Exploring the Diverse Programs of the UVA College of Arts & Sciences

The University of Virginia's College of Arts & Sciences (often referred to as "the College" at UVA) stands as the largest of the university's ten schools. It offers a wide array of academic opportunities, with over 45 undergraduate majors and more than 24 graduate programs. This article delves into the diverse programs available within the College, highlighting specific majors, courses, and opportunities for students.

A Brief History of the College

Authorized by the Board of Visitors in 1824, alongside the Schools of Law and Medicine, the College of Arts & Sciences initially went by the name "academic department". Classes were first held in March 1825. A significant milestone was reached in 1969 when the Board of Visitors voted to eliminate all restrictions on the admission of women to the College, marking a turning point in its history.

Academic Programs and Opportunities

The College of Arts & Sciences boasts over 50 diverse majors, each offering unique post-graduation paths and opportunities. Here's a glimpse into some of the programs:

African American and African Studies (B.A.)

The B.A. in African American and African Studies allows students to delve into specialized topics through reading, class discussion, and research, culminating in a research paper. Topics change each term and vary with the instructor. Seminars focus on specific periods, topics, or issues, such as the Harlem Renaissance or the Civil War.

American Studies (B.A.)

In the B.A. in American Studies, students explore diverse aspects of American culture, including history, literature, art, and popular culture.

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Anthropology (B.A.)

In Anthropology, students study human societies, cultures, and behaviors across time and space. The majors seminars in anthropology offer majors and minors an opportunity to engage deeply with a topic of anthropological concern. Through these courses anthropology students gain experience in doing an independent research project on a topic they care about and produce a significant paper or other major work.

Art History

Introductory Seminars in Art History are small classes for first- and second-year students that emphasize reading, writing, and discussion. While subject varies with the instructor, topics will be selected that allow students to engage broad issues and themes historically and in relationship to contemporary concerns and debates. The Art History Colloquium combines lecture and discussion. Subject varies with the instructor, who may decide to focus attention either on a particular period, artist, or theme, or on the broader question of the aims and methods of art history. Representative subjects include the life and art of Pompeii, Roman painting and mosaics, history and connoisseurship of baroque prints, art and politics in revolutionary Europe, Picasso and painting, and problems in American art and culture. A course focuses on the topic of documentary photography, a working style that combines accurate depiction with impassioned advocacy, usually with the goal of arousing public commitment to social change. Since the 1980s this mode has expanded to include formal and iconographical investigation of social experience with a counterstain of personal images. A studio class explores works on paper, including monotype, monoprint, mixed media and paper construction. Primarily for first and second year students, taught on a voluntary basis by a faculty member.

Astronomy

ASTR 8559 is a new course in Astronomy.

Biology

Field experiential courses in evolution, ecology, behavior and biology are taught at the Biology Department's Mountain Lake Biological Station (MLBS), a field research and teaching facility located in southwestern Virginia. Students may enroll for more than one section as each section is a specialized topic. Course uses electrophysiological techniques with living crayfish material to examine principles of neurobiological function, including cellular resting potentials, propagated action potentials, neuromuscular physiology, aspects of neuromuscular organization, and sensory neuron physiology and organization. A lab lecture will precede each lab session. Students will be exposed to the biology, ecology, and evolutionary biology of birds through hands-on experience. Field exercises will teach how to identify birds by sight and sound, measure birds in hand, and monitor birds and their behaviors. These opportunities will be augmented with lectures on bird physiology, morphology, and diversity.

Chemistry

Emphasizes the practical aspects of general, organic, and biological chemistry with numerous applications to clinical and health-related cases and issue. Provides health professionals with the chemical background necessary to understand the diagnostic tests and procedures needed for healthcare delivery.

Chinese

An integral part of the UVa summer Chinese language program in Shanghai, this course combines lectures and guest presentations with field trips, using the resources specifically available in Shanghai and other parts of China to offer an introduction to China's long history, splendid culture, and dynamic and changing society.

Classics

There are new courses in the subject of classics.

Computer Science (B.A.)

In Computer Science, students gain a solid foundation in computer science theory and practice. This prepares them to analyze and solve computing challenges and apply their technical knowledge across various disciplines. Graduates are well-prepared for graduate study in computer science and related fields.

Computer Science graduates have pursued:

Work in the field of computer, software development, or information technology.
Data science and analytics careers.
Graduate study in computing or related fields.

Concentrations and opportunities include Cybersecurity and the Distinguished Majors Program.

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Interested students can take an Introduction to Programming course: CS 1110 (general), CS 1111 (some programming experience), or CS 1112 (no programming experience).

Dance

In-depth investigation of a specific topic in the field of dance at the 3000 level. Topics and content will vary depending upon the instructor's areas of expertise. The course may be repeated for credit in different content areas. Focuses on the comprehensive process of public performance and production, centered around a project or production. Students will engage in research and analysis, rehearsal and performance, and feedback and reflection. Topics announced in advance. Specialized approaches for the embodied, theoretical, and imaginative aspects of performance. Emphasis is placed on experiential learning through hands-on activities and immersive experiences. Topics announced in advance.

Drama

Examines the art of theatre and performance through the hands-on process of design and the implementation of the technology. Tell stories through research, the disciplined practice of craft, and creativity. Topics announced in advance. A directed project-based study offered to upper-level students. A directed study in theatre management offered to upper-level students. A directed study in dramatic literature, history, theory or criticism offered to upper-level students. A directed study in theatre movement or physical acting offered to upper-level students. A directed study in directing offered to upper-level students. A directed study in theatre design offered to upper-level students. A directed study in playwriting offered to upper-level students.

Economics

Reading, discussion, and research in selected topics. Topics vary by instructor and course may be taken for credit more than once. Graduate students combine course work in an upper-level undergraduate economics course with additional special assignments. Studies the issues related to economic development, emphasizing endogenous growth models. Topics include human capital, R & D, learning by doing, fiscal policy, trade, and financial development.

English

This course provides the opportunity to offer a new course in the subject of American Literature. This course introduces students to the growing body of fiction by recent American writers of ethnic and racial minorities. This course provides the opportunity to offer a new course in the subject of American Literature To 1900. This course provides the opportunity to offer a new topic in the subject of American Literature. Studies the work of one or two major writers within a precise historical context. A recent pair was Hawthorne and Melville. This course provides the opportunity to offer a new course in the subject of American Literature. This course provides the opportunity to offer a new course in the subject of American Literature To 1900. This course provides the opportunity to offer a new course in the subject of Criticism. This course provides the opportunity to offer a new course in the subject of Criticism. This course provides the opportunity to offer a new course in the subject of Criticism. This course provides the opportunity to offer a new course in the subject of Criticism. This course provides the opportunity to offer a new course in the subject of Criticism. This course provides the opportunity to offer a new course in restoration and eighteenth-century literature. ENEC 4559New Course in Restoration and Eighteenth-century Literature. This course provides the opportunity to offer a new course in the subject of restoration and eighteenth-century literature. ENEC 5559New Course in the subject of Restoration and Eighteenth-century Literature. This course provides the opportunity to offer a new topic in the subject of restoration and eighteenth-century literature. This course provides the opportunity to offer a new topic in the subject of restoration and eighteenth-century literature. ENEC 9559New Course in the subject of Restoration and Eighteenth-Century Literature. This course provides the opportunity to offer a new topic in the subject of restoration and eighteenth-century literature. An introduction to the study of literature. Why is imaginative literature worth reading and taking seriously? This course provides the opportunity to offer a new topic in the subject of English Literature. An introduction to the study of literature that focuses on the intersections between imaginative literature and other fields of human endeavor. Why is imaginative literature worth reading and taking seriously? Introduces students to some fundamental skills in critical thinking and critical writing about literary texts. Readings include various examples of poetry, fiction, and drama. The course is organized along interactive and participatory lines. Surveys selected English writers from the fourteenth through the eighteenth century. Studies major works in American literature before 1900. Examines the poetic techniques and conventions of imagery and verse that poets have used across the centuries. Exercises in scansion, close reading, and framing arguments about poetry. Introduces the techniques of the dramatic art, with close analysis of selected plays. Studies the techniques of fiction. Studies selected sonnets and plays of Shakespeare. This course provides the opportunity to offer a new topic in the subject of English Literature. Introduces trends in contemporary English, American, and Continental literature, especially in fiction, but with some consideration of poetry and drama. Surveys major American writers of the twentieth century. Topics in African-American writing in the US from its beginning in vernacular culture to the present day; topics vary from year to year. Examines a selection of works, primarily in English but occasionally in translation, from around the world. The list of works and genres treated will vary. Analyzes the representations of women in literature as well as literary texts by women writers. Usually an introduction to non-traditional or specialized topics in literary studies, (e.g., native American literature, gay and lesbian studies, techno-literacy, Arthurian romance, Grub Street in eighteenth-century England, and American exceptionalism). Topics vary. Explores themes in English, French, German, Italian, Irish, Icelandic, and Spanish literature of the Middle Ages. Topics vary. Topics vary from year to year. Examination of particular movements within the period, (e.g., the Aesthetic Movement; the Pre-Raphaelites; and Condition-of-England novels). Topics vary. This course provides the opportunity to offer a new topic in the subject of English Literature. This course takes up topics in the study of literature in English in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Studies the work of one or two major authors. Intensive study of African-American writers and cultural figures in a diversity of genres. Includes artists from across the African diaspora in comparative American perspective. Limited enrollment. Topics vary. Limited enrollment. Interdisciplinary seminar whose topics vary from year to year. Topics vary from year to year. Limited enrollment. Topics vary from year to year. Limited enrollment. Topics vary from year to year. Limited enrollment. Topics vary. This course provides the opportunity to offer a new topic in the subject of English Literature. Limited enrollment. Topics vary from year to year. Limited enrollment. An interdisciplinary seminar focusing on the interrelationships between literature and history, the social sciences, philosophy, religion, and the fine arts in the Modern period. Limited enrollment. Capstone Seminar for the Global English Literature and Culture Track within the English Major.

Noteworthy Faculty and Programs

Several departments within the College, along with their faculty, have garnered recognition for their significant contributions. The Department of English, which houses the top-ranked Program in Creative Writing, boasts numerous nationally and internationally distinguished members. Rita Dove, a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and faculty member since 1989, served as United States Poet Laureate from 1993 to 1995 and has received numerous accolades, including the National Humanities Medal and the National Medal of Arts.

The Echols Scholars Program

The Echols Scholars program, established in 1960, aims to attract top-tier students to UVA. It offers "ambitious academic privileges" to students deemed to be in the top academic echelon. These privileges include exclusive housing, exemption from area requirements, an exclusive counseling program, and an interdisciplinary major. Students are automatically reviewed for Echols status during the general admissions process, and a first-year application program is available for enrolled students.

Notable Alumni

The College of Arts & Sciences has produced many notable alumni, including:

Katherine A. Couric (CLAS '79), Anchor, CBS Nightly News.
Samuel Goldwyn, Jr.
Carter G. Woodson

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