Program Description
Interdisciplinary Studies majors become effective professionals who are skilled communicators and solvers of complex social, civic, and professional issues—in local, national or global contexts. Through experience in a variety of liberal arts and professional methodologies, you will become a skilled researcher and thinker who not only knows where to look for information but also is able to assess how to apply disciplinary strengths in innovative ways to a variety of existing and emerging professions.
Customize your degree by choosing a specialization in one of Jefferson’s interdisciplinary areas—Global Studies, Diversity Studies, Sustainability and Environmental Studies, Medicine and Society, or propose your own specialization.
This program can be completed in as little as 3 years with classes available throughout the summer semesters.
Learning Goals/Outcomes
- Employ a variety of interdisciplinary methodologies to better understand individual, social, civic, and professional issues.
- Select and employ interdisciplinary methodologies to address and develop solutions to complex individual, social, civic, and professional issues.
- Recognize and apply appropriate communication strategies for various contexts and settings.
- Articulate interrelated individual, social, civic, and professional responsibilities in global society.
- Recognize gaps in knowledge and select and apply appropriate research strategies from a variety of disciplines to close those gaps.
- Explain the relevance and value of interdisciplinary studies as it relates to and informs students’ overall course of study and individual professional career preparation.
Curriculum: 3-4 years, 121 credits
Select area of Specialization:
- Global Studies
- Diversity Studies
- Sustainability
- Environmental Studies
| First Year | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| FYS 100 | Pathways Seminar | 1 |
| INDS 101 | Intro to Interdisc Studies | 3 |
| WRIT 101 | Writing Sem I: Written Comm. | 3 |
| AVIS 101 | American Visions | 3 |
| Interdisciplinary Electives | 9 | |
| Science | 3-4 | |
| Mathematics | 3-4 | |
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
Science |
||
Statistics |
||
Mathematics |
||
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 31-34 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Specialization Course | 3 | |
| INDS 200 | ProbSolving Across Disciplines | 3 |
| Specialization Course | 3 | |
| Global Diversity | 3 | |
| Interdisciplinary Electives | 3 | |
| GCIT 3XX | Global Citizenship | 3 |
| WRIT 201 | Writing Seminar II:Multi Comm | 3 |
| ISEM 3XX | Integrative Seminar | 3 |
| ADIV 2XX | American Diversity | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 30 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Specialization Course | 3 | |
| Specialization Course | 3 | |
| CGIS 300 | Contemporary Global Issues | 3 |
| Interdisciplinary Electives | 12 | |
| ETHC 3XX | Ethics | 3 |
| Minor course | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 30 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Specialiization Course | 3 | |
| INDS 499 | 3 | |
| Specialization Course | 3 | |
| Specialization Course | 3 | |
| Specialization Course | 3 | |
| PHIL 499 | Philosophies of the Good Life | 3 |
| Minor course | 3 | |
| Minor course | 3 | |
| Minor course | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 30 | |
| Total Credits | 121-124 | |