Humanities & Arts

Those engaged in the humanities and arts often seek answers to problems that are not necessarily clear-cut. As we become increasingly dependent on technology in every aspect of our lives and careers, society will turn more and more to professionals who have the background and the balanced perspective needed to address questions that fall at the intersection of the technical and the nontechnical.

WPI recognizes the need for technical professionals to appreciate the humanities and arts, and vice versa. All science and technology majors at WPI complete the Humanities and Arts Project, through which they become immersed in a chosen area of the humanities or arts. For students who wish to delve deeper into a nontechnical field, there are several options, including minor programs.

WPI also offers the opportunity for students to pursue major and double-major programs in the humanities and arts. Faculty members in these fields challenge students to apply their critical and analytical skills by teaching them to communicate their ideas effectively, to question, think, write and speak honestly and clearly, and to look carefully at themselves and society in a new light. Humanities and arts faculty members direct interdisciplinary major and minor programs in international studies, professional writing, and theatre and technology.

Programs

Humanities and Arts Major

Students may major in the humanities and arts or pursue a double major in combination with a major program in an area of science, engineering or management. Humanities and arts majors may concentrate their studies in history, literature, music, philosophy, religion, drama/theatre, writing and rhetoric, art history/architecture, and American, German or Hispanic studies. Also offered are two concentrations: humanities studies of science and technology, which enables students to apply the methods of the humanities and social sciences to the study of science and technology, and environmental studies, which explores environmental issues through studies in the humanities and arts, the social sciences and other fields.

To pursue the double major, a student must satisfy all of the degree requirements of another academic discipline and six units of studies in the humanities and arts, as well as one Interactive Project. Students who double major in humanities and arts and in either management or social science and policy studies are required to complete a Humanities and Arts Project in a technical area. Those who choose a double major in humanities and arts and a technical area do not have to do the Humanities and Arts Project.

Music and Foreign Language Minors

Many of WPI's incoming freshmen say that WPI's music program was a critical factor in their decision to enroll here. The Music Division supports more than 10 instrumental and vocal ensembles that take part in dozens of performances each year in Alden Memorial, WPI's magnificent performing arts center, and in concert halls and churches in the United States and abroad. A visiting workshop series in music and technology and off-campus project opportunities with radio, television and entertainment organizations expand the university's rich and active musical environment. Students who pursue a humanities and arts minor in music will find it an ideal way to continue their involvement in music beyond the Humanities and Arts Project without necessarily pursuing a major or double major in the humanities and arts. Likewise, the foreign language minor is available to students who wish to pursue their study of German or Spanish language and culture beyond the advanced grammar level, but who do not want to take on the course and project requirements of a major or double major program. Other minors can be tailored to students' tastes.

Interdisciplinary Programs

International Studies: Offered as a major and a minor, this program prepares students for leadership roles in business and industry, government or public affairs through a combination of course work in the humanities and social sciences, and global projects and exchange programs.

Professional Writing: In today's technology-intensive world, there is a great need for professionals who can bridge the gap between scientists and engineers and the general public by presenting technical information in understandable and useful forms. This program prepares students for careers in technical writing and editing, journalism, public relations, publishing, and similar fields.

Drama/Theatre: Students who choose this program experience the best of the artistic and technological sides of modern theatre through a course of study available at few other institutions. At WPI, students interested in this increasingly high-tech world may take courses that provide a basic knowledge of the literature and history of the theatre, and complete projects that give them hands-on experience in theatre technology--from computer-aided set design to surround sound to virtual reality.

Projects

Students completing majors and double majors in the humanities and arts complete a project tied to a particular interest area, or to an area of concentration within the major.

The Living Museums Program offers majors and non-majors the opportunity to complete research and project work at such renowned New England museums and libraries as the nearby American Antiquarian Society, the Higgins Armory Museum and Old Sturbridge Village, or in Great Britain with such institutions as the Tower of London, the Courtauld Institute, and the Victoria & Albert Museum.

Some recent project topics:

Facilities

Center for Communication Across the Curriculum

CCAC is a free, guided system of faculty and peer tutoring in a variety of communications media. In addition to the Writing Workshop, where assistance is available to students completing projects in English or in certain other languages, CCAC staff members provide students with help or direction on communications projects such as live presentations or videotaping.

Alden Memorial

Home to WPI's music and theatre programs, Alden has a variety of music rehearsal and performance spaces, including a large auditorium and a more intimate recital hall. There are also computer music laboratories, with a variety of computers, synthesizers and related equipment for course and project work in computer techniques in music and digital sound design.

A well-equipped theatre facility, including a scenery shop, lighting, sound and video projection equipment, and dressing rooms, is also located in Alden.

Careers

With their understanding of technical and nontechnical disciplines, WPI's humanities and arts majors, double majors and minors are well prepared for successful careers in a broad range of fields. For example, graduates work in the theatre as actors, playwrights and designers; they enter business and industry, often with foreign language ability; they are technicians and performers of music; and they serve as scientific or technical writers at major high-tech companies. Humanities and arts programs are also excellent preparation for graduate study in fields as diverse as business, law, medicine and public policy.

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Last modified: November 08, 2006 14:58:02