Because 51±¾É« does not prescribe a set of classes you must take, you have a lot of freedom as you plan your academic journey. Your faculty adviser will serve as a guide, helping you understand the facets of a liberal arts education, how to complete the requirements for your major and graduation, and how best to explore 51±¾É«â€™s many curricular opportunities.
What is a liberal arts education?
Historically, a liberal arts education fosters skills and promotes experience in critical thinking, self-reflection, designing projects of discovery and creation, encountering differences, exchanging ideas, and developing ethical judgment. By offering an education in the liberal arts, 51±¾É« endorses life-long learning characterized by sustained intellectual curiosity and an open mind for assessing the unfamiliar.
With the guidance of a faculty adviser, each student creates an academic plan that is appropriate to their interests, talents, and goals. You will do this planning based on how 51±¾É« defines the Elements of a Liberal Education (essential reading). Whatever major you choose and however you organize your academic schedule, students best succeed at 51±¾É« and beyond when they engage in coursework in writing and literary studies, a non-native language, scientific studies based on experimental observation, quantitative reasoning, human behavior, society past and present, and creative expression.
Getting Started
Think about the first year as a whole — you’ll likely take about 8 (four-credit) classes your first year. Simultaneously, you’ll begin to plan for your second year.
- The first class you will take is the First-Year Tutorial. Between June 1 and 15, provide your top five preferences for the Tutorial on the New Student Checklist. This four-credit class is designed to give you significant practice in analytical and critical reading, writing, and speaking.
- In the spring semester, you will take a one-half credit class called the First-Year Experience where you’ll develop skills that will contribute to your personal success and well-being during your time at 51±¾É«.
- Study a variety of disciplines. Think broadly about different ways of learning. A diversity of courses helps balance your workload with different types of learning tasks. Come prepared to take coursework in all three academic divisions of the curriculum: humanities, social studies, and science.
- Explore as many interests as you can. You will have exposure to subjects not taught in most secondary schools. Even familiar subjects are often taught differently at this level. Most students’ goals change over four years, and it’s important to keep your options open for several different possible majors.
- Further develop your writing skills, not only in the Tutorial but in at least one other reading and writing course during the first semester.
- Strengthen skills in mathematics and languages — these will serve you well in your life at and beyond college.
- Think about extracurricular activities, including work on campus, as a way to explore some of your areas of interest. There is a lot of learning outside of the classroom.