Smith College

Africana Studies

The Department of Africana Studies investigates the social, historical, cultural and aesthetic works and practices of populations of African descent throughout the diaspora. A multidisciplinary endeavor, our interrogations begin not with race as an assumed concept but as a site of profound social formation that must be considered in relation to gender, class, nation, ethnicity, religion and sexuality.

African Studies

The Program in African Studies provides a systematic introduction to the complex historical, political and social issues of the African continent. The program is structured to give students interdisciplinary training within key fields of knowledge: literature and the arts, social science and historical studies.

American Studies

American studies at Smith is an interdisciplinary program that studies the history, culture and society of the diverse peoples who inhabit the contested and complex geographical, political and cultural space(s) named "America." Majors in the program develop critical tools for analyzing cultural texts (visual arts, literature, music, fashion, advertising, social media, buildings, objects, bodies, etc.) in relation to political, social, economic, and environmental contexts.

Anthropology

Smith's anthropology offerings ask what it means to be human by considering the diversity of the human experience. We challenge our students' assumptions about their cultures by examining the lives of others, whether across the globe or down the road. We show how anthropology's distinctive method of ethnography can be used to address pressing contemporary challenges associated with climate change, public health, technology, social inequality, and more.

Architecture and Urbanism

The Smith art department embraces the history of art, studio practice and architecture. In all three arenas, we are committed to cultivating visual literacy and to understanding artistic production in different cultures throughout time and in our own media-saturated present. The faculty of the Department of Art believes that visual literacy is crucial to negotiations of the contemporary world. Consequently, equal weight is given to studio practice and historical analysis.

Astronomy

Astronomy is the study of the cosmos, from our home planet to the farthest reaches of the universe. One of the original liberal arts, astronomy offers an unparalleled perspective for appreciating our planet and the life that it supports. It also provides an opportunity to appreciate the simplicity of the forces of nature and understand how these forces govern the origin and evolution of our universe.

Biochemistry

Biochemistry arose from the fields of biology and chemistry to investigate biological molecules and understand how their interactions result in living systems. In today's society, understanding in this discipline is essential for informed, critical thinking about many significant issues in science, health and public policy. Biochemistry is an ideal interdisciplinary major for students who want to get a broad scientific foundation, pursue a career in biochemistry or enter the health professions.

Biological Sciences

The Department of Biological Sciences maintains an active graduate program leading to the master of science in biological sciences. The program of study emphasizes independent research supported by advanced course work. Candidates are expected to demonstrate a strong background in the life sciences and a clear commitment to independent laboratory, field and/or theoretical research.

Biological Sciences

The major in biological sciences provides a strong basis for understanding the breadth of disciplines in biology while enabling depth of study in one or more specialized fields. To help students navigate this general framework, the Department of Biological Sciences offers five suggested tracks through our course offerings. Students are encouraged to construct a course program in consultation with their adviser informed by the track that best matches their interests.

Certificate of Study

Under special circumstances we may award the Certificate of Study to an international student who has received undergraduate training in an institution of recognized standing and who has satisfactorily completed a year's program of study at Smith College under the direction of a committee on graduate study. This program must include at least 24 credits completed with a grade point average of 3.0 or better. At least five courses should be above the intermediate level.

Dance

The dance department offers a two-year M.F.A. degree program. 500-level courses in dance are taught for graduate students only. Choreography and performance (including technical dance training) are the focus of the course of study, with additional work in the history and literature of dance, scientific principles of dance, seminars and production. Required technique courses may be taken at Smith or at any of the colleges in the Five College Dance consortium. All M.F.A.

Exercise and Sport Studies

The graduate program in exercise and sport studies focuses on preparing coaches for women's intercollegiate teams. The curriculum blends theory courses in exercise and sport studies with hands-on coaching experience at the college level. By design, the program is a small one, with only 20 to 25 candidates in residence. This makes it possible for students to work independently with faculty and coaches.

History of Art

The Smith art department embraces the history of art, studio practice and architecture. In all three arenas, we are committed to cultivating visual literacy and to understanding artistic production in different cultures throughout time and in our own media-saturated present. The faculty of the Department of Art believes that visual literacy is crucial to negotiations of the contemporary world. Consequently, equal weight is given to studio practice and historical analysis.

Interdisciplinary Studies

This is a highly competitive, interdisciplinary program open only to international students of advanced undergraduate or graduate standing who are interested in one year of study and research at Smith College. Candidates should have a bachelor's degree or at least three years of university-level work or the equivalent in an approved foreign institution of higher learning and must furnish satisfactory evidence of mastery of spoken and written English (TOEFL or IELTS).

Mathematical Statistics

Mathematics is one of the oldest disciplines of study. For all its antiquity, however, it is a modern, rapidly growing field. Only 70 years ago, mathematics might have been said to consist of algebra, analysis, number theory and geometry. Today, so many new areas have sprouted that the term "mathematics" seems almost inadequate.

Medieval Studies

The interdepartmental major and minor in medieval studies provide students with an opportunity to study the civilization of medieval Europe from a multidisciplinary perspective. Subjects that belong today to separate academic disciplines were rarely so separated in the

Middle East Studies

The major in Middle East studies provides students with the opportunity for in-depth and critical study of this region's historical, political, social and cultural complexity. Broadly conceived, this geographical region stretches from North Africa to southwest and central Asia. There are two minor tracks. A minor in Middle East studies provides an opportunity to study the region in an interdisciplinary fashion, with attention to key fields of knowledge.

Music

Smith's music department is a lively center of musical activity with classroom courses that integrate the study of global musical genres and performance practices with critical questioning of music's complex role in society.

Neuroscience

Neuroscience is the study of nervous systems, touching diverse fields such as biology, psychology, biochemistry, philosophy and computer science. Students of neuroscience are also diverse. For example, some students are primarily interested in questions of how consciousness arises from the human brain, while others become fascinated with the inner workings of individual nerve cells, and still others with the development of these complex neural systems.

Philosophy

Philosophy investigates some of the most fundamental questions facing human beings: What is beauty? What is a good life? What constitutes good reasoning? What is meaning? What is the nature of the mind? What is the nature of reality? What can we know-and how? These and related questions are crucial for disciplines in the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities alike.

Physics

Physicists are problem solvers whose analytical skills and training make them versatile and adaptable, and highly sought after by employers. A foundation in physics provides a gateway to interdisciplinary careers incorporating many scientific and educational fields. Our Smith graduates are working in astronomy, engineering, biology, chemistry, climate science, environmental science, geoscience, mathematics, medicine, medical physics, teaching, and more.

Portuguese-Brazilian Studies

As a single department with two majors-one in Spanish, the other in Portuguese-Brazilian studies-our commitment to intercultural studies reaches beyond national literatures, genres, and languages to embrace, cultural studies, environmental studies, gender and sexuality studies, the arts and more.

Post-baccalaureate Program in Mathematics

The Postbaccalaureate Program is for women strongly considering graduate school in the mathematical sciences but who did not major in mathematics or whose mathematics major was light. It provides an opportunity to study mathematics intensively at the advanced undergraduate level. As part of the Center for Women in Mathematics, the program is nested in a mathematical community that is supportive, friendly, fun and serious about mathematics.

Psychology

Psychology at Smith is consistently one of the most popular majors on campus. The department's faculty is strongly committed to providing a rich, diverse curriculum to majors and non-majors alike. Our mission is to develop skills that will serve students well in psychology but that can also be applied in other important arenas, including writing and communication skills, hands-on training and multicultural fluency.

Religion

Religion is deeply implicated in human culture, shaping morality and ethics, law and literature, politics and society. It is fundamental to civilizations worldwide, both premodern and modern, and it is never far from the front page of any newspaper. Our faculty and students are therefore eager to work in an interdisciplinary way to engage with economics, government, philosophy, psychology, sociology and other fields in their religious contexts.

Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies

The major in Russian, East European and Eurasian studies allows students to focus on any aspect of the region's histories, literatures, cultures, religions or politics, and to develop their own focus within the major in consultation with their advisor. In developing their focus, students are encouraged to pursue an interdisciplinary approach, combining coursework in language, government, history, literature and religion.

Social Work

Social Work

Sociology

Sociologists at Smith study the dynamics of human interaction and the ways in which people are organized into groups of all sizes, characteristics and purposes. By examining such topics as community, social class, race and ethnicity, family, sex roles and popular culture, students come to understand more fully their own experiences and the society in which they live.

Spanish

As a single department with two majors-one in Spanish, the other in Portuguese-Brazilian studies-our commitment to intercultural studies reaches beyond national literatures, genres, and languages to embrace, cultural studies, environmental studies, gender and sexuality studies, the arts and more.

Statistical and Data Sciences

The statistical and data sciences (SDS) program links faculty and students from across the college interested in learning things from data.

Studio Art

The Smith art department embraces the history of art, studio practice and architecture. In all three arenas, we are committed to cultivating visual literacy and to understanding artistic production in different cultures throughout time and in our own media-saturated present. The faculty of the Department of Art believes that visual literacy is crucial to negotiations of the contemporary world. Consequently, equal weight is given to studio practice and historical analysis.

Study of Women, Gender and Sexuality

The Program for the Study of Women, Gender and Sexuality examines gender, race, class and sexuality as important and simultaneous aspects of social worlds and human lives. This examination requires inquiry into the construction and operation of power relations, social inequalities and resistances to injustice in both national and transnational contexts. We understand women, gender, feminism and queer as politicized terms.

Teaching

The program leading to the degree of master of arts in teaching is designed for students who are planning to teach in elementary, middle or high schools and those wishing to do advanced study in the field of education. Grounded in the liberal arts, Smith's M.A.T. teacher preparation program combines the study of the learning sciences, human development, and educational and social theory with intensive experiences in the classroom.

Theatre

Theatre

Theatre is a student-centered department, emphasizing collaboration, diversity, and inclusion as central ethics and skills. The theatre department offers courses in acting, design, history, dramatic literature, playwriting, and directing. In studio and mainstage productions, students test and further skills and ideas initially developed in the classroom.

World Literatures

The Program in World Literatures is an interdisciplinary field which allows students to engage with literatures and cultures across national and linguistic borders as well as other disciplines. Students who graduate with a major in world literatures should be conversant with a variety of literary and cultural traditions. They should also have taken courses in literatures from geographically or ethnically distinct cultures from across the world and from beyond the European/American mainstream.