INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES (IDS) COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
1001 Freshman Topics in Interdisciplinary Studies
(1-1) 1 hour credit.
Required for entering freshmen in the College of Education and Human Development with fewer than 15 hours of coursework and who are interested in majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies. Critical study of topics in interdisciplinary studies. Innovative classroom and learning techniques are used to introduce students to these topics and to help strengthen critical thinking, problem solving, and writing skills. A maximum of 3 semester credit hours of freshman topics courses may apply to a bachelor’s degree, although this specific topic may be taken only once.
2013 Introduction to Learning and Teaching in a Culturally Diverse Society
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
Introductory course for all prospective teachers. This course is designed to help students examine the culture of schooling and classrooms, and the complex role of the teacher. Emphasis will be on, but not limited to, students as learners, curriculum standards and assessment, effective teaching practices for diverse learners, professionalism, and the sociopolitical challenges confronting today’s teachers. Field experience is required.
2083 Technology for Learning and Teaching
(3-1) 3 hours credit.
This course focuses on integrating instructional technology into learning and teaching environments. Students will investigate theoretical and practical issues surrounding the use of instructional technologies. Participants will gain practical experience in curriculum planning that takes specific advantage of technology to enhance and extend learning. Course requirements are aligned with national and state technology standards. (Formerly titled Technology for Liberal Arts and Social Sciences.)
2103 The Individual, Family, and Community [TCCN: TECA 1303.]
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
An exploration of the complex social forces that are present in U.S. society including but not limited to race, class, and gender. Critical and analytical thinking will be emphasized.
2113 Society and Social Issues
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
Historical study of social and institutional phenomena, including ethnicity, gender, and social conflict.
2203 World Civilization to the Fifteenth Century [TCCN: HIST 2321.]
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
A general introduction to World History from the Late Neolithic to the Columbian Encounter in the late 15th century CE. Broad overview of the pattern of development of major civilizations and their interactions, with closer attention given to those events, institutions, beliefs, and practices that involved and affected large numbers of people and had lasting significance for later generations. (Same as HIS 2123. Credit cannot be earned for both IDS 2203 and HIS 2123.)
2213 World Civilization since the Fifteenth Century [TCCN: HIST 2322.]
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
A general introduction to World History since the late 15th century CE. Broad overview of the pattern of development of major civilizations and their interactions, with closer attention to those events, institutions, beliefs, and practices that involved and affected large numbers of people and laid foundations of the modern world. (Same as HIS 2133. Credit cannot be earned for both IDS 2213 and HIS 2133.)
2303 World Literature I: Through the Sixteenth Century [TCCN: ENGL 2332.]
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: WRC 1023 or an equivalent.
This course is an exploration of sources and continuing traditions in World Literatures in their various cultural and aesthetic contexts from their origins through the 16th century. It includes extensive reading of representative examples of the major oral and written literatures including, but not limited to, poetry, narratives, and drama and examines how these literatures influenced contemporary experience. The readings will be studied from multiple perspectives and will be related to comparable aesthetic expressions in music and the fine arts.
2313 World Literature II: Since the Sixteenth Century [TCCN: ENGL 2333.]
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: WRC 1023 or an equivalent.
This course is an exploration of sources and continuing traditions in World Literatures in their various cultural and aesthetic contexts from the beginning of the 16th century to the present. It includes extensive reading of representative examples of the major oral and written literatures including, but not limited to, poetry, narratives, and drama and examines how these literatures influenced contemporary experience. The readings will be studied from multiple perspectives and will be related to comparable aesthetic expressions in music and the fine arts.
2403 Physical Science
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: Completion of Mathematics and Science Core Curriculum requirements.
This conceptually-based course provides nonscience majors with an interdisciplinary survey of topics in physics and chemistry. Major themes include energy, forces, and atomic and subatomic interactions. Specific topics may include, but are not limited to: density, motion, work, power, waves, thermodynamics, electromagnetism, relativity, atomic and subatomic interactions, as well as acids and bases. (Formerly IDS 3203. Credit cannot be earned for both IDS 2403 and IDS 3203.)
2413 Earth Systems Science
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: Completion of Mathematics and Science Core Curriculum requirements.
This course provides a look at the Earth system as a whole. Emphasis will be on the interrelationships between biological, geological, hydrological, climatological, and human systems on local, continental and global scales. The interactions between the hydrosphere, atmosphere, biosphere, cryosphere, and lithosphere that together make up the Earth system will be studied. This interdisciplinary view of our planet highlights the manner in which all systems of the Earth control or influence each other. (Formerly IDS 3213. Credit cannot be earned for both IDS 2413 and
IDS 3213.)
3003 Science and Humanity
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: IDS 2403 and IDS 2413.
An exploration of the interdisciplinary nature of scientific and mathematical inquiry and sociocultural contexts across time. This course uses an integrated, lab-based systems approach to studying the nature of scientific and mathematical inquiry, knowledge, and theory development, as well as relationships between science, mathematics, and technology.
3013 Diversity, Equity, and the Social Sciences
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: IDS 2113.
An in-depth inquiry of diversity and equity within the context of the social sciences and their impact on the individual, community, and society. This course emphasizes the interdisciplinary applications of social science research and how social scientists collect, analyze, and report knowledge and data about contemporary issues, events, and individuals in the community, state, nation, and world. Emphasis will also be on critical reflection and dialogue, civic responsibility, and leadership. A service-learning experience will be integrated into the course.
3123 Culture, Literature, and Fine Arts
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
An interdisciplinary investigation of cultural expressions across literature and the fine arts (music, painting, sculpture, dance, drama, folk art). This course, addressing both historical and contemporary genres, will foster interdisciplinary inquiry, theory development, and critical reflection and analysis of the representations of culture across the disciplines.
3201 Advanced Physical Science Laboratory
(0-3) 1 hour credit. Prerequisites: Completion of Mathematics and Science Core Curriculum requirements.
Familiarizes students with laboratory tools and techniques and allows them to form a better understanding of topics in physics and chemistry by experimentation. Major themes include energy, forces, and atomic and subatomic interactions.
3211 Advanced Earth Systems Science Laboratory
(0-3) 1 hour credit. Prerequisites: Completion of Mathematics and Science Core Curriculum requirements.
Familiarizes students with laboratory tools, techniques, and safety issues and allows them to form a better understanding of topics in Earth systems science.
3653 Music and Related Arts
(3-1) 3 hours credit.
Study of the essential concepts of music and visual arts. An understanding of the cognitive content of each art will be reinforced by a variety of activities which relate directly to each artistic discipline. Similarities and differences in the various arts will be investigated in terms of basic elements, means of creating, and experience.
3713 Interdisciplinary Inquiry
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: IDS 2113, IDS 3003, IDS 3013, WRC 1013, and WRC 1023.
A study of thinking in the sciences, social studies, mathematics, language arts, and fine arts through interdisciplinary investigations. Course experiences include modeling, practice, and analysis of ways of inquiring in the several subject areas, and seeking their implications for interdisciplinary inquiries. Through scholarly research and inquiry, students will demonstrate their ability to engage in interdisciplinary inquiry. (Formerly IDS 2713. Credit cannot be earned for both IDS 3713 and IDS 2713.)
4913 Independent Study
3 hours credit. Prerequisites: Permission in writing (form available) from the instructor, the student’s advisor, the Department Chair, and Dean of the College in which the course is offered.
Independent reading, research, discussion, and/or writing under the direction of a faculty member. May be repeated for credit, but not more than 6 semester credit hours of independent study, regardless of discipline, will apply to a bachelor’s degree.
4953 Special Studies in Interdisciplinary Studies
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
An organized course offering the opportunity for specialized study not normally or not often available as part of the regular course offerings. Special Studies may be repeated for credit when topics vary, but not more than 6 semester credit hours, regardless of discipline, will apply to a bachelor’s degree.
4993 Honors Thesis
3 hours credit. Prerequisites: Enrollment limited to candidates for honors in the Department of Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching during the last two semesters; consent of the Honors College.
Supervised research and preparation for an honors thesis. May be repeated once with advisor’s approval.