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Explore CU Denver Programs
Use the search tool below to discover degree and certificate programs offered by CU Denver. If you are unable to find a program that is right for you, please contact Admissions or a school or college for more information.
Program Overview
Provides students with the opportunity to construct an individualized degree that meets their unique needs and interests. This flexible program allows students to follow academic pursuits that transcend traditional department or college boundaries, combining coursework from two, three, or even more academic units to explore a particular theme.
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Interdisciplinary Studies Major (ISM) provides students with the opportunity to construct an individualized degree that meets their unique needs and interests. This flexible program allows students to follow academic pursuits that transcend traditional department or college boundaries, combining coursework from two, three, or even more academic units to explore a particular theme. An ISM tends to be more focused than traditional majors and should not be considered a default major for students uncertain about their course of study.
Why the Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies program at CU Denver?
Disciplinary Knowledge
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Understand and explain the functions and limitations of academic disciplines
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Examine similarities and differences across disciplinary frameworks and methods
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Recognize disciplinary insights and perspectives relevant to their program of study
Inquiry and Analysis
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Develop research questions that can require thinking beyond a single discipline
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Identify multiple disciplinary frameworks relevant to achieving specific research goals
-
Locate scholarly works that address interdisciplinary research questions
Critical Thinking
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Evaluate a variety of source materials and differing disciplinary viewpoints
-
Critique disciplinary assumptions and explain the contexts in those assumptions are developed
Written Communication
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Communicate ideas effectively in writing
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Compose papers employing analytical writing to convey their disciplinary knowledge and skills
Information literacy
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Locate and evaluate appropriate materials for interdisciplinary research, using book catalogs and article databases
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Demonstrate understanding of the ethical and legal issues surrounding the use of published and unpublished materials, including what constitutes plagiarism and how to cite sources
Ethical reasoning and action
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Examine the ethical approaches to studying problems through a variety of perspectives
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Analyze the ways interdisciplinary critical thinking can be applied to social problems
Integrative and applied learning
-
Synthesize evidence representing multiple disciplinary perspectives
-
Combine the theories, methods, and analytical perspectives of a variety of disciplines to answer an interdisciplinary question
-
Explain how to approach a real-world problem in an interdisciplinary manner
-
Understand and articulate the benefits of interdisciplinary study to the larger world
Program Description
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Interdisciplinary Studies Major (ISM) provides students with the opportunity to construct an individualized degree that meets their unique needs and interests. This flexible program allows students to follow academic pursuits that transcend traditional department or college boundaries, combining coursework from two, three, or even more academic units to explore a particular theme. An ISM tends to be more focused than traditional majors and should not be considered a default major for students uncertain about their course of study.
Why the Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies program at CU Denver?
Disciplinary Knowledge
-
Understand and explain the functions and limitations of academic disciplines
-
Examine similarities and differences across disciplinary frameworks and methods
-
Recognize disciplinary insights and perspectives relevant to their program of study
Inquiry and Analysis
-
Develop research questions that can require thinking beyond a single discipline
-
Identify multiple disciplinary frameworks relevant to achieving specific research goals
-
Locate scholarly works that address interdisciplinary research questions
Critical Thinking
-
Evaluate a variety of source materials and differing disciplinary viewpoints
-
Critique disciplinary assumptions and explain the contexts in those assumptions are developed
Written Communication
-
Communicate ideas effectively in writing
-
Compose papers employing analytical writing to convey their disciplinary knowledge and skills
Information literacy
-
Locate and evaluate appropriate materials for interdisciplinary research, using book catalogs and article databases
-
Demonstrate understanding of the ethical and legal issues surrounding the use of published and unpublished materials, including what constitutes plagiarism and how to cite sources
Ethical reasoning and action
-
Examine the ethical approaches to studying problems through a variety of perspectives
-
Analyze the ways interdisciplinary critical thinking can be applied to social problems
Integrative and applied learning
-
Synthesize evidence representing multiple disciplinary perspectives
-
Combine the theories, methods, and analytical perspectives of a variety of disciplines to answer an interdisciplinary question
-
Explain how to approach a real-world problem in an interdisciplinary manner
-
Understand and articulate the benefits of interdisciplinary study to the larger world