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.

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.

Accounting at W&L builds on the liberal arts course foundation, increasing analytical and communication skills while providing knowledge and skills for any number of business areas. Majors take a combination of accounting, economics and business administration courses. About one-third of our graduates are recruited by Big Four accounting firms. Another third join prestigious investment and commercial banking firms. The remaining third follow varied paths, including graduate school.

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.

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 wide range of questions that we discuss in class at Washington and Lee. Focus on Teaching and Learning Small classes allow the Economics faculty to adopt a conversational style in the classroom, conversations that often spill over into a professor's office. A core set of intermediate courses, in theory, statistics and econometrics introduce our majors to the tools of modern economic research methods. Faculty with interests in specific fields of economic research teach our upper-level classes in fields such as international trade, labor, and environmental economics. Sections are small to facilitate engaging discussions that integrate theory with empirical analysis to gain a deeper understanding of market behavior and explore policy implications. Project-based writing assignments develop critical thinking skills and teach students the economic research process which is about bringing real-world data together with theory to produce analysis helpful to businesses and policy-makers. Economics is Interdisciplinary As a social science that uses formal modeling and statistical techniques to answer questions about human behavior, economics is, by necessity, an interdisciplinary endeavor. Economists regularly draw on history, sociology, mathematics, psychology, law, and environmental sciences among other disciplines. Both our majors and our faculty are active in and contribute to Washington and Lee's many interdisciplinary programs including the Shepherd Poverty, Environmental Studies, and Gender Studies. Our travel-based courses which expand to multiple continents are typically co-taught with faculty from other departments including Anthropology (SOAN), Religion, and Politics. This approach is ideal for teaching students to integrate insights from other disciplines into economic analysis and articulate it in writing. Opportunities The Economics Department organizes a trip biennially to Washington, D.C., for students to explore career opportunities. Many students participate in co-curricular activities in the Williams School such as General Development Inc., Student Consulting, and the Williams Investment Society. Students also are welcome to attend the research seminar series that the Economics Department co-hosts with VMI. W&L's prestigious Summer Research Scholar program (January deadline!) provides opportunities for students to work in the summer on faculty research projects. In addition, the department supports other types of opportunities for majors. Interested students are encouraged to talk to their professors. Graduates work in government, policy research, investment and commercial banks, nonprofits, businesses, and start-up companies. Recent employers include Accenture, Barclays Bank, Berkeley Research Group, Economists Inc., the Federal Reserve System, Heritage Foundation, the Peace Corp, Uber, and Wells Fargo. Click on this link to access the W&L Office of Career and Professional Development. Graduates also go to law school, graduate school for a master's or doctorate, and to MBA programs after several years of work. Economics majors also enjoy success in competing for national scholarships and fellowships that fund other learning opportunities. There are scholarships for undergraduate students in each class year, and well as scholarships (fellowships) for many types of graduate study. Recent awards include the Fulbright Award, the Davis Projects for Peace prize, Venture for America, and the Goldwater Scholarship. For more information, please visit the Washington and Lee University fellowship website or talk to the department head.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Our field lies at an intersection of sciences. Courses and research labs investigate all of the interacting functions — cognitive, affective, behavioral, physiological, social, developmental — that drive and define the human experience. Many students are drawn to the Cognitive and Behavioral Science (CBSC) major because of its multidisciplinary foundations, rich linkages to other sciences, and applications within diverse career paths. Our department has strong connections with the interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program on campus; CBSC and neuroscience majors work side by side in CBSC Department labs.

Working closely with dedicated faculty members, students in this department hone their ability to think and read critically, reason persuasively and write eloquently through the exploration of a constantly evolving range of course offerings. English majors at W&L learn methodologies and vocabularies for literary study; contemplate forms and purposes of literary art in a variety of periods and cultures; and investigate intersections between English and many other disciplines.

Business administration is one of the most popular majors at W&L. We offer small classes (usually 16 to 22 students) that are innovative and experiential. Our professors maintain open-door policies and are regularly available to students outside of class. Quality teaching is unquestionably our highest priority. Business students engage in multiple aspects of business administration and how they relate to the broader social and cultural aspects of society and the world.

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.