Undergraduate Education

“Washington state is now a national leader in providing financial aid to low-income college students, and at the University of Washington, we ensure that the cost of tuition is not a barrier for low-income students. But access and equity do not begin or end with college enrollment,” writes UW President Ana Mari Cauce.

ENGL 285, a unique creative writing class that features the expertise of professional writers, is highly recommended by its students.

The Native UW Scholars program, which works to “build community across the year and help students braid their academic and social lives on the UW campus and on local Coast Salish lands,” has continued and adapted to the online world.

Victoria Lawson, professor in the Department of Geography, director of the Honors Program, and adjunct professor of Gender, Women and Sexuality Studies discusses social care and racial justice.

The UW has started offering a new STEM minor in data science, one of the first universities in the country to do so. Ben Marwick, an associate professor of archeology and director of the new data science minor, is quoted.

In this conversation, Associate Professor of political science and Adjunct Professor of law, societies Megan Ming Francis talks about mentorship, understanding the immense structures that shape our democracy and lives, asking important questions of our institutions and ourselves with the intention of making both better.

In this lecture and follow-up conversation, distinguished teaching awardee and Professor of sociology Alexes Harris shares her research into how people’s interactions with institutions — like the criminal justice system — shape the outcomes of people’s lives. She delves into how those outcomes are different based on a person’s race and ethnicity, gender, income bracket and other identities people hold. Harris also talks about being born and raised in Seattle and how she got to be able to share her research with policy makers, legislators, judges and community members so her scholarship can contribute to a more equitable criminal justice system.

Robert Stacey, dean of the College of Arts & Sciences — the largest college at the University of Washington — talks about the difference between making a living and making a life. In this wide-ranging conversation covering Stacey’s passion for medieval history; why he wanted to teach at the UW; his hopes for students; and leading lives that are worthy of the sacrifices veterans make.

Matthew Howard, Ph.D. candidate in English, discusses race and mobility.

“Starting this summer, Seattle Colleges has made damaging cuts to programs and staff across the district. Staff have been furloughed, making fall quarter registration and financial aid difficult for students. Programs that serve working-class Seattle, like culinary arts and parent education, are on the chopping block. These types of cuts hurt the most vulnerable students and communities in Seattle the hardest,” writes Michael Reagan, a history instructor at the UW and Seattle Colleges.

Professor of History Margaret O’Mara and Vice Provost Ed Taylor discuss what history can teach us about the 2020 election.

“2020: The Course” gives students an opportunity to hear from UW professors and special guests who will discuss the COVID-19 pandemic, race in the United States, the state of the environment, the economic recession, civic participation, citizenship and this election season and outcomes.

A psychology course on human sexuality is the largest UW class — ever. Revising the content has been a journey.

UW professors are adapting to online learning in creative ways to encrich student experience and connect students with complex issues.

Associate Professor of Philosophy Carole Lee’s interdisciplinary research exploring racial disparities in grant funding gained traction with a letter published in The Lancet.