COURSE CURRICULUM

The Interdisciplinary Studies (IDS) program is designed to prepare students to address complex social, cultural, political, and ethical issues by combining knowledge from multiple academic fields and emphasizing research-driven, flexible learning. Students develop strong interdisciplinary research skills, learning to synthesize ideas across diverse contexts and to analyze real-world problems using multiple perspectives. A major focus of the program is communication, where students build the ability to write and speak clearly, persuasively, and in a culturally responsive way so they can effectively engage in global and local debates. The program also trains students to critically compare different approaches to social challenges, strengthening their ability to evaluate policies, traditions, and systems across societies. Learning outcomes emphasize the ability to design and execute interdisciplinary research projects, integrate different methodologies, and produce well-reasoned arguments grounded in ethical and cultural awareness. Students complete a structured core that includes courses in ethics, cultures and society, and interdisciplinary research, along with general education requirements in writing, mathematics, natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities, ensuring broad academic grounding. Beyond the core, students select a customized 24-credit concentration drawn from a wide range of liberal arts disciplines such as anthropology, political science, communication, history, psychology, sociology, environmental studies, philosophy, and languages, allowing them to shape their degree around personal interests or career goals. Additional requirements include foreign language study and methods courses that strengthen analytical and critical thinking skills. Graduates are prepared for careers requiring adaptability, communication, and analytical reasoning in fields such as public service, education, nonprofit organizations, media, policy analysis, and community development, as well as for graduate or professional studies. Overall, IDS builds a versatile academic foundation that emphasizes intellectual flexibility, ethical reasoning, and the ability to connect ideas across disciplines to solve complex real-world problems.