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 complete the 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.
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, 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;
- 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 complete the 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.
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;
- 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.
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
Departments at Carleton offer courses concerned with aboriginal issues. Growing interest in Canadian first peoples has promoted an 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 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 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
Please consult the School for Studies in Art and Culture.
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