CAPSTONE COURSE GUIDELINES

Capstone courses are intensive experiences in critical analysis, designed to broaden students’ perspectives beyond their culture or discipline and provide an opportunity for integration of previous courses in the major and in the core curriculum. They require students to examine complex issues in substantial pieces of writing. Entrance into the capstone courses follows completion of other parts of the core curriculum; therefore these courses are designed for seniors. Topics of capstone courses may include issues relating to science and society, the analysis of diverse cultures and traditions, the application of varied disciplines to a single problem, or the analysis of a single issue across national, cultural, or disciplinary lines. Class sizes do not exceed 35 students per section.

Capstone courses should meet the following GUIDELINES:

  1. Courses build upon the core curriculum. They provide the opportunity for students to bring to bear knowledge gained in other core courses and knowledge derived from courses in the major.
  1. Courses are integrative, broadly focuses, multi-disciplinary, and if relevant, cross-cultural.
  2. Courses focus on ethical and substantive issues and themes that affect the world community and broad cross-sections of humanity.
  3. Courses promote critical thinking, reaching beyond orthodox or traditional approaches and perspectives. Courses challenge students to question and critically examine established assumptions.
  4. Every course includes a rigorous writing component and also, wherever possible, a computational component.
  5. Capstone courses offer a unique opportunity for innovative teaching. Cross-disciplinary courses and team-taught courses are encouraged.

Differences between GENERAL and MAJOR Capstone Courses:

  1. A GENERAL education capstone course is open to all students with no or minimal prerequisites beyond lower division core curriculum requirements.
  2. A MAJOR capstone course is open to majors only, with significant prerequisites in the major. Courses may be approved as major capstone courses if they meet the guidelines for capstone courses and if they build upon the major, allowing integration of the major with the core curriculum.

Students may take one capstone course in the department of their major if they wish and if it is available. At least one capstone course must be taken outside the department of their major.

 

Other Responsibilities

Any department with a core curriculum course may be asked to submit to the Core Curriculum Board one copy of the course syllabus and examples of student assignments any semester that the course is offered.

If a capstone course fails to meet the five guidelines mentioned previously, it may be dropped from the capstone list and the core curriculum.

Every course approved for the core curriculum (including capstone courses) must be taught at least once every two years. Approved courses that are not taught for two years will be dropped from the list and designated inactive unless they are scheduled for the third year. To reactivate a capstone course, a department must request a review and submit an updated syllabus.

 

Submission Process for Newly Created Courses and Existing Courses which wish Capstone designation