Interdisciplinary Studies (IDS)

For more information on the IDS program, contact the College of Arts, Humanities, and Public Affairs at (304)766-3126 or arts.humanities@wvstateu.edu, or contact the Office of Student Retention and Success at (304) 766-3022.

WVSU’s Interdisciplinary Studies (IDS) Program gives students the flexibility to craft their own academic programs according to their unique interests and career goals. Students will work with an IDS Program advisor to select three academic minors from within any of the University’s four colleges whose competencies will help them achieve their aspirations. Having gained specialized knowledge, diverse perspectives, and analytical skills from their chosen fields of study, students will be equipped to meet innovative challenges across disciplines in an ever changing multicultural marketplace of ideas and opportunities.
In addition to their General Education and minor field of study courses, all IDS students will take an IDS capstone course in which they will complete a project demonstrating the connections between their specific disciplines.

120 Hours for Graduation

Core Courses

• IDS 160 Foundations of Inquiry
• IDS 477 Interdisciplinary Studies Capstone course
• Four additional courses from Tier II Gen Ed requirements
• Encouraged to take at least (1) foreign language class.

Select ANY 3 Minors

Declare and complete three (3) separate minors as described in the University catalog;

An earned Associate degree counts as one of the minors.

*Minimum of 30 hours in upper-level courses, including IDS 477

West Virginia State University offers interdisciplinary minors in African and African-American Studies, International Studies and Women’s Studies. Each minor is designed to provide students with a course of study in an area of current importance and interest that crosses the traditional lines among disciplines. Each minor begins with an introductory course that provides an overview of its field of study. The breadth and focus of the introduction is then further developed through a number of relevant courses in this field drawn from departmental offerings.

● Core Course: G ED 150 Introduction to African and African-American Studies.
● Electives: 15 credit hours from the following list of courses approved for the minor, including at least two from each area below.

ENGL 337 The Black Writer in America

ENGL 338 Black Novelists in America

ENGL 339 Black Poets in America

ENGL 340 Readings in African Literature

HIST 311 African-American History

HIST 444 Sub-Saharan Africa

POSC 420 The Politics of Race

Core Course: G ED205/SOC 205 Introduction to Appalachian Studies.

Electives: 12 credit hours from the following courses (this list may be expanded

Choose Two:

HIST 209 West Virginia and Appl. Region
SOC 444 Appalachian Cult and Social Change
ENG 325 Adolescent Literature
HIST 416 The Civil War Era
SWK 200 Theories of Poverty
SWK 202 Cultural Aspects

Choose One:
ENG 343 Appalachian Literature and Culture
ART 319 Appalachian Arts and Crafts

Choose One:
BIOL 108 Environmental Biology
ENG 154 Mythology and Folklore
ENG 324 Literature for Children

Core Courses: Introduction to International Studies (INTS 210);
● Three credit hours in a language at the 300 level or foreign language proficiency as tested by the Modern
Foreign Language Department.
● Electives: nine credit hours from the following list of courses approved for the minor (this list may be
expanded).
ART 202 Non-Western Art FREN 205 France: A View of Changing Culture
ART 317 African and Afro-American Art FREN 443 West African Culture
ART 320 African Art FREN 444 Caribbean: Crossroads of Culture
ART 350 African-American Artist HIST 421 History of the Far East
BA 460 International Business HIST 304 History of Russia
COMM 446 International Cinema HIST 444 Sub-Saharan Africa
ECON 310 Economic Development PHIL 308 World Religions
ECON 406 Comparative Economic Systems POSC 210 International Relations
ECON 410 International Economics POSC 302 American Foreign Policy
ENGL 340 Readings in African Literature POSC 304 Comparative Politics
ENGL 350 World Literature: Classical Era POSC 410 Politics of the Third World
ENGL 351 World Literature: Modern Era POSC 415 Arab Middle East
ENGL 440 Interpreting the Holocaust SOC 305 Birth, Death, and Migration
SPAN 205 Spain and Its Culture
Select A or B
A. Field Study with an international agency in the U.S. or abroad for 3 hours
B. Special topics course for 3 hours
In addition, study abroad for one to six credit hours, internship or field study with an international agency in the
U.S. or abroad for three credit hours, and appropriate special topics courses may be used as electives if approved
by the International Studies Minor Committee.

Core course: G ED 250 Introduction to Women’s Studies.
Electives: 12 hours from the following list of courses approved for the minor (this list may be expanded).

ART 451 Women Artists
COMM 345 Film Theory: Genre and Directors
ENGL 342 Women Writers
PSYC 245 Sex Roles
SOC 320 Women, Change, and Society S
WK 200 Theories of Poverty

An interdisciplinary course focusing on the large “human questions” by identifying how they relate to perception, reason, and structure. Focusing on multicultural issues of humanity (including race and gender), human thought, society, and technology, investigation will take place across disciplines and through various modes of knowledge. 3 credit hours.

This course is designed as a capstone experience for all seniors in the Interdisciplinary Studies major. The course content will vary slightly with each offering because of the individualized nature of the degree. Students will be required to complete a major research paper or project on a topic chosen by the student and approved by the instructor. The paper will be presented orally and should make logical and theoretical connections in the student’s selected disciplines. Successful completion of the course with a grade of “C” or better is required for graduation. Prerequisite: Senior Standing.