Reading the SOU Catalog

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This section explains some of the terms used in this catalog.

Terminology

Course. A course is a subject or an instructional subdivision of a subject offered during a single term.

Credit. One unit of credit represents approximately three hours of time each week for one term. This time may be assigned to work in classroom, laboratory, or to outside preparation.

Curriculum. An organized program of study providing integrated cultural or professional education.

Discipline. A branch of learning or field of study, e.g., mathematics, history, psychology.

Elective. An optional rather than a required course.

Grade Point Average. Grade point average (GPA) is computed by dividing grade points earned by the number of credits attempted. Grades of E, I, P, NP, W, WP, WF, and X do not carry grade points and the credits are not calculated in the GPA. Southern Oregon University's GPA includes only Southern Oregon University courses. See page 29 of this catalog for further information.

Practicum. A supervised experience, usually off campus, arranged with the approval of the instructor and conducted under requirements set by the instructor.

Prerequisite. A predetermined order in which courses must be taken and completed; e.g., Mth 100 or the equivalent is required before taking Ch 201.

Reading and Conference. A selection of material to be read by an individual student and discussed in conference with a professor.

Residence Credit. Academic work completed while a student is formally admitted and officially registered at Southern Oregon University.

Seminar. A small group of advanced students studying a subject with guidance from a professor, each doing some original research, and all exchanging results through informal lectures, reports, and discussions.

Sequence. Closely related courses extending through more than one term.

Term. Approximately one third of the academic year, and one quarter of the calendar year, either fall, winter, or spring.

Reading a Course Description

The elements of a typical course listing are illustrated by the following example:

Wr 431/531 Advanced Fiction Writing: Novel
4 Credits
Intensive workshop emphasizing the particulars of the novel. Students are expected to complete the first twenty-five pages of a novfel and a prospectus ofd the entire work. Students are required to make copies of and read from their work. Prerequisite: Wr 330.

Wr: Prefix ­ an abbreviation representing the department offering the course. See this page for a listing of prefixes.

431/531: Number ­ indicates the approximate level of the course (see Course Numbering System this page).

Advanced Fiction Writing: Novel: Title

4 credits: ­ indicates the number of credits awarded for successful completion of the course.

Intensive workshop . . . : Description of course content.

Prerequisite: Wr 330: the required background course or courses necessary for admittance to a course. Occasionally a course will have a corequisite, usually indicating a course to be taken simultaneously with the course described. Students who have not completed the stated prerequisites but have equivalent background should consult the instructor. The instructor has the authority to waive the prerequisite requirement in such a case. See Course Prerequisites Policy.

Additional information for course registration is provided in the Class Schedule which is issued each term. This includes the course reference number, time and location of class meetings, grading method, and the name of the instructor.

Course Numbering System

Courses throughout the Oregon University System follow this basic numbering system:

1­99
Non credit courses or credit courses of remedial nature which do not count toward graduation/degree.
100­299
Lower division courses.
300­499
Upper division courses. A student must achieve sophomore standing before being permitted to enroll in 300-level courses and junior standing before being permitted to enroll in 400-level courses. If the instructor of the course is satisfied that a student meets expected criteria for the course, then the consent of the instructor permits enrollment. This does not supersede specific prerequisites which may be stated in the description of the course.
400­499
Upper division courses primarily for seniors.
400­499/500­599
Upper division/graduate courses for seniors and graduate students. Courses listed in this catalog with a joint 4xx/5xx number may be offered during any quarter (see the Class Schedule) under any of three options:

1. For undergraduate students only, under the 4xx number.

2. For graduate students only, under the 5xx number. In this case the class schedule and transcript include a G with the course number. For example, if Eng 492/592 were offered only for graduate students, it would be listed as Eng 592G.

3. For both graduate and undergraduate students. Graduate students take the course under the 5xx number and undergraduates under the 4xx number. The class schedule includes the 4xx listing and a separate 5xx listing.

500­599
Graduate courses. These courses are listed in the class schedule and on the student's transcript with a G added to the course number.

Course Prefixes

Catalog Content

The content of this catalog is subject to change without notice and does not constitute a contract between Southern Oregon University and its students or applicants for admission. This catalog is for purposes of information. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information published, but because circumstances constantly change within a large institution, new decisions may affect the accuracy of information.

Class Schedules

Students should read the Class Schedule available at registration. This publication contains rules, regulations, academic requirements, class schedules, and other information not available when the catalog was published. Students are also urged to consult with faculty advisors for additional information and assistance.

Rules and Procedures

Students are expected to follow University rules and procedures. Students assume personal responsibility for designing a course of study and fulfilling the academic requirements of Southern Oregon University.