College Purposes & Goals
Hamilton College is committed to the intellectual and personal development of
students. We seek to nourish a love of learning, a creative spirit, and an informed
and responsible engagement with an ever-changing world. To promote these
qualities, the College challenges all of its students to work with their advisors to
devise an educational program that fosters:
Intellectual Curiosity and Flexibility — examining facts, phenomena and
issues in depth, and from a variety of perspectives, and having the courage to
revise beliefs and outlooks in light of new evidence.
Analytic Discernment — analyzing information, patterns, connections,
arguments, ideas, and views quantitatively and symbolically.
Aesthetic Discernment — evaluating quality and value in a variety of artistic
and other intellectual domains.
Disciplinary Practice — engaging in the focused and sustained practice of
disciplinary techniques and methodologies in order to acquire mastery of a
specific ability or craft.
Creativity — imagining and developing original ideas, approaches, works and
interpretations, and solving problems resourcefully.
Communication and Expression — expressing oneself with clarity and
eloquence, in both traditional and contemporary media, through writing and
speaking, and through visual, aural, gestural and other modalities.
Understanding of Cultural Diversity — critically engaging with multiple
cultural traditions and perspectives, and with interpersonal situations that
enhance understanding of different identities and foster the ability to work and
live productively and harmoniously with others.
Ethical, Informed and Engaged Citizenship — developing an awareness of
the challenges and responsibilities of local, national and global citizenship,
and the ability to meet such challenges and fulfill such responsibilities
by exercising sound and informed judgment in accordance with just
principles.
