Contemplative Studies
Source: https://www.brown.edu/undergraduate-programs/contemplative-studies-ab Parent: https://www.brown.edu/undergraduate-programs
The concentration in Contemplative Studies investigates the underlying philosophical, psychological, and scientific bases of human contemplative experience.
Degree Type
A.B.
department
Contemplative Studies Initiative
CIP Code
30.2502ℹ
The Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) was developed by the U.S. Department of Education to categorize educational programs in the U.S. for a variety of reporting purposes. Each program at Brown is assigned a CIP code that best matches its academic curriculum.
Current STEM Eligible CIP Codes
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Contemplative Studies
The concentration in Contemplative Studies investigates the underlying philosophical, psychological, and scientific bases of human contemplative experience.
Students pursue a "third person" academic approach drawn from the humanities and sciences to analyze the cultural, historical, and scientific underpinnings of contemplative experiences in religion, art, music, and literature. This is developed in combination with a "critical first-person" approach based in practical experience of contemplative techniques and methods to provide an integrated understanding of the role of contemplative thought and experience in societies and on the individuals who constitute them.
Student Goals
Students in this concentration will:
- Identify the wide variety of contemplative experiences across cultures and across time
- Examine scientific and philosophical explanations for contemplative experiences
- Cultivate direct first-person knowledge of contemplative experiences
- Assess the meaning and significance of contemplative experiences both within the traditions from which they emerged and on a personal level for our students
- Produce and present a humanities- or science-based independent research project
Tracks
- Humanities
- Sciences
Department Undergraduate Group (DUG)
Student Leaders: Joshua Gerber, Kento Suzuki, Jaanu Ramesh
Graduating Class
| Class Year | Total Students | Honors Graduates |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 8 | 1 |
| 2022 | 4 | 0 |
| 2023 | 3 | 0 |
| 2024 | 10 | 2 |
| 2025 | 6 | 0 |
Alumni have pursued careers in medicine, education, research, and a range of non-profit organizations. Others have pursued graduate study in psychology, neuroscience, Contemplation and Peace Studies, and Tibetan Buddhist Studies.
What are Contemplative Studies concentrators doing…
The Director of Undergraduate Studies is typically the first point of contact for prospective concentrators. Once students have declared, they may be assigned a specific concentration advisor from within the department or program.