Chaminade University of Honolulu

School of Humanities, Arts and Design

Interdisciplinary Studies

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B.A. Interdisciplinary Studies

Innovative. Non-traditional. Interdisciplinary.

The major in Interdisciplinary Studies is designed to be a custom fit—for you. Our undergraduates take courses across the social sciences and arts, from English Literature to Environmental Studies, before crafting their own course of study in an area of concentration they’re passionate about. Also required for the degree: an extended research project that culminates in the completion of a senior thesis under the direction of an advisor.

The Interdisciplinary Studies major offers an academic experience in the liberal arts tradition, full of opportunities for personal exploration, reflection and growth. It also stresses analytical thinking and bringing together perspectives across broad and diverse fields of knowledge.

Upon completion of the undergraduate B.A. Interdisciplinary Studies degree program, students will be able to:

  1. Describe and explain how diverse methodologies specific to areas of study within the Humanities are effectively employed in the interpretation of texts or other cultural artifacts.
  2. Demonstrate critical reading, reasoning, and writing skills that contribute to the study of the Humanities as it relates to at least one other field of study.
  3. Deploy and articulate an interdisciplinary approach to answering enduring questions through the practice of critical thinking and synthesizing information from a variety of academic and creative disciplines.
  4. Incorporate the Marianist tradition of educating for service, justice, and peace into a capstone project that is grounded in at least two academic disciplines.

View a sample 4-year plan: Interdisciplinary Studies

In addition to the general education requirements, these are the pre-major and major requirements below:

Pre-Major Requirements

Choose one:

  • English Literature (choose one): EN 200-level courses
  • History (choose two): HI 100 or HI 200-level courses
  • Fine and Performing Arts
    • (choose one): AR 201 Survey of Art I or AR 202 Survey of Art II
    • (choose one): PAR 100- or PAR 200-level courses
  • Philosophy (chose one):
    • PH 100 Introduction to Philosophy
    • PH 103 Critical Thinking
    • PH 105 Ethics
  • Religion (choose one):
    • RE 103 World Religions
    • RE 205 The Christian God and Human Experience
    • RE 211 The Bible as Controversy
  • Behavioral Sciences (choose two):
    • SO 200 Introductory Sociology
    • AN 200 Cultural Anthropology
    • PSY 101 General Psychology
  • ENV 100 Introduction to Environmental Issues
  • POL 111 Comparative Government and Politics

Note: Students will concurrently complete 21 credits of General Education.

Major Requirements

The student is required to complete a minimum of 36 credits of upper division courses in disciplines related to the area of concentration, to include three semester hours of directed research in a topic chosen in consultation with the program advisor. The program shall include:

  • Minimum of 12 credit hours in a single discipline organized around a specific theme or concentration
  • Minimum of 18 credit hours in other disciplines that support development of research and knowledge of the specific theme or concentration
  • Minimum of six credit hours of senior research and completion of a senior thesis on a related topic in consultation with the student’s research advisor*

*The senior thesis will be read by the research advisor and one other faculty member 

Major Requirements for the Education Emphasis

Students required to complete a minimum of 36 credits of upper division courses in disciplines related to the area of concentration, to include three semester hours of directed research in a topic chosen in consultation with the program advisor. This program area of concentration shall include:

  • Minimum of 30 credit hours in education
  • Minimum of six credit hours of senior research and completion of a senior thesis on a related topic in consultation with the student’s research advisor*

*The senior thesis will be read by the research advisor and one other faculty member

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Accreditation

Chaminade University of Honolulu is accredited by WASC Senior College and University Commission.