Humanities + Sciences

Humanities + Sciences courses are taught by faculty across the College who are accomplished writers, artists, researchers, and educators in their individual areas of study. The focus is on critical and creative thinking, problem-solving, communication, and collaboration. Students from across the visual and performing arts gather together in these courses for active exchange of ideas and lively discussion.

Humanities and Sciences for First-Year Students

First-year students at Cornish participate in Humanities and Sciences courses that introduce them to college life, academic skills, and powerful ideas in the liberal arts.  Students build valuable communication and critical thinking skills to apply to their artistic practice and everyday lives.

• Writing and Analysis is a sequence of two courses that focus on effective reading, writing, discussion, and research.
• The First-Year Liberal Arts Seminar guides first-year students in their successful transition to the intellectual life of Cornish College of the Arts. Students select a seminar among a variety of topics that relate to a shared theme.

Humanities and Sciences for Upper-Division Students

The Humanities and Sciences Department offers a range of upper division courses that allow students to explore topics and fields of study that extend beyond the arts.  Theme-based classes in the sciences, social sciences, and humanities are offered on a rotating basis with an emphasis on timely topics, global breadth, and intellectual depth.  Students take these courses to pursue what interests them most, while satisfying Global Learning, Integrated Learning, Biological and Physical Sciences, and Writing-Intensive requirements.

Faculty Emeriti | Humanities and Sciences

Kim McKay, Professor Emerita, Humanities & Sciences
John Kendall Wilson, Professor Emeritus, Humanities & Sciences | 1989 – 2019