About the School of Interdisciplinary Studies

The School of Interdisciplinary Studies (SIS) incorporates various interdisciplinary units in the College of Liberal Arts ranging from area studies, ethnic studies, to comparative studies.  While each of our programs of study share the value of interdisciplinarity, our approaches range from multidisciplinary—in which people from different disciplines collaborate, interdisciplinary—in which knowledge and methods from different disciplines are integrated, to transdisciplinary—in which a new unity of intellectual frameworks are created beyond the originating disciplines.  Despite this variation in approach, our units all recognize the need and value of interdisciplinary approaches to integrate and synthesize knowledge to provide a fuller understanding of a topic.  The School of Interdisciplinary Studies is a community of faculty and students enjoying an environment of rigorous and innovative intellectual inquiry.

We offer majors and minors in the following areas: African American Studies, American Studies, Global Studies, Jewish Studies, Linguistics, Religious Studies, and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. Students may also minor in Asian American Studies, Critical Disability Studies, Islamic Studies, Latin American and Latino Studies, LGBTQ Studies, and Native American and Indigenous Studies.

The School of Interdisciplinary Studies is offers two graduate degrees and two graduate concentrations/certificates.  American Studies and Linguistics offer MAs and PhDs.  African American Studies and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies both offer graduate concentrations/certificates.

The School of Interdisciplinary Studies faculty include faculty housed within the school, jointly appointed with the school, and affiliated with programs within the school.  Please visit our research page for more information regarding faculty expertise and our program pages for more information regarding particular interdisciplinary programs.