Self-designed major… endless possibilities

Every COA student designs their own course of study in human ecology . Beyond a small core of degree requirements , there’s no set path. You give shape to your curriculum based on your interests and goals, exploring across multiple areas of study or digging deeper into a chosen focus.

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Why we take a different approach

In the words of faculty member Rich Borden: “There is a tendency, especially in the academic world, to carve life into ever smaller pieces in order to make sense of it. All too often, the people who do this come to believe that is how the world really is. The aim of human ecology is to remind us that we are part of a complex and interactive living world. Its broad mandate calls us to cross the boundaries of traditional disciplines and seek fresh combinations of ideas. This demands a different approach to education—one which invites imagination and caring for the future. This is why COA was founded, and it is what we do best.”

What you should learn at COA

 

Stories about academics at COA:

  • NEWS
    Maine Residents Carry Differing Messages to Paris Climate Talks (BDN)
    Mainers from a number of organizations including the Sierra Club and students from the College of the Atlantic join President Barack Obama and thousands of others in Paris for the 21st United Nations Conference of the Parties.
  • NEWS
    Valentine in My Headphones: The Making of a Music Video
    Students in Intermediate Video gain real-world video composition experience - from pitch to completion - with client Todd Kitchens ’06 of the musical duo Port of Est.
  • NEWS
    Takeover is Talk of Take-a-Break
    At the heart of College of the Atlantic, Take-a-Break (TAB) is the place to gather, share delicious food, converse, plan, and create. For one special month, a group of students bring new culinary, social, and historical perspectives to the dining hall as part of the annual Anthropology of Food TAB Takeover.