Smith College: Provost/Dean of the Faculty


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THE CURRICULUM

THE COLLEGE YEAR

55.

(a)

The calendar for the academic year shall provide two semesters, each including thirteen teaching weeks. The first semester will end before the Christmas recess. There shall be an interterm period in January of approximately three weeks.

(b)

The teaching weeks in each semester shall be followed immediately, in sequence, by a pre-examination period of approximately three days, and an examination period of three or four days.

(c)

Each semester shall include scheduled recesses totalling at least nine days, including two weekends.

(d)

The President has the option of declaring (at 7:00 a.m.) a fall day as Mountain Day. Classes scheduled before 7:00 p.m. are canceled on Mountain Day. A scheduled Ceremonial Day (Rally Day) in February is set aside for special events, in lieu of classes.

(e)

One of the thirteen weeks in each semester may be used, at the option of each instructor, as a period for independent reading and projects.

(f)

The College may offer courses for credit during the Interterm period. Such courses will carry 1 to 4 credits and will count toward the degree. Credit for Interterm courses will be determined through reference to the class time requirements for the normal 4-credit semester course. See Section 60.(a). The college will consider for credit academic Interterm courses taken at other institutions. The number of credits accepted for each Interterm course (normally up to 3) will be determined by the registrar upon review of the credits assigned by the host institution. Any Interterm course designated 4 credits by a host institution must be reviewed by the class deans and the registrar to determine whether it merits an exception to the 3 credit limit. Smith students may accrue a maximum of 12 approved Interterm credits at Smith or elsewhere toward their Smith degree with an overall maximum of 32 credits of combined summer, Interterm, AP and other prematriculation credits. Students may not take more than 4 credits during any one Interterm at Smith or elsewhere.
The Interterm may also be a period of reading, research, or concentrated study for both students and faculty. Faculty, students or staff may offer non-credit instruction or experimental projects in this period. Special conferences may be scheduled and field trips may be arranged at the discretion of individual members of the faculty. Libraries, the language laboratory, practice rooms, and physical education facilities will remain open at the discretion of the departments concerned. Students may enroll in courses at other Five College institutions. This period provides time for work in libraries, museums, and laboratories at locations other than Smith College.
Students must notify their Head Residents of the dates during which they will be in residence. Houses will remain open and staffed as needed, and sufficient dining facilities will be available to provide for those in residence.
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