Common Intellectual Experience

Known as the "CIE" on campus, Ursinus Common Intellectual Experience is the reason Newsweek/Kaplan recently named Ursinus one of America's 25 Hottest Colleges. 

CIE provides a broad-based common experience to give all students the communications skills, and the scientific, cultural, and historical literacy that are fundamental to a liberally educated person.

In CIE class, first-year students gather in small groups to read, discuss, write and reflect on the great questions of human existence, like love, friendship, happiness, life, death, God and nature. 

Students read the works of the most profound thinkers throughout the ages, and consider creative works of art, music, theater and dance.  The class syllabus is designed and taught by professors from every discipline. 

CIE classes are held in locations throughout campus.  You might find your class meeting in your dorm's common room, or sitting on the lawn in the quad--or even seated around the labyrinth next to The Kaleidoscope, the Ursinus performing arts center.

 The depth of the intellectual exchanges and the personal interactions make all the difference--and all in an idyllic campus setting.