Individually Designed Specialization

"I wanted a program that made sense for my situation, one that would allow me to get an education but also to meet the other demands of my life."
-Leila Heron, 2006

Students can create a specialization that draws from their own interests and passions. In the first semester students take the first core course, People and Place: Interdisciplinary Perspectives, in the second semester, students take their second core course, Ways of Knowing: How We Make Meaning. In addition to these core courses, students design a coherent plan of individualized study of six to nine credits with the guidance and collaboration of their faculty mentor. These courses are selected after consultation with their faculty mentor and would support their individually designed specialization. After the students complete their individualized specialization, students register for their final two courses Praxis: Integrating Theory into Practice and Thesis/Integrative Final Project.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

GINTD 5011
Ways of Knowing: How We Make Meaning
Interdisciplinary explorations of how we know what we know - modes of inquiry in the arts, humanities, social sciences, and sciences and their application in academic disciplines. Addresses how we learn from the past, new methods that influence the disciplines, and approaches for individualized research projects.

GINTD 5012:
People and Place: Interdisciplinary Perspectives
Development of understanding of interdisciplinary study through readings, discussion, writing, and creation of a case study developed around a theme. Interdisciplinary Studies students design their degree study plans.

GINTD 7001
Praxis
Students near the completion of their Master's work in the Interdisciplinary Studies Program assess their learning and reflect on the relationship of that learning to current and planned professional practice. The final paper raises issues related to the final thesis project or internship.

GINTD 7500
Thesis/Integrative Final Project
Students in the Interdisciplinary Studies Program complete a thesis or a project as the culmination of their program of study. Students lay the foundation for professional advancement and further study and reflection.