Interdisciplinary Studies

Allison Egnew Smith, Ph.D., Dean, School of Arts & Humanities

W.W. Slider Humanities Center, Room 305

(270) 384-8158                 smitha@lindsey.edu

Mary Baker, M.A., Program Coordinator

W.W. Slider Humanities Center, Room 306

(270) 384-8-85             bakerm@lindsey.edu

Full-time program faculty: Mary Baker, M.A.

Mission Statement

The mission of the interdisciplinary studies program is to provide a meaningful educational experience for students who desire a personalized and flexible plan within their course of study and prefer to think critically and engage subjects through more than one perspective.

The interdisciplinary studies program provides a course of study leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree that will prepare students for entry into the professional world or into graduate studies.

Graduation Requirements

Some courses taken for the major may simultaneously fulfill general education requirements. Please see the Graduation Requirements (bachelor’s degrees) section of this catalog for information on the general education program.

Students should note that the interdisciplinary studies major may provide fewer than the 39 hours of 3000-4000 level coursework, therefore students may need to complete additional 3000- 4000 level coursework to meet this requirement.

Program Requirements: 39 hours

Students who pursue a degree in interdisciplinary studies must choose a two-discipline or three-discipline emphasis.

A.        Prerequisites

Some courses may require prerequisites within some disciplines.

B.        Core Requirements: 3 hours

• Interdisciplinary Studies Seminar (AIS 4903) – 3 hours

C.        Emphasis Areas (select one of the following areas): 36 hours

1 – Two-Area Emphasis

• Student chooses two areas of study with a minimum of 15 credit hours in each and a total of 36 credit hours.
• At least 12 credit hours at the 3000-4000 level are required within each emphasis in the major.
• Students may also repeat Interdisciplinary Studies Internship (AIS PN03) for a total of six hours for the major.

2 – Three-Area Emphasis

• Student chooses three areas of study with 12 credit hours in each for a total of 36 credit hours.
• At least nine credit hours at the 3000-4000 level are required within each discipline.
• Students may also repeat Interdisciplinary Studies Internship (AIS PN03) for a total of six hours for the major.

Additional information and course listings may be found under specific discipline listings in the catalog. The proposed plan of study must be submitted to the Academic Affairs Office for review and approval.

Note:   LWC Online students may pursue the interdisciplinary studies major provided they choose emphasis areas from those available online.

Exit Assessment

A capstone project, as part of Interdisciplinary Studies Seminar (AIS 4903), is proposed and completed in the student’s senior year. Students, under the supervision of a faculty mentor, design and complete a project through the application of knowledge and critical perspectives synthesized from the selected interdisciplinary emphasis areas within their major. Students may also, upon approval from the Interdisciplinary Studies program coordinator and the Academic Affairs Office, substitute a capstone course from one of their chosen disciplines to satisfy the capstone requirement for the major, provided that the required project shows a meaningful synthesis between disciplines chosen for the major.

Note:        The B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies is not applicable to a second bachelor’s degree.