Program Description

Students who wish to pursue an individualized, interdisciplinary program of study that cannot be accommodated within another major at Purchase College may apply for admission to the Bachelor of Arts in liberal arts (BALA) degree program. Each BALA student works closely with two or more faculty sponsors from different disciplines to design a course of study that meets both the specialized interests of the student and the academic standards of the College.

This degree program appeals especially to students interested in constructing highly individualized and innovative major areas of study. Some examples include bioethics, Mediterranean studies, philosophy of science, and choreography of literature. Students may also work with the faculty in established programs currently offer minors, which could provide core coursework that serves as a basis for a major.

Requirements for the Major

Students design a proposed curriculum in collaboration with two faculty sponsors. This proposal is reviewed by the BALA committee, which may include faculty representatives from the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the School of the Arts. Although individualized in nature, all proposals must:

• include relevant theoretical and methodological courses in the proposed area(s) of study
• incorporate the teaching specialties of the Purchase College faculty
• demonstrate why established majors or programs of study at Purchase College cannot accommodate the student’s needs.

A senior project is required of all BALA students. Approval of the proposal may be contingent upon inclusion of additional courses recommended by the BALA committee.

Program Faculty Advisor

Lee Schlesinger, PhD, Yale University (Literature)

Representative Courses

Courses span the entire curriculum at Purchase College, according to the student’s specific area of interdisciplinary study.

Representative Alumni

• Lindsay Burdick ’05, photographer, Pinsky Studios
• Meryl Cates ’08, arts journalist in New York City; 2010 NEA fellowship recipient, Arts Journalism Institute in Dance Criticism
• Terri E. Christmas-Garrant ’90, delivery project executive, IBM
• Mary Fleischer ’79, PhD, City University of New York; professor of theatre arts and chair, Theatre Arts Department, Marymount Manhattan College
• Mike McCabe ’00, director of advancement services, Ransom Everglades School, Coconut Grove, Fla.; MBA student, University of Miami
• Laureen J. Peterson-Colasacco ’95, JD, Pace University School of Law; attorney, Bronxville, N.Y.
• Marah Rosenberg ’95, project manager, Girl Scouts of the USA, and project management consultant, www.marahrosenberg.com
• Jim Ruderman ’85, New York–based consultant, writer, and editor; president, Strategic Communications Ltd.
• John Mark Viniello ’92, special effects artist; extensive credits on major films and in television
• Parris Whittingham ’09, creative producer and photographer; pswhittingham.com

Updated June 6, 2012

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