We believe that a college graduate, regardless of specialty, should
have a broad basic grounding in the humanities, the social sciences,
and the world of mathematics and the natural sciences. So we ask
all of our students to show some familiarity with these areas.
Humanities
Four
courses - literature, philosophy, religion, art or music history
or criticism
History
Two courses - with historical perspective
Social
Sciences
Four
courses - sociology, anthropology, psychology, government,
or economics
Mathematics
or Natural Sciences
Three
courses - must include one laboratory or field experience
These
courses should not be treated as obstacles you must encounter.
Instead, integrate them as much as possible into your individualized
program. If you study business, consider a philosophy course in
ethics, for example. If you pursue sociology, you might satisfy
the history requirement by studying history of the American family,
or social history of 20th-century America. One of our recent music
students specializing in the Celtic harp chose Celtic anthropology
for a social science course. And regardless of field, you'll be
encouraged to meet math/science requirements with courses like
computer science, ecology, or basic scientific literacy. We want
to broaden your perspective in a way that is relevant to your
current needs and interests, and befits your position as a well-educated
member of society.
All
UWW student programs are individualized, and every student develops
an academic focus. The focus can be in a traditional liberal arts
discipline, like history, psychology or biology; in the fine arts,
such as music, studio art, dance, and theater; in some pre-professional
areas, like business or social services; in an interdisicplinary
area, like women's studies, Asian Studies, or management information
systems; or in some other area designed by the student and advisors.
Some recent examples of creatively designed programs are Health
and Communications, Religion and Law, and Writing about Culture.
New
York State education law requires that all baccalaureate programs
have a minimum of 120 credits.
UWW
students can finish their degree requirements at any time during the year. Skidmore's
president and board of trustees confer degrees several times a year
and invite all the year's UWW graduates to don cap and gown and
march in the College's annual commencement exercises each May.
Although it concludes the UWW experience, commencement means a
beginning. Students who graduate from UWW never stop learning.
