Hampshire College: Experimental Curriculum in Humanities and Arts for Undergraduates

FAIN: EO-10183-69

Trustees of Hampshire College (Amherst, MA 01002-3359)
Francis D. Smith (Project Director: August 1969 to present)

Development of Humanities and Arts curriculum for Hampshire College, an experimental college brought into being by Amherst, Mt. Holyoke, Smith and University of Massachusetts. Flexible format allows continuing experimentation and innovation in teaching methods, media, materials. ABSTRACT: Hampshire College intended as a national pilot enterprise for innovations in liberal education. Brought into being through initiative of Amherst, Mt. Holyoke, Smith and University of Massachusetts to emphasize artistic experience within flexible academic format to make possible productive interplay between study and performance, inquire and expression, relating these to the quality and conditions of life. Liberal arts college to much preoccupied by questions of institutional survival, hierarchical relationships of faculty, organizations and procedure. Students disaffection suggests need for new commitment of liberal education to serve as encounter with contemporary man's condition. Humanities and arts central to meaningful curriculum. Unusually flexible academic format will allow continuing experimentation with new teaching methods, media, materials. Funds to support planning faculty of 5, consultants.