Save the Date: Convocation will be held on Sept 18 at 4:30 pm

 

Convocation will be held on Monday, September 18, at 4:30 p.m. and all students are encouraged to attend. This ceremony is one of Barnard’s most enduring traditions, as it marks the beginning of the academic year, celebrating all new and returning students. All members of the Barnard community are invited.

The keynote address will be delivered by Dr. Herminia Palacio, Barnard alumna from the class of 1983, a physician who has led several major public health initiatives both in city government and in the nonprofit sector. 

P.S. First-year students always pack the house at Convocation. Help keep this tradition alive by participating in this year's procession!

Fall 2023 1-2 credit course options

 Fall 2023 1-2 credit course options:

1. Fulfill your PE requirement if you haven't yet.

Register online and be sure to attend the first class meeting. PE courses may initially appear in your myBarnard program as 0 credits and will then be transformed to 1 credit (if you are eligible) after the final registration deadline.

Pro Tip:

Unfortunately, there is little to no space in PE for students who want this as an elective. Only students who have not yet completed the PE requirement will be able to register in advance for PE. Dance, on the other hand (see below!), often has space

2. Take a dance class

Dance classes may initially appear in your myBarnard program as 0 credits -- if you don't change this when registering, you can fill out the Form to Request a Point of Dance Credit.

3. Depending on your background and interests, here are some popular ways to enrich your academic experience while also adding a credit or two.

a. For students who sing, play an instrument, or want to know more about music:

• Check the Music Performance Program for information about vocal and instrumental ensembles, and individual vocal and instrumental music lessons, which will also be listed in the Music Department and Music Performance Program pages of the Columbia Directory 

• Be sure to refer to the Music Department website for info about auditions and fees  

• These may be free for music majors and minors, and those participating in University Chorus or Orchestra -- there is additional cost for other students.

• Classes in Ear Training, at a variety of levels, are also an option
  
  

b. If you're interested in Physics/Astronomy, Biology, Environmental Science, Psychology

Contact your department to see if you can earn credit for supervised research in a professor's lab

Or, check out an intro-level seminar in one of the above listed disciplines, such as   

Frontiers of Astrophysics (1 credit)

c. If you're interested in Theatre, Dance, or Backstage work:
Practicum or Rehearsal & Performance (Theatre or Dance) -- for actors, dancers, stage managers, prop or costume makers, and theatre tech people. Check the course description to see who to contact if you are interested.

d. If you have background in some languages and want to improve your fluency:

Check the course listings for 2-credit Intermediate or Advanced Conversation classes in French, Italian, or German,

Or supervised readings in languages -- varies each semester: past options have included Dutch, Sinhala, and Zulu.

e. If you're interested in International Affairs, Political Science, and/or Economics: consider a "short course" at the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA)
*search the CU Directory of Classes for "course date" to see when the course starts & ends*

One of the "short courses" offered by the School for International & Public Affairs (SIPA). Search The SIPA Catalogue or the SIPA page of the CU Directory of Classes for 1-1.5-credit courses. You can't just register online for these.  Here is the procedure:

1. Check to see if the class you want is on the list of SIPA courses approved for Barnard students (forthcoming -- link will be added when available; in the meantime, use your judgment to assess if the class is academic as opposed to professional development)

2. Contact the instructor to ask if there is space available and if it is appropriate for you given your background. Get any approvals in writing (email is fine).

3. Contact your academic adviser for approval that the course appropriately fits into both your schedule and a liberal arts curriculum. 

4. Upload both approvals when submitting the online add form.

4. Search Vergil for courses between 0 and 2 credits.
You'll have to scroll through a lot of things that may not help you, like labs for courses you're not taking, courses limited to class years other than yours, but this will give you the most comprehensive listing.

Pro Tip:
Check the detailed course descriptions in the Directory of Classes for prerequisites, restrictions, or special application procedures.