B.S. in Interdisciplinary Humanities, B.S. in Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies, B.S. in Interdisciplinary Social Sciences

Program Chair: Bill Vitek

Program Goals
Clarkson offers interdisciplinary bachelor of science degrees in Humanities, Social Sciences and Liberal Studies. Students can also minor in these areas, as well as in interdisciplinary thematic areas.
      The Interdisciplinary Humanities, Social Sciences and Liberal Studies programs challenge students to think critically and incisively about ideas, people, society and the human condition. Students learn about, think about, and come to understand the issues and problems of the contemporary world and of the past. They learn about the diversity and the complexity of social life, past and present. They learn how the human condition and human experience have been captured in literature and art. And they learn the ways in which people have sought to understand their lives through philosophical inquiry.
      These degree programs offer the individual a great deal of flexibility, allowing a student substantial elective choice. Each student works closely with an advisor to select both major and elective courses that meet his or her educational and career goals. Students minoring in the department also choose the courses in their programs in consultation with their advisors.
      Courses in the Interdisciplinary Social Science, Humanities or Liberal Studies majors at Clarkson offer students intellectually challenging opportunities to help them:

• Gain critical perspectives on themselves and the world
• Understand the complexities of open-ended human problems
• Achieve awareness of cultural and social diversity
• Assess the ethical and social implications of science, technology and business
• Engage in and appreciate the creative process

      Through their Interdisciplinary Social Science, Humanities or Liberal Studies major at Clarkson, students will also gain the ability to:

• Write clearly and persuasively
• Speak effectively in a group setting
• Think critically
• Understand and analyze complex problems
• Examine and interpret evidence
• Organize and synthesize large amounts of information

Program Requirements*
120 credit hours, comprising:

• 1 credit Introduction to the Liberal Arts pre-seminar
• 8 courses with an appropriate topical or thematic focus
• The Humanities/Social Sciences Research Seminar
• 5 courses in a pre-professional concentration
• Fulfillment of the requirements of the Clarkson Common Experience

      Students majoring in Interdisciplinary Social Science, Humanities or Liberal Studies at Clarkson are required to take a concentration of at least five courses in a pre-professional field, such as pre-law, pre-med, pre-physical therapy, business, or communications and media. This pre-professional concentration provides students with opportunities to increase career choices, while at the same time exploring a wide variety of interests through their major.

* Courses taken to fulfill requirements for a Humanities/Social Science Major cannot be used to fulfill requirements for a Humanities and Social Science Minor.

H&SS Curriculum
FIRST YEAR
First Semester				Second Semester
Course	Title	Cr. Hrs.		Course	Title	Cr. Hrs.
UNIV190	Clarkson Seminar	3			MAJOR COURSE	3
Hu/SS/120	Introduction to Liberal Arts	1		MA282	Statistics	3
	Common Experience Math				Common Experience
	Requirement				Science Requirement	3
	(MA180 recommended)	4			Common Experience
	HIST MAJOR COURSE at				Knowledge Area Course	3
	200 Level	3			Pre-professional
	Free Elective	3			Concentration or
FY100	First-Year Seminar	1			Free Elective	3
		15				15
SOPHOMORE YEAR
First Semester				Second Semester
Course	Title	Cr. Hrs.		Course	Title	Cr. Hrs.
	MAJOR COURSE	3			MAJOR COURSE	3
	Common Experience				Common Experience
	Knowledge Area Course	3			Knowledge Area Course	3
	Pre-professional				Pre-professional
	Concentration	3			Concentration	3
	Free Elective	3			Free Elective	3
	Common Experience				Free Elective	3
	Science Requirement	4
						15
		16
JUNIOR YEAR
First Semester				Second Semester
Course	Title	Cr. Hrs.		Course	Title	Cr. Hrs.
	MAJOR COURSE	3			MAJOR COURSE Or
	MAJOR COURSE Or				Free Elective	6
	Free Elective	3			Common Experience
	Common Experience				Knowledge Area or
	Knowledge Area or				University Course	3
	University Course	3			Pre-professional
	Pre-professional				Concentration	3
	Concentration	3			Free Elective or Common
	Free Elective or Common				Experience Technology and
	Experience Technology and				Humanity Course	3
	Humanity Course	3
						15
		15
SENIOR YEAR
First Semester				Second Semester
Course	Title	Cr. Hrs.		Course	Title	Cr. Hrs.
	H/SS RESEARCH				H/SS RESEARCH
	SEMINAR (C2) or				SEMINAR (C2) or
	MAJOR COURSE	3			MAJOR COURSE	3
	Pre-professional				Free Electives	12
	Concentration or
	Free Elective	3				15
	Knowledge Area or
	University Course	3
	Free Elective	6
		15

Students in the Class of 2010 and later — see Academic Requirements for details of the Clarkson Common Experience including the First-Year Seminar, the Clarkson Seminar, Knowledge Area (KA) courses, University Courses (UC), and related requirements.

¹ This presumes that the major research experience is the professional experience, though internships, etc. could also count.

Major courses are those designated Anthropology, Film, History, Literature, Philosophy, Political Science, Social Sciences or Science Technology and Society.