Program Contact: Lauren Sardi 203-582-8215
The Interdisciplinary Studies major exposes students to a number of disciplines and academic areas, and emphasizes critique, analysis, evaluation, and the development and iterative application of skills in critical thinking, writing, public speaking, data gathering, evaluation and presentation. This type of academic foundation prepares students for virtually any academic path or career of their choosing.
The BA in Interdisciplinary Studies/Concentration in Education Studies requires a minimum of 120 credits for degree completion.
Please see footnotes for additional information.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| University Curriculum | 46 | |
| Modern Language Requirement 1 | 3-6 | |
| Interdisciplinary Studies Core Courses | ||
| IDS 101 | Introduction to Interdisciplinarity | 1 |
| IDS 200 | Rise of Disciplinarity | 3 |
| IDS 400 | Transdisciplinary Project | 3 |
| Concentration Requirements | ||
| ED 260 | Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education | 3 |
| ED 380 | Research Methods in Education Studies | 3 |
| Cross-Disciplinary Study | 24 | |
| One course (3 cr.) each in language arts, history, math, and science 2 | ||
| One course (3 cr.) at the 200 level or higher in each of the following disciplines: language arts, history, math, and science 2 | ||
| Free Electives | 32 | |
| Total Credits | 118-121 | |
- 1
-
All CAS students must complete one modern language through the 102 level. Students who have taken a language in high school should take the modern language placement test for that language. Placement scores at the 201 level or higher demonstrate language competency and will place out of the language requirement.
- 2
Language Arts includes all courses with the EN prefix except courses in First-Year Writing (EN 101, EN 101I, EN 102, EN 102H, and EN 103H). In addition, the following courses may satisfy the language arts requirement: HSP 221, HSP 256, and HSP 371.
Shown below is one of many possible paths through the curriculum. Each student's individual academic plan is crafted in consultation with their academic adviser.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| Milestones: Earn 30 credits, meet with your adviser at least once a semester and have a GPA of 2.00 or higher. | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| EN 101 | Introduction to Academic Reading and Writing (UC First Year Writing) | 3 |
| FYS 101 | First-Year Seminar (UC Foundations Inquiry) | 3 |
| ED 140 | Introduction to Public Education and the Teaching Profession | 1 |
| History course | 3 | |
| University Curriculum course | 3 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| EN 102 | Academic Writing and Research (UC First Year Writing) | 3 |
| MA 110 | Contemporary Mathematics (UC Math ) | 3 |
| PS 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| IDS 101 | Introduction to Interdisciplinarity | 1 |
| University Curriculum course | 3 | |
| University Curriculum course | 4 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Milestones: Earn 60 credits and a GPA of 2.00 or higher. Meet with your adviser at least once per semester to discuss academic, experiential learning, career and co-curricular opportunities. | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| ED 250 | Diversity, Dispositions and Multiculturalism | 3 |
| PS 236 | Child and Adolescent Development | 3 |
| Language at the 101 level | 3 | |
| University Curriculum course | 3 | |
| University Curriculum course | 3 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ED 260 | Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education | 3 |
| Language at the 102 level (Satisfies CAS Language Requirement) | 3 | |
| University Curriculum course | 3 | |
| University Curriculum course | 3 | |
| University Curriculum course | 4 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Milestones: Earn 90 credits and a GPA of 2.00 or higher. Meet with your adviser at least once per semester. Participate in study abroad, complete internship or research opportunities. | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| IDS 200 | Rise of Disciplinarity | 3 |
| ED 341 & 341L | Learning and Teaching the Developing Child and Learning and Teaching: Pedagogy Field Lab I | 4 |
| Math/History/English or Science (Cross-Disciplinary Study) | 3 | |
| Math/History/English or Science (Cross-Disciplinary Study) | 3 | |
| Math/History/English or Science (Cross-Disciplinary Study) | 3 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ED 342 & 342L | Advanced Learning and Teaching and Advanced Learning and Teaching: Assessment Field Lab II | 4 |
| ED 462 | Facilitating the Arts in the Elementary Classroom | 3 |
| Math/History/English or Science (Cross-Disciplinary Study) | 3 | |
| Math/History/English or Science (Interdisciplinary Study) | 3 | |
| Math/History/English or Science (Interdisciplinary Study) | 3 | |
| Math/History/English or Science (Interdisciplinary Study) | 3 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Milestones: Earn 120 credits and a GPA of 2.00 or higher. Complete possible minor or double major and prepare for graduation. | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| ED 380 | Research Methods in Education Studies | 3 |
| ED 468 | Teaching Mathematics in the Primary Grades | 3 |
| ED 458 & ED 468L | Teaching Science in the Primary Grades and Primary Math and Science STEM Field Lab III | 4 |
| Math/History/English or Science (Interdisciplinary Study) | 3 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| IDS 400 | Transdisciplinary Project | 3 |
| ED 466 & ED 436L | Teaching Social Studies in the Primary Grades and English Language Arts Integration Field Lab IV | 3 |
| ED 436 | Teaching Literacy in the Primary Grades | 3 |
| Math/History/English or Science (Interdisciplinary Study) | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 121 | |
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon graduation, all Interdisciplinary Studies majors will be able to demonstrate the following competencies:
- Core Competence: Understand the issues relevant to and methodologies appropriate for conducting research and engaging with core issues in their field of concentration.
- Critical Thinking: Critique and apply appropriate methodology or methodologies in research of a given topic.
- Evaluate Information: Identify, evaluate and interpret sources of information.
- Analysis: Analyze data.
- Cognitive Complexity: Construct an interpretive argument.
- Effective Oral/Written Presentation: Present facts, analysis and arguments effectively.