The College believes it is mastery of a subject that makes informed, independent judgments, and so requires students to complete a concentration. Prior to midterm of the second semester of sophomore year, students will choose a concentration advisor and begin discussions regarding the concentration. A substantial part of the junior and senior years will be devoted to the concentration program. Combined concentrations involving two or more fields, and some modification of the normal requirements in each, must be approved by a faculty member representing each field involved and following the principles established by each field group. Such approval normally must be obtained not later than midterm of the first semester of the junior year.
Double concentrations require completion of all requirements for two different fields.
Special concentrations may be designed by students in consultation with their faculty academic advisors. A special concentration must be consistent with curricular capabilities of The Claremont Colleges and must exhibit sufficient coherence, depth, and rigor to meet the goal of mastery of the topic. Two faculty members in appropriate fields must approve such programs and by the Curriculum Committee, which must receive the proposal no later than midterm of the first semester of the junior year. If the Committee has not approved the proposed concentration by that time, the student must choose and complete an existing concentration. For this reason, a student who desires a special concentration is encouraged to submit the proposal as early as possible to insure the completion of an existing concentration in the event the proposed special concentration is not approved.