Brown University Open Curriculum Explained

Brown University's Open Curriculum stands out as one of the most flexible academic programs in American higher education. Under this system, you won't have any general education requirements or mandatory core classes that many other universities require. Instead, you're empowered to build your own educational journey by selecting courses that align with your interests and goals.

The Open Curriculum works by giving you complete freedom to choose your classes, with only two main guidelines to follow. First, you must complete a concentration (Brown's term for a major) of your choice. Second, you need to pass 30 courses to graduate. Beyond these basic requirements, you have the autonomy to explore any subjects that interest you, whether they directly relate to your concentration or not.

In practice, this means you could combine seemingly unrelated subjects like computer science and literature, or economics and theater. Every class you take at Brown will be one you actively chose, leading to higher engagement and more meaningful learning experiences. The system also allows you to take any course satisfactory/no credit (similar to pass/fail), which encourages academic exploration without the pressure of grades.

The Open Curriculum might be right for you if you're self-motivated, intellectually curious, and excited about designing your own education. You'll need to be comfortable making important decisions about your academic path and taking responsibility for your choices. However, you won't be entirely on your own - Brown provides academic advisors who help guide your course selection and ensure you're meeting your concentration requirements.

Students who thrive under this system typically enjoy academic freedom and have diverse intellectual interests. However, if you prefer more structure or clear academic guidelines, you might want to consider whether this level of freedom would serve your learning style effectively. The key to success in Brown's Open Curriculum is viewing this freedom not just as an absence of requirements, but as an opportunity to purposefully craft your own unique educational experience.