Interdisciplinary Studies

Curriculum Requirements - Total Credits Required: 125-127

First Year - Credits: 32

• World Language  (Cr: 6)
• Quantitative Reasoning General Education Requirement  (Cr: 3)
• General Education Electives  (Cr: 6)
• Electives   (Cr: 6)

• ENG 111 - Critical Reading and Writing I (Cr: 3)
  
  Satisfies the Writing Designated Core requirement.

• ENG 112 - Critical Reading and Writing II (Cr: 3)
  
  Satisfies the Writing Designated Core requirement.

• INT 100 - Internship I (Cr: 2)
  

• IDS 115 - Finding Your Path: Interdisciplinary Approaches to Problem Solving (Cr: 3)
  

Sophomore - Credits: 32-33

• Global Issues General Education Requirement    (Cr: 3)
• Literary Perspectives General EducationRequirement    (Cr: 3)
• Values & Ethical Reasoning General Education Requirement (Cr: 3)
• English Elective    (Cr: 3)
• Interdisciplinary Studies or Political Science Elective   (Cr: 3)
• Philosophy or Religion Elective   (Cr: 3)
• Science or Math Elective   (Cr: 3-4)
• Electives   (Cr: 6)

• INT 200 - Internship II (Cr: 2)
  

• IDS 201 - Interdisciplinary Seminar (Cr: 3)
  
  Interdisciplinary​ Studies majors are required to complete two semesters for six credits.

Junior - Credits: 31-32

• Aesthetic Awareness and Creative Expression General Education Requirement   (Cr: 3)
• Individual and Society General Education Requirement   (Cr: 3)
• Science and Technology General Education Requirement   (Cr: 3-4)
• World Cultures General Education Requirement   (Cr: 3)
• History Elective  (Cr: 3)
• Political Science Elective   (Cr: 3)
• Psychology or Sociology Elective  (Cr: 3)
• Electives   (Cr: 6)

• IDS 302 - Methods of Inquiry in the Humanities (Cr: 3)
  
  Satisfies the Writing Designated Requirement

• IDS 379 - Semester Internship Strategies (Cr: 1)
  

Senior - Credits: 30

• American Studies or Interdisciplinary Studies Elective  (Cr: 3)
• Elective   (Cr: 3)
• General Education Electives  (Cr: 6)
  (must be above the 100 level)

• IDS 480 - Semester Internship (Cr: 12)
  

• IDS 489 - Senior Research (Cr: 3)
  

• IDS 490 - Senior Thesis (Cr: 3)
  
  Or

• IDS 491 - Senior Capstone (Cr: 3)
  

Interdisciplinary Studies Discipline-Specific Electives

The eight discipline-designated elective requirements (English; history; international studies; political science; philosophy or religion; psychology or sociology; math or science; American studies or Interdisciplinary Studies) may be met by taking any course with the individual discipline's prefix. However, at least three of the eight courses must be above the 100-level.

The American studies/Interdisciplinary Studies elective requirement may be met by taking any course with an AMS or IDS designation or one of the following courses:

• ART 308 - Art in American Culture (Cr: 3)
  

• ART 320 - Native American Art: Beyond Tradition (Cr: 3)
  

• ENG 220 - American Short Story Cycles (Cr: 3)
  

• ENG 224 - Justice and Injustice in American Literature (Cr: 3)
  

• ENG 240 - Boston in Literature and Film (Cr: 3)
  

• ENG 310 - Modern American Poetry (Cr: 3)
  

• ENG 337 - American Indian Literature (Cr: 3)
  

• HST 225 - The Salem Witch Trials (Cr: 3)
  

• HST 227 - Boston History (Cr: 3)
  

• HST 229 - The American West (Cr: 3)
  

• HST 230 - African-American History (Cr: 3)
  

• HST 306 - New England History (Cr: 3)
  

• HST 317 - Civil Rights Movement (Cr: 3)
  

• HST 330 - History of Sexuality in the United States (Cr: 3)
  

• HST 340 - Women in American History and Culture (Cr: 3)
  

• MUS 230 - Jazz Styles (Cr: 3)
  

• MUS 240 - The Rise of Rock and Roll (Cr: 3)
  

• SM 303 - Sport in Society (Cr: 3)
  

• SOC 320 - Racial and Ethnic Diversity in American Society (Cr: 3)
  

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Interdisciplinary Studies program students will:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the content of liberal arts disciplines.
• Communicate effectively in written form within the conventions of individual liberal arts disciplines or in work that is interdisciplinary.   
• Articulate the connections and distinctions between and among liberal arts disciplines, and their contemporary relevance.
• Demonstrate the critical inquiry and analysis skills needed to engage constructively in intellectual discourse in various disciplines.
• Make connections between the liberal arts and professional opportunities through a variety of internships.

Interdisciplinary Seminar Requirement

Students must take a minimum of two IDS 201 Interdisciplinary Seminar offerings to complete the program. These seminars are team-taught and examine topics from at least two disciplinary perspectives. The topics will change each semester.

View academic catalog and learning outcomes