The Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies offers students the opportunity to pursue professional and educational goals that transcend traditional majors.Working closely with a faculty advisor, students will develop an individualized curriculum that includes a structured selection of courses from 2 or 3 academic disciplines. Regardless of the subject areas chosen, the program rests on a strong foundation of general education requirements. Through exploration of the perspectives, philosophies, and experiential context of a variety of disciplines, students will gain knowledge, communication skills, critical thinking abilities, and technical competencies that will prepare them for the workplace or for graduate study.
Under the direction of a faculty advisor, students will choose courses from two or three disciplines to construct their degree programs. They may choose as their disciplines areas for which the college offers courses but does not have a major. By the end of the first year, students will write a plan of study describing the objectives of their individual programs and the rationale for the courses chosen. This plan must be approved by the faculty advisor and by the Dean of the College.
In the senior year, each interdisciplinary student will be required to develop a year-long capstone project which synthesizes the concepts from the two or three discipline areas. The student will be assigned a project advisor from one of the disciplines who, in conjunction with the faculty advisor, will mentor the student and facilitate the collaboration between the student and other appropriate faculty, as the student develops a proposal and creates a finished work/project. The student will then present the final work to a committee (assembled by the faculty advisor) comprised of faculty from the discipline areas and external representatives if applicable.
Newbury College has developed and adopted the learning objectives listed below. Students completing the Interdisciplinary degree should be able to
- recognize connections between academic disciplines and integrate knowledge from different areas to develop a better understanding of self and society. (Knowledge)
- employ a variety of perspectives, experiences, and methodologies to investigate research problems. (Critical Thinking and Information Literacy)
- communicate knowledge using the conventions of multiple academic disciplines. (Communication)
- apply skills of analysis, synthesis, and evaluation learned in multidisciplinary courses to the diverse needs of professional settings. (Professional Competency)
- demonstrate ethical awareness and multicultural sensitivity that reflect the broad foundation of an interdisciplinary approach. (Ethical Behavior, Social Responsibility)
Interdiscplinary Studies Degree Requirements
| |
Credits |
| FY100 First Year Seminar |
1 |
| GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: |
|
| EN105 Advanced English Composition |
3 |
| EN206 Introduction to Literature |
3 |
| EN2xx 200-level (or higher) Literature Elective |
3 |
| HU103 World Civilization (Modern) |
3 |
| HU1xx Humanities Requirement: |
|
| HU135 World Religions OR |
| HU152 Introduction to Western Philosophy |
3 |
| HU305 Ethics |
3 |
| HU Humanities OR |
|
| PS Psychology OR |
|
| SS Social Science electives (2) |
6 |
| HU2xx 200-level (or higher) Humanities OR |
|
| PS2xx Psychology OR |
|
| SS2xx Social Science elective |
3 |
| MH201 College Algebra OR |
|
| MH203 Survey of Math |
3 |
| SC Laboratory Science |
4 |
| Arts & Science Electives (2) |
6 |
| 200-level (or higher) Arts & Science Elective |
3 |
| PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS: |
|
| 16 courses: |
48 |
| 6-5-5 in three disciplines OR 8-8 in two disciplines |
|
With the following conditions:
5 at the 200-level or above
5 at the 300-level or above
(remainder are open within the disciplines) |
|
| Capstone Courses: |
|
| IY490 Proposal |
3 |
| IY495 Development and Presentation |
3 |
| Open Electives: |
|
| 8 courses |
24 |
| Total Credits Required For Graduation: |
122 |