Interdisciplinary Studies Department

Department Faculty

William Dennison

Department Goals

For the student wishing to explore more disciplines than would normally be provided by selecting a major and a minor field, the interdisciplinary major gives the option of broader coverage. Interdisciplinary studies employs a holistic approach that consciously applies a methodology from more than one discipline (integration) to examine a person’s work, central theme, issue, problem, topic, or experience. This may give the student a better basis for such careers as advertising, business, law, or the ministry. At the same time, the interdisciplinary major should not be viewed as an escape from choosing a major in a single academic discipline. The student should realize that, though the interdisciplinary major seeks to provide some depth in each of three academic disciplines, it will not give the same in-depth grasp of a discipline that choice of a major in a single field would.

Acceptance into the Major

Each student seeking a major in interdisciplinary studies must complete the application form, which can be obtained from the chairperson of the Interdisciplinary Studies Department. The application form will include a clear statement of the student’s goals and explanation of how those goals will best be fulfilled by an interdisciplinary major.

The student should understand both what an academic discipline is and what the advantages and disadvantages of pursuing an interdisciplinary major are.

An academic discipline is a theoretical study that seeks to analyze a specific aspect of God’s creation or of humankind’s cultural response. It goes beyond merely introductory studies and is separate from those studies that are solely vocational in emphasis and from those that are simply tools to be used for analytical study.

Programs

Major

Interdisciplinary Studies with Concentrations

Courses

Interdisciplinary Studies Courses