Students attending Yale are required to take at least two course credits in humanities and the arts. These are subjects in which students will learn about human thoughts, expressions and endeavors. Students will explore other civilizations, both modern and ancient, which serve to provide insight to their s own culture and consequent place in it. As students examine the value and purpose of their surroundings, it will serve as preparation for future career choices as well as providing a better core understanding of the human spirit.
Two course credits in the sciences are also required at Yale. Studies in the sciences aim to give students the ability to objectively observe and analyze the natural world. Techniques in the sciences focus on the ability to understand and question expert opinions and findings to synthesize their efforts and further contribute to the academic conversation on a meaningful level. Studying the sciences also lends an appreciation for elements of the world that cannot be casually observed.
Yale students are required to complete at least two course credits in the social sciences. As the world's population continues to grow and communication channels make access to that world easier every day, an understanding of the international community, and its cultural differences and conflicts, is more important than ever. Areas examined include man-made constructs such as governments, economies and communication practices as well as universal commonalities such as perception of age, gender and class stature.
Completion of at least course in a foreign language is required of Yale students. As the global economy becomes increasingly integrated, knowing more than one language makes you better prepared for any career. Additionally, study of a foreign language often reinforces grammatical constructs of your native language. Depending on proficiency, students may need to complete one, two or three terms to fulfill Yale's distributional language requirement.
Yale College requires students to complete at least two course credits in quantitative reasoning. Long a standard of mathematics and statistics, the ability to quantify objects and concepts into measurable criteria facilitates the ability to create logical arguments and constructs. Increasingly, the skill of quantitative reasoning is being used in disciplines beyond math and statistics, such as social sciences, natural sciences and computer science.
Two course credits of writing are required at Yale. Regardless of the field of study, the ability to write properly is essential for contributing research to any academic pursuit. Writing has been a staple of a liberal arts education for centuries. As such, Yale's writing requirements aim to distinguish passive learners from active learners while fostering the ability to synthesize and relay advanced concepts in any discipline.