Interdisciplinary Studies
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Program Overview
As a interdisciplinary studies major, you will have the freedom to select courses of interest from across Î÷¹ÏÊÓƵ's majors and disciplines.
Comprised of guided and free electives, the interdisciplinary studies program offers the greatest breadth of academic selections in the College. By taking courses throughout the arts, humanities, science, math, and social sciences, you will gain exposure to a wide range of subjects, discovering powerful connections among fields like politics, literature, technology, sociology, and history. Exposure to multiple areas of study will provide you with a broad knowledge base and enhance your critical reading, writing, and thinking skills. If you wish to personalize the major further, you have the option of proposing and applying for an individually designed program of study.
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Curriculum
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)
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ENG 111Â -Â Critical Reading and Writing I (Cr: 3)
Satisfies the Writing Designated Core requirement.
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ENG 112Â -Â Critical Reading and Writing II (Cr: 3)
Satisfies the Writing Designated Core requirement.
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INT 100Â -Â Internship I (Cr: 2)
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IDS 115Â -Â 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)
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INT 200Â -Â Internship II (Cr: 2)
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IDS 201Â -Â 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)
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IDS 302Â -Â Methods of Inquiry in the Humanities (Cr: 3)
Satisfies the Writing Designated Requirement
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IDS 379Â -Â 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)
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IDS 480Â -Â Semester Internship (Cr: 12)
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IDS 489Â -Â Senior Research (Cr: 3)
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IDS 490Â -Â Senior Thesis (Cr: 3)
Or
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IDS 491Â -Â 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:
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ART 308Â -Â Art in American Culture (Cr: 3)
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ART 320Â -Â Native American Art: Beyond Tradition (Cr: 3)
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ENG 220Â -Â American Short Story Cycles (Cr: 3)
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ENG 224Â -Â Justice and Injustice in American Literature (Cr: 3)
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ENG 240Â -Â Boston in Literature and Film (Cr: 3)
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ENG 310Â -Â Modern American Poetry (Cr: 3)
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ENG 337Â -Â American Indian Literature (Cr: 3)
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HST 225Â -Â The Salem Witch Trials (Cr: 3)
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HST 227Â -Â Boston History (Cr: 3)
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HST 229Â -Â The American West (Cr: 3)
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HST 230Â -Â African-American History (Cr: 3)
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HST 306Â -Â New England History (Cr: 3)
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HST 317Â -Â Civil Rights Movement (Cr: 3)
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HST 330Â -Â History of Sexuality in the United States (Cr: 3)
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HST 340Â -Â Women in American History and Culture (Cr: 3)
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MUS 230Â -Â Jazz Styles (Cr: 3)
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MUS 240Â -Â The Rise of Rock and Roll (Cr: 3)
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SM 303Â -Â Sport in Society (Cr: 3)
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SOC 320Â -Â 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. Â
- 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.
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Internships and Careers
An Î÷¹ÏÊÓƵ education means you'll graduate with a degree and a resume.
Whether you pursue graduate school right away, or embark on your career after graduation, we believe that your time at Î÷¹ÏÊÓƵ will prepare you for the next step. Graduates of the liberal studies program enjoy careers in a wide range of fields. Take a look at what our graduates have been up to lately.
Recent Internships
- Massachusetts State House
- Boston Ballet
- Fox 25 News
- New England Patriots
- EBSCO Publishing
Alumni Employment
- Peace Corps
- General Electric
- Attorney
- Integrative Wellness and Physical Therapy
- United States Department of Health and Human Services
Graduate School Acceptances
- Oxford University
- Johns Hopkins University
- Boston College
- Boston University
- Fordham University