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The goal of Hamilton's Interdisciplinary Concentration is to allow students the flexibility to craft a program of study that matches their interests and goals.

Hamilton's innovative liberal arts curriculum dispenses with core courses and encourages academic freedom of choice. That allows most students to pursue their interests in a traditional major or concentration, where they can focus on a particular topic while exploring many other fields. Occasionally, however, students have interests and needs that are different or highly specialized. In such instances, they may work with members of the faculty to create their own concentration.

If the Hamilton curriculum does not meet your specific academic needs or interests, you may design and declare an interdisciplinary concentration involving two or more departments. Imagine the possibilities: Hispanic studies, women's studies and computer science. Or philosophy, mathematics and dance. Unusual, yes; unrealistic, no. After all, the Hamilton curriculum is about forging creative connections.

Explore Hamilton Stories

Phil Bean chats with students during his class on the history of Utica media.

The Levitt Justice Lab: A Program Built to Inspire

The Levitt (Center) Law & Justice Lab, a program designed for students interested in synthesizing perspectives on public policy issues, just concluded a semester focused on exploring policies affecting homelessness in Utica, N.Y. The experience was led by Professors Frank Anechiarico (government), Herman Lehman (biology), Philip Bean (history), and Gwendolyn Dordick (government).

Andrew Charman ’21

From Architecture to Zoology, a Tailor-Made Major

They are three seniors who share a major, but you’d never know it from the courses they’ve taken. You might be able to tell it by their level of satisfaction with their academic agendas — as interdisciplinary concentrators they built their own majors to what interested them most.

Nathalie Martinez '23

Exploring the Morality of Cultural Appropriation

Nathalie Martinez ’23 is spending her summer working at an interdisciplinary research lab called Scientists, Technologists, and Artists Generating Exploration (STAGE) through a University of Chicago grant. Here, she describes the nature of her work and her academic background.

Careers After Hamilton

Hamilton graduates who pursued an interdisciplinary concentration are finding careers in a variety of fields, including:

  • Community Development Director, Saratoga Springs N.Y.
  • Project Associate, Innovations for Poverty Action, Nairobi
  • Advisor, TCI Wealth Advisors, Inc.
  • Chief of Dermatology, Columbia University
  • Principal & Managing Director, Studios Architecture
  • Teacher, Teach for America

Contact

Department Name

Interdisciplinary Concentration Department

Office Location
198 College Hill Road
Clinton, NY 13323

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