Overview
The Collaborative for Interdisciplinary/Integrative Studies is a signature program of the College of Arts and Sciences at Quinnipiac University, launched in 2016 with generous support from the Davis Educational Foundation. Its mission is to afford students and faculty opportunities to put into practice the relevance and value of the arts and sciences for their everyday lives. The Collaborative oversees the administration of interdisciplinary programs, supports the development of interdisciplinary curricula and initiatives, and promotes collaboration among faculty in teaching and research. Click here to meet the faculty affiliated with the Collaborative.
Interdisciplinary opportunities abound in the College of Arts and Sciences. Here are just a few examples:
- Scholars at Quinnipiac Integrating Difference (SQUID) certificate program
- Global Engagement Fellows
- Collaborative research opportunities through QUIP-RS
- Various minors in our departments, including gerontology, biochemistry and behavioral neuroscience
- Events such as the Socrates Café
Interested in environmental studies? See all your options
Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies
The interdisciplinary studies (IDS) major is intended for students pursuing academic, civic and/or career interests that privilege interdisciplinary and/or transdisciplinary knowledge and practice. The IDS major exposes students to a number of disciplines and academic areas, and emphasizes critique, analysis, evaluation and the development and iterative application of skills in critical thinking, writing, public speaking, data gathering, evaluation and presentation. This type of academic foundation prepares students for virtually any academic path or career of their choosing.
The interdisciplinary studies major is structured around a concentration, supported by one of the academic departments at Quinnipiac University. A number of concentrations are currently in development. At this time, the education studies concentration, designed for students pursuing the elementary education track leading to the master of arts in teaching (MAT), is the only concentration available. Students wishing to pursue interdisciplinary studies with a different focus should consider designing an independent major.
Click here for an overview of the BA in Interdisciplinary Studies curriculum. Click here to view information about the IDS major in the Course Catalog.
Interdisciplinary Minors
Human culture, creativity and knowledge are often produced and experienced in the spaces across and between the traditional disciplines. Interdisciplinary minors—those that focus on areas of interest rather than established disciplines—afford students an opportunity to examine topics from multiple disciplinary perspectives.
Through these cross-departmental minors, students embark on an ambitious, meaningful learning experience that complements their work in their majors and in the University Curriculum. Students hone critical intellectual skills by evaluating facets of human culture and the natural world from various viewpoints and integrating these insights to form new knowledge and understanding.
Click here to learn more about Interdisciplinary Minors.
Independent Major and Minor
The College of Arts and Sciences offers self-motivated students whose interests are not adequately met by an existing major or minor the opportunity to design a unique major or minor to fit their personal, academic, and professional goals. Since independent majors and minors are typically interdisciplinary, students work with faculty advisers from various departments to design their major or minor, plan their course of study, and to seek out and develop opportunities for experiential learning.
Because the program is student-designed, the responsibility for planning such a program rests with the student. A proposal for an independent major or minor must contain suitable justification, a coherent curricular plan and an appropriate title. The proposal must follow the guidelines accessible via the links below, and be submitted to the Director of the Collaborative for Interdisciplinary/Integrative Studies for approval.
Independent Major and Independent Minor proposals will be accepted before March 1 for review in the spring semester, and before October 15 for review in the fall semester.
Click here for more information about the Independent Major and click here for more information about the Independent Minor.
For more information, email Professor Mary Paddock.
