2002-2003 A LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE OF HUMAN ECOLOGY ON THE MAINE COAST "If Plato were to return and take a professorship, I'd bet my copy of The Republic that he would settle in to teach at College of the Atlantic." N Colman McCarthy The Washington Post Mission Statement T he faculty, students, trustees, staff, and alumni of College of the Atlantic envision a world where people value creativity, intellectual achievement, and the diversity of nature and human cultures. With respect and compassion, individuals will construct meaningful lives for themselves, gain appreciation for the relation- ships among all forms of life, and safeguard the heritage of future generations. College of the Atlantic enriches the liberal arts tradition through a distinctive educational philosophy-human ecology. A human ecological perspective integrates knowledge from all academic disciplines and from personal experience to investigate, and ultimately improve, the relationships between human beings and our social and natural communities. The human ecological perspective guides all aspects of education, research, activism, and interactions among the College's students, faculty, staff and trustees. The College of the Atlantic community encourages, prepares, and expects students to gain the expertise, breadth, values, and practical experience necessary to achieve fulfillment and to help solve problems that challenge communities everywhere. You may be holding just a viewbook in your hands, a brochure that is cool to the touch and flat in nature. But as you flip through these pages, we hope that your mind will begin to churn with possibilities. This book is a collection of thoughts and images reflecting the experiences available to the COA community. Whether harvesting a root crop at our organic farm, canoeing down a creek, or tackling the frets on a guitar, imagine yourself here, in these spaces. Imagination is one of the essentials for success at College of the Atlantic. We believe that the world is a classroom of limitless opportunities. We want this book to capture you, heart and mind. Contents COA History and Philosophy 3 Academic Life 7 Curriculum 11 Academic Facilities and Special Programs .17 Degree Requirements 25 Between Classes .27 After COA 35 Admission and Financial Aid 37 ING REJOICE ON here Guman The unfaltering Passion Bwit foundations upon which Idealism the College grows. Creativity we are all artists. choose your medium. H istory is a tricky thing. The word itself denotes The past thirty years have brought many wonderful bygone events-a record of things past, antiquated accomplishments. College of the Atlantic has been the philosophies, out-dated customs-things generally recipient of numerous grants and fellowships in recognition relegated to the ranks of all that has come before. But a of the unique work that goes on here. The College now great idea transcends the passage of time. Its expression includes two research islands, an organic farm, and an may change, but its essence remains. College of the Atlantic International and Regional Studies Program. is a place where the essence of idealism and passion live, With passion, creativity, and idealism, College of the despite the passage of time. Atlantic honors its past and seeks new people who share the In June 2002, College of the Atlantic graduated its 1200th same beliefs to continue this important and amazing work. human ecologist. Many colleges graduate at least that many students each year. But COA is not like any other college, nor has it ever aspired to be. From the College's very inception, it has had a unique approach to college education. When choosing a college, you are choosing to connect yourself with all that the college has been and will be. It is important that you know COA's history, so that you may understand your place in it. From the outset, College of the Atlantic has been a community effort. Sustained and nurtured by the efforts of many people with diverse interests and backgrounds, the college has always been a labor of love. In the mid-1960's, a group of local residents had an idea: make Bar Harbor home to a college. By 1969, College of the Atlantic received its charter from the State Board of Education. The college would be a four year, co-educational college of the liberal arts. It would introduce a new interdisciplinary approach to education. At its center would be Human The College logo combines three runic symbols: Ecology: The study of the inter-relationships between th Is for tree, M Is for humans, and Is for ocean. humans and their environments, be they natural, political, technological, aesthetic, or social. In 1972 College of the All intertwined in a circle symbolize the earth and Atlantic opened its doors to 32 impassioned students of the universe. human ecology. 3 PHILOSOPHY Human ecology demands a unifying perspective and a in designing their own personalized course of study to meet commitment to intelligent action in the social and natural their educational, personal and career goals. Students do worlds. It is the philosophical bedrock on which College of this within the context of formal courses, through inde- the Atlantic is founded, and continues to be its underlying pendent study, in the choice of courses, in the development strength. While the definition of human ecology has been of an overall degree plan, an internship, and an individual- debated and refined over the years, it is generally understood ized senior project. as the study of the complex relationships between humans While all students are awarded the same degree, the and their environments. Bachelor of Arts in Human Ecology, no two students have Environment includes all facets of human activity, the same course of study. Such flexibility offers students whether in a natural, political, technological, cultural, opportunities to develop their intellect and to nurture and or artistic setting. By combining the ecological sciences follow their interests, passions, and conscience. At the time with the arts, humanities, and social sciences, human of the College's inception, the founders heeded Alfred ecology gives students a practical framework for pursuing North Whitehead's assertion in his essay The Aims of highly individualized and problem-centered programs in Education: "The aim of education is the acquisition of liberal studies. the art of the utilization of knowledge." The complex problems of the environment and society Indeed, the utilization of knowledge is an art and at require multiple perspectives and bases of knowledge for College of the Atlantic it has been the goal from the begin- adequate definition and effective solutions. A hallmark ning: To give students the freedom to artistically utilize the of College of the Atlantic has been, and is, its use of knowledge they have gained in pursuit of their passions. non-departmental, interdisciplinary faculty as the We are all artists. Choose your medium. foundation for its educational programs. The resulting alliance of disciplines is still rare even within the liberal arts tradition. As an intellectual forum, it stimulates COA alumnus now working as Associate Professor students and faculty to continually develop their knowledge of Biology at Vassar College in fresh combinations and to delve into problems from many angles. It encourages a breadth of thought and study. "COA isn't 'college.' This is an experience that you It highlights the need to integrate and apply knowledge should swallow whole and allow to change who across traditional disciplinary boundaries. you are fundamentally. By making explicit the Attending college is a voluntary endeavor. Your education values which members of the community choose should be a very personal and exciting experience. Students to live by, COA empowers individuals to dare to learn best when committed to seeing their goals to fruition, care about the world and our place in it. I felt pursuing their passion, and claiming their education as their positive pressure to live simply, to become aware own. College of the Atlantic encourages and assists students of my impact on others and the environment, and to generate a personal, rational campaign to change the system from the inside out. At COA, I worked on marine mammal anatomy and biomechanics: two semesters with COA