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Interdisciplinary Programs: Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies

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The major in Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies (IDLS) is the undergraduate major for students who are pursuing teaching licensure in any of the following education licensure programs: Early Childhood (PreK-3); Elementary (PreK-6); Middle Grades (6-8) and Special Education (K-12). IDLS offers extended breadth and integration across the content areas of English/language arts, history/social sciences, mathematics/science/technology, and the requirements support Virginia teacher licensure competencies. Students with this major who are seeking teacher licensure must complete the education minor program corresponding to their licensure interests. Further information about the education licensure programs can be found at the end of this entry in the “IDLS Major and Education Minors” section and in the section for the College of Education, beginning on Page 66 in this catalog. The IDLS major consists of an expanded general education core (53 hours), and 21 semester hours of upper level courses in a concentration, either humanities/social sciences or mathematics/science/technology. When students complete the general education core, they will have satisfied all but six hours of JMU’s General Education requirements. Additionally, when students complete the expanded general education core, they will have completed the quantitative and scientific literacy requirements pertaining to the B.S. degree. Students who do not complete their licensure program or students who do not wish to pursue teaching licensure may complete or elect the Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies major, but they must complete an additional major in order to graduate.
Back to top of page Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies
  Degree Requirements
IDLS and general education core
53
Remaining General Education
6
IDLS Upper-level concentration
21
Education Program (minor)
35-47
Elective
5 (maximum)
120
Core Requirements
Language Arts and Communication
Credit Hours
Writing (Choose one)
3
GWRIT 103. Critical Reading and Writing
Oral Communication (Choose one)
3
GCOM 121. Fundamental Human Communication: Presentations

GCOM 122. Fundamental Human Communication: Individual Presentations
GCOM 123. Fundamental Human Communication: Group Presentations
Literature (Choose one)
3

GENG 235. Survey of English Literature: From Beowulf to the 18th Century

GENG 236. Survey of English Literature: 18th Century to Modern

GENG 247. Survey of American Literature: From the Beginning to the Civil War

GENG 248. Survey of American Literature: From the Civil War to the Modern Period

GENG 239. Studies in World Literature

  

GENG 260. Survey of African-American Literature

  
History/Social Sciences  
Global History (Both required)
6

GHIST 101. Global Culture to 1650

  

G>HIST 102. Global Culture Since 1650

  
U.S. History
4

GHIST 225. U.S. History

  
Government
4
GPOSC 225. U.S. Government
Economics (Choose one)
3

GECON 200. Introduction to Macroeconomics

ECON 201. Principles of Economics (Micro)
Geography (Choose one)
3

GEOG 280. Introduction to Cultural Geography

GANTH 195. Cultural Anthropology
Psychology
3

GPSYC 160. Life Span Human Development
Health (Choose one)
3

GKIN 100. Lifetime Fitness and Wellness

GHTH 100. Personal Wellness
Mathematics
Both of the following:
6

MATH 107. Fundamentals of Math I

 
MATH 108. Fundamentals of Math II  
MATH 207. Mathematical Problem Solving
3
Natural Sciences  

IDLS students should select Track II in Cluster 3

  
GSCI 161. Science Processes
1
GSCI 162. The Science of the Planets
2
GSCI 163. The Matter of Matter
1
GSCI 164. Physical Science: Learning Through Teaching
2
GSCI 165. The Way Life Works
1
GSCI 166. Environment in Context
2
  Upper-level Concentration requirement 21 hours.
When students declare the IDLS major, they also select an upper- level concentration in either mathematics/science/technology or humanities/social sciences. The concentration provides depth and integration beyond the core requirements. The specific course requirements for each concentration are listed in the IDLS checksheet, which can be found by visiting the Cross Disciplinary Studies Web site at: http://www.jmu.edu/cds/idls.htm.
Back to top of page IDLS Advisement
The IDLS major is assigned two advisers. One adviser is the adviser for the education minor who will guide the student through the licensure program requirements. The other adviser is the IDLS adviser who will guide the student through the IDLS major requirements. Students should plan on consulting both advisers regularly. Typically, the education adviser is assigned when the student meets with the head of his or her licensure programs and elects the licensure program. This may be as early as the first semester of the first year. The IDLS adviser is assigned when the first year student advising folders are transferred to the IDLS office (second semester, first year). Students are required to check with advisers regularly to ensure timely graduation.
Back to top of page IDLS Major and Education Minors
  • Licensure Area: Early Childhood Education PreK-3
  • Degree Required: Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
  • Major Field of Study: IDLS with early childhood education minor
  • Licensure Area: Elementary Education PreK-6
  • Degree Required: Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.)
  • Major Field of Study: IDLS with elementary education minor
  • Licensure Area: Early Childhood Education PreK-3
  • Degree Required: Master of Arts In Teaching (M.A.T.)
  • Major Field of Study: IDLS with middle education minor
  • Licensure Area: Special Education Grades K-12
  • Degree Required: Master of Education (M.Ed.)
  • Major Field of Study: IDLS with special education minor