Organizing Theme B.S. / B.A.

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The Organizing Theme Major is best suited for the self-motivated student who has a well-defined intellectual curiosity for a topic involving multiple disciplines and which cannot be accommodated by the already existing majors, double majors, or interdepartmental majors at Union College. The Organizing Theme Major encourages the exploration of thematically related connections across disciplines, and therefore must incorporate courses from at least three different departments, with no more than four courses from any one department to count toward the major. The student must choose and work with an advisor (or advisors) who is supportive of the student’s proposed Organizing Theme Major and has a clear understanding of what the project entails.

The Application Process

The Organizing Theme Major proposal requires the approval of the chosen Organizing Theme advisor(s) and then a faculty committee established by the Dean of Studies. It may be proposed no sooner than the spring term of the freshman year and no later than the sixth week of the spring term sophomore year (in extremely rare cases, this deadline may be extended to the first week of the fall term of junior year). For more information about the Organizing Theme Major and the application process, see the Organizing Theme Web page or contact the Dean of Studies.

Requirements for the Major

The approved program must conform to the disciplines already established at Union. Your proposal may be submitted no sooner than spring term of your freshman year, and must be submitted, at the very latest, by week six of spring term of your sophomore year. It consists of a total of 12 courses that clearly relate to the organizing theme, at least two of which must be at the 300- or 400-level. In addition, the student must complete a one-term senior thesis or project (ORT 497). Or the student must complete 11 courses (at least two of which much be at the 300- or 400-level) and then a two-term senior thesis or project (ORT 498 & ORT 499). NOTE: When preparing the Organizing Theme Major proposal with the advisor(s), the student must identify these 12 courses, plus several (3-4) more that can stand in as alternates in case some of the courses you choose are not available at the time you wish to take them. It is the student’s responsibility to check with departments to verify that the courses are offered in the time frame required. The one- term project (ORT 497) or two-term senior thesis (ORT 498 & ORT 499) must demonstrate an integration of the knowledge and skills gained from the Organizing Theme Major courses that the student has taken. The advisor(s) will direct this senior thesis or project.