University Catalogue: 2006-07
Special Academic Programs
FRESHMAN EXPERIENCE COURSES
In addition to the New Student Orientation Program, the University offers new freshmen a semester-long orientation to the University which is incorporated into specially designated "Freshman Experience" courses. New freshmen are invited to include one of these courses in their class schedules during their first semester at UW-Eau Claire.
Freshman Experience courses are small, with about 20 students per section, providing a "home base" where students learn not only about the subject matter of the course but also about the University and community. Students have the opportunity to work closely with the course instructor and a senior student mentor. The courses engage students in critical thinking, reading and writing, and in independent and collaborative projects with classmates. They help students to understand the value of a liberal education. Through participation in out-of-class activities, students learn about the rich variety of informational, artistic, and recreational programs available at the University.
COMMANDING ENGLISH PROGRAM
The Commanding English Program (CEP) is a collaborative effort between Student Development and Diversity and the College of Arts and Sciences. It is coordinated by Academic Skills Center staff in collaboration with Advising and New Student Initiatives, Admissions, Multicultural Affairs, Student Support Services, and a variety of academic departments. The CEP is a transitional academic program designed to assist U.S. bi-cultural students in developing academic English and learning strategies and to help them integrate into the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire community. In addition to one or two courses chosen with the help of an academic adviser, students take credits as a group with a core of faculty and academic staff working closely together to coordinate the curricula and guide student success. Out-of-class activities, one-on-one tutoring and mentoring, service-learning opportunities, and individual contact with instructional and support staff enhance student success. Students are admitted into the year-long program as a condition of admission. Further information may be obtained from the Admissions office. Visit the Web site at: www.uwec.edu/CEP.
COLLEGIATE BRIDGE PROGRAM
The Collegiate Bridge Program, coordinated by the Academic Skills Center , is designed for freshman students who meet minimum UW-Eau Claire admission requirements and demonstrate the potential to be successful. In addition to one or two courses chosen with the help of an academic adviser, students take ten credits as a group with a core of faculty working closely together to coordinate the curricula and guide student success. Out-of-class activities and one-on-one tutoring enhance and support the students' experiences. In addition, the program assists students to develop a realistic understanding of college-level work, build the academic and personal skills necessary to succeed in college, and to take advantage of available student support services. Further information may be obtained from the Admissions office, the director of Collegiate Bridge , or the Collegiate Bridge Web site at www.uwec.edu/asc/Programs/bridge.htm.
DEVELOPMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAM
The Developmental Education Program, coordinated by the Academic Skills Center , provides courses designed to strengthen students' college level study and learning strategies and critical thinking skills. They also serve to familiarize students with a wide range of academic support services and increase academic self-confidence. Students in developmental courses experience the immediate benefits of applying the skills and strategies learned to linked introductory-level courses. Developmental courses are designed to meet the needs of students who are entering college with concerns about their academic learning strategies and are available on a preassigned basis. Further information may be obtained from the Coordinator for Developmental Education. Visit the Web site at: www.uwec.edu/asc/Programs/courses.htm.
Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program
(Old Library 2134)
The Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program, a TRIO program of the U.S. Department of Education, assists talented upper-division students to enter graduate school to pursue a Ph.D. This grant assists first-generation students from low-income families and students from groups that are underrepresented in doctoral programs. McNair Scholars enjoy two years of intensive mentoring, specialized curricular and co-curricular offerings, collaborative research, and internship opportunities, all of which prepare these candidates for graduate school. McNair Scholars are chosen through a faculty nomination process, typically during a student's sophomore or early junior year.
NATIONAL STUDENT EXCHANGE
The National Student Exchange (NSE), a consortium of more than 170 state supported colleges and universities, allows students to attend school in another area of the United States for up to one academic year. In bringing together students from different parts of the country, the program encourages participants to broaden their academic, social, and cultural awareness. Through a simplified admission process, students are able to enroll at their host universities and pay tuition at UW-Eau Claire. Grades and completed coursework are incorporated into the student's UW-Eau Claire transcript, and are considered resident credit.
To qualify, a student must (1) be currently enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student at UW-Eau Claire in the term prior to exchange; (2) have a minimum 2.50 GPA; and (3) be in good academic standing at UW-Eau Claire.
For more information about this opportunity for educational travel and study in a new environment within the United States , contact the Office of Student Development and Diversity (Schofield 240) or visit their Web site at: www.uwec.edu/sdd/nse
STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS
The University academic community strongly encourages students to live and study abroad. Such an experience contributes to an international perspective which is an essential part of a university student's education for life at the dawn of the 21st Century.
Organized study abroad programs offer UW-Eau Claire students the experience of living in another cultural setting while continuing to pursue their immediate educational goals. To ensure that courses taken abroad will be appropriate to their academic programs at UW-Eau Claire, students should begin to plan the international study as early as possible, in consultation with their major adviser(s), and the Study Abroad Coordinators.
To participate in international programs, students must be in good academic standing and meet program eligibility requirements. Credits and grades earned in UW-Eau Claire programs abroad are resident credits and are applied directly to the student's record. Students participating in semester or yearlong international programs are required to carry a minimum credit load of 12 hours per semester. The following programs are offered on a regular basis. They are more fully described in this catalogue under International Studies ( College of Arts and Sciences):
Australia. (1) Direct exchanges and study abroad for one semester or the academic year with Southern Cross University in Lismore. (2) One semester or the academic year also available at Murdoch University in Perth.
Austria. Academic year or spring semester exchange with the University of Graz. A minimum of two years of college-level German is required. Five $2,000 scholarships, sponsored by the Viennese Ball Committee, are available to support students selected for the full academic year.
Chile. Fall, spring, or calendar year program offered through a consortium with UW-Milwaukee, Notre Dame, and the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (PUC). Students take two required courses: Spanish for Foreigners and Politics & Society in Chile , and then choose from courses across disciplines at the PUC. Students live with host families. Field trips are included in the program. Five semesters of Spanish is a prerequisite.
Costa Rica. Spring semester program offered in conjunction with the Costa Rica Study Abroad in San José . Students take two Spanish language courses and two Latin American Studies courses taught in English. They live with host families in a suburb of San José and complete a two-week community service project in a rural village as part of the program. The program is for beginning through intermediate students of Spanish; no prior Spanish language study is required.
Costa Rica/Nicaragua. Fall program offered in conjunction with CEIDEPRO in Bagaces , Costa Rica and Granada , Nicaragua . Students will take two Spanish language courses and two courses with a Latin American Studies focus. They will live with host families in both countries and complete a two-week service-learning project. The program is for beginning through advanced students of Spanish; no prior Spanish language study is required.
Denmark. Fall, spring, or academic year international business exchange with the University of Southern Denmark in Sonderborg. Study tour of European businesses included in the program. Admission to the College of Business and Mktg 330 are prerequisites.
France. Spring semester exchange with the University of Caen in Normandy . Students take classes at CEFE, a French language institute for foreign students, located on the main University of Caen campus, and live in university housing. Beginning through advanced French language courses are available; Fren 102 is a prerequisite for the program.
Germany. (1) Spring semester program at the Center for German Language and Culture in Wittenberg . Courses in German language and culture offered by UW-Eau Claire faculty member and German instructors. Housing is with German families. Minimum of three semesters of German language study is a prerequisite. (2) Various summer programs and year-long exchanges available in the German state of Hessen through the Hessen-Wisconsin exchange. Locations include Darmstadt , Frankfurt, Fulda , Giessen , Kassel , Marburg , and Wiesbaden.
Great Britain. (1) Fall or spring semester program at Harlaxton College near Grantham , England . British studies and other courses offered by U.S. and British faculty. (2) A fall or spring semester or summer session program in Dalkeith Manor near Edinburgh , Scotland . Courses are offered by faculty from UW-Eau Claire, UW-Stout, UW-River Falls , and UW-La Crosse, as well as Scottish adjunct faculty. (3) One semester or academic year at University of Winchester , Winchester . (4) One semester or academic year program at Lancaster University . Nursing, health sciences, education, business.
Ireland. One semester or academic year at University of Limerick . Nursing, sciences, Irish studies, humanities, and social sciences.
ISEP-Direct. ISEP is the world's largest network for post-secondary institutions cooperating to provide international educational experiences for their students. UW-Eau Claire is an ISEP Affiliate member, which gives our students access to ISEP-Direct. ISEP-Direct programs are fee-paid study abroad programs that provide study opportunities to select ISEP institutions outside the United States. UW-Eau Claire students can access the following countries through ISEP-Direct: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Fiji, France (summer only), Ghana, Italy, Japan (year-long only), Malta, The Netherlands, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain, Thailand, United Kingdom, and Uruguay. The programs in Australia , Bulgaria , Canada , Fiji , Ghana , Malta , The Netherlands, New Zealand , South Africa , Thailand , and the United Kingdom are taught in English. ISEP-Direct programs are a good choice for students who are independent, flexible, and adventurous.
Japan. Direct exchange for one or two semesters with Kansai Gaidai University near Kyoto . Housing is in dormitories or with Japanese families. Asian studies, business, Japanese language, and other courses available.
Latvia. This fall semester program is offered in cooperation with the International Relations Office of the University of Latvia and the Baltic Office of the Association for the Advancement of Baltic Studies. Students will enroll as a visiting international student at the University of Latvia and may enroll in a variety of courses taught in English in the Baltic Study program or other University departments. Russian and Latvian language courses are also available. Students live in dormitories.
Mexico. Two options are offered in cooperation with the Tec de Monterrey. (1) A UW-Eau Claire Spanish faculty member accompanies students on a six-week summer program at the Cuernavaca campus. No previous Spanish language study is required for the intensive Spanish program; five semesters are required for the Latin American Studies program. (2) Students may study at Tec campuses in eight locations ( Cuernavaca , Estado de Mexico, Guadalajara, Mexico City, Monterrey , Queretaro , San Luis Potosi , and Toluca ) for a semester or a full academic year. Five semesters Spanish required, except for business majors taking business courses/internships in English in Monterrey.
South Africa. Five-week summer program at the University of KwaZulu-Natal-Durban. Courses examine Zulu language and culture, cultural diversity, and the current political situation. Service-learning option available.
South Korea. The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire program in Suwon , South Korea is offered in cooperation with Ajou University , which is recognized as one of the top ten universities in South Korea . Ajou University provides an excellent six-week international summer program in Korean/Asian studies and international business to international students. All courses are taught in English. Students live in dormitories.
Spain. Spring semester program with the University of Valladolid. Spanish language and culture courses taught by Spanish professors. Housing is with Spanish families. Five semesters of Spanish language study is a prerequisite.
Sweden. One-or-two-semester exchange program with Växjö University in Växjö. Courses taught in English in business and intercultural communications. Housing is in dormitories or with Swedish families.
Thailand. Six-week summer program in ethnic/Hmong studies, offered in conjunction with Payap University in Chiang Mai. Field visits, homestays in Hmong villages, and various cultural activities around Chiang Mai included in program.
Students may also choose to study abroad on programs offered by other accredited universities or agencies. Resources for researching these options are available in the Center for International Education.
Some grants are available to support study abroad. UW-Eau Claire students may apply for UW-Eau Claire Foundation Study Abroad Grants and VOSA grants prior to departure for their program and for Haas Fellowships upon their return. Wisconsin residents may apply for Wisconsin Study Abroad Grants. Regular financial aid may be used on UW-Eau Claire programs.
Further information and assistance with study abroad programs are available from the Center for International Education (Schofield 111).
EDUCATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICES
Human Development Center (HDC)
The Human Development Center serves the dual purpose of educating graduate students in an interdisciplinary setting and providing clinical services to clients in the community and surrounding region. The HDC also serves as a center for multidisciplinary research. The disciplines participating at HDC are Communication Sciences and Disorders, School Psychology, Reading (Curriculum and Instruction), Family Health Nursing, Social Work, and Special Education.
Psychological Services Center
The Psychological Services Center , a clinic staffed by faculty members from the departments of Psychology and Social Work, is located in the Human Development Center . The center provides psychological and family assessment, parent training, and behavioral consultation services to clients. Allied disciplines also participate in the center, providing a variety of consulting services, including health, education, and assessment.
Lac du Flambeau Service-Learning Project
For the past ten years, approximately 60 students have participated in this experience. Students learn about the Ojibwa culture and the unique needs of the children and families of the Lac du Flambeau reservation. Participating nursing students perform wellness screenings, and school psychology students complete school practicum placements at the Lac du Flambeau school. Students spend one day helping in Head Start classrooms and participate in after-school tutoring programs. They also assist elementary school teachers in their classrooms. Students can participate in the Lac du Flambeau project to fulfill their multicultural assessment component of the curriculum at UW-Eau Claire.
Tutor and Mentoring Programs
These programs are designed to benefit UW-Eau Claire students, as well as students from participating organizations. University students gain experience serving as tutor/mentors for children and adolescents from the community. The Human Development Center is currently sponsoring tutor/mentoring programs at Lakeshore and Longfellow elementary schools and at the Boys and Girls Center.
Center for Communication Disorders
The Center for Communication Disorders provides diagnostic and intervention services to clients ranging in age from infants to the elderly. Graduate and undergraduate student clinicians, under faculty supervision, work in the clinic with clients who have communication disorders of all types including problems with voice, stuttering, speech sound production, hearing, and language. The Center is located on the first floor of the Human Sciences and Services building and provides services at low cost to clients. Fees may be adjusted upon the recommendation of a faculty supervisor. Services are provided free of charge to UW-Eau Claire faculty, staff, students, and their immediate family members. Contact Dr. Alan Gallaher at (715) 836-4186 for additional information or to make appointments.
