Interdisciplinary Studies
Your degree, your way.
The Major in Interdisciplinary Studies allows students to organize their own academic interests around a central theme or focus. See Program Details for examples of study.
This B.A. program is housed in the Faculty of Arts, and is overseen by the Interdisciplinary Studies Committee, consisting of three faculty members from the Faculty of Arts Council. Each student will design his or her own program with the guidance of the Committee. The Committee will ensure that each student has a supervisor who will direct the independent study project at the 4000-level, and serve as the student’s academic advisor. The student’s individualized course map will be approved by the Committee, reviewed annually, and revised if necessary.
Academic Advisor
Dr. Sara MacDonald
Telephone: (705) 675-1151, ext. 4201
Email: sZMacDonald@laurentian.ca
Office: Laurentian University Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6 Office - A254
The Major in Interdisciplinary Studies is a four-year program which requires students to select three subject areas of study in Arts, as well as a fourth area for a Minor. In their final year, students take a capstone project course with a faculty supervisor which brings together the different themes of their program. The project can be a research essay or literature review, or it can incorporate a creative project.
After students are admitted into the B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies, the coordinator will prepare an individualized Plan of Study that reflects their interests. For example, here is a possible Plan of Study:
Sample Plan of Study (120 cr total)
Major in Interdisciplinary Studies - 42 cr
Arts Discipline 1 - Psychology - 15 cr PSYC 1000/2000/3000 level
Arts Discipline 2 - Sociology - 12 cr SOCI 2000/3000 level
Arts Discipline 3 - History - 9 cr HIST 2000/3000 level
Capstone Project: ARTS-4005, Independent Study Project - 6 cr
Minor in Criminology - 24 cr
Electives - 54 cr
Ontario High School Applicants
Program Prerequisites:
- 1 grade 12 English U/M course; 5 other grade 12 U/M courses
- A minimum overall average of 70% in the 6 best grade 12 U/M courses
Students in the Major in Interdisciplinary Studies are eligible for direct entry from high school, college, or other post-secondary studies. They must submit a plan of study to the Department of History, preferably in their first year of study at Laurentian University, indicating their thematic field of interest, and the three Arts disciplines that they propose to combine in the Major. The Interdisciplinary Studies Committee will review proposals in consultation with the chairs, directors, or coordinators of the academic units involved, who must sign off on the student’s plan of study before it can be approved. The student’s individualized course map will be approved by the Committee, review annually, and revised if necessary. A copy of the approved course map also will be shared with the Office of the Registrar for their records.
For more information, please contact:
Dr. Sara Burke
Vice-Dean, Faculty of Arts
Laurentian University
Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6
Office - A254
Tel (705) 675-1151, ext. 4201, sburke@laurentian.ca
Interdisciplinary Studies in Arts Committee:
Dr. Sara Burke, Department of History, Laurentian University, sburke@laurentian.ca
Application Form:
Click here to download the application form.
Canadian Applicants
If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you must complete your application through the Ontario Universities Application Center (OUAC).
For detailed instructions on the application process, see the How to Apply: Undergraduate Studies page.
Apply Now as a Domestic Applicant
International Applicants
If you’re an international applicant, you must fill out the International Application Form.
For detailed instructions on the application process, see the How to Apply: International Students page.
Apply Now as an International Applicant
The degree options listed below are for the upcoming academic year, not the current academic year. If you are a current student looking for which courses to take in order to complete your degree options from a previous academic year's curriculum, please consult with an academic advisor.
Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
Total 120 credits
Students must follow these in order to meet graduation requirements for the BA or B.Sc.
Major in Interdisciplinary Studies (ALSO OFFERED ONLINE)
12-18 cr from first Arts discipline
9-12 cr from second Arts discipline
9-12 cr from third Arts discipline
ARTS 4005 EL - Independent Study Project (6 cr)
* The 42 credits for the Major in Interdisciplinary Studies must include at least 6 cr at the 3000 level, and no more than 6 cr at the 1000 level. Students may choose to combine any three disciplines available within the B.A.
Notes:
- In order to get a BA, students must include 6 credits in linguistic awareness, 6 credits of Indigenous content, and 6 credits in the Sciences if not part of the other minor or second major. Eligible courses are available at the 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 levels and students should take them at the appropriate time in their studies.
- Students must complete a minimum of a minor (24 credits) or a second major (42 credits) from among their elective credits.
- Students may not exceed 42 credits at the 1000 or 9100 level in their degree program.
With guidance from a faculty supervisor, you can design your own major around a
central theme, combining courses from 3 different Arts disciplines.
Complete a capstone project in your fourth year of study.