Announcement: Academic Updates for 2008-09

Beginning with the 2008-09 academic year, the following changes will be effective. Students who do not complete graduation requirements before June 1, 2008, will be eligible to meet requirements as described in items I-IV. Item V, as described, will be followed to process graduation for students completing graduation requirements after June 1, 2008.

Please note that this list of changes does not constitute all changes made in majors, minors, course descriptions, etc. Refer to the 2008-09 Graceland University Catalog available online at www.graceland.edu/catalog, after July 1, 2008, to review possible changes in your major(s). Your questions can be directed to Registrar Joyce Lighthill at 784-5222 or lighthil@graceland.edu.

1. The total number of semester hours required for graduation will be 124.
2. Two winter terms will be required for students who enter Graceland with less than 24 s.h. of credit. One winter term will be required for students who enter with 24-87 s.h. Students entering with 88 s.h. or more of transfer credit are not required to complete winter terms.
3. A revised general education package as follows will be available and required for any student new to Graceland beginning with the 2008-09 academic year.
   
   NOTE: No course may meet more than one goal, except that courses with a cluster may meet a goal other than goal 10. Some goals may be met by approved Winter Term courses. Demonstrated competence: Other than coursework, there are many ways in which students may demonstrate that they have satisfied the intent of a goal. Common options include internships, portfolios, proficiency exams, work experience, independent studies, performance, and excellent achievement in the area. For more information about demonstrated competence, students should see their advisor.

1. To communicate effectively orally and in writing.
   9 s.h. including:
   1. One of the following:
      COMM1200 Speech Communication: An Introduction
      COMM/PEAC/SOCI3210 Conflict Resolution
      COMM3310 Interpersonal Communication
      COMM3320 Business and Professional Speaking
      COMM/RELG3470 Preaching
      THTR1240 Vocal Presentation Skills
   2. ENGL1410 Modern Rhetoric or ENGL1440 English Honors
   3. Any Advanced Composition course (ENGL3200, 3210, 3220, 3250, 3270, 3280)
2. To be knowledgeable about the sciences.
   12 s.h. including:
   1. Natural Sciences - 6 s.h. from the following:
      Any biology course (BIOL)
      Any chemistry course (CHEM)
      Any physics course (PHYS)
      Any science course (SCIE)
   2. Social Science - 3 s.h. from the following:
      HIST2340 Middle Eastern Civilization I
      HIST2360 Middle Eastern Civilization II
      HIST2410 United States History to 1865
      HIST2420 United States History Since 1865
      POLS1300 American Government
      POLS2350 Comparative Government and Politics
      POLS2380 International Politics
   3. Behavioral Sciences - 3 s.h. from the following:
      Any economics course (ECON)
      Any psychology course (PSYC)
      SOCI1300 Introduction to Sociology
      SOCI1350 Cultural Anthropology
3. To be knowledgeable and appreciative of the arts and humanities.
   9 s.h. including:
   1. 3 s.h. in Fine Arts (MUSC, THTR, ARTS)
   2. 3 s.h. in Literature or Cinema Studies
   3. 3 s.h. chosen from 3a or 3b
4. To develop thinking skills including quantitative analysis.
   6 s.h.
   Two MATH courses
5. To develop sound values and ethical consciousness.
   3 s.h. from:
   ARTS2901 Topics in Art History: Ethics, Politics & Controversy in Art
   BUAD3200 Business Ethics
   COMM3400 Ethical Issues in Communication
   EDUC3100 Human Relations for Educators
   PEAC/POLS2200 Intro to Peace Studies
   PHIL2260 The Ethics of Technology
   PHIL2300 Basic Issues in Philosophy
   PHIL2520 Medical Ethics
   PHIL3260 The Ethics of War
   PHIL/RELG3100 World Philosophies & Religion: Great Texts
   PHIL/RELG3250 Ethics
   PHIL/RELG3440 Process Philosophy and Theology
   PHIL/RELG3450 Philosophy of Religion
   RELG1200 Introduction to Religion
   RELG1310 Introduction to Old Testament
   RELG1320 Introduction to New Testament
   RELG2030 Introduction to Pastoral Care and Counseling
   RELG2320 Introduction to Christian Theology
   RELG2340/3340 Ecological Theology
   RELG2360 Religions of the World
   RELG3490 Christian Feminist Theology
   RELG3500 Contemporary Theology
   RELG3550 Ministries of the Church
6. To develop skills of collaboration, leadership, and change.
   One of the following:
   BUAD2350/3350 Free Market Practicum (SIFE)
   BUAD3320 Principles of Management
   COMM1230 Small Group Discussion
   Student Teaching (EDUC4400, 4420, 4440, 4450, 4460, 4470, 4480)
   Any LEAD course
   MUSC3240 Conducting II
   NURS4160 Leadership Roles in Nursing
   RECR1210 Theory in Group Leadership and Recreation
   THTR4100 Directing I
   Community of Christ Leadership Program (CCLP)
   Elected Campus Leadership Position (GSG, House Council, Varsity Team Captain, Head Athletic Training Student)
7. To be knowledgeable and appreciative of human diversity as expressed in cultures other than one's own.
   6 s.h. from the following:
   (all international students whose first language is not English automatically meet this requirement)
   Any foreign language
   ARTS2300 Art History Survey: Ancient to Medieval
   ARTS2310 Art History Survey: Renaissance to Modern
   COMM/INTD3100 Intercultural Communication
   HIST1310 World Civilizations I
   HIST1320 World Civilizations II
   PSYC3370 Cross Cultural Psychology
   Approved Semester Abroad
   Approved International Winter Term
8. To be competent in using current technology for information processing.
   3 s.h. from the following:
   COMM3110 Computer Applications I for Communication Majors: Presentation Programs
   CPSC1020 Introduction to Web Page Programming
   CPSC1100 Principles of Computing
   CPSC1210 Introduction to UNIX
   ITEC1010 Microcomputer Business Applications I
   Approved 1 s.h. modules (such as ITEC1110 Computer-based Academic Research, ITEC1120 Microsoft Word® & PowerPoint®, ITEC1130 Microsoft Excel®, ITEC1140 Microsoft Access®)
   Approved technology certification
9. To know and apply the principles of healthful living including worthwhile use of leisure time.
   3 s.h. including:
   1. PHED1000 Personal Fitness Management or HLTH1200 Principles of Healthful Living
   2. One Physical Education activity course
10. To make meaningful connections between disciplines.
    Cluster Course (INTC0000) or any 3 s.h. from the following:
    Any HUMN course
    BIOL/CHEM4310 Biochemistry
    EDUC/THTR2600 Creative Drama and Education
    PHED3340 Anatomical and Mechanical Kinesiology
    SCIE3030 The Nature of Science

4. Students who transfer or transferred at least 48 s.h. taken prior to enrolling at Graceland will be allowed to follow the alternative general education requirements.
5. Graduation process and procedure changes follow.

• Students who a) plan to complete requirements before the May 17, 2009, commencement ceremony, or b) will not have completed requirements by the end of the spring semester, but have a documented plan to be completed by the end of the 2009 calendar year with at least a 2.00 cumulative GPA, may participate in the May 2009 ceremony. Applications for graduation from these students must be received prior to May 1st.
• Final grades for seniors graduating in May, 2009, will be collected along with final grades for all students, following the commencement ceremony.
• Summa, Magna, and Cum Laude designations will be based on the graduate’s cumulative grade point average on May 1st. Only those students who are registered and expected to complete all courses required for the degree by the end of the spring semester, are eligible for honors. Honor designations will change, if the change is necessitated, after final grades are received for the semester.
• Grades for recipients of the Gold Seal for Scholarship will be verified with instructors prior to the commencement ceremony on May 17, 2009.
• Diplomas will be shipped prior to June 10th, but following receipt of final grades from instructors and a final audit of graduation requirements by the Registrar.