Interdisciplinary Studies

Coordinator
Assistant Professor Joe Lounge

The Interdisciplinary Studies Major provides a foundation in a variety of topics as well as the opportunity to make thematic connections between the major content areas. Interdisciplinary study allows for the recognition of the inter-relatedness of our social and physical world.

The primary purpose of this degree is to provide Fort Lewis students with the option of pursuing a broad based interdisciplinary program of study. A second purpose is to provide an academic foundation for students seeking either the Colorado Early Childhood (pre-3) or the Colorado Elementary Teacher Licensure (Grades K-6).

Requirements for acceptance into the major

Each applicant must present a well-conceived Interdisciplinary Studies Plan. Successful plans will detail 1) the rationale for selecting the major, 2) a list of selected courses from the content areas of math, science, social studies, and language arts, and 3) the rationale for the courses selected in each content area. Course choices should be consistent with the overall reason for choosing the Interdisciplinary Studies Major. Students planning on certification in Elementary Education must submit their list of selected courses no later than the end of the first term of the junior year. The plan must be approved before a student is accepted in the Elementary Education major.

REQUIREMENTS FOR A BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE WITH A MAJOR IN INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES:

The Interdisciplinary Studies Major is organized in three parts: 1) courses required of all FLC students (General Education), 2) a specified number of courses from each of four content areas, and 3) electives.

General Education Credits
Comp 150 or Comp 125/126 ..........4-8
Library 150 ..........1
PE/Wellness (ES 100 plus 1 skills, 1 fitness) ..........3
Thematic Studies I (1 course in each of 4 knowledge areas;
     1 must be a science with attached lab) ..........12-16
Thematic Studies II (1 course in each of 4 knowledge areas;
     prerequisites: Comp 150, Lib 150, all 4 Thematic Studies I      courses) ..........12-16
*Tier II writing requirement is part of the Major

Total ..........32-44

Required courses from each content area:
**Courses that may also count toward TS I requirements
Math
Math 110 College Algebra, or equivalent ..........4
Choose two of the following:
Math 215 Math for the Elementary Teacher I ..........3
Math 315 Real Numbers and Geometry ..........3
Math 318 Math for the Elementary Teacher II ..........3

Math subtotal ..........10

Science
Twelve credits from the following; at least one course in this area must contain a lab.
**Bio 105T Biology and Contemporary Social Issues ..........4
**Bio 121Tx Human Anatomy and Physiology and Lab ..........3
**Geol 110Nx Earth Science ..........3
**Geol 150N Geology of the Southwest ..........3
Geol 401 Natural Resources and the Environment ..........3
**PhSc 105T The Physical Sciences ..........3
**PhSc 106Tx The Physical Sciences with lab ..........4
**PhSc 205T Introductory Astronomy ..........3
**PhSc 206Tx Introduction to Astronomy with lab ..........4

Science subtotal ..........12

Social Studies
Psyc 254 Life Span Human Development ..........4
NOTE: Students pursuing a teaching license in Early childhood will take either Psyc 353 OR Psyc 354
instead of Psyc 254.

At least six credits from the following:

**Econ 170S Current Economic Issues ..........4
**Geog 271R World and Regional Geography
OR
Econ 305 Economic Geography ..........4
Hist 280 Survey of U.S. History 1600-1865 3
**Hist 281RSurvey of U.S. History 1865-Present ..........3
Hist 324 Colorado History ..........3
PS 110S U.S. National Government ..........3
Soc 376 Language and Social Behavior .......... 4
SW 323 Southwest Indian History ..........3

Social Studies subtotal ..........10

Language Arts
*Ed 317W Professional Writing and Editing for Educators ..........3
Ed 327 Children’s Literature ..........3
Ed 335 Linguistics for Teachers ..........3

Choose one from the following:

**Engl 265S Semantics ..........4
Engl 378 Young Adult Literature ..........4
Engl 366 Teaching Writing ..........4
**Engl 280R Literature of the Southwest ..........4

Language Arts subtotal ..........12

Writing Course Within Discipline:
Included in Language Arts requirements above.

Auxiliary Requirements:
GS 496 Interdisciplinary Senior Seminar 2

Electives ..........30-42

NOTE: Students wishing to pursue a Teaching License in Early Childhood have a different number of credits required in each content area: Math-3, Science-3, Social Studies-20, and Language Arts-18. Those students electing to also work toward a teaching license will complete the required teacher education courses as electives.

TOTAL HOURS FOR THE INTERDISICIPLINARY STUDIES MAJOR ..........120