History is essential to a free and enlightened citizenry and forms a cornerstone of the liberal arts education at Haverford College. Our varied curriculum encourages students to analyze and interpret the past from many different perspectives and to recognize their own role in writing “history.” 

Emeritus Professor of Psychology Doug Davis went to the Philippines in 2014 with pioneering human rights attorney Bob Swift '68 as he distributed some of the $19 million won in a landmark case brought on behalf of thousands of victims of the Ferdinand Marcos regime’s reign of terror.

Jonathan Wilson, assistant professor of biology and environmental studies, recently published a paper outlining an extensive evolutionary history of silica biomineralization—the absorption of silica from soil—in plants, proving that this process is much older than previously thought.

Assistant Professor of Linguistics Brook Danielle Lillehaugen recently returned to campus from an exciting treasure hunt for Zapotec texts during a three-week research trip to Oaxaca, Mexico. Lillehaugen was on the lookout for manuscripts to add to the growing collection in the Ticha Project—a digital publication of Colonial Zapotec resources.

Haverford’s rigorous academic program focuses on individual growth, intellectual exploration, and pushing the boundaries of each discipline. Many classes are taught seminar style with an emphasis on discussion and debate, and often involve field work outside the classroom. 

95 students conducted research, either individually or in groups, as part of the KINSC’s summer research program with 28 professors across departments in the natural sciences.

The Department of Music at Haverford offers a creative approach to music theory, a curriculum in music history that deals with music in the social context and embraces world music and jazz, while our applied music program and ensembles provide students with opportunities for performances and tours.

Assistant Professor of Linguistics Brook Danielle Lillehaugen recently returned to campus from an exciting treasure hunt for Zapotec texts during a three-week research trip to Oaxaca, Mexico. Lillehaugen was on the lookout for manuscripts to add to the growing collection in the Ticha Project—a digital publication of Colonial Zapotec resources.