Interdisciplinary Studies

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Coordinators: Dr. Wendell Aycock, Professor of English and Comparative Literature, Associate Dean of the Graduate School; Dr. Clifford Fedler, Professor of Civil Engineering, Associate Dean of the Graduate School

The Master of Arts or Master of Science degree program in Interdisciplinary Studies is intended for students who wish to continue education at the graduate level but do not seek specialized training concentrated in a major area. This program is not a substitute for the traditional master’s degree; rather, it is designed for students with broader interests in several fields or for those whose career goals do not match fully with a single identifiable academic unit or department. Emphasis is placed on continued intellectual and cultural development in a constantly changing society in which new career interests may extend over several traditional specializations.

Each program, exclusive of those tracks with required courses, is developed individually according to the student’s interests and background. Among the few restrictions are the requirements that work be taken in at least three different subject areas and that no more than 12 hours be presented in any one area. Also, no more than 18 hours may be taken within a single college, except Arts and Sciences. No more than 12 hours can be taken in the Rawls College of Business. Most students pursue the 36-hour nonthesis plan, but the thesis option (24 hours of graduate coursework plus 6 hours of thesis [6000]) may be appropriate in occasional circumstances when the student’s previous work seems to qualify him or her for research. For the 36-hour nonthesis option, students may choose either the master’s examination or the portfolio as their terminal project.

The standard admission policy for applicants to other degree programs will apply to those seeking admission to the interdisciplinary master’s program. Applicants must submit satisfactory GRE or GMAT scores and undergraduate records. Students must have a 3.0 GPA on previous graduate work. For further information, contact the coordinator of the program in the Graduate School office.

Students normally select areas of study that meet their own educational and career requirements, as described above. However, a number of study themes are identified in the following paragraphs that provide somewhat more specialized focus, while maintaining the interdisciplinary nature of the program as originally approved.

Arid-Land Studies and International Development. Students may devise a plan of study focusing on aspects of international development in various parts of the world. This theme will be oriented to applied knowledge and international issues in general. Another theme addresses specifically the problems of arid and semi-arid lands. Students may take courses in several departments to satisfy the requirements in either of these areas. For further details, contact Dr. A.C. Correa, director of the International Center for Arid and Semi-Arid Land Studies, 806.742.2218.

Environmental Evaluation. Students may gain a holistic view of environmental evaluation by taking courses that focus upon problems and techniques relating to natural resources and their utilization. Work in geography, geology, land and water management, atmospheric sciences, and other disciplines is tailored to each student’s interests. Persons interested in this plan should contact Dr. Jeff Lee in the Department of Geography.

Applied Linguistics. Courses relating to theoretical, descriptive, historical, and applied study of language structure and use may be selected in a plan leading to the degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. Studies in anthropology, bilingual education, psychology, and speech communication as well as in various languages (American Sign Language, Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish) will provide a comprehensive understanding of the discipline. Interested students may contact Dr. Bill VanPatten, Department of Classical and Modern Languages and Literatures. See discussion of graduate linguistics in the interdisciplinary programs listed in the opening section of the College of Arts and Sciences.

International Affairs. This interdisciplinary concentration focuses on problems that are international in scope. Students may focus on problems that are global in nature, such as international business/economics or international security/conflict, or they may focus on problems that are regional in scope. The regions available for emphasis in this program are as follows: Asia, Africa, Latin America, Europe, and Post-Soviet Europe. Students will have the Department of Political Science as their home department but will also take courses in and work with faculty from the Department of History, the Department of Economics and Geography, or any other department that matches their interests. Interested students should contact Dr. Dennis Patterson, Department of Political Science, 806.742.4050.

Peirce Studies. Charles Sanders Peirce (1839-1914), a true American genius, made major contributions to logic, mathematics, language studies, history of science, specific areas of science such as chemistry and physics, and philosophy, among others. His ideas are being explored in fields as diverse as semeiotic and artificial intelligence. Students enrolled in Peirce studies will normally take 6 to 9 hours of PRAG 5000 and at least 30 additional hours in several defined areas, depending upon each student’s future educational or occupational goals. For details, contact Dr. Kenneth Laine Ketner, Director, Institute for Studies in Pragmaticism, 806.742.3128.

Women’s Studies. The interdisciplinary concentration of graduate work focuses on the changing position of women in society. Selected courses are offered in history, sociology, anthropology, and psychology with related work available in business administration, the humanities, and other areas of the social sciences. An emphasis on women’s studies may be pertinent to careers in education, management, and personnel relations as well as in the administration and delivery of social services to families, women, and children. Interested students should contact Dr. Laura M. Calkins, Director, Women’s Studies, 213 Administration Building.

Other Options. Studies of an interdisciplinary nature offer almost limitless combinations. Students may select from graduate offerings in almost the entire catalog and from the graduate offerings of the School of Law and Health Sciences Center. Those interested in a customized program should contact Associate Deans Clifford Fedler or Wendell Aycock in the Graduate School.

Course Descriptions

• Interdisciplinary Studies (IS)

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