The Program in Environmental Studies, leading to either a BA or a minor, teaches students to develop an interdisciplinary understanding of the relationship between humans and the environment. It requires an understanding of the sciences, social sciences, and humanities. The major has 5 elective tracks from which to choose: 1) Climate Change, 2) Conservation Biology, 3) Environmental Economics, 4) Environmental Humanities, or 5) Water Resources. A major could also propose a self-designed track.

Through small classes and one-on-one interaction with outstanding faculty, music majors develop the ability to perform, create, contextualize and analyze music, and have opportunities to pursue their musical interests through participation in the department’s classes, ensembles, applied lessons and events.

Students who study Strategic Communication at Washington and Lee benefit from a liberal arts education provided through a professional prism. By offering students the best of both, we prepare them to participate in a democratic society by teaching them to think critically, to communicate clearly, and to fully recognize the role of news, public relations and other forms of media in a free society.

Sociology and Anthropology students are curious about how society and culture work and care deeply about solving social problems to make the world better. Typically, students choose research methodologies that most match their interests, work closely with professors in the classroom and through independent research projects, and push the boundaries of their knowledge through study, travel and community engagement.

While rigorous in design and implementation, the studio art curriculum has been crafted to work within the liberal arts tradition and students are encouraged—even advised—to bring to the creative process the ideas and concepts they have learned in classes offered by other departments across the W&L academic landscape. A vigorous visiting artist program brings to campus contemporary artists who work closely with students, critique their work and provide special workshops for majors and non-majors alike. Some students take advantage of internship opportunities that connect them with internationally known artists.

The Department of Art and Art History includes a major and a minor in art history, as well as a minor in cultural heritage and museum studies. Art history classes are small – with caps on lecture courses set at 25 – and plentiful, with all courses taught in state-of-the-art facilities. In a world that has become increasingly dependent on images, and in an age marked by the manipulation of information through them, the importance of understanding the vitality of visual literacy and the challenges facing image-makers and image-readers has never been so strongly felt. The discipline of art history provides students with the intellectual tools to consider these issues and fosters an academic forum in which to address them thoughtfully, critically and innovatively.

Computer science at W&L provides a foundation in computing fundamentals, invariant principles and practices of the discipline including analysis, algorithm design and the selection of theoretical models, software and hardware systems, and historical, social, legal and ethical context of computing. Computing has transformed life. Advances in computing have enabled breakthroughs in genetics, protein modeling, medicine, weather simulations and all scientific fields. Video games and movie graphics are increasingly realistic. Children acquire various skills using fun, educational software. The Internet has revolutionized commerce, transportation and communication. Policies and laws have been reimagined to account for the new world created in cyberspace.

Students who major in earth and environmental geoscience are curious about the natural world, enjoy solving complex problems in the field or laboratory, like spending time outdoors, and are interested in using or protecting our natural resources. Students in our program are exposed to the breadth of core geoscience fields as well as a wide variety of specialty and interdisciplinary science courses. Our curriculum ensures that students develop analytical thinking, reasoning, communication and problem-solving skills, as well as a thoughtful, creative and inquisitive intellect. Much of our coursework is hands-on and completed in the field, laboratory or computer classrooms.

The Department of East Asian Languages and Literature offers a full four-year program of language courses in both Chinese and Japanese, as well as literature and culture courses in English. The department’s curricula provide solid disciplinary training, preparing students to meet the challenges in further graduate studies or in career development.

The biological sciences play a key role in human society, from the conservation of biodiversity to medicine. The Department of Biology cultivates an exciting academic environment to study, research and contemplate the spectrum of life sciences. Biology majors receive a broad education in the biosciences. The curriculum promotes effective scientific communication, the understanding and use of the scientific method, the understanding of the major concepts in biology, the use of the tools and techniques of science, an understanding of the scientific literature and the importance of quantitative techniques. Studying biology at W&L includes hands-on experience, including independent research experience and lab and/or fieldwork, often incorporating original research projects. Graduates are competitive for entry to graduate programs, medical and other professional programs, and employment in all sectors of research, development and commerce.

Chinese language courses develop advanced communication skills through intensive language training, and provide a foundation for understanding cultural traditions of China. The literature in translation courses aim to foster an awareness and understanding of East Asian cultures through an interdisciplinary approach, introducing historical background; social, philosophical and political issues.

The wide scope of the classics field, and its emphasis on close study, analysis and critical thinking, makes it an excellent preparation for a wide range of professions. Classics is the original “interdisciplinary” study. A student concentrating in classics can study not only the language, but the art, history, religion and law of the ancient world. The study of classics at Washington and Lee is provides exceptional opportunities for students to conduct professional work such as excavating in the Athenian Agora or participating in an international scholarly project, collecting and digitizing graffiti from the ancient world.

Economics students learn to think critically using the analytical tools of economic study, allowing them to apply economic theory to economic and social issues. With the practical tools of the discipline, students also develop an ability to evaluate the validity of theoretical predictions made by scholars in their field. Economics is the study of decision making under scarcity, and it permeates almost every facet of political, commercial, industrial and even familial behavior in society. Do financial markets reflect rational behavior? Will Google, Apple and Tesla displace VW, GM and Toyota? How has the birth control pill affected women’s education and labor market decisions? Does corruption grease or sand the wheels of economic development? These are just a few examples of the full range of questions that we discuss in class at Washington and Lee.

Environmental Studies is a holistic approach to studying interactions between humans and the natural environment. This interdisciplinary program comprises core courses augmented by courses in the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences. A culminating capstone experience draws upon this diversity of coursework to examine causes, consequences and solutions to environmental problems.

Chemistry and Biochemistry students develop an understanding of chemistry and are encouraged to continue the pursuit of a deeper or broader understanding of the disciplines. Faculty are committed to preparing lifelong learners who are equipped with skills derived in W&L’s classrooms and laboratories. Chemistry and biochemistry majors understand essential chemical principles and have a foundation of factual chemical knowledge on which they may build in the future.