Connections
Wheaton’s unique Connections program provides an exciting way to explore different areas of knowledge and different approaches to problems. All Wheaton students must take either two sets of two-course connections (a total of four courses) or one set of three connected courses. Courses are linked across any two of six academic areas: creative arts, humanities, history, math and computer science, natural sciences and social sciences.
Each linked course is a regular Wheaton course that has been approved as part of a Connection. For example, the Connection Darwin, Evolution, Race and Culture links English 235 (Empire, Race, and the Victorians) with Biology 111 (Evolution and Ecology); African Worlds links Anthropology 225 (African Cultures in Transition) with English 245 (African Literature) and/or Music 124 (World Music: Africa and the Americas) and/or History 143 (Africans on Africa) and/or Political Science 203 (African Politics). Genes in Contexts links Computer Science 121 (DNA) with Philosophy 111 (Ethics). For a complete list, see: http://wheatoncollege.edu//Catalog/CONX/
Students are normally expected to take a pair or set of linked courses in the same or adjoining semesters. Students are also invited to discover their own possible linked courses and to approach the faculty and propose a Connection.
Students are encouraged to think about possible connections early on, though many will prefer to fulfill this requirement in their sophomore year. (Note that if the chosen Connections do not include courses from all three of the traditional academic divisions—arts and humanities, natural sciences and social sciences—students will be expected to take at least one course in the missing division(s). Faculty advisors help students plan accordingly.)