The elements of Allegheny’s curriculum work together to provide students with a cohesive program in which all four of the Institutional Learning Outcomes listed below may be achieved. In particular, the SWS program, the junior seminar, and Senior Project progressively develop students’ abilities to read and listen critically, formulate their ideas, and become more effective writers and speakers.
Allegheny’s educational program is designed so that its graduates are able to:
Think
critically and creatively
Communicate
clearly and persuasively
as speakers and writers
Invoke
multiple ways of understanding
to organize and evaluate evidence,
and to interpret and make sense
of their experiences and
the experiences of others
Apply
their knowledge and learning
to engage in informed debate,
and to analyze and solve problems
After your first-year seminars, you will then take:
A sophomore seminar (SWS 205) that introduces you to the specific modes of writing, speaking and research in an academic discipline
A junior seminar (numbered 550 to 589) that is either a capstone course for your minor or a preparation course for your Senior Comprehensive Project
And finally, after several years of hard work, a Senior Comprehensive Project (numbered 600 to 630), a significant piece of independent study, research, or creative work mentored by one or more faculty members.
The experience of writing their “Comp” is what Allegheny graduates remember decades later, and you’ll be preparing for that from the first day you step into the classroom.
To progress from Matriculation to Commencement, you will also need to complete a major, a minor, a set of distribution requirements that proclaim our values as an educational institution, and at least 128 credits with a minimum GPA of 2.0 cumulatively and in each major and minor.
(Please see the Academic Bulletin for full details or ask an advisor!)