<p>I was just on the Grinnell website, but couldn't find anything that clearly stated the required classes @ the college. Does anyone know anything about this or could anyone direct me to the appropriate place? Thanks :)</p>
<p>The only "required" class per se at Grinnell is a freshman tutorial designed to build writing and research skills. The topics are extremely varied and range from an in-depth study of environmental issues, political oppression, or Wagner's Ring to "Elvis is Everywhere". Other than that the only requirements at Grinnell are the requirements for the student's major. Example: A history major is required to take eight history classes including two upper level seminars in two different areas ( America, European, or non-Western ). The rest of the courses taken are pretty much up to the discretion of the student with input from the student's advisor. Thus a student could major in history and take all of their other courses in art, physics, and theatre . It you click on the Academics tab on the Grinnell homepage and click on a Department and then Curriculum you will see what the requirements are for a particular major. You wouldn't necessarily have to take any English, history, mathematics, social science, fine arts, foreign language, or science courses unless they were a specific requirement for your major. Grinnell allows students a great deal of freedom in designing their own curriculum although they generally encourage students to pursue a course of studies with both breadth and depth. You can pretty much take whatever interests you at Grinnell as long as you meet the eight or so courses required for your major. Students can also design independent majors at Grinnell. Hope this helps.</p>
<p>Thanks, Medusa!</p>
<p>Yay open curriculum!</p>
<p>i am confused because when i went to the admitted student chat rooms last week, councelors/current students said that you MUST take the tutorial, but you also MUST complete 12 credits in three other areas (social sciences, humanities, and something else)</p>
<p>can anyone explain this?</p>
<p>Not aware of that requirement. As far as I know, the primary requirements are the tutorial and whatever the major requires. On the link above, it also says that of the 124 credits for graduation, no more than 48 credits in any one department or 92 credits in any one division may be included in these 124 credits. So it looks like you have to take 32 credits outside your division -- but there aren't distribution requirements as with other schools.</p>
<p>ustas06 - the other division is science which also includes biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, computer science, and for some inexplicable reason psychology ( which is usually considered a social science ). Physical education is considered a social science. See link for the departments in each division:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.grinnell.edu/academic/%5B/url%5D">http://www.grinnell.edu/academic/</a></p>
<p>usatas06 / snorky : Thanks for the clarification about the distribution requirements. I stand corrected. You can take "almost" anything at Grinnell but there are some broad restrictions.</p>
<p>The tutorial is the only required class and the subject requirements are seriously kinda loose. There are enough classes in each area for you to easily fulfill those requirements, it's still open curriculum though, you're not required to take any specific class except tutorial, which is just a writing intensive class and gives you a chance to get to know your advisor.</p>
<p>Ustas06 - the 12 (?) classes the counselors/students were referring to were probably requirements for study abroad. Students must complete 3 courses in each of the 3 divisions before they participate in an off-campus study option. That would be 9 courses, not 12. But, these are the only "requirements" beyond the tutorial and major coursework - and they apply only to those 60% or so who elect to go off campus.</p>
<p>30 years ago the open curriculum was a big issue. Some turks running for student office proclaimed they would fight it to the end.</p>
<p>In the politics, we were able to have the dean deliver to us anonymous portfolios of ALL of the graduating seniors -- not to show grades or anything, but to show us the course of the students.</p>
<p>98% had achieved a core curriculum espoused by the faculty. We asked the faculty -- which would you rather have: students who elect your core ro students compelled to take your core? Of course, the former was the answer and from that the open curriculum endured and few of us got elected to office.</p>