Thursday, July 27, 2023

Foundations and Barnard's Curriculum: How does it Work?

Hey First-Years,

Today, let's go over Barnard's curriculum and how AP, IB, and transfer credits can impact your studies.






For starters, one of the many amazing things about going to a liberal arts college is that it will allow you to discover interests and passions you never knew you had throughout all four years. Barnard's core curriculum allows you to do just that and is called Foundations. Think of Foundations as the course and credit requirements you need to graduate. No matter what you're prior experience is, you are required to take all of the Foundations requirements. No AP/IB scores will exempt you. 



There are six major categories: First-Year Experience, Distributional Requirements, Modes of Thinking, Major Requirements, Senior Experience, and Electives 

Within these categories (with the exception of PE), there are subcategories. Each general subcategory has a multitude of courses you can take to fulfill that requirement.

Each course may have a different number of credits assigned to them. As long as your entire schedule has 12-18 credits per semester, you are a full-time Barnard student.



Here's the breakdown:

I. The First-Year Experience
In your First Year, the "First-Year Experience" requirements are First-Year Writing (FYW), First-Year Seminar (FYS), and if you are approved to take, First-Year Writing Workshop (FYWW) instead of First-Year Writing: Critical Conversations.


II. Physical Education (1 course)
Normally, all students would complete a P.E. class in their first year. This could be completed with a traditional P.E. class, a dance course, or participating in a varsity sport. 

The rest of the General Requirements don't necessarily have to be fulfilled in any order and can be completed throughout your time at Barnard. For the most part, it's up to you to choose when you want to fulfill each of the following requirements and with what course.



Good news! Sometimes, requirements can double count. A single course may double-count for no more than two requirements from two different categories. For example, a class can count for both a Distribution Requirement and a Mode of Thinking. For example, the class Critical Approaches to the Study of Race & Ethnicity counts for Arts & Humanities and Thinking about Social Difference. You can also use your major and minor courses to double count between a major and a Distribution or Mode of Thinking requirement. 


WAIT...what? Still confused? Don't worry, we got you.




So, Distributions Requirements:

Two Courses in a Language
The two courses must be in the same language and account for at least 6 credits.

For example, you're new to Spanish so you take Elementary Spanish I in the Fall & Elementary Spanish II in the Spring. Language requirement completed. Or you know some Italian. You place into Intermediate Italian I for the Fall & take Intermediate Italian II in the Spring. Some languages offer accelerated courses that teach both Elementary I and II in the same semester. Please note that most of these classes are 5 credits and do not fulfill the 6 credit minimum requirement to satisfy the language requirement. 

You have tons of languages to choose from at both Barnard & Columbia. If you're interested in studying abroad, you should know that most foreign language programs require at least 4 semesters of a language. If you have an idea of where you'd like to study abroad, it's not a bad idea to try and start studying that language in your first semester at Barnard!

Two Courses in the Arts & Humanities
There are so many departments to choose from! You can literally take whatever you want from architecture to Africana studies, to music to philosophy. This is a great opportunity to explore interests you've always wanted to but never got the chance!

Two Courses in the Social Sciences
Similar to Arts & Humanities, you have many choices and can take anthropology, sociology, urban studies, political science, economics, women's studies, history, and more!

Three Courses in the Sciences:
On all official Barnard websites, it says that the requirement is 2 courses, 1 with a laboratory. This is correct, but it's helpful to think of it as three separate courses. You have to take, at minimum, one science lecture and one science lecture with a connected lab course. So you could take the Introduction to Psychology lecture and lab and a biology lecture and you'll fulfill the requirement. 

So, on to Modes of Thinking:

1 Course on Thinking Quantitatively and Empirically 
Also known as the math requirement. If you're not a math person, may we suggest Intro to Statistical Reasoning or Introduction to Statistics? It's a fun and easy way to get the requirement out of the way.

1 Course on Thinking Technologically and Digitally
You can choose from tons of courses in computer science, econ, education, film studies, theatre and more! We recommend Intro to GIS Methods, Intro to Java, Computing in Context or Measuring History!

1 Course on Thinking Through Global Inquiry
Classes for this requirement all go beyond the United States in history, politics, literature, film, and more.

1 Course on Thinking Locally about New York City
The course that you take for this requirement focuses specifically on New York City. You can take an environmental science class to learn about New York City's rivers, a history class about immigration of the Lower East Side, or a literature course on the Harlem Renaissance. 

1 Course on Thinking About Social Difference
Courses in this area will have you thinking about the differences between entities in a regional, historical, or socio-economic lens.  

1 Course on Thinking with Historical Perspective
Can be fulfilled with tons of different courses in the History department such as Poverty, Race, and Gender in US History. If you're not super into history, there are other departments that offer classes for this requirement.

If you're wondering how you know what requirement a course fulfills, check out this list. It's updated every semester to reflect new course offerings. 

OK, WHEW. You've gotten through First-Year Experience, Distributional Requirements, and Modes of Thinking. The rest is pretty straight forward!


Major
This varies by the program or department. It's generally 9-14 courses. You can find each major's requirements on the Barnard website.

Senior Experience:
It is typically a thesis, research, or creative project. Each major has a different capstone senior experience.

Electives
The number of courses will vary and may include a minor or prerequisites for professional school! You can talk to your adviser or Beyond Barnard for more guidance if you're interested in the professional school track.

In total, that's 122 credits and approximately 40 courses!





So, now that we have an understanding of Foundations, you may be feeling a bit overwhelmed. Don't worry! Foundations requirements are super flexible and many people finish them by the end of sophomore year. 

We hope this was helpful! As always, email first-year@barnard.edu if you have any questions!