Off-Campus Programs
Off-Campus Humanities and Arts Projects
WPI offers the option to complete the Humanities and Arts Requirement during one term of study as part of WPIs Global Perspectives Program. Normally, students complete the Humanities and Arts Requirement through six courses or projects on campus. However, "off-campus" humanities and arts seminars allow students to combine at least three courses on campus with one term studying the humanities and arts at a Project Center. Since this one-term project is equivalent to three courses, students may use it to complete the Depth Component of the Humanities and Arts Requirement.
Off-campus humanities seminars and projects are offered in London and Morocco for all fields of the humanities and in several foreign languages as part of WPI's global exchange programs. These off-campus humanities and arts programs have a flexible format. Students devote themselves to one term studying the history, literature, language or culture at the project site with a WPI faculty advisor. The program might combine a thematic seminar in an area of the faculty advisor’s expertise with visits to museums, the theatre, musical performances, or cultural excursions.
Although themes or areas of emphasis vary from year to year, each off-campus program includes a seminar/practicum which may completes the Humanities and Arts Requirement. For a sample list of the seminars, see the Description of Inquiry Seminars and Practicums in 2008-09 (PDF).
To be eligible for this one-unit seminar/project, students must have already completed three courses in humanities and arts before they leave campus. Students may apply to the off-campus program before they have taken all three courses. However, students may not participate in the program unless they successfully complete one unit of work in humanities and arts before the term of the project. In addition, students going to any Project Center must complete all of the forms required by the Interdisciplinary and Global Studies Division.
Requirements:
- Students must have completed at least three courses in the Humanities and Arts at WPI, or have earned equivalent course credit approved by the Humanities and Arts Department, before the term of the off-campus project. The Department may allow students to count transfer or advanced placement credits toward the three course minimum
- Students must be accepted into the off-campus program by the Humanities and Arts Department, and complete all forms required by the Interdisciplinary and Global Studies Division, in order to register for these projects
- Students might be required by the faculty advisor to complete a PQP or attend required meetings before the off-campus project
- Students must submit a written report or paper at the end of the project. Students also may be required to submit written updates at various times in the course of the project. In all cases, the faculty advisor at the project site will determine the precise form of the written requirements
- Students may be required to give an oral presentation at the end of the project
- Under normal circumstances, students must complete the project within one term in order to receive the full unit of credit
- Only members of the Humanities and Arts faculty at WPI may advise off-campus Humanities and Arts projects
Recommendations
All off-campus humanities and arts programs benefit from advance planning. Discuss the possibility of an off-campus program with your academic advisor at the beginning of the first year. Consult with the WPI faculty who will advise these off-campus projects as early as possible, since they may be able to suggest useful courses or other background resources for the seminars. Also keep in mind that three courses are the minimum required, but many students find it advantageous to take additional courses before going away.
The interdisciplinary London and Morocco humanities programs are open to students with a background in all areas of the humanities and arts including art, art history, architecture, drama/theatre, history, literature, music, philosophy, religion, or writing/rhetoric. After taking at least three courses in any of these areas on campus, you could then go to London to complete your seminar/project. Some students also have gone to London with this program to study beyond the Humanities and Arts Requirement for international studies, history, literature, music, theatre, writing or other areas.
WPI offers programs in the German language at Darmstadt. This program requires completion of foreign language courses through the level of intermediate II or above (2000-level or above) before going abroad. For students who have taken foreign language courses in high school, language placement exams are available during New Student Orientation. Some students with basic foreign language preparation have completed their arts projects in Germany. WPI students have also gone to Spain with a variety of programs. We welcome a creative approach to off-campus study.
More advanced students may participate these off-campus programs by doing work toward a minor or major. A student who had already completed their humanities and arts requirement on campus, for example, might be able to work in the humanities and arts on an Independent Study Project that could count toward minors. Students have also gone to London and other locations to complete a Major Qualifying Project for Humanities and Arts, International Studies, and Professional Writing.
The Humanities and Arts Department advertises upcoming project locations and application deadlines at the Global Opportunities Fair each September. Future project opportunities might include other foreign locations or projects that provide the context for an intensive study of humanistic themes associated with other locales within the United States or abroad. Contact the Head of the Department of Humanities and Arts for more information.
Last modified: April 24, 2008 11:03:50