coa 2001-2002 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 Conservation in action: Jaime Duval, Academic Facilities COA alumna, and a long and Special Programs .17 time member of Allied Whale, works to stabi- Degree Requirements. 25 lize a stranded seal pup before it is flown to the Between Classes. .27 New England Aquarium for rehabilitation. After COA. 35 Admission and Financial Aid. 37 ING REJOICE ON ere Gideon Culman The unfaltering Passion Blair Currier Davis foundations upon which Idealism Sarah Cronin 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 2000, College of the Atlantic graduated its 1000th 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