Thurgood Marshall College, formerly known as Third College, was founded in 1970 in a period of fervent social debate in our nation. From its dramatic inception, the college has enriched the lives of undergraduates with philosophic commitment to the development of students as both scholars and citizens. In July of 1993, the college was renamed in honor of the legendary lawyer and Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. Justice Marshall was widely known and praised for his historic contributions to American life and dedication to breaking down barriers to education, civil rights, freedom of speech, women’s rights, and the profound right to privacy. The faculty, staff, and students of Marshall College are committed to furthering the ideals and dreams of Justice Marshall; accordingly, students are provided opportunities to develop as both enterprising scholars and responsible citizens.
Four thousand students pursue any major in a variety of disciplines. Among Marshall College students, about 40 percent choose majors in biology, the physical sciences, mathematics, and engineering; 35 percent select majors in the social sciences; and 25 percent pursue majors in the humanities and fine arts. One primary aim is to prepare students for the pursuit of a rigorous academic curriculum that will promote entry into graduate and professional schools or into the career of one’s choice.
The educational philosophy of Marshall College is guided by the belief that regardless of a student’s major, a broad liberal arts education must include an awareness and understanding of one’s role in society. Therefore, the distinctive core sequence, which serves as the centerpiece of the general-education requirements, emphasizes a critical examination of the human condition in our dynamic American society. This three-quarter core sequence, “Dimensions of Culture—Diversity, Justice, and Imagination,” challenges and inspires students to develop an informed awareness of the many cultural perspectives that have shaped American society. The core sequence is designed as an interdisciplinary, contemporary issues-oriented curricular experience that explores both the diversity of American experiences across race, religion, class, and gender, and also the shared resources all Americans draw on when their different identities and interests conflict. Other general-education requirements include courses in mathematics, physical and biological sciences, humanities, and the arts.
Wishing to uphold the ideals set forth by the college’s namesake, students are encouraged to develop their skills not only as scholars, but also as engaged citizens. Therefore, it is our belief that scholarship and social responsibility are mutually compatible and essential. In this regard, our students receive academic credit for participating in the Partners-at-Learning Program (PAL) by taking courses that train and place them as tutors and mentors in local inner-city elementary schools and high schools: Gompers Preparatory Academy, and Lincoln High School in Southeast San Diego, as well as the on-campus model, The Preuss School UCSD. Because this activity shares importance with other exciting academic experiences, completion of one of these specific public service courses offered through the Education Studies Program, satisfies an upper-division general-education requirement.
Further underpinning the educational philosophy of Marshall College is the candid belief that the best preparation for a complex, interdependent, and rapidly changing world is a broad liberal arts education, complemented by in-depth study in areas of the student’s choice. This educational approach has several major advantages:
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General-education requirements are established by faculty to be broad and flexible enough to encourage students to integrate other alternatives, such as public service, internships, study abroad, research, special studies, and more, into their academic program. This range permits flexibility in pursuit of academic goals and in the practical application of a liberal arts degree, whether students wish to enter the workforce or continue their education in graduate or professional school. These courses are designed to introduce students to the academic focus of the college, provide a broad liberal arts and science background, and furnish students with the academic skills and the basic knowledge necessary to pursue any departmental or interdisciplinary major.
The general-education requirements for first-year students are composed of a core sequence and a menu of choices within a liberal arts framework:
The Marshall College executive committee publishes an annual fact sheet with specific course choices that may be used to meet these requirements. Contact the college academic advising office for additional information or refer to the college website.
Transfer students have a variety of academic options available to complete lower-division general education prior to transfer. Specific details regarding appropriate general-education agreement are in the section on “Undergraduate Admissions” and through the community college. Students may also contact UC San Diego Transfer Student Services prior to transfer. Also, the college website contains pertinent information at http://marshall.ucsd.edu.
To receive a bachelor’s degree from Marshall College, a student must
Marshall College students may pursue any of the departmental or interdisciplinary majors offered at UC San Diego. The majority of the academic departments have established lower-division prerequisites. Generally, these prerequisites must be completed prior to entry into upper-division major courses. Many of these courses may be counted for general-education credit as well. Students are strongly encouraged to work closely with department faculty and college advisers. For details on the specific major departments, refer to the “Courses, Curricula, and Faculty” section of this catalog.
Minors are optional. However, students are encouraged to keep as many options open as possible. A minor provides an excellent opportunity to complement the major field of study and adds rich dimensionality to the UC San Diego experience.
Students are required to complete twenty-eight units of interrelated work, of which at least twenty units must be upper division. See your college or department for further information.
The Individual Studies major allows students to pursue a coherent course of study not formally offered at UC San Diego. To apply for the major, students must have a 3.25 grade point average and apply by the beginning of the junior year. A written proposal with supporting documentation from a ladder-ranked faculty adviser, a list of prerequisite courses, and a proposed curriculum plan are required. Students pursuing this major must be goal oriented and self-directed. Please contact the Marshall College academic advising office.
Students may participate in the Partners-at-Learning Program (PAL) by taking specified Education Studies (EDS) courses that train and place them as tutors and mentors in local elementary and high schools, as well as the on-campus Preuss School, Gompers Preparatory Academy, and Lincoln High School in Southeast San Diego. Participation in the PAL Program can be counted toward satisfying the Public Service option at Marshall College. This campuswide program is open to all students in good standing and at the junior level. (See EDS in the department listing—specifically EDS 130, 131, 134, 136, 137, 138, and each taken with the corequisite EDS 139.)
Marshall College sponsors the Public Service minor at UC San Diego, which motivates students to grasp the history and practices of public service and to participate in the development of civic skills. This minor is open to all UC San Diego students in good standing. Please see “Public Service Minor” in the departmental listings or visit the website at https://marshall.ucsd.edu/programs/public-services-minor.html.
The film studies minor provides students an exciting opportunity to examine the many facets of American and international cinema. Students interested in exploring cinema as a multidimensional art medium will engage in the analysis of cinematic works of various forms. Study of film genres, history, theories, directors, and cultural perspectives allows students to gain a robust understanding of cinema as a historical and contemporary means of expression. Please visit the website: Film Studies Minor.
The Thurgood Marshall Institute is devoted to undergraduate research, public debate, and policy papers. The institute has organized and supported faculty and student group research projects in education and public law; hosted conferences and symposia on pressing issues; trained junior and senior high school instructors in the teaching of the United States Constitution and its amendments; commissioned political drama on radio and on stage; and created an active blog with political essays and a range of interviews with Nobel and Pulitzer winners. Also, visit the website at https://marshall.ucsd.edu/about-us/index.html.
The UC San Diego-Morehouse/Spelman Student Exchange Program was established in the fall quarter of 1989. This formal exchange program was developed by Marshall College and is open to all UC San Diego undergraduates. Morehouse and Spelman Colleges are located in Atlanta, Georgia.
The purpose of the program is to provide a unique opportunity for students to live and study at important institutions of higher learning that are significantly different from the social and educational environment typical of California state colleges and universities. Similarly, the exchange students coming to UC San Diego from Morehouse and Spelman will have an opportunity to experience an exciting and very different educational environment. See the program coordinator in the Marshall College academic advising office for additional information or visit the website at http://marshall.ucsd.edu/programs/exchange-programs.html.
Complementary to its strong academic programs, Marshall College is proud of its emphasis on the student as citizen. The Student Leadership Program is especially designed to encourage active involvement in the governance of the college and participation in community and public service programs. University life outside of the classroom and laboratory is a vital part of each student’s undergraduate experience. The college offers a wide variety of opportunities for students to shape the nature and character of student life. This active participation allows students to develop self-confidence and strong interpersonal, organizational, and leadership skills. The friendly and outgoing manner of Marshall College students contributes to a sense of community and mutual respect. This spirit of cooperation is a college hallmark.
Established in 2006, Marshall College pairs faculty members with transfer students for an entire year in support of active mentoring. The matches are made by field of study and approximately fifty students are supported by twenty-five professors. Students apply for the program at the beginning of fall quarter.
Quarterly provost’s honors, honors at graduation, departmental honors, and Phi Beta Kappa are awarded to Marshall College students. For additional information, see “Honors,” speak with the academic honors program adviser in the academic advising office, or go to http://marshall.ucsd.edu/academics/tmc-honors-program.html.
The Marshall College Honors Program sponsors activities and events designed to introduce students to the excitement of pioneering research and innovative scholarship in all disciplines at UC San Diego and to create opportunities for discussion on public issues with locally and nationally known figures. See “Thurgood Marshall College Honors Program” in the department listings or visit http://marshall.ucsd.edu/academics/honors-opportunities/index.html.
Students are encouraged to enhance their undergraduate education by participating in the UC Education Abroad Program (EAP) and UC San Diego Opportunities Abroad Program (OAP) while still making regular progress toward graduation. Information on EAP/OAP is detailed in those sections here. Interested students should contact the Study Abroad UC San Diego Office at Matthews Quad and visit http://studyabroad.ucsd.edu. Financial aid recipients may apply aid to the program, and special study abroad scholarships are readily available.
