Sandra- Mine's tongue in cheek. Snobbery (sic) is an old and cherished liberal arts tradition. :) Tim
________________________________ From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, December 14, 2006 1:48 PM To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences (TIPS) Subject: [tips] RE: What makes a Bachelor of Science Degree different from a B.A. Grades are almost ready after the long haul of reading papers, etc., and I'm looking for trouble to get into it seems. grin This is the second time I recall this topic on TIPS, and once again I am confused by the comments. In particular, I am wondering where the qualitative "superior/inferior" distinctions have originated. In my experiences, the BA and BS degrees were identical in terms of requirements for major and minor. The only distinction has been in the distribution of general education/elective credits. The BA degree emphasized credits in the humanities, while the BS degree emphasized credits in the sciences. A student chose his/her pathway depending on career goals. On what basis would the study of humanities be superior to the study of science, or the reverse? Sandra ****************************************************** Sandra M. Nagel, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Psychology Saginaw Valley State University 166 Brown Hall 7400 Bay Road University Center, MI 48710 http://www.svsu.edu/~smnagel/research/ Office: (989) 964-4635 Fax: (989) 790-7656 E-Mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] *************************************************** -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [email protected] Sent: Thu, 14 Dec 2006 1:57 PM Subject: [tips] RE: What makes a Bachelor of Science Degree different from a B.A. I agree with Tim here, but things have apparently changed. Traditionally the B.A. had a stronger reputation. Now I find it interesting that some of the programs water it down and keep it so quantitatively light. That Univ. of Washington program made it sound as if clinical workers could avoid any real statistical/probabilistic thinking by getting the B.A. I am not sure then there are real distinctions left? Gary Gerald L. (Gary) Peterson, Ph.D. Professor, Psychology Saginaw Valley State University University Center, MI 48710 989-964-4491 [EMAIL PROTECTED] <mailto:peterson%40svsu.edu> >>> "Shearon, Tim" <[EMAIL PROTECTED] <mailto:TShearon%40albertson.edu> > 12/14/06 1:07 PM >>> Julie- One common distinction is based on a historical distinction that some liberal arts schools used. A "standard" degree was the B.A. but if you took fewer humanities courses (often specifically fewer language courses) you could receive a B.S. Frankly, I'm puzzled why people want to switch to what is often viewed (tradionally?) as an inferior degree to the B.A. (which is usually an A.B. anyway!?). What is the rationale for the switch to a B.S.? Are you doing this for all majors or will it be a choice? I think that's the rationale that your Academic Policy committee is looking for also (but I'm just guessing). How, in other words, will you explain the distinction to your accreditors? :) Tim -----Original Message----- From: Julie Osland [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <mailto:oslandj%40wju.edu> ] Sent: Thursday, December 14, 2006 8:53 AM To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences (TIPS) Subject: [tips] What makes a Bachelor of Science Degree different from a B.A. Dear Tipsters: My department is in the process of trying to change our degree designation from B.A. to B.S. Our initial proposal and rationale was rejected by our Academic Policy Committee on the grounds that an empirical approach and use of the scientific method is not what distinguishes a B.A. from a B.S. In our department, all majors must take experimental psychology, plus select two additional research based lab courses from offerings such as experimental social, learning, sensation and perception, motivation and emotion, and health psychology, We have read the Wikipedia version (that a BA usually requires fewer courses in the major and allows a student to take a greater number of electives outside the major and that the BS designation is typically reserved for the physical sciences). However, it seems prudent to seek additional sources of information on what distinguishes a B.A. from a B.S degree. If any of you could offer insight on this issue, we would greatly appreciate it. Thank you, Julie Osland Assistant Professor of Psychology Wheeling Jesuit University --- To make changes to your subscription go to: http://acsun.frostburg.edu/cgi-bin/lyris.pl?enter=tips&text_mode=0&lang= english --- To make changes to your subscription go to: http://acsun.frostburg.edu/cgi-bin/lyris.pl?enter=tips&text_mode=0&lang= english --- To make changes to your subscription go to: http://acsun.frostburg.edu/cgi-bin/lyris.pl?enter=tips&text_mode=0&lang= english ________________________________ Check out the new AOL <http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/1615326657x4311227241x4298082137/aol?redi r=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eaol%2Ecom%2Fnewaol> . 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