Courses

History, Humanities, Social Science, and Language courses are offered in the Liberal Education Department.These courses provide a common context for Columbia's students, give them the opportunity to study the relationship of self to society, and provide a broad Liberal Arts background that is the foundation of an undergraduate education in any major. Thus, these courses constitute an integral part of the General Studies Program.

Liberal Education courses introduce students to the world. These courses increase students' knowledge and understanding of historical events, allow them to analyze and examine social and cultural concepts, and expose them to the diverse cultures and behaviors of humankind. Liberal education courses contribute to increased student knowledge of the historical and socio-cultural background in which the arts develop and are created, and they raise student awareness of historical and ethical issues in the arts, philosophy, and religion. They also teach students the challenges and delights of new languages.

Various History courses cover the histories of the United States, Africa, Europe, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. There are also specialized courses on particular places, periods, and topics. The study of history expands our knowledge of human development and endeavors in multiple arenas, aids in the development of a comparative perspective, and illuminates the present.

Humanities courses probe the rich cultural heritages of humankind in the visual and performing arts, music, philosophy, and religion. They develop a student's capacity to discover, understand, and enjoy the process and products of human creativity, and to examine human aspirations and values. They also encourage students to examine the ethical impact of the arts and the media.

Social Science courses explore classic and contemporary issues in human behavior for individuals, societies, and cultures, and introduce the critical skills needed to make responsible judgments and take responsible actions in civil society. Social Science courses are offered in anthropology, economics, geography, political science, psychology, and sociology.