New College was founded in 1971. The primary objective of New College was "to serve as an experimental unit with the expectation of exporting successful innovations to other sectors of the University". From its onset, the purpose of New College has been to offer ambitious, responsible, and self-disciplined students the freedom to build a curriculum from several departments. This interdisciplinary learning experience is not unique to the University of Alabama. There are a number of programs like ours throughout the country.
Seminars were introduced as an intelligent way to guide students into a deeper and more rational way of thinking. The New College classroom is not a lecture. Students are responsible for the majority of discussion. We prepare students for higher learning and rational, critical inquiry.
Throughout its existence, New College has been committed to the relationship between a student and his or her advisor, the independence of the classroom, the quality of learning, and the community-based network of everyone involved. These standards are kept strong through individual advising and limited admission into the program.
Although the program is fairly young, the concept of allowing a student the freedom to think as an adult in a college atmosphere is not novel, but impressive. New College graduates are successful and well-rounded individuals.
