Academic Centers

Center for Asian Studies

The Center for Asian Studies at Willamette University integrates and develops the Asian and Asian American resources on campus with respect to region-based research and scholarship, curriculum innovation, and co-curricular programming. The Center creates cross-campus and inter-disciplinary opportunities for faculty development, student-faculty collaboration and community outreach, serving as a locus for regional, national, and international collaboration between academic and community organizations. We define “Asian” broadly to include all parts of Asia, the Pacific islands, and Asian diasporas.

Center for Ancient Studies and Archaeology

Archaeological discoveries of the past century have extended our knowledge of the ancient world back several thousand years and have provided material and graphic artifacts of the roots of the great civilizations of antiquity. These discoveries have also provided physical evidence about the level of cultures known from literary works since the beginning of history. As a result, ancient studies and archaeology provide a foundation and rich resource for many of the disciplines in the University. Not surprisingly, ancient studies is one of the fastest growing fields in the humanities. The Center for Ancient Studies and Archaeology supports research, teaching, and the public dissemination of the almost-daily new discoveries from the ancient world. It co-sponsors a monthly lecture series by noted archaeologists from the Archaeological Institute of America, an annual undergraduate conference for Classics students and faculty in the Northwest, student fellowship for archaeological field projects, internships and exhibits at the Hallie Ford Museum of Art, and awards for faculty and student research projects and publications. It is also planning an annual lectureship in ancient studies by a distinguished scholar, as well as regular symposia and workshops for faculty development and the enrichment of the curricula of contributing departments.

Center for Religion, Law and Democracy

The Center for Religion, Law and Democracy is an interdisciplinary center for the exploration of the role of religion in the law and public life. The Center draws on Willamette's historic and ongoing strengths as a church-related college committed to academic excellence and public service, as well as its location adjacent to the Oregon State Capitol. The Center involves students and faculty from the College of Liberal Arts and the College of Law who teach, write, and engage in these issues on a continuing basis. As part of its mission, the Center conducts symposia, lectures, research and curriculum development, funds internships, and serves as a forum for the discussion of these intersecting issues.

Center for Sustainable Communities

The Center for Sustainable Communities serves as a catalyst for advancing and expanding sustainability research, teaching, and community engagement across Willamette University's separate colleges (CLA, LAW, Atkinson) and academic departments. Building off of pioneering programs in Environmental Science, Sustainability Law, and Ethics in Business Management, the Center provides fellowships and grants to faculty and students pursuing research projects in sustainability, and financially supports relevant course development across the University. The Center also sponsors annual conferences, lectures, and symposia exploring the theory and practice of sustainability at all spatial and temporal scales, and functions as a resource and clearinghouse for public and private internships and fellowships in sustainability related fields. The Center for Sustainable Communities illustrates the University's ongoing commitment to addressing critical dilemmas facing our region and planet, and exemplifies Willamette's motto of "Not unto ourselves alone are we born."