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  • Program Overview

    As a interdisciplinary studies major, you will have the freedom to select courses of interest from across Endicott's majors and disciplines.

    Comprised of guided and free electives, the interdisciplinary studies program offers the greatest breadth of academic selections in the College. By taking courses throughout the arts, humanities, science, math, and social sciences, you will gain exposure to a wide range of subjects, discovering powerful connections among fields like politics, literature, technology, sociology, and history. Exposure to multiple areas of study will provide you with a broad knowledge base and enhance your critical reading, writing, and thinking skills. If you wish to personalize the major further, you have the option of proposing and applying for an individually designed program of study.

    students in a group outside at orientation
  • Curriculum

    Curriculum Requirements - Total Credits Required: 125-127

    First Year - Credits: 32

    • World Language  (Cr: 6)
    • Quantitative Reasoning General Education Requirement  (Cr: 3)
    • General Education Electives  (Cr: 6)
    • Electives   (Cr: 6)
    • ENG 111 - Critical Reading and Writing I (Cr: 3)
      Satisfies the Writing Designated Core requirement.
    • ENG 112 - Critical Reading and Writing II (Cr: 3)
      Satisfies the Writing Designated Core requirement.
    • INT 100 - Internship I (Cr: 2)
    • IDS 115 - Finding Your Path: Interdisciplinary Approaches to Problem Solving (Cr: 3)

    Sophomore - Credits: 32-33

    • Global Issues General Education Requirement    (Cr: 3)
    • Literary Perspectives General EducationRequirement    (Cr: 3)
    • Values & Ethical Reasoning General Education Requirement (Cr: 3)
    • English Elective    (Cr: 3)
    • Interdisciplinary Studies or Political Science Elective   (Cr: 3)
    • Philosophy or Religion Elective   (Cr: 3)
    • Science or Math Elective   (Cr: 3-4)
    • Electives   (Cr: 6)
    • INT 200 - Internship II (Cr: 2)
    • IDS 201 - Interdisciplinary Seminar (Cr: 3)
      Interdisciplinary​ Studies majors are required to complete two semesters for six credits.

    Junior - Credits: 31-32

    • Aesthetic Awareness and Creative Expression General Education Requirement   (Cr: 3)
    • Individual and Society General Education Requirement   (Cr: 3)
    • Science and Technology General Education Requirement   (Cr: 3-4)
    • World Cultures General Education Requirement   (Cr: 3)
    • History Elective  (Cr: 3)
    • Political Science Elective   (Cr: 3)
    • Psychology or Sociology Elective  (Cr: 3)
    • Electives   (Cr: 6)
    • IDS 302 - Methods of Inquiry in the Humanities (Cr: 3)
      Satisfies the Writing Designated Requirement
    • IDS 379 - Semester Internship Strategies (Cr: 1)

    Senior - Credits: 30

    • American Studies or Interdisciplinary Studies Elective  (Cr: 3)
    • Elective   (Cr: 3)
    • General Education Electives  (Cr: 6)
      (must be above the 100 level)
    • IDS 480 - Semester Internship (Cr: 12)
    • IDS 489 - Senior Research (Cr: 3)
    • IDS 490 - Senior Thesis (Cr: 3)
      Or
    • IDS 491 - Senior Capstone (Cr: 3)

    Interdisciplinary Studies Discipline-Specific Electives

    The eight discipline-designated elective requirements (English; history; international studies; political science; philosophy or religion; psychology or sociology; math or science; American studies or Interdisciplinary Studies) may be met by taking any course with the individual discipline's prefix. However, at least three of the eight courses must be above the 100-level.

    The American studies/Interdisciplinary Studies elective requirement may be met by taking any course with an AMS or IDS designation or one of the following courses:

    • ART 308 - Art in American Culture (Cr: 3)
    • ART 320 - Native American Art: Beyond Tradition (Cr: 3)
    • ENG 224 - Justice and Injustice in American Literature (Cr: 3)
    • ENG 240 - Boston in Literature and Film (Cr: 3)
    • ENG 310 - Modern American Poetry (Cr: 3)
    • ENG 337 - American Indian Literature (Cr: 3)
    • HST 225 - The Salem Witch Trials (Cr: 3)
    • HST 227 - Boston History (Cr: 3)
    • HST 229 - The American West (Cr: 3)
    • HST 230 - African-American History (Cr: 3)
    • HST 306 - New England History (Cr: 3)
    • HST 317 - Civil Rights Movement (Cr: 3)
    • HST 330 - History of Sexuality in the United States (Cr: 3)
    • HST 340 - Women in American History and Culture (Cr: 3)
    • MUS 230 - Jazz Styles (Cr: 3)
    • MUS 240 - The Rise of Rock and Roll (Cr: 3)
    • SM 303 - Sport in Society (Cr: 3)
    • SOC 320 - Racial and Ethnic Diversity in American Society (Cr: 3)

    Learning Outcomes

    Upon completion of the Interdisciplinary Studies program students will:

    • Articulate the academic role of disciplinary distinctions and interdisciplinary connections. 
    • Demonstrate critical inquiry and analysis skills across disciplines.
    • Apply relevant disciplinary methods to complex problems of human interaction. 
    • Communicate the results of inquiry in written form using appropriate academic conventions.  
    • Implement skills learned in coursework in professional contexts through a series of internships. 

     

    Interdisciplinary Seminar Requirement

    Students must take a minimum of two IDS 201 Interdisciplinary Seminar offerings to complete the program. These seminars are team-taught and examine topics from at least two disciplinary perspectives. The topics will change each semester.


    View academic catalog and learning outcomes
  • Internships and Careers

    An Endicott education means you'll graduate with a degree and a resume.

    Whether you pursue graduate school right away, or embark on your career after graduation, we believe that your time at Endicott will prepare you for the next step. Graduates of the liberal studies program enjoy careers in a wide range of fields. Take a look at what our graduates have been up to lately.

    Recent Internships

    • Massachusetts State House
    • Boston Ballet
    • Fox 25 News
    • New England Patriots
    • EBSCO Publishing

    Alumni Employment

    • Peace Corps
    • General Electric
    • Attorney
    • Integrative Wellness and Physical Therapy
    • United States Department of Health and Human Services

    Graduate School Acceptances

    • Oxford University
    • Johns Hopkins University
    • Boston College
    • Boston University
    • Fordham University