Program Overview

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Contemplative Studies

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

30.2502

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.

Related Academic Areas

• Cognitive and Psychological Sciences
• East Asian Studies
• Neuroscience
• Philosophy
• Religious Studies

Program Description

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.

Contemplative Studies Concentration Requirements

• List of requirements
• Honors website

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 Pathways

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.

Concentrator Career Paths

Contemplative Studies concentrators have pursued various career paths, including medicine, education, research, and non-profit organizations, as well as graduate studies in fields such as psychology, neuroscience, and Contemplation and Peace Studies.