The humanities, interdisciplinary social sciences and interdisciplinary liberal studies programs challenge you to think critically and incisively about ideas, people, society and the human condition.

You'll learn about, think about and come to understand the issues and problems of the modern world and of the past.

As a student, you learn about the diversity and the complexity of social life and how the human condition and human experience have been captured in literature and art. You explore different ways people use ideas and issues to form social constructs.

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Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies Careers

Faculty work individually with students to prepare them for careers in a world that demands creativity in analyzing problems, expertise in technology and an understanding of diverse perspectives.

Top-Tier National University,U.S. News & World Report, America’s Best Colleges 2017

Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies Curriculum

Major

Our program differs in three important ways – broader perspectives, external fields, and computer competencies. Take courses such as :

  • Introducing the Liberal Arts
  • Music Through the Ages
  • Global Forces,Local Outcomes
  • Philosophy and Contemporary Issues
  • Logic for Critical Thinking
  • Global Perspective on Sexuality
Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies Major Curriculum

The interdisciplinary liberal studies program consists of 28 credit hours in liberal studies. 30 credit hours are in free electives, which is enough to complete a minor or second major if you so choose.

All courses are 3 credits unless noted.

Clarkson Common Experience

The following courses are required for all students, irrespective of their program of study. These courses are offered during the fall semester, with FY100 First-Year Seminar being required of only first-year students. Both FY100 and UNIV190 are typically taken during the fall semester of the first year at Clarkson.
FY100 First-Year Seminar (1 credit)
UNIV190 The Clarkson Seminar (3 credits)

 

Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies Core Requirements

Students are required to complete the following courses:

Humanities and Social Sciences

  • HSS120 Introducing the Liberal Arts (1 credit)
  • HSS480 Major Research Seminar

Professional Experience

Students are required to complete the following Professional Experience:
HSS480 Major Research Seminar

 

Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies Core Electives

Students must complete eight courses total from the following subject areas:*

  • Literature (LIT) 3-credit courses
  • and/or Film (FILM) 3-credit courses
  • and/or Philosophy (PHIL) 3-credit courses
  • and/or History (HIST) 3-credit courses
  • and/or Political Science (POL) 3-credit courses
  • and/or Anthropology (ANTH) 3-credit courses
  • and/or Sociology (SOC) 3-credit courses
  • and/or Social Sciences (SS) 3-credit courses

*Students should work with their academic advisors to find the courses that best fit their interests.

 

Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies Electives

Pre-Professional External Field Electives

Students must complete five courses in a pre-professional external field, such as business, communications and media, pre-dentistry, pre-law, pre-medicine, pre-occupational therapy, pre-physician assistant, pre-physical therapy, pre-veterinary, etc. This pre-professional concentration provides students with opportunities to increase career choices while exploring a wide variety of interests through their major.

Knowledge Area/University Course Electives

Students will have at least 15 credit hours available to use toward Knowledge Area and/or University Course electives to satisfy the Clarkson Common Experience requirements.

Free Electives

Students will have approximately 30 credit hours available to use toward courses of their choice.

Minors

Looking to take your education a step further? Check out our list of minors to complement your interdisciplinary liberal studies degree.

Clarkson Minors

Clarkson University Class of 2020 100 percent placement rating

Research Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies Opportunities

A required external field of five or more courses prepares students for their future careers.

Chosen from one of our many programs and departments, external fields may be in such defined pre-professional areas as pre-medicine, pre-law, pre-business, pre-physical therapy, psychology, or computer science; alternately, you may create your own external field, tailored to your specific career interests.

Through our state-of-the-art computing resources, you will acquire skills using the latest communication tools. Also, thanks to our small size and friendly, collaborative culture, you'll rub shoulders with peers in technology-based majors so that you gain an appreciation of their mindsets and perspectives.

What's your purpose? Achieve it here.

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