Class of 2011

Welcome Page

Course Selection and Advising at Dickinson

The advising process at Dickinson is designed to support and assist you on the unique path that you will take in earning your degree. Central to Dickinson’s system is the acknowledgement and understanding that both you and your advisor have the responsibility to make this process work in a deliberate and thoughtful way.

As a new Dickinsonian, you will begin your academic journey this month by selecting your first four courses, one of which will be your First-Year Seminar “Art and Politics.” Professor Crispin Sartwell, instructor of your seminar will also serve as your academic advisor. Professor Sartwell will contact you during the next week to discuss your course selections and give you your alternate PIN, which you will forward along with your course requests to Deb Bolen bolend@dickinson.edu by FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16.

When you arrive on campus in January for Orientation, you will meet with Prof. Sartwell and have an opportunity to discuss your interests and academic goals. You will also have an opportunity to review the classes that you are enrolled in for the spring semester.

Your advisor is here to offer you support and advice, and to assist you in developing your critical thinking and responsible decision-making skills. Building a positive relationship with your advisor and learning how to be a responsible and communicative advisee are two of the most important things you can do during your first year at Dickinson.

Your First Semester

In addition to your First-Year Seminar, you will be requesting three courses, which is considered a full-time load for the semester. An additional half-credit course (certain music, dance or military science classes) may be added to your four courses each semester. There are several general guidelines to consider when initially selecting your courses:

• Try to create a balance between reading-intensive, writing and lab-based classes
• Think about taking one course in the academic discipline you are considering for a major
• Use common sense about scheduling the degree requirements over the next four years

Be assured that, in one way or another, no matter which courses you select for your first semester, each will contribute to your Dickinson education and progress towards your degree.

First Course -- First-Year Seminar

• Your advisor is and First-Year Seminar professor is Dr. Crispin Sartwell. Your First-Year Seminar - Art & Politics - will meet Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10:30am to 11:20am. Keep this in mind while selecting your three remaining classes.

Second Course

• For your second course, most of you should take a foreign language. Whether you have some proficiency in a language or wish to begin a new language, Dickinson’s language requirement may take from one to four semesters to complete.
• Starting your language study early is important, particularly if you plan to study a language beyond the minimum requirement of intermediate proficiency.
• Some of you may also need a language to study abroad, so waiting until your second or third semester is generally not a good idea.
• Please note that all language courses at Dickinson are sequenced, but not all courses in the sequence are offered each semester.

Determining appropriate level for languages Placement tests for French, Spanish and German should be taken online. Please plan to take the test(s) before November 10th in order to have the results to guide you in your course selection. PLEASE NOTE: If you place out of French, Spanish or German during the online placement, you must confirm your fulfillment of the requirement by taking the placement exam again on campus during the first week of classes (January 21-25, 2008).

Placment tests and interviews will be given in other languages on campus. For now, estimate your course level by the experience you have. Generally, you may estimate that a year of high school language equals a semester of college language study. (Advising Handbook - Foreign Languages) Please contact the appropriate Department Chair or Dr. Shirley King, Director of Advising (kings@dickinson.edu) for more information.

Third Course

• For your third course, most of you should take a course in the natural or computer sciences, which meets the Division III lab science requirement.
  -OR-
  You could select a class that will support your intended degree goals or fulfill a requirement for a potential major. Several programs of study require taking foundation (pre-requisite) courses during the first semester.
• If you are planning on a medical, engineering or scientific career, you must include a combination of two science or math courses your first semester, so your third and fourth choice of classes this first semester should include recommended courses for these programs.
• Please note that some majors have very specific requirements for getting started during your first year at Dickinson. (Academic Advising Handbook)

Fourth Course

• For your fourth course, you should plan to take a class in a general area or subject that interests you -- such as the arts and humanities (Division I), social sciences (Division II), or laboratory sciences (Division III).
• This early opportunity to explore an academic discipline may also be a course that will meet one of the distribution requirements of Dickinson’s core curriculum.
• Use the Attributes on Banner Self-Service to select a listing of courses that meet various degree requirements.

If you prefer to explore available options in the social sciences, humanities or arts, you may find it most helpful to read descriptions of individual majors. This may help you distinguish between two choices. The online Dickinson College Bulletin gives you current information on major requirements and a suggested four-year sequence of courses in that major.

Schedule for Spring Semester 2008

• To find courses that are recommended for first-year students, use the Appropriate for First-Year attribute when searching the class offerings on Banner Self-Service.
• Use the scheduling worksheet to work out possible four-course schedules and see how different combinations of courses will fit together.
• Be careful to note courses scheduled across more than one regular class time slot (e.g. a 101 language that meets at 9:30 am Monday through Friday, cuts across the Tuesday and Thursday courses beginning at 9:00 am.)
• You may also select up to two (2) blocks of Physical Education (PHED). These courses do not receive academic credit, but four are required for graduation. Do not plan your schedule around physical education courses.
• Be prepared to discuss the reason for your course choices when you talk with your faculty advisor or class dean during the advisement period in early November.

Planning Ahead -- Twenty-eight courses in the future

Be flexible! You cannot schedule everything in your first semester and you don’t have to make all of your choices before you have an opportunity to take some of the courses that interest you. Remember that one of the important aspects of your liberal arts education is being able to explore a wide range of interest areas while combining your courses in the unique path that defines your Dickinson educational journey.

If you have questions about any of this information, someone is available to help by contacting:
Advising Office – 717-245-1080– advising@dickinson.edu
Registrar’s Office – 717-245-1315 – reg@dickinson.edu

Welcome to the Class of 2011!

11/2/07