College of the Atlantic A LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE OF HUMAN ECOLOGY ON THE MAINE COAST Kaitlin Palmer '07 bands gull chicks at COA's Great Duck Island Alice Eno Research Station. mission statement Safeguarding the heritage of future generations. 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 relationships 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 expe- rience to investigate, and ultimately improve, the relationships between human beings and our social and natural communities. The human ecologi- cal perspective guides all aspects of education, research, activism, and inter- actions 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. what we do How it's different, and why it matters. ook at the world around you. If what you see makes you worried, or sad, or frustrated, keep reading. If it doesn't, stop now because we don't want to waste your time. COA engages students who are pas- the right answers. You'll learn the sionate in their conviction that posi- how as well as the what. Perhaps tive change for a better world is pos- most importantly, you'll learn to uti- sible. COA's unique human ecology lize your education in the pursuit of addition to your regular class W curriculum gives students the tools your passions. and reading for each course. and hands-on experience to embark COA is a community of learn on a journey of real and relevant A CURRICULUM WITH A CONSCIENCE and you'll learn as much outside learning: life changing, world The students, faculty, and staff at classroom as in it. You'll be enc changing. College of the Atlantic all believe that aged to express your opinions, | There are no pre-defined majors a healthier, cleaner, more sane, just, you'll be expected to defend th at COA. The arts, sciences, and and peaceful world is possible. Our community dialogue. The contra humanities are integrated to encour- interdisciplinary curriculum embodies tions and challenges you encour age students to cross boundaries, this conviction: a glance at our course will bring you new perspectives challenge assumptions, and discover catalog illustrates that a COA educa- see the world in a different light new synergies. Your course of study tion really is different. you'll be empowered to make it will be self-directed, individualized, In fact, it's different in ways you better place. and diverse. may not suspect. You'll have to work You'll be both challenged and sup- harder. Field research takes time, and ported; you'll learn that the right there will be data to analyze, reports questions are more important than to write, presentations to make, all in COA I Intr ene Dubos-renowned biologist and author of the R popular maxim "think globally, act locally"-wa an early trustee of College of the Atlantic. The essence of his well-known phrase is that ecological consciousness begins at home. Daily life is connected to global events. We really are part of a complex and interrelated living world. the curriculu MEANINGFUL LIVELIHOOD blending rigorous study, intuition In short, meaningful livelihood is and insight, to achieve effective and finding one's place in the world- fulfilling lives. doing what we love-and knowing Over a half century ago, novelist where it is needed. and historian H. G. Wells made the As we look to the century ahead, following note in his autobiography: one thing is certain. The future will be "Sooner or later," he said, "human increasingly complex. Today's college ecology, under some name or other, students can anticipate multiple will win its way to academic recog- careers, filled with ever-changing nition and to its proper place in opportunities and challenges. general education." College of the Education for the 21st century Atlantic was founded on that hope. must therefore emphasize adaptability Since then, the values of interdiscipli- and creative thinking. It should com- nary and self-directed studies have bine capabilities for discerning useful become increasingly widespread. knowledge and learning to learn, So too have the ideals of human with the skills and desire to work ecology. collaboratively. This is the core of As a pioneer of these approaches, COA's philosophy. COA is an acknowledged leader Our human ecology perspective worldwide at the center of innovative preserves the richness of life. Its inter- education. There is no place disciplinary vision invites building I would rather be. connections and wider points of view. Within this framework, students dis- Rich Borden Rachel Carson cover individual talents and passions. Chair of Human Ecology Through self-directed studies, they and Executive Director-Society design their own educational paths- for Human Ecology 2 COA I The Curriculum