Connections

CONNECTIONS is Connecticut College's reinvention of liberal arts education. It is a new kind of curriculum that lets you integrate your interests into a meaningful educational pathway, to carry you through college and into a fulfilling, effective career and life.

Year 1

First-year seminar
ConnCourses

You'll start out with compelling introductory courses that prepare you to succeed over the next four years. In both your seminar and your ConnCourse, you'll find unexpected connections across the curriculum, and discover how your studies can apply to real-world problems.

A team of advisers

Your team is here for the sole purpose of helping you learn the ropes and get the most out of your Conn College experience.

What You'll Get

Confidence, capability and a sense of ownership of your education.

Year 2

Starting your own path

Working with your team, you will apply to a center or declare a pathway. By second semester, you will also declare your academic major.

Shaping a question

In your gateway course or thematic inquiry course, you will work with faculty and peers to orchestrate your education and develop a personally meaningful question to investigate over the next 2 1/2 years.

What You'll Get

Integration of your interests, focus in your studies and a multitude of perspectives.

Year 3

Global/local engagement

During or after your junior year, you'll hone your intellectual inquiry with expanded work beyond the classroom. You might study abroad, work in a summer internship or undertake an off-campus project. You might conduct research in the community or elsewhere in the world. You're going to get out there and do things.

What You'll Get

Real-world experience and opportunities to learn in different ways.

Year 4

Reflection seminar

Here, you'll get ready to present to the campus what you've learned by pursuing your animating question. Look back, synthesize and prepare to share.

Senior-year capstone

This is where you'll put it all together. You might take an advanced seminar or do an individual study, honors thesis, portfolio or performance.

All-college symposium

Time to put your knowledge out in the world. Anticipate pride, gratification, and yes, fun.

What You'll Get

Contemplation of what you've learned in college and the ability to articulate it clearly as you pursue your career or graduate studies.

All-College Symposium Videos

The Second annual All-College Symposium, held virtually on Nov. 6, highlighted students’ integrative learning in Connections. Through virtual talks, panels, group discussions, poster sessions and videos, students showcased how their coursework and experiences have informed their studies and learning over four years. Below are video clips from four presentations.

The world needs creative, adaptive thinkers