The degree centers around a core set of courses that provide training in issues, methods, and practices vital for success in college, in personal life and in one’s career. All core courses are communication intensive, training students to master basic skills in written and oral communication, critical analysis, and problem-solving. Through a mixture of individual and collaborative work, students not only develop a foundation for engaging in interdisciplinary study but also, more generally, learn how to learn. As a whole, the core courses provide a foundation for exploring issues and knowledge in the emphasis areas, particularly how matters of ethics and diversity relate to learning and life in a global society and how they impact a student’s immediate life and future.
Students begin their Integrated Studies program with a general orientation to the major that introduces them to the theory and practice of integrative study. With the assistance of the program advisor, students design a course plan by selecting their emphasis areas and identifying possible relationships between them in preparation for the culminating capstone project. The course stresses collaboration as an essential ingredient for success in college and work, and it encourages majors to develop an attitude of teamwork to achieve greater success in the degree.
Four required courses totaling 12 credits comprise the Integrated Studies core requirements:
Complete all of the following:
INTS 3100 Interdisciplinary Studies (3)
Required of all Integrated Studies majors. Students explore the methods, practices, and theories of integrated, interdisciplinary study. Students collaborate on problem-solving projects in which they apply integrative approaches to common themes, ideas, issues, and events in various disciplines. Students also engage with the conceptual bases of each of their two emphasis area disciplines. It includes academic reading, writing, and critical thinking activities. Each student also completes an academic plan that articulates his or her intentions for the senior capstone project and the projected path to completing the Integrated Studies degree. Prerequisite: ENGL 1010 (Grade C or higher). (3 lecture hours per week)
INTS 3900 – Interdisciplinary Topics (3)
Required of all Integrated Studies majors. Presents a topic, problem, or theme from multiple disciplinary perspectives. Students experience the advantages and necessity of bringing the knowledge, concepts, theories, and methods of distinct disciplines to bear on understanding complex issues and ideas. Repeatable for credit as topics vary. Prerequisite: ENGL 1010 (Grade C or higher). (3 lecture hours per week)
INTS 4900 Senior Interdisciplinary Research (3)
Required of all Integrated Studies majors in their final year. The first in a 2-course sequence providing the culminating experience in the program. Focuses on research methods and scholarly writing as students identify project topics and prepare formal proposals for review and approval. Prerequisites: INTS 3100; and Senior standing. (3 lecture hours per week)
INTS 4910 Senior Interdisciplinary Project (3)
Required of all Integrated Studies majors in their final year. The second in a 2-course sequence providing the culminating experience in the program. Students will select a topic, theme, issue, or problem and relate their two areas of concentration through careful analysis and creative synthesis, producing a major project that exhibits skill in interdisciplinary understanding. Prerequisite: INTS 4900 and Senior standing.