[CAPS] Courses
[CAPS] courses provide a culminating student experience by asking students to integrate their learning to address authentic situations. Students apply skills, concepts, and methods of inquiry developed throughout their general education experience and/or experience in the major to develop a substantial, culminating research, applied, or creative project, and to initiate investigations and explorations of open-ended issues and problems. CAPS courses feature at least one substantial deliverable for evaluation and assessment (including but not limited to a presentation, research paper, creative artifact, multi-modal design product, team project, practicum experience). Given their position as the culminating experience within the UCORE curriculum, CAPS courses carry a strong responsibility to provide evidence of student achievement of WSU learning goals.
Required CAPS Student Learning Outcomes
Students, regardless of major, who successfully complete a [CAPS] course, including completion of a culminating project, should be able to:
- Conceptualize a substantial, culminating project that requires the application of key concepts, methods, and skills to address authentic situations. (WSU Learning Goal: Critical and Creative Thinking).
- Apply concepts, skills, and/or methods of inquiry within and/or across disciplines to address authentic situations. (WSU Learning Goals: Integrative Learning)
- Identify and synthesize multiple relevant bodies of knowledge and sources of information to support findings or results within the context of an authentic situation. (WSU Learning Goal: Information Literacy)
- Communicate findings in written forms appropriate to the discipline and to 400-level course expectations. (WSU Learning Goal: Written Communication)
Optional CAPS Student Learning Outcomes
As appropriate to the course context, students who successfully complete a [CAPS] course, including completion of a culminating project, should be able to:
- Communicate effectively as relevant to the mode of non-written communication (e.g., public speaking; musical expression; interpersonal, intercultural, or visual communication; multi-media authoring; conversational foreign language). (WSU Learning Goal: Non-written Communication)
- Analyze the complexity of elements important to similar and diverse cultures, values, and perspectives. (WSU Learning Goal: Diversity)
- Apply quantitative principles and computational methods to address authentic situations. (WSU Learning Goal: Quantitative Reasoning)
- Apply scientific methods and principles to authentic situations. (WSU Learning Goal: Scientific literacy)
Revised outcomes approved Spring 2022.
Policy Requirements
The following policies are required of CAPS courses:
- Must be offered at the 400 (senior) course level.
- Students must have at least junior standing as a general prerequisite. Senior standing strongly preferred.
- Effective Fall 2019, students must take CAPS courses in residence. “In residence” means a course either taught on a WSU campus or taught by WSU faculty, wherever the course may be located. Education abroad courses (unless taught by WSU faculty), and transfer courses are not suitable for fulfilling the capstone requirement
Also see departmental CAPS policies as outlined in the Policy section.
Available [CAPS] Courses
View [CAPS] courses in the WSU catalog.
| Course Prefix | Course Number | Course Title | Credits | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AFS | 401 | Advanced Systems Analysis and Design in Agriculture and Food Systems | 3 | CAHNRS |
| AG_ED | 407 | Student Teaching in Agricultural Education | 3 | CAHNRS |
| AMDT | 413 | Global Sourcing | 3 | VCEA |
| ANIM_SCI | 464 | Companion Animal Management | 3 | CAHNRS |
| ANIM_SCI | 472 | Dairy Cattle Management | 3 | CAHNRS |
| ANIM_SCI | 474 | Beef Cattle Production | 3 | CAHNRS |
| ANTH | 404 | The Self in Culture | 3 | CAS |
| ANTH | 464 | Hormones and Human Reproduction | 3 | CAS |
| ANTH | 490 | Integrative Themes in Anthropology | 3 | CAS |
| ARCH | 403 | Comprehensive Design Studio I | 6 | VCEA |
| ART | 408 | Art History Thesis | 3 | CAS |
| ART | 498 | Contemporary Issues Seminar | 3 | CAS |
| ASTRONOM | 450 | Life in the Universe | 3 | CAS |
| BIO_ENG | 411 | Bioengineering Capstone Project II | 3 | VCEA |
| BIOLOGY | 401 | Plants and People | 3 | CAS |
| BIOLOGY | 402 | Beneficial Microbes in Nature and Society | 3 | CAS |
| BIOLOGY | 408 | Contemporary Genetics | 3 | CAS |
| BIOLOGY / ANTH | 473 | Evolution and Society | 3 | CAS |
| BIOLOGY | 483 | Organisms and Global Change | 3 | CAS |
| BIOLOGY | 485 | Biology of the Oceans | 3 | CAS |
| BIOLOGY | 489 | Synthesis and Communication of Independent Research | 3 | CAS |
| CAS | 410 | Interdisciplinary Approaches to the University | 3 | CAS |
| CE | 465 | Integrated Civil Engineering Design | 4 | VCEA |
| CES / ENGLISH | 405 / 410 | Cultual Criticism and Theory | 3 | CAS |
| CES | 440 | Global Social Justice | 3 | CAS |
| CES | 489 | Everyday Struggles for Justice and Equality | 3 | CAS |
| CHE | 451 | Chemical Process Analysis and Design II | 3 | VCEA |
| CHEM | 485 | Senior Thesis in Chemistry | 3 | CAS |
| COM | 471 | Stereotypes in Communication | 3 | Murrow |
| COMSOC | 421 | Intercultural Communication and Globalization | 3 | Murrow |
| CPT_S | 423 | Software Design Project II | 3 | VCEA |
| CPT_S | 432 | Cybersecurity Capstone Project | 3 | VCEA |
| CRM_J / WGSS | 403 | Violence Toward Women | 3 | CAS |
| CRM_J | 480 | Senior Capstone in Criminal Justice and Criminology | 3 | CAS |
| CROP_SCI | 435 | Interdisciplinary Solutions in the Plant Sciences | 3 | CAHNRS |
| CS (Vancouver) | 420 | Software Design Project I | 3 | VCEA |
| CST_M | 475 | Senior Capstone | 3 | VCEA |
| DATA | 424 | Data Analytics Capstone | 3 | CAS |
| DTC | 497 | Senior Seminar | 3 | CAS |
| E_E | 416 | Electrical Engineering Design | 3 | VCEA |
| ECE | 452 | Capstone Design II | 3 | VCEA |
| ECONS | 490 | Economics Capstone | 3 | CAHNRS |
| ENGLISH | 415 | Traditions of Comedy and Tragedy | 3 | CAS |
| ENGLISH | 446 | Form and Theory in Creative Writing: Prose and Poetry | 3 | CAS |
| ENGLISH | 494 | Advanced Topics in Literature | 3 | CAS |
| ENGR | 421 | Multidisciplinary Engineering Design II | 3 | VCEA |
| ENGR | 431 | Interdisciplinary Design II | 3 | VCEA |
| ENTRP | 492 | Small Business Strategy and Planning | 3 | Carson |
| FOR_LANG | 410 | Advanced Topics in Global Cinema | 3 | CAS |
| FRENCH | 410 | French Film in Translation | 3 | CAS |
| FRENCH | 420 | French Culture Through Wine | 3 | CAS |
| FRENCH | 430 | Topics in French / Francophone Literature in Translation | 3 | CAS |
| FS | 489 | Food Product Development | 3 | CAHNRS |
| GERMAN | 420 | Socio-Cultural History of the German Language | 3 | CAS |
| HBM | 475 | Senior Living Management Capstone | 3 | Carson |
| HBM | 493 | Food and Beverage Strategies | 3 | Carson |
| HBM | 495 | Case Studies and Research | 3 | Carson |
| H_D | 403 | Families in Poverty | 3 | CAHNRS |
| H_D | 415 | Peak Experiences in Leadership | 3 | CAHNRS |
| H_D | 418 | Early Experiences and Lifespan Health | 3 | CAHNRS |
| HISTORY | 409 | American Environmental History | 3 | CAS |
| HISTORY | 417 | Rise of Modern America | 3 | CAS |
| HISTORY | 420 | American History, 1980-Present | 3 | CAS |
| HISTORY | 435 | European Expansion Overseas, 1400-1800 | 3 | CAS |
| HISTORY | 436 | Imperialism in the Modern World | 3 | CAS |
| HISTORY | 444 | The Renaissance | 3 | CAS |
| HISTORY / ASIA | 474 | Modern South Asia: Community and Conflict | 3 | CAS |
| HISTORY / ASIA | 483 | Medicine, Science, and Technology in World History | 3 | CAS |
| HISTORY | 495 | Space, Place, and Power in World History: Historical Geography in Global Perspective | 3 | CAS |
| HORT | 425 | Trends in Horticulture | 3 | CAHNRS |
| I_D | 426 | Interior Design Studio VII | 5 | VCEA |
| KINES | 484 | Exercise Prescription and Medical Conditions | 3 | COE |
| LND_ARCH | 485 | Senior Comprehensive Project | 4 | VCEA |
| MATH | 432 | Mathematics for College and Secondary Teachers | 3 | CAS |
| MATH | 464 | Linear Optimization | 3 | CAS |
| MBIOS | 494 | Senior Project in Molecular Biosciences | 3 | VetMed |
| ME | 416 | Mechanical Systems Design | 3 | VCEA |
| MECH (Vancouver) | 417 | Mechanical Systems Design II | 3 | VCEA |
| MGMT | 491 | Business Strategy and Policy | 3 | Business |
| MUS | 461 | The Musician in Society: Philosophies and Practices, 1850-Present | 3 | CAS |
| NEP | 495 | Interprofessional Capstone in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology | 3 | Medicine |
| NEUROSCI | 490 | Senior Project | 3 | VetMed |
| NURS | 430 | Senior Practicum | 3 | Nursing |
| NURS | 495 | Nursing Practice: Advanced Clinical Practicum | 3 | Nursing |
| PHARMEDS | 490 | Senior Seminar: Capstone Experience | 3 | Pharmacy |
| PHIL | 413 | Science and Religion | 3 | CAS |
| PHIL | 442 | Philosophy of Mind | 3 | CAS |
| PHIL | 475 | Zombie Apocalypse | 3 | CAS |
| POL_S | 428 | Issues in Political Psychology | 3 | CAS |
| POL_S | 430 | The Politics of Natural Resource and Environmental Policy | 3 | CAS |
| POL_S | 432 | Comparative Public Policy | 3 | CAS |
| POL_S | 472 | European Politics | 3 | CAS |
| PSYCH | 401 | Historical Development of Psychology | 3 | CAS |
| PSYCH | 412 | Psychological Testing and Assessment | 3 | CAS |
| SHS | 480 | Senior Seminar | 3 | Medicine |
| SOC | 415 | Globalization | 3 | CAS |
| SOC | 495 | Internship Capstone | 3 | CAS |
| SOC | 497 | Capstone Research Practicum | 3 | CAS |
| SOE | 404 | The Ecosystem | 3 | CAS / CAHNRS |
| SOE | 454 | Restoration Ecology | 3 | CAS / CAHNRS |
| SOE | 471 | International Wildlife Conservation | 3 | CAS / CAHNRS |
| SOE | 474 | Physics and Chemistry of the Earth | 4 | CAS / CAHNRS |
| SOE | 477 | Environmental Dispute Resolution and Conflict Management | 3 | CAS / CAHNRS |
| SOE | 480 | How to Build a Habitable Planet | 3 | CAS / CAHNRS |
| SPANISH | 420 | Cultural Topics | 3 | CAS |
| SPANISH | 450 | Seminar in Spanish Studies / Themes | 3 | CAS |
| SPANISH | 451 | Seminar in Spanish Studies - Authors | 3 | CAS |
| SPANISH | 452 | Seminar in Spanish Studies - Genre | 3 | CAS |
| SPMGT | 489 | Theory and Application in Sports Event Management | 3 | COE |
| TCH_LRN | 490 | Advanced Practicum for Elementary Teachers | 3 | COE |
| VIT_ENOL | 433 | Critical Thinking in Vineyard and Winery Management | 3 | CAHNRS |
| WGSS | 495 | Re-Directions in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies: Theory and Practice | 3 | CAS |