Interdisciplinary Studies, Bachelor of Arts

Requirements

Total Course Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree

See the "Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree" in the University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements. A minimum of 40 units, including those required for the major, must be upper division.

Elective Requirements

Completion of elective courses (beyond the requirements listed below) to reach a total of a minimum of 120 units.

General Education Requirements (43 units)

See the "General Education" requirements in the University Catalog or the Class Schedule for the most current information on General Education requirements and course offerings.

Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (3 Units)

See the "Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement" section in the University Catalog.

Statutory Requirements: United States History, Constitution and American Ideals (6 Units)

See the "University Graduation Requirements" section in the University Catalog. 

Minor Requirements

Single field major, no minor required.

Major Requirements (45 units)

Each Area of Concentration consists of a minimum of 45 semester units that are grouped in a unique structure.

Common to each of the Areas of Concentration is the following:

• Every IDS major is required to take IDS 300 Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies during the student's first academic year in the major; each major is required to take a Senior Seminar, IDS 490 Interdisciplinary Studies Senior Seminar, in their final academic year in the major;
• There must be a minimum of 39 semester units of upper division course work, including the introductory course (IDS 300 Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies) and Senior Seminar (IDS 490 Interdisciplinary Studies Senior Seminar);
• A minimum of 21 semester units of courses used to fulfill the Area of Concentration must be appropriate Interdisciplinary Studies courses;
• A minimum of 24 units of course work must be completed after the student has entered the Interdisciplinary Studies program and has agreed on the Area of Concentration with his/her Interdisciplinary Studies mentor;
• A minimum of nine semester units selected from each of three main areas of humanities, social sciences and natural sciences;
• A grade of "C" or better is required for all courses used to complete an Interdisciplinary Studies Area of Concentration; The completed program is then reviewed by the core faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies who must approve the program before it is submitted to meet graduation requirements.

Area of Concentration in American Studies (45 units)

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
IDS 300	Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies	3
IDS 490	Interdisciplinary Studies Senior Seminar	3
Select 27 semester units of courses, with assistance of a faculty member, that form a closely related cluster or sequence of courses that cross the lines of several disciplines and provide a focused, interdisciplinary study of the United States from a variety of perspectives from multiple time periods		27
Select 12 semester units of courses that may relate less directly to the Area of Concentration with the assistance of a faculty mentor.		12
Total Hours		45

Area of Concentration in Comparative Cultures (45 units)

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
IDS 300	Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies	3
IDS 490	Interdisciplinary Studies Senior Seminar	3
Select 27 semester units of courses, with assistance of a faculty member, that form a closely related cluster or sequence of courses that cross the lines of several disciplines and provide a focused, interdisciplinary study that compares and contrasts cultures across various borders - such as those of time, social institutions, and geography		27
Select 12 semester units of courses that may relate less directly to the Area of Concentration with the assistance of a faculty mentor.		12
Total Hours		45

Area of Concentration in Environmental Studies (45 units)

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
IDS 300	Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies	3
IDS 490	Interdisciplinary Studies Senior Seminar	3
Select at least 21 semester units are chosen principally from the natural sciences, providing a focused Area of Concentration in Environmental Studies.		21
Select 18 semester units of courses that may relate less directly to the Area of Concentration with the assistance of a faculty mentor.		18
Total Hours		45

Area of Concentration in Global Studies (45 units)

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
IDS 300	Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies	3
IDS 490	Interdisciplinary Studies Senior Seminar	3
Select 27 semester units of courses, with assistance of a faculty member, that form a closely related cluster or sequence of courses that cross the lines of several disciplines and provide a focused, interdisciplinary study of the complex relationships that underpin today's global economy.		27
Select 12 semester units of courses that may relate less directly to the Area of Concentration with the assistance of a faculty mentor.		12
Total Hours		45

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, a degree recipient will be able to:

• Read, analyze and interpret effectively varied sources of information, such as scientific data and research conclusions; literary, philosophical, historical, visual, and theoretical texts; and social, cultural, and political findings
• Write with clarity, organization, and precision in a variety of modes (argument, analysis, synthesis).
• Speak publicly in formal and informal settings, presenting information that is well-organized, accurate, and instructive.
• Exhibit computer and information literacy, including the skills to research with discrimination diverse topics using both the traditional library and other resources.
• Integrate information from a range of disciplines into complex problem-solving techniques that are transferable from one context to another.
• Demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of both the diversity and the multicultural heritage of our society and community.

American Studies Concentration

4-Year Roadmap

Plan of Study Grid

First Year
Fall		Hours
GE Area 1A		3
GE Area 1C		3
GE Area 3A		3
HIS 101	History Of United States	3
GE Area 6		3
	Hours	15
Spring
GE Area 1B		3
GE Area 3B		3
GE Area 5A		3
POL 101	American Institutions	3
GE Area 4B		3
	Hours	15
Second Year
Fall
GE Area 2		3
GE Area 5B		3
GE Area 5C		1
GE Area 4A		3
Elective Course		2
Elective Course		3
	Hours	15
Spring
Elective Course		3
Elective Course		3
Elective Course		3
Elective Course		3
Elective Course		3
	Hours	15
Third Year
Fall
IDS 320	Interdisciplinary Topics in Human Studies	3
IDS 300	Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies	3
GE Area 3UD		3
IDS Elective		3
Elective		3
	Hours	15
Spring
IDS 326	Perspectives In Human Studies	3
IDS 330	Interdisciplinary Topics in Civilizations	3
IDS 350	Interdisciplinary Topics in Environmental Studies	3
IDS Elective		3
GE Area 4UD		3
	Hours	15
Fourth Year
Fall
IDS Elective		3
GE Area 5UD		3
IDS 350	Interdisciplinary Topics in Environmental Studies	3
Elective Course		3
Elective Course		3
	Hours	15
Spring
IDS 336	American Studies in the Humanities	3
IDS 490	Interdisciplinary Studies Senior Seminar 1	3
Elective Course		3
Elective Course		3
IDS Elective		3
	Hours	15
	Total Hours	120

¹

GWAR-Certifying course

2-Year Roadmap

Plan of Study Grid

First Year
Fall		Hours
IDS 300	Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies	3
IDS 320	Interdisciplinary Topics in Human Studies	3
GE Area 3UD		3
IDS Elective		3
Elective		3
	Hours	15
Spring
IDS 326	Perspectives In Human Studies	3
IDS 330	Interdisciplinary Topics in Civilizations	3
IDS 350	Interdisciplinary Topics in Environmental Studies	3
IDS Elective		3
GE Area 4UD		3
	Hours	15
Second Year
Fall
IDS 350	Interdisciplinary Topics in Environmental Studies	3
GE Area 5UD		3
IDS Elective		3
Elective Course		3
Elective Course		3
	Hours	15
Spring
IDS 336	American Studies in the Humanities	3
IDS 490	Interdisciplinary Studies Senior Seminar 1	3
IDS Elective		3
Elective Course		3
Elective Course		3
	Hours	15
	Total Hours	60

¹

GWAR-Certifying course

Comparative Cultures Concentration

4-Year Roadmap

Plan of Study Grid

First Year
Fall		Hours
HIS 101	History Of United States	3
GE Area 1C		3
GE Area 3A		3
GE Area 4A		3
GE Area 6		3
	Hours	15
Spring
GE Area 1A		3
GE Area 1B		3
GE Area 4B		3
POL 101	American Institutions	3
GE Area 5B		3
	Hours	15
Second Year
Fall
GE Area 2		3
GE Area 3B		3
GE Area 5A		1
GE Area 5C		3
Elective Course		3
Elective Course		3
	Hours	16
Spring
Elective Course		3
Elective Course		3
Elective Course		3
Elective Course		3
Elective Course		3
	Hours	15
Third Year
Fall
IDS 300	Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies	3
IDS 320	Interdisciplinary Topics in Human Studies	3
GE Area 4UD		3
IDS Elective		3
Elective		3
	Hours	15
Spring
IDS 330	Interdisciplinary Topics in Civilizations	3
IDS 326	Perspectives In Human Studies	3
IDS 350	Interdisciplinary Topics in Environmental Studies	3
IDS Elective		3
GE Area 3UD		3
	Hours	15
Fourth Year
Fall
IDS 350	Interdisciplinary Topics in Environmental Studies	3
IDS Elective		3
GE Area 5UD		3
Elective Course		3
Elective Course		3
	Hours	15
Spring
IDS 336	American Studies in the Humanities	3
IDS 490	Interdisciplinary Studies Senior Seminar 1	3
IDS Elective		3
Elective Course		2
Elective Course		3
	Hours	14
	Total Hours	120

¹

GWAR-Certifying course

2-Year Roadmap

Plan of Study Grid

First Year
Fall		Hours
IDS 300	Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies	3
IDS 320	Interdisciplinary Topics in Human Studies	3
GE Area 3UD		3
IDS Elective		3
Elective		3
	Hours	15
Spring
IDS 326	Perspectives In Human Studies	3
IDS 330	Interdisciplinary Topics in Civilizations	3
IDS 350	Interdisciplinary Topics in Environmental Studies	3
IDS Elective		3
GE Area 4UD		3
	Hours	15
Second Year
Fall
IDS 350	Interdisciplinary Topics in Environmental Studies	3
IDS Elective		3
GE Area 5UD		3
Elective Course		3
Elective Course		3
	Hours	15
Spring
IDS 336	American Studies in the Humanities	3
IDS 490	Interdisciplinary Studies Senior Seminar 1	3
IDS Elective		3
Elective Course		3
Elective Course		3
	Hours	15
	Total Hours	60

¹

GWAR-Certifying Course

Environmental Studies Concentration

4-Year Roadmap

Plan of Study Grid

First Year
Fall		Hours
GE Area 1A		3
GE Area 1C		3
GE Area 3A		3
HIS 101	History Of United States	3
GE Area 6		3
	Hours	15
Spring
GE Area 1B		3
GE Area 3B		3
GE Area 5A		3
POL 101	American Institutions	3
GE Area 4B		3
	Hours	15
Second Year
Fall
GE Area 2		3
GE Area 5B		3
GE Area 5C		1
GE Area 4A		3
Elective Course		3
Elective Course		3
	Hours	16
Spring
Elective Course		3
Elective Course		3
Elective Course		3
Elective Course		3
Elective Course		3
	Hours	15
Third Year
Fall
IDS 300	Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies	3
IDS 350	Interdisciplinary Topics in Environmental Studies	3
GE Area 3UD		3
IDS Elective		3
	Hours	12
Spring
BIO 336	Environmental Biology	3
Environmental Studies Concentration		3
IDS Elective		3
GE Area 4UD		3
Elective Course		3
	Hours	15
Fourth Year
Fall
Environmental Studies Concentration		3
IDS Elective		3
IDS ELective		3
GE Area 5UD		3
Elective Course		3
	Hours	15
Spring
IDS 490	Interdisciplinary Studies Senior Seminar 1	3
IDS Elective		3
IDS Elective		3
Elective Course		3
Elective Course		3
	Hours	15
	Total Hours	118

¹

GWAR-Certifying course

2-Year Roadmap

Plan of Study Grid

First Year
Fall		Hours
IDS 300	Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies	3
IDS 350	Interdisciplinary Topics in Environmental Studies	3
GE Area 3UD		3
IDS Elective		3
	Hours	12
Spring
BIO 336	Environmental Biology	3
GE Area 4UD		3
IDS Elective		3
Environmental Studies Concentration		3
Elective Course		3
	Hours	15
Second Year
Fall
Environmental Studies Concentration		3
GE Area 5UD		3
IDS Elective		3
IDS Elective		3
Elective Course		3
	Hours	15
Spring
IDS 490	Interdisciplinary Studies Senior Seminar 1	3
IDS Elective		3
IDS Elective		3
Elective Course		3
Elective Course		3
	Hours	15
	Total Hours	57

¹

GWAR-Certifying Course

Global Studies Concentration

4-Year Roadmap

Plan of Study Grid

First Year
Fall		Hours
GE Area 1A		3
GE Area 1C		3
GE Area 3A		3
HIS 101	History Of United States	3
GE Area 6		3
	Hours	15
Spring
GE Area 1B		3
GE Area 3B		3
GE Area 5A		3
POL 101	American Institutions	3
GE Area 4B		3
	Hours	15
Second Year
Fall
GE Area 2		3
GE Area 5B		3
GE Area 5C		1
GE Area 4A		3
Elective Course		3
Elective Course		3
	Hours	16
Spring
Elective Course		3
Elective Course		3
Elective Course		3
Elective Course		3
Elective Course		3
	Hours	15
Third Year
Fall
IDS 300	Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies	3
IDS 320	Interdisciplinary Topics in Human Studies	3
GE Area 3UD		3
IDS Elective		3
	Hours	12
Spring
IDS 326	Perspectives In Human Studies	3
IDS 330	Interdisciplinary Topics in Civilizations	3
IDS 350	Interdisciplinary Topics in Environmental Studies	3
IDS Elective		3
GE Area 4UD		3
	Hours	15
Fourth Year
Fall
IDS 350	Interdisciplinary Topics in Environmental Studies	3
GE Area 5UD		3
IDS Elective		3
Elective Course		3
Elective Course		3
	Hours	15
Spring
IDS 336	American Studies in the Humanities	3
IDS 490	Interdisciplinary Studies Senior Seminar 1	3
IDS Elective		3
Elective Course		3
Elective Course		3
	Hours	15
	Total Hours	118

¹

GWAR-Certifying course

2-Year (Transfer) Roadmap

Plan of Study Grid

First Year
Fall		Hours
IDS 300	Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies	3
IDS 320	Interdisciplinary Topics in Human Studies	3
GE Area 3UD		3
IDS Elective
	Hours	9
Spring
IDS 326	Perspectives In Human Studies	3
IDS 330	Interdisciplinary Topics in Civilizations	3
IDS 350	Interdisciplinary Topics in Environmental Studies	3
IDS Elective		3
GE Area 4UD		3
	Hours	15
Second Year
Fall
IDS 350	Interdisciplinary Topics in Environmental Studies	3
IDS Elective		3
GE Area 5UD		3
Elective Course		3
Elective Course		3
	Hours	15
Spring
IDS 336	American Studies in the Humanities	3
IDS 490	Interdisciplinary Studies Senior Seminar 1	3
IDS Elective		3
Elective Course		3
Elective Course		3
	Hours	15
	Total Hours	54

¹

GAWR-Certifying courses