In the Individual Major Program, “interdisciplinary, integrative studies” refers to the intentional combination of diverse subject matters, resources, and methodologies. Individual Majors are often experiential in nature, blending classroom learning with laboratories, studios, internships, and/or study abroad, and applying knowledge and understanding gained in one context to another. And, they can potentially be civic opportunities, building bridges between academic learning and public conversations, contributing to connections among the college campus and business communities, schools, farms, government bodies, churches, arts programs, and other organizations. Students who develop individual majors are both intentional and reflective about their learning; they plan how they will integrate their diverse educational experiences in pursuit of their educational goals, and they are explicit about the connections they have made among those experiences.
Intended Learning Outcomes
- Integrative Thinking – the ability to draw on more than one disciplinary perspective in approach to chosen area of study.
- Communication Skills – the ability to express ideas clearly and complexly in one or more chosen media.
- Understanding – the ability to recognize and articulate meaningful questions in the chosen area of study.
- Self-Reflection – the ability to reflect on individual learning within self-designed independent major.
Requirements
- Integrate three or more disciplines.
- Include at least 10 courses or experiences, including two 300-level courses.
- Complete Senior Capstone Project (IM 392 or the 391/392 sequence).
- Give Public Presentation and create a Web Portfolio.
- Work with a committed Faculty Advisor.
Please note, individual majors may NOT simply duplicate an existing major or concentration at the college. See more information from the catalog here.