Interdisciplinary Studies Courses

NOTE: Complete undergraduate and graduate catalogs can be found here.

INTD 103 (4)
Physical Science by Inquiry
An examination of fundamental physical science concepts through hands-on, inquiry-based explorations. Using appropriate tools and equipment, students build an understanding of energy sources, chemical and physical change, electricity, and magnetism. Students also gain experience in independent investigation and the development and implementation of their own exercises and experiments.

INTD 109 (3)
The Religion of Socrates
This course will examine the social background and philosophical articulations of Socratic religion. Students will read Plato's dialogues in the context of the cultural and religious background of ancient Greece. Themes such as immortality, the nature of wisdom, and the relationship of rationality and irrationality will be interrogated in philosophic and religious terms. Offered alternate years.

INTD 131 (1)
Service Lrng:Science Outreach
Students will work within the community to foster interest in, knowledge of, and appreciation for the sciences.

INTD 206 (3)
Words in Motion
This interdisciplinary course will explore the relationship between creative writing and dance choreography. Students will write their own texts for dances they create and will present these works in several different ways. Assigned readings and videos will be used to augment the class. Students will create solo works, collaborate with others, and work together in groups. Background in creative writing and/or choreography is helpful but not necessary.

INTD 302 (3)
Film and Literature
The course will analyze the power of the movie camera as a carrier of meaning and as creator of modern myths. The cinematic and the literary languages will be compared, pointing out the ideological and artistic functions of the most widespread art form in our time: cinema. Writings dealing with cinematic language will be read to introduce the students to perceptions and interests that 20th century authors showed for the new art form. Then, selected literature belonging to different cultural and chronological contexts will be studied and compared to its rendition on film. This course is taught in English and may be counted toward the major in Italian studies and the minors in Italian and film studies. Offered alternate years.

INTD 308 (3)
Inventing Antiquity
We will examine religious and cultural forms from Greece, Rome, and Egypt and how they are envisioned and enacted in American history. The transmission of such phenomena as oracles, divination, religious initiations, and uses of secrecy will be studied. Historical pairings will include the Pythia and Spiritualism, Egyptian religion and the Mormons, and ancient mystery cults and their American imitators. May be counted toward the majors or minors in classics or religion. V1

INTD 361 (1)
Special Study
Research on a topic determined in advance by a student and by members of the departments involved.

INTD 452 (3)
Senior Seminar in Liberal Studies
This capstone course is co-requisite for intern teachers seeking elementary licensure in the liberal studies major. Pre-service teachers will develop and refine their professional portfolios based upon INTASC standards. IIIO, III

INTD 461 (1)
Independent Study
Research on a topic determined in advance by a student and by members of the departments involved.

INTD 463 (1)
Senior Project
Senior project determined in advance by a student and by members of the departments involved.

INTD 503 (3)
Symbols, Myths, & Allegories
Art, literature, and cultural rhetoric are built upon a stock repertoire of stories and symbols. This course will review the most prominent of these themes and seek to understand how varied treatments across time and disciplines reflect the circumstances of the era and media. V1, V6