Departments and Programs

Interdepartmental Majors

Major in East Asian Studies
Major in Medieval and Renaissance Studies
Major in Neuroscience
Major in Russian Area Studies

MAJOR IN EAST ASIAN STUDIES

The East Asian Studies major is interdisciplinary and involves eight departments of the University. It includes work in Chinese or Japanese, as well as courses in a wide variety of fields to introduce the student to the civilizations of China and Japan. The student should begin language work as early as possible, preferably in the freshman year, since proficiency in one of the languages is both a requirement for the major and vital preparation for study abroad. Depending upon the language selected, the student usually focuses on either China or Japan.

East Asian Studies majors are strongly encouraged to participate in Washington and Lee’s study and exchange programs in China and Japan or in another approved study abroad program. Information and applications for these programs are available through the Office of International Education. Adjustments in the major requirements will be made where necessary to allow the student to take advantage of these opportunities. Currently, a Washington and Lee non-language spring term program is offered in China and Japan, and a language spring term program is offered in Japan. Opportunities for study abroad in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the People’s Republic of China are currently being explored by the Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures.

Majors are encouraged to apply for one or two terms of approved study in Asia, for which modest financial aid may be available. In Japan, opportunities for study abroad can be found at Rikkyo University in Tokyo, at International Christian University in Tokyo, or at The Kansai University of Foreign Studies near Kyoto. Elementary Japanese is recommended for all programs in Japan.

The East Asian Studies faculty includes Blackmer (anthropology) O’Mara (art), Ujie and Ikeda, (East Asian languages and literatures), Smitka (economics), Jeans (history), Sessions (philosophy), LeBlanc (politics), and Davis and Lubin (religion).

Further information concerning the major, the possibility of its combination with other majors, and opportunities to study abroad may be obtained from the head of the East Asian Studies Committee, Professor Joan O’Mara.

MAJOR IN MEDIEVAL AND RENAISSANCE STUDIES

The major in Medieval and Renaissance Studies allows students to engage in examinations of the history and culture of European society from the fall of the Roman Empire to the end of the 16th century. Majors will develop an understanding of a broad range of period aspects and the ability to consider the era from a number of perspectives. This interdisciplinary major enables an examination of issues of art, economics, literature, music, philosophy, politics, religion and social hierarchies and an understanding of specific problems within the context of an entire society.

The major involves faculty and courses in art (Bent), classics (Craun, Peterson), English (Craun), French (Fralin), German (Crockett), history (Futch, Peterson, Sanders), music (Spice), philosophy, physics (Reese), politics (Velásquez), religion (Brown, Marks) and Spanish (Campbell, Williams).

Learn more at the Medieval and Renaissance Studies Web site.

MAJOR IN NEUROSCIENCE

An interdisciplinary major leading to a Bachelor of Science degree in neuroscience is available to interested students. The central theme of neuroscience is an understanding of the structure and function of the brain and how it is involved in controlling behavior. Thus, the area draws heavily from biology, chemistry, psychology, mathematics and the computational sciences. The major in neuroscience is intended to prepare students to pursue graduate studies in the biomedical sciences, including graduate training in neuroscience, biology and psychology, as well as the health professions.

The requirements for a major generally involve courses from the departments of biology, chemistry, computer science, physics/engineering and psychology. An essential element of the neuroscience program at Washington and Lee is the opportunity for the student to become involved in laboratory research with a faculty member. While the areas of research may differ from year to year, they generally include neurochemical research on development and function of sensory systems, involvement of the brain in learning and memory, effects of teratogenic agents on vertebrate brain development, reproductive neuroendocrinology, and evaluation of electrical activity recorded from human brains.

The Neuroscience Program faculty includes I’Anson and Wielgus (biology), Alty (chemistry), and Jarrard, Lorig, J. Stewart and R. Stewart (psychology).

Further information concerning the major can be obtained from the head of the Neuroscience Program Committee, Professor Tyler Lorig, or from any of the above faculty.

Learn more at the Neuroscience Web site.

MAJOR IN RUSSIAN AREA STUDIES

The Russian area studies major is interdisciplinary and offers instruction in Russian language and literature, both in Russian and in translation. Students may also take courses focusing directly on Russia, or containing significant Russian content, in the disciplines of anthropology, art, history, politics and sociology. Students should begin Russian language instruction as early as possible, preferably in the freshman year, since third-year language proficiency is required for the major. Language courses are taught by two core faculty members, who are assisted by a visiting Russian scholar.

Majors are encouraged to study the Russian language in Russia for a spring term or a longer period. Russian 363 (Supervised Study Abroad), a six-credit course, is taught during the spring term at a Russian university when there is sufficient student demand and departmental resources permit.

Other features of the Russian area studies program include: a state-of-the-art language laboratory, computer-aided language instruction, various library collections for faculty and student research, guest lectures, Russian-language lunches, a Russian film series and daily television transmission from Russia.

Further information concerning the major and opportunities for study in Russia may be obtained from the head of the Russian area studies program, Professor Richard Bidlack.

Learn more at the Russian Area Studies Web site.