Explore Occidental College’s Core Program, which offers an interdisciplinary liberal arts curriculum that fosters critical thinking, cultural understanding, and community engagement.
Where the Liberal Arts Come to Life
At Occidental, we believe a great education is both expansive and immersive. Through our distinctive courses, you will develop intellectual agility, curiosity, and the ability to think across disciplines and perspectives—essential tools for navigating a complex world. Through active engagement and critical inquiry, you won’t just absorb knowledge, you help shape it.
Designed for the challenges of the 21st century, the Core Program empowers you to engage with difference, lead with empathy, and contribute meaningfully—locally and globally. It’s how a liberal arts education prepares students to thrive in their careers, their communities, and their lives.
FYS: Foundations & Intellectual Discovery
The heart of the Core Program is the First-Year Seminars (FYS)—small, discussion-based classes designed exclusively for incoming students. These seminars offer an exciting and diverse range of topics, all centered on building foundational skills for college success. Led by expert faculty and limited in size, FYS courses create space for exploration, connection, and intellectual discovery.
Learning in Los Angeles
The Core Program offers courses that engage students in experiential learning in Los Angeles, understanding current events, and developing applied skills. Students also have the opportunity to attend exciting events themed around different elements of the College’s mission.
Whether you’re diving into a First-Year Seminar with your peers, learning about a totally new topic in a Core course, or attending a speaker event, you’ll be challenged to think boldly, engage deeply, and grow in ways that matter to you.
