HWS Campuses

Hobart and William Smith Colleges, located on a single unified campus in Geneva, New York, offers a comprehensive liberal arts education with a wide array of courses across various disciplines. As a residential college, all academic programs are centralized here, emphasizing interdisciplinary learning, critical thinking, and global perspectives.

• African Studies: Courses explore the history, cultures, politics, and economies of Africa, including topics like postcolonial literature, environmental issues in sub-Saharan regions, and African diaspora studies.
• Anthropology/Sociology: Students delve into human societies, social structures, and cultural dynamics through ethnographic methods, globalization impacts, and social inequality analyses.
• Art and Art History: Programs cover studio practices in painting, sculpture, and digital media, alongside historical surveys from ancient to contemporary art, with hands-on gallery experiences.
• Asian Languages and Culture: Intensive language training in Chinese, Japanese, and Arabic, paired with courses on Asian philosophies, religions, literature, and modern geopolitical issues.
• Biology: Core courses in molecular biology, ecology, genetics, and evolution, with lab work on local Finger Lakes biodiversity and research opportunities in neuroscience.
• Chemistry: From general principles to advanced organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry, including environmental chemistry focused on sustainable practices and analytical techniques.
• Classics: Study of ancient Greek and Roman languages, literature, mythology, and archaeology, with emphasis on their influence on Western civilization.
• Communication and Media: Courses in journalism, digital storytelling, media ethics, and public relations, utilizing campus media outlets for practical application.
• Computer Science: Fundamentals of programming, algorithms, data structures, AI, and cybersecurity, with interdisciplinary ties to environmental modeling and social sciences.
• Dance: Technique classes in ballet, modern, and jazz, combined with choreography, performance theory, and cultural dance histories from global traditions.
• Economics and Finance: Micro and macroeconomics, international trade, financial markets, and economic policy, with case studies on global inequality and sustainable development.
• English: Literature from Shakespeare to contemporary authors, creative writing workshops in fiction, poetry, and nonfiction, and film studies.
• Environmental Studies: Interdisciplinary approach covering climate change, conservation, policy, and sustainability, with field studies in the Seneca Lake watershed.
• European Studies: Focus on European history, politics, languages (French, German, Italian, Spanish), and EU integration, including migration and cultural exchanges.
• History: Surveys of American, European, Asian, and Latin American histories, with themes in gender, race, and imperialism.
• Latino Studies: Courses on Latin American and U.S. Latino cultures, migration patterns, literature, and social justice movements.
• Mathematics and Statistics: Calculus, linear algebra, discrete math, and statistical modeling, applied to data science and actuarial science.
• Music: Theory, composition, performance in ensembles, and ethnomusicology, exploring jazz, classical, and world music traditions.
• Philosophy: Ethical theories, logic, existentialism, and philosophy of science, with debates on contemporary moral dilemmas.
• Physics and Astronomy: Mechanics, electromagnetism, quantum physics, and observational astronomy using campus telescopes for stargazing and research.
• Political Science: American government, international relations, comparative politics, and public policy, with simulations of global diplomacy.
• Psychology: Cognitive, developmental, social, and clinical psychology, including neuroscience labs and mental health interventions.
• Religious Studies: World religions, theology, ethics, and spirituality in modern contexts, with interfaith dialogue initiatives.
• Theatre: Acting, directing, playwriting, and stage design, with productions in the campus Black Box Theatre.
• Women's Studies: Gender theory, feminist histories, intersectionality, and LGBTQ+ studies, addressing global women's issues.
• Writing and Rhetoric: Composition, professional writing, and rhetorical analysis, enhancing communication skills across disciplines.

The curriculum supports double majors, minors, and pre-professional tracks in law, medicine, and education, fostering a holistic education that prepares students for diverse careers. With small class sizes and faculty mentorship, the campus integrates experiential learning through internships, study abroad, and community engagement in the Finger Lakes region. This 300-word overview highlights the breadth of offerings, promoting intellectual curiosity and civic responsibility.