Academic Programs Catalog

College of Social Science

Interdisciplinary Studies in Social Science

The College of Social Science explicitly recognizes that many important and rewarding areas for study do not fit neatly within the boundaries of any single social science discipline, but rather overlap two or more such fields.  The college also recognizes that many students do not wish to limit their undergraduate major studies to the specialization of a single disciplinary department or professional school. The interdisciplinary studies in social science major provides undergraduates with an interest in public policy, problem solving in society, and community engagement, the core of the mission of the College, a unique opportunity to shape their curriculum to develop interdisciplinary approaches to real world issues at the local, national, and global levels. Graduates of the Interdisciplinary Studies in Social Science program will be able to: 1) Describe the development of their interdisciplinary major and how their chosen program will prepare them for career, graduate education, and effective citizenship. 2) Expand their personal perspectives around shared and complex problems to better understand and include the diverse perspectives of others —particularly in the areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion from underrepresented and/or marginalized voices. 3) Identify established disciplinary ways of knowing within the social sciences and integrate these perspectives and methods around complex social issues. 4) Demonstrate the use of interdisciplinary methods and analysis to illuminate highly complex social issues that require multiple lenses to more fully understand, engage with, and resolve. 5) Apply disciplinary and interdisciplinary knowledge and methodology through experiential learning opportunities and through successful design, execution, and dissemination of interdisciplinary research and writing.