Gallatin School of Individualized Study
Encyclopedia
The Gallatin School of Individualized Study (commonly known as Gallatin) is a small interdisciplinary college within New York University
. Gallatin aims to provide a "small college" feel, while being located within one of the largest private universities in the United States
. Students design their own interdisciplinary program that meets their specific interests and career goals. Coursework can be undertaken at any of the schools that comprise NYU in addition to the school's own offerings.
, Secretary of the Treasury under Thomas Jefferson
, and the founder of NYU. Gallatin believed that the place for a university was not in "the seclusion of cloistered halls but in the throbbing heart of a great city."
Herbert London
was the school's first dean through 1992.
just east of Washington Square Park
at 1 Washington Place.
The Gallatin School's facilities on the corner of Washington Place and Broadway underwent a redesign from 2007-2008. It was the first renovation project at NYU to achieve LEED
certification. The project earned a LEED Gold certification for the renovation of five floors (approximately 32,000 square feet) of the existing building, including the construction of a theater, art gallery, classrooms, studios, and offices.
While Gallatin students usually take about half of their courses in the other schools of the University, Gallatin also offers its own curriculum including writing and arts workshops, interdisciplinary seminars reaching across the liberal arts, and independent studies. As a requirement, each student must complete several liberal arts courses in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and expository writing. The entire academic experience at Gallatin culminates in a final examination known as a Colloquium
, in which students engage with a panel of three faculty for approximately two hours about their concentration and concomitant literature. The Colloquium is an integral part of every Gallatin student's educational program, and students are required to complete their Colloquium their penultimate semester at the university in order to graduate.
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
. Gallatin aims to provide a "small college" feel, while being located within one of the largest private universities in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Students design their own interdisciplinary program that meets their specific interests and career goals. Coursework can be undertaken at any of the schools that comprise NYU in addition to the school's own offerings.
History
Founded in 1972 as the "University Without Walls", the school is named after Albert GallatinAlbert Gallatin
Abraham Alfonse Albert Gallatin was a Swiss-American ethnologist, linguist, politician, diplomat, congressman, and the longest-serving United States Secretary of the Treasury. In 1831, he founded the University of the City of New York...
, Secretary of the Treasury under Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the United States Declaration of Independence and the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom , the third President of the United States and founder of the University of Virginia...
, and the founder of NYU. Gallatin believed that the place for a university was not in "the seclusion of cloistered halls but in the throbbing heart of a great city."
Herbert London
Herbert London
-Early life:He was born in Brooklyn, New York circa 1939 and attended Columbia University, graduating in 1960. Standing 6'5", he was drafted by the Syracuse Nationals of the National Basketball League, but did not play for them because of injuries. He was a social studies secondary school teacher...
was the school's first dean through 1992.
Campus
The Gallatin building is situated within the Campus of New York UniversityCampus of New York University
The urban campus of New York University is located in Manhattan, New York, primarily situated around Washington Square Park.-Facilities and monuments:...
just east of Washington Square Park
Washington Square Park
Washington Square Park is one of the best-known of New York City's 1,900 public parks. At 9.75 acres , it is a landmark in the Manhattan neighborhood of Greenwich Village, as well as a meeting place and center for cultural activity...
at 1 Washington Place.
The Gallatin School's facilities on the corner of Washington Place and Broadway underwent a redesign from 2007-2008. It was the first renovation project at NYU to achieve LEED
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design consists of a suite of rating systems for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings, homes and neighborhoods....
certification. The project earned a LEED Gold certification for the renovation of five floors (approximately 32,000 square feet) of the existing building, including the construction of a theater, art gallery, classrooms, studios, and offices.
Curriculum
Rather than declare a major in a particular academic department, Gallatin students develop a concentration that is individualized to suit their interests and goals. There are no official requirements for the concentration. Instead, Gallatin students and their advisors decide together what courses and non-classroom activities will best prepare them for further study in graduate school or for a particular career path. Usually the concentration involves combining work in two or more academic disciplines and taking courses in several departments and schools of the University.While Gallatin students usually take about half of their courses in the other schools of the University, Gallatin also offers its own curriculum including writing and arts workshops, interdisciplinary seminars reaching across the liberal arts, and independent studies. As a requirement, each student must complete several liberal arts courses in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and expository writing. The entire academic experience at Gallatin culminates in a final examination known as a Colloquium
Colloquium
Colloquium can refer to:* the Parliament of Scotland, called a "colloquium" in Latin records.* any musical piece celebrating birth or distribution of good news, a hymn...
, in which students engage with a panel of three faculty for approximately two hours about their concentration and concomitant literature. The Colloquium is an integral part of every Gallatin student's educational program, and students are required to complete their Colloquium their penultimate semester at the university in order to graduate.
Advising
Because Gallatin focuses intensely on students at the individual level, advising is a major component of the program. Each student is assigned two advisors: a class advisor who serves the needs of a full grade level (freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors) and an academic advisor, who is more involved at the individual level with helping students shape their concentrations. The academic advisors, who not only help identify the interests of their advisees, but who also approve class schedules and attends advisee Colloquiums, serve as the primary source of advising. Academic advisors are usually faculty members at Gallatin who share similar interests with advisee students, but advisors can come from any of the schools within NYU across several disciplines. Students can also request to change academic advisors if another is more suitable.Colloquium
In order to qualify for graduation, all students in the Gallatin undergraduate program must successfully complete a final oral examination called the Colloquium. The Colloquium is an intellectual conversation among four people: the student, the student's adviser, and two other members of the faculty about a selection of books representing several academic disciplines and historical periods. The Colloquium provides an opportunity for students to reflect on their Gallatin concentration and to synthesize various experiences studying books, taking courses, doing independent studies and internships into an integrated discussion about several books and themes. In preparing for the Colloquium, each student creates a book list of twenty to twenty-five works and writes a brief paper known as the Rationale which describes the themes the student plans to discuss in the Colloquium.Student Organizations
There are a variety of student-run organizations at Gallatin that span a vast array of interests for both undergraduate and graduate students of the school:- Dancers Choreographers Alliance (DCA) provides student choreographers with the opportunity to create their work with fellow student dancers. Through this, dancers have the chance to be part of the creative process and showcase their abilities. DCA also allows other members of the performance community to participate in roles such as musicians, composers, and artistic managers.
- Gallatin Arts Festival (GAF) is a week long community-wide celebration of the unique artistry and interdisciplinary scholarship of NYU’s Gallatin School. The festival features over 50 students presenting work in the visual and performing arts.
- Gallatin Theatre Troupe (GTT) exists as a collective of students interested in writing, directing, managing, and acting in theatre. Accomplishments include creating a one-act play festival and producing a variety of theatrical productions. Additionally, the GTT serves as a place to discuss theatre and attend shows. GTT is completely student-run and welcomes students to get involved!
- Students of Color & Allies (SOCA) serves as a support and networking group that connects students of ALL colors from within Gallatin for social outings, intellectual activities, and academic workshops that address common interests. SOCA now organizes events aimed at enhancing the Gallatin experience for students of color.
- The Gallatin Review publishes the poetry, prose, essays, and visual art of students and faculty. Its format is very open and is determined by a group of students who collaborate to design the layout and select submissions. Come discuss the work of fellow students, or just submit your own.
- The mission of the Journal of Global Affairs is to create, produce, and publish a scholarly undergraduate journal that showcases articles and artwork pertaining to all aspects of global affairs. JGA provides a forum for undergraduate students at NYU to publish their work in a scholarly journal. Secondly, this journal stimulates general interest in and increased awareness of global affairs that affect the world in which we live.
- Gallatin Business Club (GBC) aims to educate the Gallatin community on the topic of business by providing resources, such as seminars, speakers, and group discussion on a variety of business topics. This club is for students interested in the corporate world, whether or not it is a part of their concentration. The club is an outlet for students to discuss current events in business and provides networking opportunities through speakers in a variety of fields.
- NADI: Middle Eastern Studies Society endeavors to create a robust and cohesive intellectual community for students of the Middle East at Gallatin by means of extra-curricular programming and an annual journal. Moreover, Nadi seeks to provide a nexus for Gallatin students to share information about Middle Eastern Studies courses, study abroad programs and internships.
Notable Current Students
- Dakota FanningDakota FanningHannah Dakota Fanning , better known as Dakota Fanning, is an American actress. Fanning's breakthrough performance was in I Am Sam in 2001. As a child actress, she appeared in high-profile films such as Man on Fire, War of the Worlds, and Charlotte's Web...
, actress - Cole and Dylan Sprouse, twin actors
- Isabella RosselliniIsabella RosselliniIsabella Fiorella Elettra Giovanna Rossellini is an Italian actress, filmmaker, author, philanthropist, and model. Rossellini is noted for her 14-year tenure as a Lancôme model, and for her roles in films such as Blue Velvet and Death Becomes Her.-Background and early life:Rossellini is a...
, actress
Professors
- Sinan AntoonSinan AntoonSinan Antoon is an Iraqi poet and novelist, he also featured in the film About Baghdad and Voices in Wartime.Antoon was born in Baghdad to an Iraqi father and American mother. After emigrating to the United States after the Gulf war, he studied English literature at Baghdad University, and...
, Iraqi Novelist and Poet - Mitchell JoachimMitchell JoachimMitchell Joachim is acknowledged as an innovator in ecological design, architecture, and urban design. He is also a researcher, and architectural educator...
, Sustainable Design, TED Senior Fellow - Myles JacksonMyles JacksonMyles W. Jackson is the Dibner Family Professor of the History and Philosophy of Science and Technology at Polytechnic Institute of New York University...
, Historian of Science and Technology - John SextonJohn SextonJohn Edward Sexton is the fifteenth President of New York University, having held this position since May 17, 2002, and the Benjamin Butler Professor of Law at the New York University School of Law. From 1988 to 2002, he served as Dean of the NYU School of Law, which during his deanship became one...
, President of NYU teaches the seminar "Baseball as a Road to God" - E. Frances WhiteE. Frances WhiteE. Frances White is a historian, author and academic.She is currently the Vice Provost of Faculty Affairs at New York University. Prior to that post, she was the Dean of New York University's Gallatin School of Individualized Study . She holds a B.A. from Wheaton College , an M.A...
, former Dean, historian of Africa, African American Studies
Notable Alumni
- Mary-Kate OlsenMary-Kate OlsenMary-Kate Olsen is an American actress, producer, author and fashion designer. She made her career debut in 1987 alongside her twin sister Ashley Olsen in the television series Full House...
, actress and entrepreneur - Ashley OlsenAshley OlsenAshley Fuller Olsen is an American actress, fashion designer, producer, and author. She co-founded luxury fashion brand The Row and the more affordable line Olsenboye with her twin sister Mary-Kate Olsen and started her own fashion company called Elizabeth and James...
, actress and entrepreneur - Midori GotoMidori Gotois a Japanese American violinist. She made her debut at the age of 11 in a last-minute change of programming during a concert highlighting young performers by the New York Philharmonic under Zubin Mehta. When she was 21, she formed the philanthropic group Midori and Friends to help bring music to...
, violinist (M.A., 2001) - Christy TurlingtonChristy TurlingtonChristy Turlington Burns is an American model best known for representing Calvin Klein from 1987 to 2007. She has worked on dozens of modeling contracts with companies including Maybelline Cosmetics and Versace. Turlington starred in her fashion documentary Catwalk and Isaac Mizrahi's Unzipped...
, model (B.A., 1999) - Kaki KingKaki KingKaki King is an American guitarist and composer. King is known for her percussive and jazz-tinged melodies, energetic live shows, use of multiple tunings on acoustic and lap steel guitar, and her diverse range in different genres.In February 2006, Rolling Stone released a list of "The New Guitar...
, songwriter and guitar virtuoso (B.A., 2001) - Daniel KesslerDaniel KesslerDaniel Alexander Kessler is the guitarist and backing vocalist for the New York City-based band Interpol. He was raised in the United States....
, lead guitarist of the New York City-based post-punkPost-punkPost-punk is a rock music movement with its roots in the late 1970s, following on the heels of the initial punk rock explosion of the mid-1970s. The genre retains its roots in the punk movement but is more introverted, complex and experimental...
band InterpolInterpol (band)Interpol is an American indie rock and post-punk revival band from New York City. Formed in 1997, the band's original line-up consisted of Paul Banks , Daniel Kessler , Carlos Dengler and Greg Drudy . Drudy left the band in 2000 and was replaced by Sam Fogarino...
. - Ed DrosteEd DrosteEdward "Ed" Droste is an original member of the Brooklyn-based indie-rock group, Grizzly Bear. The group began as the solo effort of Droste with the release of 2004's Horn of Plenty, originally released on Kanine Records. All songs were written and performed by Droste...
, singer/songwriter for the Brooklyn-based indie band, Grizzly Bear (band)Grizzly Bear (band)Grizzly Bear is a Brooklyn-based indie rock band, composed of Edward Droste , Daniel Rossen , Chris Taylor and Christopher Bear . The band employs traditional and electronic instruments... - Robert Kalin, cofounder of EtsyEtsyEtsy is an e-commerce website focused on handmade or vintage items as well as art and craft supplies. These items cover a wide range including art, photography, clothing, jewelry, edibles, bath & beauty products, quilts, knick-knacks and toys. Many individuals also sell craft supplies like beads,...
- Peter FacinelliPeter FacinelliPeter Facinelli is an American actor. He became known as the star of Fox's 2002 television series Fastlane. He plays Carlisle Cullen in the film adaptations of the Twilight series. He is also well known for his role as Mike Dexter in the film Can't Hardly Wait...
, actor - Anne HathawayAnne Hathaway (actress)Anne Jacqueline Hathaway is an American actress. After several stage roles, she appeared in the 1999 television series Get Real. She played Mia Thermopolis in The Princess Diaries...
, actress - Gordon Harrison Hull, Creative Director of Surface To Air in New York.
- Griffin FrazenGriffin FrazenGriffin James Frazen is an Americanactor. He was born in Los Angeles, California.He is best known for his role on Grounded for Life...
, Jimmy Finnerty in Grounded For LifeGrounded for LifeGrounded for Life is an American television sitcom that debuted on January 10, 2001 as a mid-season replacement on the FOX Network. It was created by Mike Schiff and Bill Martin. It ran for two seasons on the network until being cancelled only two episodes into its third season... - Emma McLaughlinEmma McLaughlinEmma Lanier McLaughlin is an American novelist.-Private life:McLaughlin graduated from New York University's Gallatin School of Individualized Study...
, co-author of The Nanny Diaries - Rooney Mara, actress and activist
- Mos DefMos DefDante Terrell Smith is an American actor and Emcee known by the stage names Mos Def and Yasiin Bey. He started his hip hop career in a group called Urban Thermo Dynamics, after which he appeared on albums by Da Bush Babees and De La Soul. With Talib Kweli, he formed the duo Black Star, which...
, Critically acclaimed rapper, actor and socio-political activist - Tommy WallachTommy WallachTommy Wallach is a writer and musician whose works have appeared in McSweeney's, Tin House, and ReadyMade. He musically directed an original cabaret musical that won the 2006 NYC MAC Award for Best New Performance....
, writer and musician