IDS Information | IDS Programs
Interdisciplinary Studies
University Academic Programs
Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, Graduate and Undergraduate Programs
Cecile Lindsay
Director, Undergraduate Program
D. Margaret Costa
Director, Graduate Program
Bruce L. Berg
Office
FO5 205
Phone
(562) 985-7194
Website
http://www.csulb.edu/divisions/aa/grad_undergrad/isp/
University Academic Programs is the administrative designation for a group of University-wide academic programs that are interdisciplinary in nature. The Interdisciplinary Studies program offers students the opportunity to develop individualized cross-disciplinary majors utilizing courses from appropriate departments at California State University, Long Beach. Each student, with the help of department faculty advisors, must select courses and focus his/her major on the basis of a unifying issue, theme or topic called an area of concentration. The area of concentration must meet three criteria to be acceptable:
• First, the area of concentration must be interdisciplinary. This means the area of concentration must integrate and focus approaches and knowledge from at least two fields or disciplines. The principle of integration can be historical, regional, thematic or problem-focused.
• Second, the area of concentration must not replicate any existing major. The purpose of the Interdisciplinary Studies major is to create an individualized curriculum where no structure or formal program exists.
• Third, the area of concentration must be feasible. Each student's proposed program must be discussed with faculty advisors to ensure that the range and number of courses required will be available.
The student's role in the selection of the area of concentration is active not passive. The student must actively plan his/her program and cultivate relationships with assigned or chosen faculty. Furthermore, the student has the initial responsibility in shaping his/her program, with the guidance of the department advisors.