Directed Interdisciplinary Studies
Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
This section presents the requirements for:
Graduation Requirements
In addition to the requirements listed below, students must satisfy:
- the University regulations (see the Academic Regulations of the
University section of this Calendar),
- the common regulations applying to all B.A. students including those
relating to First-Year Seminars and Breadth requirements (see Academic
Regulations for the Bachelor of Arts Degree).
Students should consult with the Institute when selecting courses and
planning their program.
Program Requirements
General Information
The degree of Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies is pursued
by means of a plan of study proposed by the student, in an area of special
interest that the student defines. The Institute of Interdisciplinary
Studies provides lists of courses from which proposals may be drawn, in
the following areas: Aboriginal Studies, African Studies, Asian Studies,
Labour Studies, Latin American and Caribbean Studies, Medieval Studies,
United States Studies and Urban Studies. For Visual and Performing Arts,
see the course listings for the Studies in Art and Culture (ACUL). See
the Technology, Society, Environment Studies (TSES) course listings for
courses in that discipline.
- Prior to submitting a formal application, students are advised to
consult with the Program Co-ordinator for assistance in working out
a suitable pattern of courses.
- To allow time for adequate appraisal by the Committee, the proposal
should be submitted as early as possible before the year of entry to
the program (by June 1 for September registration and by November 1
for January registration).
- Students may apply for admission to the program at any time after
completion of their first 5.0 credits and before they begin their last
5.0 credits towards the degree.
- Normally, 3.0 credits in the student's field of interest are to be
included among the last 5.0 credits taken towards the degree.
Directed Interdisciplinary Studies
B.A. Honours (20.0 credits)
Students applying for the B.A.(Honours) program in Directed Interdisciplinary
Studies must completet he prescribed application form, available from
the Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies office. They are required to
list 4.5 credits which meet the requirements listed in Part A below, and
9.5 credits which meet the requirements listed in Part B below, along
with Honours essay (IASS 4908). The credits in Part B must be related
to a significant theme or field of interest and fit into a coherent pattern.
It is expected that the credits of Part A will be related to that theme
as well. Lists of appropriate courses to meet these requirements will
be provided. On acceptance of the proposed pattern of study, the credits
described above, or variations agreed to by the Committee, become a requirement
for completion of the degree.
A. Credits included in the Major CGPA (15.0 credits):
Part A (4.5 credits):
- 1.0 credit that addresses the temporal dimension of human societies,
analyzing times before the current era, and societies other than our
own;
- 1.0 credit that addresses the artifacts of the imagination, inliterature
and other forms, that addresses the life of the imagination and the
culture;
- 1.0 credit that addresses the understanding of social and/or natural
processes, and the ways in which that understanding is obtained in science
and Social Sciences;
- 1.0 credit that addresses matters of human values, ethics and social
responsibilities;
- 0.5 credit in DIST 3901;
Part B (9.5 credits):
- 9.5 credits as proposed by the student and approved by the committee
including:
- 1.0 credit in IASS 4908 [1.0] Honours Essay;
- At least 4.0 credits in one discipline;
- At least 3.0 credits at the 4000-level or above;
B. Credits Not included in the Major CGPA (5.0 credits):
- 5.0 credits in free electives.
Directed Interdisciplinary Studies
B.A. General (15.0 credits)
Students applying for the B.A. General program in Directed Interdisciplinary
Studies must completet he prescribed application form, available from
the Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies office. They are required to
list 4.5 credits which meet the requirements listed in Part A below, and
5.5 credits which meet the requirements listed in Part B below. The credits
in Part B must be related to a significant theme or field of interest
and fit into a coherent pattern. It is expected that the credits of Part
A will be related to that theme as well. On acceptance of the proposed
pattern of study, the credits described above, or variations agreed to
by the Committee, become a requirement for completion of the degree.
A. Credits included in the Major CGPA (10.0 credits):
Part A (4.5 credits):
- 1.0 credit that addresses the temporal dimension of human societies,
analyzing times before the current era, and societies other than our
own;
- 1.0 credit that addresses the artifacts of the imagination, in literature
and other forms, or that addresses the life of the imagination and the
culture;
- 1.0 credit that addresses the understanding of social and/or natural
processes, and the ways in which that understanding is obtained in science
and Social Sciences;
- 1.0 credit that addresses matters of human values, ethics and social
responsibilities;
- 0.5 credit in DIST 3901;
Part B (5.5 credits):
- 5.5 credits as proposed by the student and approved by the committee
including:at least 1.0 credit at the 3000-level;
B. Credits not included in the Major CGPA (5.0 credits):
- 5.0 credits in free electives.
Interdisciplinary Subject Areas
The Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies sponsors the interdisciplinary
subject areas described below. There are no majors in these areas but
there is strong teaching and active research interest. Students interested
in pursuing work in any of these areas either through the Directed Interdisciplinary
Studies major or in conjunction with a disciplinary major should arrange
a meeting with the area co-ordinator. Where a co-ordinator is not named,
contact the office of the Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies.
In all cases detailed descriptions of the courses listed for each area
can be found in the various departmental courses listings in this Calendar.
Courses at the 5000-level are described in the Graduate Calendar.
Aboriginal Studies
Co-ordinator: Armand Garnet Ruffo
Individual departments at Carleton offer courses concerned with aboriginal
issues. Growing interest in Canadian first peoples has promoted a gradual
increase in courses about aboriginal cultures and an increase in related
activities on campus. No degree program in aboriginal studies exists,
but students may submit a coherent pattern of courses for a B.A. Honours
or B.A. General degree in Directed Interdisciplinary Studies, according
to the procedures described for this degree in the Calendar. For course
suggestions, consult the D.I.S. web site.
African Studies
Co-ordinator: Edward Osei Kwadwo Prempeh
The Committee on African Studies, an informal committee of faculty with
teaching and research interest in Africa, coordinates activities in this
area. African Studies is one of the earliest and strongest area studies
programs, with courses offered in various departments and schools. Students
can select these courses as part of their degree program.
Students may also submit a pattern of courses of African Studies for
a B.A. Honours or B.A. General degree in Directed Interdisciplinary Studies
according to the procedures described for this degree in the Calendar.
For course suggestions, consult the D.I.S. web site.
Asian Studies
Co-ordinator: P.J.Davidson
No degree program for Asian studies exists but members of the Committee
for Asian Studies offer a variety of courses about Asia. Research activities
are encouraged through such units as the Asian Pacific Research and Resource
Centre. The University is a member of the Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute.
The Norman Paterson School of International Affairs supports graduate
studies and research on Asia. Students may submit a coherent pattern of
courses for a B.A. Honours or B.A. General degree in Directed Interdisciplinary
Studies according to the procedures described for this degree in the Calendar.
For course suggestions,consult the D.I.S web site.
Labour Studies
Co-ordinator: To be announced
The Committee on Labour Studies, consisting of faculty members with research
and teaching interests in labour, acts as a co-ordinating unit for activities
in this area. An interdisciplinary Labour Studies Research and Resource
Centre has been established for use by the University community and the
public at large. The University offers a wide range of courses in the
humanities and social sciences relating to labour, and students can select
those courses as part of their degree program.
Students may submit a coherent pattern of courses in Labour Studies for
a B.A. Honours or B.A. General degree in Directed Interdisciplinary Studies.
Assistance in planning such a pattern is available from the co-ordinator.
For course suggestions, consult the D.I.S. web site.
Latin American and Caribbean Studies
Co-ordinator: To be announced
At present, no degree program in Latin American and Caribbean Studies
exists at Carleton. It is possible, however, for students to construct
a program for a B.A. Honours or B.A. General degree in Directed Interdisciplinary
Studies that could focus on the Latin American and Caribbean region. For
course suggestions, consult the D.I.S. web site.
Of particular interest to some students may be a B.A. Honours or B.A.
General degree in French with supporting work in one or more of the Social
Sciences, or a Social Sciences program with supporting work in French.
The same combinations would be possible for those students interested
in English and the English Speaking Caribbean.
Courses with a Latin American and Caribbean content are listed below.
Detailed course descriptions may be found in the departmental listings
of this Calendar. Graduate level courses are described in the Graduate
Calendar.
Knowledge of languages is indispensable for the study of the region.
The language courses relevant for Latin America are described under the
listings of Spanish and French in this Calendar.
Medieval Studies
Co-ordinator: To be announced
The University offers a wide range of courses in the humanities and social
sciences relating to the Middle Ages, and students can select these courses
as part of their degree program.
Students may also submit a coherent pattern of courses in Medieval Studies
for a B.A. Honours or B.A. General degree in Directed Interdisciplinary
Studies in accordance with the procedures described for this degree in
the Calendar. Contact the Co-ordinator for assistance in planning a program.
For course suggestions, consult the D.I.S. web site.
Technology, Society, Environment
For this area of study please see the Technology, Society, Environment
section of this Calendar.
United States Studies
Co-ordinator: To be announced
No degree program in United States Studies exists, but students may utilize
the considerable number of relevant courses already offered at Carleton
to develop a relevant plan of study in this area. The aim of the United
States Studies concentration within Directed Interdisciplinary Studies
is to introduce students to a broad and systematic study of the United
States and its peoples; to give a broad understanding of their history,
culture and society and to study the relationships between these various
aspects of American experience. For course suggestions, consult the D.I.S
web site.
Urban Studies
Co-ordinator: Charles Gordon
Students may submit a coherent pattern of courses in urban studies for
a B.A. Honours or B.A. General degree in Directed Interdisciplinary Studies
in accordance with the procedures described for this degree in the Calendar.
Assistance in planning such a program is available from members of the
Committee on Urban Studies. For course suggestions, consult the D.I.S
web site.
Visual and Performing Arts
For this area of study please consult the School for Studies in Art and
Culture.
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