What Are Strands?
A strand is a series of classes that are part of our theme-driven curricula at The Citadel. The curricula for each strand is engineered so that each course works in concert with its counterparts in order to achieve stated learning objectives. Each strand consists of five general education courses, one leadership course, and a capstone. All seven courses must successfully be completed in order to satisfy the requirements of the chosen strand.
The goal of General Education courses is to develop our students’ skills and dispositions in five essential areas: quantitative literacy, written communication, critical thinking, intercultural knowledge and competence, and ethical reasoning and action. Strands allow students to achieve general education goals within a specific academic discipline while emphasizing interdisciplinary perspectives. Strands provide students the opportunity to successfully complete their general education goals, in a way that is conducive to their personal interests.
Why Strands?
Promoting the intellectual development of our students by affording them coursework tailored to specific interests in the fundamental academic disciplines of mathematics, natural science, literature, history, and social science is central to our strand curriculum. We seek to foster and cultivate a spirit of curiosity by granting them the latitude to determine and pursue which strand they find most engaging.
In following the same theme through five different courses, students will be able to attain a deep understanding of their strand’s topic. The work that they will complete for these classes will reflect a deepening understanding as they progress through the strand. Moreover, the students’ progression through the strands classes will further promote their overall comprehension of the essential General Education outcomes. Strand classes will be offered every semester. Individual degree plans differ, but as a rule, students will begin taking these strand classes in their first semester of their second year and will complete them in their senior year.
How Does It Work?
Students begin the General Education program in their first year and continue to take General Education courses throughout their college careers. The curriculum has been designed to offer both progressively challenging standards and a significant amount of choice.
There are five general education strands to choose from, Technology & Innovation, Conflict, Citizenship, Wellness, and Sustainability.
Each of these strands are made up of five general education courses organized according to the theme chosen. Each thematic strand contains classes in English, History, Natural Science, and Social Science; there is also an elective class in each strand. In addition to these courses, students will complete a Leadership course and a Senior Capstone.
Each course within a strand is associated with a specific set of course numbers listed here. For example, all courses under the Conflict strand will be 302. HISS 302, ENGS 302, ELES 302 etc. Click each strand below for samples of courses previously taught in each area:
**Additional information can be found in the academic catalog.
Strand FAQs?
How do I declare my Strand?
- All students who matriculated during or after Fall 2019 are required to declare a General Education Strand. This is done on your My Citadel Portal. (*The previous Core Curriculum, described in earlier catalogs, remains in effect for students who matriculated prior to 2019.)
- Locate The Office of the Registrar card
- Click on the Select a Strand tab and complete all information
- Once your Strand has been successfully chosen you will see your Strand displayed on your degree audit in Degree Works. The courses required for your chosen Strand will be displayed under the core section of your Degree audit. See the screenshot below for an example of what it would look like.
How do I change my Strand?
- Complete a Change of General Education Strand form and receive approval from Dr. Gramling (Bond 370) to do this. Once the form is complete, submit it to The Office of the Registrar for processing.
How can I take a class outside of my Strand, and will if fulfill my Strand requirement?
- To take a class outside of your Strand, you need to obtain Dr. Gramling’s approval via a Course Override Request form. You will not be able to register for a course outside of your Strand until you have Dr. Gramling’s approval and submit this form to the Office of the Registrar (Bond 173) for processing.
- The class will count as your Strand requirement, even if it is outside of your declared Strand.
Which Strand should I pick?
- Students have the choice to pick whatever Strand they would like or that intersests them the most.
When do I need to declare a Strand?
- Cadets typically declare a Strand during their LDRS 101 class during their Freshman year. If a Strand is not chosen during LDRS 101, cadets typically declare a Strand by the end of their Freshman year.
What about Transfer Students?
- As a transfer student you will still be required to declare a Strand and complete the associated courses. The Citadel will be unable to accept any transfer credit in replacement of your Strand requirements. However, if a transferable course is deemed fit for another requirement (that is not part of the Strand sequence) then we will award transfer credit where applicable. Required courses can be seen on your degree audit in My Citadel Portal or in the academic catalog.
What about Honors Students?
- Information regarding Strands and Honors Students can be found in the academic catalog. If you have additional questions please contact The Director of the Honors Program.