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Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies

Dr. Ann-Janine Morey, Associate Dean, Cross Disciplinary Studies
Phone: (540) 568-7998
E-mail: moreyaj@jmu.edu
Dr. David Dillard, Area Director, Humanities Social Sciences
Phone: (540) 568-3757
E-mail: dillarpd@jmu.edu
Dr. Steve Baedke, Area Director, Mathematics, Science & Technology
Phone: (540) 568-6156
E-mail: baedkesj@jmu.edu

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.

IDLS requirements vary depending upon the licensure program, as outlined below. A current IDLS checksheet is available at the Cross Disciplinary Studies Web site: http://www.jmu.edu/idls/student_checklist_0708.shtml.

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.

Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies for Early Childhood, Elementary Education and Special Education Licensure Students

Degree Requirements

Core Requirements

Upper Level Concentration requirement: 21 hours in either Math/Science or Humanities/Social.

When students in ECE, ELED or SPED declare the IDLS major, they also select an upper-level concentration in either mathematics/science 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: http://www.jmu.edu/idls/.

Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies for Middle Education Licensure Students

The IDLS Middle Education curriculum consists of 46 hours of General Education Core requirements and 36-42 hours in the content concentrations, depending upon which concentrations are selected. Students will select two concentrations from four: Science, Mathematics, Social Science and Language Arts. Mathematics and Science concentrations are 18 hours. Language Arts and Social Studies concentrations are 21 hours. Any combination of concentrations will satisfy the teacher licensure endorsement requirements for Middle Grades licensure in Virginia. The Middle Grades curriculum of IDLS is open only to Middle Grades licensure students.

Students follow the General Education check sheet for their catalog year, and complete these specific IDLS core requirements:

Cluster 2: Must select G HIST 102 from Tier 1
Cluster 3: Must select Track 2 (the G SCI 16X series); must complete the series with G SCI 166;
must take MATH 108 in addition to MATH 107
Cluster 4: Must select G ECON 200
Cluster 5: Must select G PSYC 160

Middle Education Concentration Options

*Students who select endorsements in Social Science and Language Arts will take IDLS 400 once, and then a 300-400 elective in one area. The IDLS 400 is an interdisciplinary course drawing upon materials from language arts and social science disciplines. As such, the course is suitable for students coming from an LA endorsement concentration, SS endorsement concentration, or both.

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.

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: Middle Education Grades 6-8
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