevent Davidson College from providing your directory information to your friends, prospective employers, and others with whom you may wish us to share such information, so make your decision carefully.) You may give such notification at any time, but it will be effective only prospectively. Students who do not wish to have their address (or other information) published in the student directory must notify the Registrar’s Office annually by no later than seven days after the beginning of classes.
• Upon request, Davidson College also discloses education records without consent to officials of another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll or where the student is already enrolled so long as the disclosure is for purposes related to the student’s enrollment or transfer. Information on other such exceptions is available through the Registrar’s Office.

  4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Davidson College to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is: Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20202-4605.

Policy Defining Academically Engaged Time

In-class instruction includes, but is not limited to, activities such as lectures, laboratory work, discussion, group work, and reviews. Out-of-class time includes, but is not limited to, activities such as reading, writing, research, practice, performance, field work, utilizing support services like the Writing Center, and group project work. When combined, academically engaged time in and out of class should total at least 12 hours per week for an individual course. Each instructor and course may require a different combination of in- and out-of-class time. The examples below illustrate 3 possibilities:

Example 1: Lower-level course, meeting 3 times per week for 1 hour of class:

• Monday: Class (1 hour), peer critique from Monday’s class (1 hour)
• Tuesday: Read Chapters 1 & 2 in XXX (1.5 hours)
• Wednesday: Class (1 hour), appointment at Writing Center (1 hour)
• Thursday: Read Chapters 3 & 4 in XXX, peer critique from Wednesday’s class (2.5 hours)
• Friday: Class (1 hour)
• Saturday & Sunday: Begin research for paper project and outline first draft (3 hours)

Example 2: Mid-level science course with a lab course, meeting 3 times per week for 1 hour of class, and 1 time per week for a 3-hour lab:

• Monday: Class (1 hour), Read Chapters 1 & 2 of XXX ( 1 hour)
• Tuesday: Read Chapters 3 & 4 of XXX (1 hour)
• Wednesday: Class (1 hour), Lab (3 hours)
• Thursday: Read Chapters 5 & 6 of XXX (1 hour), Write up lab results (1 hour)
• Friday: Class (1 hour)
• Saturday & Sunday: Study for Review (1 hour), take review (1 hour)

Example 3: Seminar course, meeting 1 time per week for 3 hours:

• Monday: Class (3 hours), print readings, make reading plan, and review discussion paper prompt
• Tuesday: Read chapter 1 of XXX & YYY article (1.5 hours)
• Wednesday: Review readings by XXX & chapter 2 of YYY (1.5 hours)
• Thursday: Complete application assessments & questionnaires (1.5 hours)
• Friday: Respond to preferences email, post two blog entries, and create paper outline (1.5 hours)
• Saturday & Sunday: Write paper and post by Sunday at 5:00pm (3 hours)