Interdisciplinary Studies in the Humanities

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. 

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.

Humanities Discipline Eligible Courses

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.

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.

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.

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. 

See Undergraduate Admissions.

See Undergraduate Admissions.

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.