University Scholars |
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University Scholars Program About the Program The academic program consists of three seminars and a thesis. University Scholars are required to take at least one seminar in each of the three areas of humanities, natural science, and social science. These seminars encourage active rather than passive learning and they emphasize interdisciplinary studies. The seminars are often team-taught, sometimes by as many as four faculty. Many of the seminars are created by faculty throughout the College (and, occasionally, the Law School) who have an innovative and/or topical theme that they would like to explore. The University Scholars program offers them a vehicle for doing so. On other occasions, seminars are developed by University Scholars students themselves – the Scholar conceives of the idea for the course and then brings the proposal to faculty members she or he believes might have an interest in teaching such a course. Some recent University Scholars course offerings include Humor; Shamanism, Spirit Possession, and the Occult; Time Machines; and Avoiding Armageddon: The Politics and Science of Non-proliferation. The full list of University Scholars course offerings since the inception of the program can be viewed elsewhere on this website. Special academic opportunities supplement the required courses. Scholars are eligible to design their own independent seminars and may take as many as two courses a year as tutorials. The exact nature of each tutorial will vary, as arranged between the Scholar and the faculty member, but generally a tutorial allows the student to work independently under the instructor’s direction, to do extra or advanced reading, to write essays more frequently, and to sharpen thinking in regular conferences with the instructor. Most Scholars satisfy the thesis requirement by participating in the Honors program of their major department. The senior year honors thesis required for departmental honors automatically satisfies the University Scholars thesis requirement. The student may also fulfill the thesis requirement with an independent study of at least three credits. The independent study must involve a substantial writing project, and approval by the Program Director of University Scholars is required. The final requirement, beyond the three seminars and the thesis, for graduations as a University Scholar is achievement of at least a 3.25 cumulative grade point average and attendance at monthly meetings. University Scholars Organization and Privileges The Program’s extracurricular activity is overseen by the University Scholars Advisory Committee which is comprised of a group of faculty appointed by the Dean of the College and elected Scholars. The director of the program chairs the committee. Activities often involve bringing speakers to campus, having special opportunities for personal interaction with faculty, monthly meetings, workshops, and retreats. Special Requirements and Recognition To graduate as a University Scholar, a student must complete three University Scholars courses (one in Humanities, one in Social Sciences, and one in Natural Sciences), satisfy a thesis requirement, and graduate with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.25. More specific information about these requirements can be found in the University Scholars Constitution. University Scholars are encouraged to play an active role not only in the classroom, but also in the Washington and Lee community. Scholars have the opportunity for more personal contact with professors on campus and speakers that are brought to Washington and Lee. University Scholar will be noted at Commencement and on the student’s transcript. Application Procedures Freshmen and Sophomores with a GPA of 3.5 or
higher at the end of the Fall term will be invited to apply for
admission to the Program. Selections, which will occur near the
beginning of winter term, are based on the student s record, a personal
statement, faculty letters of recommendation, and interviews. The
University Scholars Selection Committee will be responsible for
evaluating the applications and making the selections. A limited number
of juniors who complete at least two University Scholars courses with a
grade of B+ or better will be considered for the program by the
beginning of the winter term of the junior year.
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University Scholars |
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