Interdisciplinary Studies in the Humanities

Degree

Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Interdisciplinary Studies in the Humanities
College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)
School of Arts and Humanities

Contact

Dr. Cathrine Frank
(207) 602-2709
cfrank@une.edu

 

 

Mission

A major in Interdisciplinary Studies in the Humanities challenges students to understand and evaluate human values, cultures and ideas as they are expressed in the various humanities disciplines. At the same time, it asks them to think critically about the disciplines themselves. How are they similar and different? What questions do they ask and why? What approaches are best (and in which circumstances) for endeavoring to understand the human condition?  By asking these questions, students are invited to make connections across academic disciplines, historical periods, and diverse cultures. The ability to make these connections is immensely valuable. Employers agree. CEOs frequently cite the skills emphasized by this program (strong writing, critical and creative thinking, ability to see relationships that most others miss, problem solving, ability to ask questions and research answers) as the traits they most desire when hiring. 

Major Description

The world is a complicated place, filled with different ways of approaching problems, contradictory opinions, and unrecognized or overlooked connections between seemingly unrelated causes, results, events, and ideas. This interdisciplinary major is designed to give students the tools needed to make sense of it all. It is designed for those who are interested in more than one discipline and who want to examine a topic or idea from multiple perspectives, while gaining a sense of how various people think and why.

Students in this major take classes in at least three humanities disciplines (no more than five classes in a single discipline) gaining a range of experience. There is tremendous freedom within this requirement to cluster courses in thematic areas. Students may concentrate, for instance, on humanistic views of science and take courses such as science and religion, literature of the sea, and bioethics. There are many possibilities in this flexible major.

The bachelor of arts in Interdisciplinary Studies in the Humanities prepares the graduate for a broad spectrum of careers in teaching, communications, publishing, government, sales, advertising, public affairs, research, and information management among many, many others. Moreover it is sound training for law school and graduate work in the humanities. The liberal studies major provides truly practical preparation for a rapidly changing world by developing independence of mind, self-direction, critical thinking and analytic skills, and a continuing desire to learn.

Curricular Requirements

CAS Core Requirements Credits
Total 42-46
Program Required Courses Credits
LIL 420- Senior Thesis/Project 3
LIL 495- Internship (Optional) Courses will count toward the 11 total humanities courses that students are required to take. 3-9
Humanities Discipline Courses (11 courses) (see list below) five courses must be taken at the 300-level or above 33
Total 36
Open Electives (as needed to reach 120 credits) Variable
Minimum Required Total Credits 120

Humanities Discipline Eligible Courses

History Courses (All Classes with a HIS prefix are eligible) Credits
ENV 335: Environmental History of New England 3
PSC: 110 The Politics of Culture: Inventing Traditions 3
MUS 216: History of American Popular Music 3
MUS 220: History of Jazz 3
ARH 210: Art History Survey I 3
ARH 211: Art History Survey II 3
ARH 260: Renaissance & Baroque Art 3
ARH 270: Art in the Modern World 3
ARH 276: Art History Human Traditions I 3
ARH 278: Art History Human Traditions II 3
ARH 322 G: History of Spanish Art 3
English Courses (All Classes with an ENG prefix are eligible) Credits
LIT 121: Literature, Nature, and the Environment 3
LIT 122: Literature, Nature, and the Environment 3
LIT 124: Literature, Nature, and the Environment 3
ENV 334: Contemporary Nature Writing 3
ENV 338: Environmental Topics in Popular Lyrics 3
ENV 333: The Nature Writers w/ Field Lab 3
PSC 300: Egypt Through the Eye of Mahfouz 3
PSC 304: The Middle East and Africa through Films 3
MUS 101: Introduction to Music 3
MUS 218: Music in Film and Animation 3
Philosophy Courses (All Classes with a PHI prefix are eligible) Credits
ENV 344: Environmental Ethics 3
PSC 260: The Politics of Evil 3
PSC 200: Introduction to Political Theory 3
REL 204: Christianity, Islam, and Judaism in the Spanish Context 3
REL 276: Religion in Human Traditions I 3
REL 278: Religion in Human Traditions II 3

Languages

  • Students may count three language classes (Spanish, Arabic, French, etc.) toward their Interdisciplinary Studies in the Humanities major.

There may be additional classes in the CAS catalog that are applicable (and new courses are added each year). Students should consult with the Interdisciplinary Studies in the Humanities program director to petition for inclusion of additional classes. 

Students in this major can participate in the pre-health graduate school preparation tracks.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Students will be able to identify and define a problem or issue which can be addressed from a variety of disciplinary perspectives.
  2. Students will be able to apply and integrate methods, materials, and/or insights from different disciplines to the solution of a problem, the analysis of an issue or the completion of a project.  This will reflect coursework as well as independent reading and research.  
  3. Students will be able to find and evaluate different views from within a discipline.
  4. Students will be able to conduct primary and secondary research in order to develop well documented, supported, reasoned, and informed conclusions to problems and issues.  
  5. Students will be able to find, use, and evaluate a variety of sources of information.
  6. Students will be able to communicate ideas clearly.
  7. Students will be able to complete an interdisciplinary capstone thesis or project informed by their previous work in different disciplines.
  8. Students will demonstrate a working knowledge of content from at least two disciplines.

HuMed

If you are an exceptional undergraduate student aspiring to a career in medicine, the University of New England HuMed program provides the opportunity that spans your junior and senior years as an undergraduate and your four years in UNE’s College of Osteopathic Medicine. UNE HuMed makes it possible for you to deepen your learning in English/History/Interdisciplinary Studies in the Humanities while you prepare for a career as an osteopathic physician. Requirements are described at http://www.une.edu/humed.

During your years as an undergraduate in UNE’s College of Arts and Sciences, you complete the requisite coursework in the natural sciences to prepare for your graduate education, while earning a Bachelor of Arts in English/History/Interdisciplinary Studies in the Humanities. As a HuMed student, you are not required to take the MCAT for the College of Osteopathic Medicine. Instead, the College of Osteopathic Medicine requires that you take the United Kingdom Clinical Aptitude test (UKCAT). You have an assurance of acceptance contingent upon fulfilling the HuMed curricular requirements and passing the interview process.

 

Honors Program

We offer qualified students the option of graduating with Honors. This includes significant research, scholarship or creative activity under the direction of a faculty member. Interested students should consult with their advisor. 

Transfer Credit

Admissions

Financial Information

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.

Notice and Responsibilities Regarding this Catalog

This Catalog documents the academic programs, policies, and activities of the University of New England for the 2021–2022 academic year. The information contained herein is accurate as of the date of publication April 30, 2021.

The University of New England reserves the right in its sole judgment to make changes of any nature in its programs, calendar, or academic schedule whenever it is deemed necessary or desirable, including changes in course content, the rescheduling of classes with or without extending the academic term, canceling of scheduled classes or other academic activities, in any such case giving such notice thereof as is reasonably practicable under the circumstances.

While each student may work closely with an academic advisor, he or she must retain individual responsibility for meeting requirements in this catalog and for being aware of any changes in provisions or requirements.