College of Arts & Sciences, University of Washington

About the College
For 150 years, the College of Arts and Sciences has provided a liberal arts education of tremendous breadth and depth to more than 25,000 students while advancing research in the arts, humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. A&S alumni have received the Nobel Prize, Pulitzer Prizes, and Emmy and Tony Awards, and have been elected to key government positions regionally and nationally. Learn more about the College
Arts
The world communicates across generations and cultures through the arts. Our students are the creative artists, audiences and arts advocates of the future. Our degree programs, museums, exhibitions, and artistic performances reflect the dual nature of the arts as both creative endeavors, requiring constant renewal, and as subjects of scholarly research.
Humanities
The humanities allow us to understand and communicate the range and diversity of human cultural achievement. As the world becomes more connected and interdependent, such understanding becomes imperative. Through their focus on language, literature, film, and the history of ideas, the humanities encourage students to reflect upon their own beliefs and values as they explore those of other peoples and periods.
Natural Sciences
The natural sciences provide us with methods to investigate and understand ourselves, our world, and the universe, from the subatomic to the cosmic level. As we learn more about our world, we also come to understand our place within it as individuals and as a species. Discoveries in the sciences, often emerging from basic research, transform society as they address everything from disease to global warming.
Social Sciences
The social sciences study how and why human communities and societies are organized as they are, behave as they do, and change over time. Drawing on a diverse array of disciplines and using both quantitative and qualitative methods, social scientists are committed to creating, disseminating, and applying knowledge to address significant social problems in local, national, and global contexts. Learn more about the Social Sciences.
Support the College
Private gifts allow our students and faculty to make new discoveries, create innovative programs and reach out to people beyond the campus to enhance our communities and the world. We hope you will consider lending your support to the College so that we can continue to provide our students with exceptional educational and research opportunities.
150th

The UW Men's basketball team attended two Broadway shows as part of a unique drama course. View Story
Specially trained high school students lead Henry Art Gallery tours for student groups. View Story
Robert C. Stacey Named Interim Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences View Story
A one-hour documentary highlights groundbreaking research that has taken place in the College. View Story
An English professor explains how Renaissance books and modern-day playlists share common ground. View Story

Welcome to Arts & Sciences

News and Media Coverage of Arts & Sciences

McKenna reaffirms stance against same-sex marriage
There may be risk in McKenna staking out his position this early says political science professor Matt Barreto. He might have done better to wait for referendum to qualify before stating his position. Learn more at Harald Net.

Polk named Seattle Sports Star of the year
Former Washington tailback and College alumnus Chris Polk was honored as the Sports Star of the Year at the 77th annual Seattle Sports Star of the Year Wednesday at Benaroya Hall in Seattle. Learn more at GoHuskies.com.

Group rallies for immigrant rights in Olympia
Political science professor Matt Barreto says that if elections for district representatives were opened up to voters all across Washington, then King County, with its larger population, could decide who represents smaller districts, like the ones that include Richland, Kennewick and Pasco. Learn more at Tri-City Herald.

Public and private schools
Philosopher and expert on public and private schools, Sara Goering discusses the pros and cons both options Learn more at KUOW.

More News

Current Issue

	Huskies' Dramatic NYC Trip While on a NYC road trip, the UW men's basketball team attended two Broadway shows as part of a unique drama course. Read Story
	Running "Circles" Around Math Math Circles, led weekly on campus by UW students, introduce middle schoolers to the joys and challenges of mathematics. Read Story
	A Rhodes for A&S Triple Major The College's newest Rhodes Scholar will graduate in June with a triple degree and a passion for India. Read Story
	Exploring the Henry with Student Guides Through a Henry Art Gallery program, specially trained high school students lead tours for classmates and other student groups. Read Story

Voices from Arts & Sciences

	Dow Constantine Reflects on his UW Education In an essay for Perspectives newsletter, King County Executive Dow Constantine ('85) reflects on his liberal arts education. Learn more at Perspectives newsletter.
	A Rhodes for A&S Triple Major Rhodes Scholar Byron Gray will graduate from A&S with a triple degree in political science, Asian studies, and law, societies, and justice--and a fascination with India. Learn more at Perspectives newsletter.
	Yang Celebrates W Day Fashion designer and UW alumna Luly Yang created a purple and gold window display in her Seattle boutique for "W Day," a celebration of the UW's 150th birthday. Learn more at Perspectives newsletter.
	Photographer Discovers Passion for Physics While studying photography at the UW, Brynn MacCoy signed up for a physics course for non-majors, never imagining that the class would lead her toward a physics degree. Learn more at our spotlight page.