Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies

The Interdisciplinary Studies program is a university-wide offering, allowing students to create a unique program of study consisting of two or three disciplines. The goal of Interdisciplinary Studies is to develop within students the knowledge, skills, and abilities to make connections across multiple disciplines, integrate information from multiple sources, and engage in critical thinking processes in order to make decisions and solve complex problems.

Students who complete the Interdisciplinary Studies program will be able to:

• Integrate knowledge of multiple disciplines for use in problem solving, creative expression, critical thinking, task completion, and other essential tasks within the professional setting.
• Demonstrate an ability to apply advanced critical thinking skills across multiple disciplines by employing such methods as research, investigation, classification, differentiation, experimentation, etc. to any given situation.
• Connect knowledge gained from the student of multiple disciplines in order to understand, appreciate, and relate to various cultures, beliefs, attitudes, and perspectives other than the student’s own.
• Select appropriate methods of communication (written, verbal, visual) to social, professional, cultural, and other contexts in order to interact appropriately with others.

Due to the structure of the IDS program of study - an introduction to interdisciplinary thought and study in IDS 2300 , followed by a period of focus on the content of the cognate areas, and concluded with a capstone experience that brings together the cognate fields - at least one calendar year must pass between the conclusion of IDS 2300  and the beginning of IDS 4301 .Exceptions must be approved by the Dean of Arts and Sciences.

Students enrolled in the Great Books Honors Program may fulfill their Great Books Honors requirements by completing the Great Books I-V course series, selecting any two upper-level courses related to their major area with agreement from select professor(s) and the honors program, and completing an honors thesis related to their major. The series is normally completed in order, but may be adjusted as needed in consultation with the Great Books Director. Please consult the Great Books section of the catalog for complete details.

For more information on the Program in Interdisciplinary Studies, please contact:
Dr. Taten Shirley, Director
Interdisciplinary Studies tshirley@faulkner.edu
334-386-7313