Individualized Interdisciplinary Major

Definition and Purpose of the IIM

The Individualized Interdisciplinary Major (IIM) is an intentional plan of study that includes three disciplines, interweaving the ideals and processes of each discipline into a logical new multidiscipline.  Goucher College’s IIM provides a framework for students to pursue a flexible, self-designed major that takes advantage of the diverse and innovative courses offered across the curriculum.  More importantly, the IIM lets a student examine the Goucher curriculum through a lens of interdisciplinary study.  Students who choose to pursue the IIM do so with the understanding that there is interaction among the three disciplines they choose:  the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. 

Goals of the IIM

Students who are approved to pursue the Individualized Interdisciplinary Major (IIM) will achieve the following goals:

1. They will be able to clearly articulate the vision of their particular area of research and analysis.
2. They will be able to identify the methodologies they have employed in their studies.
3. They will engage in advanced areas of research questions in their areas of study.
4. They will gain an understanding of the opportunities available for advanced study, employment, and careers in their disciplines, and they will have a vision for the future of their interdisciplinary research.

Procedures for Declaring an IIM

1. The IIM Committee (the student’s advisory team)
   1. Students must first meet with the Director of the IIM, Phaye Poliakoff-Chen.   This is an opportunity for students to exchange ideas.
      1. To prepare for this meeting, students must present their initial ideas, including the possible areas of study, and the justification for pursuing their inquiries independently, outside of the established Majors.
      2. Please allow one hour for this initial consultation.
   2. If the student is approved to pursue the proposal, they will meet with faculty in their chosen disciplines and discuss their proposal with them.
   3. Students must have three advisors lined up, one per discipline.
   4. Of these three advisors, one must agree to assume the role of Primary Advisor.
2. The Proposal
   1. Working with all three advisors, the student writes a 4-page proposal that explains their course of study.  This proposal must include the following elements:
      1. A definition of their new interdisciplinary course of study.
      2. An explanation of the ways all three disciplines will interact.
      3. A justification of the student’s approach:  how will using interdisciplinary thinking expand the current fields?
3. The Course Map
   1. Students must also provide a 4-Year Plan that includes the following elements:
      1. All courses and credits toward all graduation requirements.  Students must completed a minimum of 120 credits.  Please account for all 120 credits.
      2. All courses that satisfy all aspects of the IIM, including WID and Capstone.  Please see detailed requirements in the “Requirements” section below.
      3. All GCRs, including the Writing requirements (WRT 181  + WEC), Data Analytics, CPEs (all IIM students must satisfy the CPE requirement - advisors will approve which of the CPE areas - A, B, C, and D - meet these breadth requirements), a language of study and Study Abroad.  Obviously, there may be some minor changes along the way.  All minor changes must be approved by the students’ Primary Advisor in accordance with the student’s advisory team, their IIM Committee. 
4. When the student has completed steps I, II, and III, they will return the signed forms and the completed proposal and course map to the IIM Director for review. 
   1. If approved, the student must submit all signed forms, the completed (revised, if necessary) proposal and 4-Year Plan to Danielle Barnhart (VM G25).  Please also send electronic copies to Paige Pape (paige.pape @goucher.edu).

Requirements for the Major

Total Number of Credits (48) + Distribution of those credits (at least 12 per discipline)

The student must complete at least 48 credits in courses that focus on the methods and content from three disciplines and that balance the contributions from each discipline.  The 48-credit requirement requires the student to devote at least 12 credits to each of the three disciplines.  As is the case with any Major on campus (and in accordance with the Maryland Higher Education Commission’s rules), at least 16 credits must be taken at the 300-400 level.  Ordinarily, these upper-level (300-400 level) credits will be distributed such that at least 12 of those credits will be taken across each of the three disciplines.  That is, each of the three disciplinary areas of study must include at least one course at the 300 or 400 level. 

The Capstone

Students who entered Goucher in FA17 and later, must complete an IIM capstone.  Students will complete the IIM specific capstone, IDS 497, during their senior year.

All IIM students will give a public presentation of their capstone.  The form of this presentation will necessarily vary according to the student’s course of study, but all students must be prepared to discuss the interdisciplinary aspects of their Major and articulate how their interdisciplinary approach expanded the boundaries of their three disciplines. 

Responsibilities

The IIM is a rewarding, but complex process.  Students and advisors all share increased sets of responsibilities that ensure the integrity and rigor of the Individualized Interdisciplinary Major (IIM).

The Student’s Responsibilities

The student must initiate the entire IIM process.  After discussing their ideas with the IIM Director, they must find advisors who endorse their vision.   They must write their IIM proposal and seek the guidance and advice of their IIM committee and the IIM Director.  They must be willing to make revisions to this proposal and be open to suggestions. 

The student must create their 4-Year Plan, again taking into consideration the advice of their IIM committee.  They must accept the changes that their advisors request.  They must account for all 120 credits toward their degree, including GCRs and Major Requirements.  If their courses change, they must seek the approval of their IIM committee and notify the IIM Director (copying Paige Pape) of the changes.

Ideally, students will complete their GCRs by the end of their sophomore year, including submitting their proposals for CWP.  Most students choose to study abroad in their junior year.

The IIM Committee’s Responsibilities

The IIM committee reviews and approves the proposed course of study, and once approved by the IIM Director, helps the student progress through the Major, helping the student adjust the coursework if necessary, until the student reaches the goal of completing the IIM Major.  Changes to the overall proposed area of study and/or to the proposed coursework requires a petition that must be approved by the IIM committee.

The IIM committee members are encouraged to participate in IIM group activities, such as IIM meetings (1-2 times per year) that will foster communication, collaboration, and conversation across the Major.  When possible, the IIM committee will attend pre-graduation celebration with seniors and parents.

The Primary Advisor’s Responsibilities

The primary advisor is one of the three members of the IIM committee.  The primary advisor meets with their advisee individually at least twice per semester, just as an advisor in an established discipline must do.  The primary advisor clears students for registration and provides feedback for the student, reviewing the plan of study and helping the student revise the 4-Year Plan if necessary.  It will be up to the student, however, to submit a petition or letter to the committee and the IIM Director for approval of these changes.

The IIM Director’s Responsibilities

The IIM Director will administer the IIM program and serve as the first point of contact for students who are interested in pursuing an interdisciplinary course of study.  Program administration will include overseeing the paperwork associated with declaring and completing the IIM, such as the student’s proposal, their IIM committee, and their 4-Year Plan.  The IIM Director will discuss the student’s plans and progress with their committees.  The IIM Director will review these documents before granting approval.  Finally, the IIM Director will establish a community of IIM Majors on campus and serve as an advocate for these students. 

The Capstone:  Presentation and Evaluation of the Completed IIM

The IIM, in final form for evaluation, shall be submitted to the IIM Committee no later than the last day of classes of the semester in which the work is to be completed.  This project must be in a form that facilitates efficient evaluation by the committee.  The Capstone Project must be explicitly stated in the IIM proposal, or in any approved revisions to the IIM proposal.  It is imperative that all parties agree as to the nature of the expected product, and that the student understands what is required for submission and evaluation.  For example, if the final project is a manuscript, an adequate number of copies must be provided for evaluation by the IIM committee.  If the final project is a video, the student must provide a working link to the project online or provide copies of the video on a flash drive for each member of the committee. 

We encourage students to present their work publicly, so that the Goucher Community can understand the advantages and potential of interdisciplinary research and production. 

 

Honors in the Major

Students who earn a GPA of 3.7 or higher in the courses in their IIM will earn honors in the major. 

 

If you have questions, please contact the IIM Director, Phaye Poliakoff-Chen. 

Phaye.poliakoff-chen@goucher.edu