Requirements for Program

The interdisciplinary Whittier Scholars Program is designed as a major program; no minor is available.

Program Sequence

I. FALL SEMESTER, FRESHMAN YEAR: Participate in open WSP events.
II. SPRING SEMESTER, FRESHMAN YEAR: Students take WSP 101, The Individual Identity and Community, new foundation course for the WSP. NOTE: Space is very limited.
III. FALL SEMESTER, SOPHOMORE YEAR: Students take WSP 201, Designing Your Education. May apply for admission to the program concurrent with enrollment in WSP 101 or 201, but must apply no later than fall semester, sophomore year. Students are admitted provisionally, with full admission contingent upon Whittier Scholars Council faculty approval of an Educational Design.
IV. SECOND SEMESTER, JUNIOR YEAR: Students take WSP 301, Nature, Theory and Bases of Knowledge. This class helps prepare students for the Senior Project. Requirement for completion of the courses the successful presentation of the Senior Project proposal.
V. FIRST SEMESTER, SENIOR YEAR: Students take WSP 401, Senior Seminar, while working on the Senior Project with a faculty sponsor. The Seminar provides for peer discussion and review as part of the Senior Project process
VI. FIRST OR SECOND SEMESTER, SENIOR YEAR: Students share their Senior Projects with colleagues in the WSP and the College community as a whole through the Senior Symposium series.

Core Courses

WSP 101. The Individual, Identity and Community
The foundation course for the Scholars Program. Designed to enable students to explore issues such as: human beings in a social context; the relationship between the individual and the community; the role of education and the life of the mind; and the ways in which values and affect play a role in asking and understanding enduring questions and analyzing issues. Themes are addressed in terms of different historical periods, disciplines, cultures and identities. Director’s permission required.(3 credits)

WSP 201. Designing Your Education
Educational philosophy, values clarification and goal setting, alternatives for courses of study, and preparation of an Educational Design. Director’s permission required.(1 credit)

WSP 301. Nature, Theory and Bases of Knowledge
Explores various methods of gathering and understanding knowledge from a number of disciplinary perspectives. Develops awareness of what knowledge is and an understanding of the approach most appropriate for completion of the Senior Project. Acceptance into the Program and Director's permission required. (3 credits)

WSP 399. Internship
Internship is an area directly related to the Educational Design. This is an off-campus experience under joint college/site planning and supervision. (1-3 credits, or 4 credits with approval from the WSP Director)

WSP 401. Senior Seminar
Final course in the sequence. Capstone seminar which enables students in the program to share their ideas and to peer review one another’s work as they progress through the creation of a Senior Project. Design Board approval and Director’s permission required. (3 credits)

WSP 499. Senior Project
Design Board approval and Director’s permission required. (variable credits)