Interdisciplinary Studies

The Interdisciplinary Studies Program (IDS) offers courses and coordinates specialized interdepartmental programs.  By nature of their objectives and content, IDS courses cross the lines of departments and specialized disciplines. For example, some of these courses (i.e. IDS 255) attempt to provide the common body of knowledge traditionally associated with a liberal education; others (such as IDS 103) attempt to integrate the understanding of different kinds of subject matter; and still others combine methodologies from diverse departments and disciplines.

Beginning Spring 2008, the latest students may submit a proposal is the end of March of the sophomore year.  Any student, by the end of March sophomore year, may work with IDS to design an individualized major if s/he has a specific objective in mind which cannot be met with any combination of an existing major and minor(s). For details please review the individual major application materials or call the IDS office at 1-717-337-6748.  

IDS also offers two minor programs: Film Studies and Peace and Justice Studies. 

The IDS Program Committee meets approximately every two weeks during the semester on Monday afternoons. The deadline to submit proposals for each meeting is the Monday before.