Interdisciplinary Studies

JAY M. SMITH, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Curricula

Introduction

Students interested in an interdisciplinary degree program not covered by any degree-granting department or curriculum should apply to the associate dean for undergraduate curricula, who also serves as the director of interdisciplinary studies, in 3010 Steele in the second semester of the sophomore year or the first semester of the junior year. An IDST major has more focus than many of the more traditional majors and therefore should not be seen as a default major for someone undecided about his or her course of study. The IDST major must be well-conceived but substantially different from majors that students pursue through traditional departments, programs, and curricula. Students should have a grade point average of at least 2.75 and at least 45 hours left before graduation. Students are encouraged to meet all of the General Education Foundations and Approaches requirements before pursuing the interdisciplinary major.

In the past, students have designed their own majors in such varied fields as medieval studies, arts management, medical geography, folklore, and urban studies.

Program of Study

The degree offered is bachelor of arts in interdisciplinary studies. Information about the major in cultural studies, offered through interdisciplinary studies, is contained under that heading.

Majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies: Bachelor of Arts

Two kinds of majors are offered under the heading of interdisciplinary studies (IDST). Students interested in pursuing an interdisciplinary major in cultural studies should contact the office of the University Program in Cultural Studies in 111 Bingham Hall. The other type of IDST major, designed by the student and the IDST advisor (the associate dean for undergraduate curricula), is for students who wish to develop a major outside of those offered by the College of Arts and Sciences departments and curricula. The degree program consists of eight core courses, which must be chosen from three departments (with a maximum of four courses from any one department) and which must be appropriate for juniors and seniors majoring in those departments. The core courses should also form a coherent major to which the student is able to assign a title. Additionally, students are encouraged to select electives and General Education courses that complement these eight core courses.

With permission of the relevant professional school, one may use up to 12 hours of professional courses (e.g., in business administration, journalism and mass communication, public health, education) in the core. This can be advantageous to students who want some concentration in these areas but who also want a degree in arts and sciences.

Honors in Interdisciplinary Studies

Qualified students may pursue honors through one of the departments or curricula included in their major core.

Special Opportunities in Interdisciplinary Studies

Undergraduate Research

To enhance job placement, IDST students participate in the undergraduate research opportunities available in the departments and curricula that constitute their program of study and sometimes complete an internship either in the summer or during the academic year.

Graduate School and Career Opportunities

Since IDST can provide a broad background in the liberal arts, graduate study in a number of academic disciplines is possible. Students are encouraged to contact the graduate or professional school to which they wish to gain admission to determine the specific undergraduate academic requirements necessary for admission. An IDST major is generally not recommended for students planning graduate study in the sciences.

Career opportunities for IDST are as varied as the reasons students give for selecting the major.

Contact Information

Jay M. Smith, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Curricula, 3010 Steele Building. For information about the interdisciplinary studies major in cultural studies, contact the University Program in Cultural Studies in 111 Bingham Hall.

IDST

350 Practices of Cultural Studies (3). Introduces students to the history, methods, and central intellectual questions of cultural studies. Three units address the historical and political conditions under which cultural studies came into being, the effects of movements of people around the globe over the past 30 years, and the production and effects of popular culture. Group projects focus on specific instances of global migration and/or popular culture and culminate in a presentation to the class, an essay written by the group, and a visual display of the group’s findings.

396 Independent Study (3).

693H [097] Senior Honors Thesis (3). Permission of a faculty member directing the student’s work. Required of all senior honors candidates.

694H [098] Senior Honors Thesis (3). Permission of a faculty member directing the student’s work. Second semester of senior honors thesis; required of all senior honors candidates.