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Interdisciplinary Studies

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Interdisciplinary Studies Overview & Goals

Complex problems require interdisciplinary approaches if valid solutions are to be found. Interdisciplinary Studies at Bethany College is a program that responds to this need. It houses courses, majors, and minors that cross departmental lines. Majors and minors can be student-initiated or faculty-sponsored. The program, designed to create a broader array of educational opportunities, assists individual students to design, propose, and complete a coherent, individualized, interdisciplinary degree program that is not currently available at Bethany. Similarly, faculty are invited to propose new interdisciplinary programs to serve the needs of their students.

Current faculty-initiated interdisciplinary majors include: Education and Psychology; Environmental Science; German Studies; International Economics with Study Abroad; International Relations; Music Technology; and Psychology, Religion and Culture. Minors are offered in Medieval and Renaissance Studies; Nonprofit Management; Nonprofit Marketing; and Women’s Studies.

The new Bachelor of Arts in Music Technology provides the student with a firm foundation in the creation, performance, presentation, and recording of music in a variety of contexts: live, audio and video recording, and internet streaming. Internships provide experience with an off-campus recording studio, media organization, communication agency, or professional performance groups for the Music Technology Major. On-campus events also give Music Technology students opportunities in performance, composition, audio recording, and live sound applications.

Phillips Room at Bethany College

Areas Of Study

Environmental Science (Major)
Music Technology (Major)
Psychology and Education (Major)
Psychology, Religion and Culture (Major)
Medieval and Renaissance Studies (Minor)
Nonprofit Management (Minor)
Nonprofit Marketing (Minor)
Women’s Studies (Minor)

CAREERS INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES

  • Audio recording and production
  • Video recording and production
  • Music editing
  • Sound engineer
Meet The Faculty
Harald Menz

Professor of World Languages and Cultures (German); Co-Chair, Department of Humanities; Co-Director of Interdisciplinary Studies; Director of International Studies

Morlan Hall, 116
Brooke Deal

Associate Professor of Religious Studies; TW Philips Chair of Religious Studies; Co. Director of Interdisciplinary Studies; Co. Chair of the Department of Humanities

Morlan Hall, 111

REQUIREMENTS MUSIC TECHNOLOGY MAJOR

COMM 101, COMM 200, COMM 218, COMM 420; One of the following courses: COMM 392, COMM 393, COMM 395. MUSI 100: applied lessons in an instrument for 2 semesters (1 cr. each semester); MUSI 101-102; MUSI 104; ensemble credit (MUSI 105, 106, or 107) for 2 semesters (1 cr. each semester); COMM/MUSI 110, MUSI 114, COMM/MUSI 210; one course from either MUSI 103, MUSI 250 or MUSI 251; MUSI 171; MUSI 309; MUSI 477; INTD 490, 495.

REQUIREMENTS PSYCHOLOGY AND EDUCATION MAJOR

PSYC 100, 205, 315; two courses selected from PSYC 324, 325, 326; EDUC 203, 242, 348, 473; SOCI 150, 210; INTD 470, 477, 490, 495.

REQUIREMENTS PSYCHOLOGY, RELIGION, AND CULTURE MAJOR

INTD 204, 490, 495; PHIL 355, PSYC 100, PSYC 188, PSYC 230 or 231, PSYC 324 or 325, PSYC 328 or 329; RELS 220, 224, 235, 251; SOWO 120.

REQUIREMENTS MEDIEVAL AND RENAISSANCE STUDIES MINOR

Medieval and Renaissance Studies: Fifteen credits including INTD 252; one course from the following: ENGL 245; FREN 320, FREN 420, or GRMN 420; one course from the following: ENGL 270, ENGL 440, ENGL 444, or other courses in the series ENGL 400-449 focusing on topics pertinent to the Middle Ages or Renaissance or both (as approved by the Director of Interdisciplinary Studies); one course from the following: MUSI 250, VISA 100, VISA 101, GENS 353 or PHIL 353, ENGL 320, HIST 311, courses in the series HIST 410-419 focusing on topics pertinent to the Middle Ages or Renaissance or both (as approved by the Director of Interdisciplinary Studies), POLS 361, one 3-credit independent study on a relevant topic taken at Bethany (with prior approval of the Director of Interdisciplinary Studies), or one 3-credit course on a relevant subject not included in the Bethany curriculum transferred to Bethany from another college (with approval of the Director of Interdisciplinary Studies).

REQUIREMENTS NONPROFIT MANAGEMENT MINOR

INTD 175, 320; ACCT 202, 203; PSYC/BUSI/ECON 287; ENGL 220; COMM 203; three credits from BUSI 482 or PHIL 124; COMM 206, 303; BUSI 311; ENGL 223; MATH 281 or PSYC 205.

REQUIREMENTS NONPROFIT MARKETING MINOR

INTD 175, 320; ACCT 202, 203; ENGL 220; COMM/BUSI 203, 412; BUSI 310 (ECON 163 is a prerequite for BUSI 310).

REQUIREMENTS WOMEN’S STUDIES MINOR

15 credits from the following courses: BIOL 115; COMM 346; ENGL 320, 321, 385, 434; INTD 204, 211, PSYC 210; RELS 235; SOCI 145; THEA 270.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS INTERDISCIPLINARY

INTD 175 Nonprofit Management Fundamentals 3 credits
This course provides the foundation content and theoretical basis for nonprofit management through a comprehensive picture of current issues in managing nonprofit organizations. Topics include: principles of strategic and long-range planning; program development and evaluation; recruiting, organizing, motivating, and retaining volunteers/staff; development of financial assets and fundraising; developing recruiting, and working with a board of directors; and effective proposal writing.

INTD 202 World Energy Resources 3 credits
This course is an analysis of energy resources and needs of the modern world in historical and geographical context. Psychological, social, and political ramifications are examined and alternative solutions to energy problems are evaluated. Not open to First-Year Students.

INTD 203 International Terrorism 3 credits
This course is a study of the origins, nature, cost, containment, and prevention of terrorism, violence, and revolution in today’s world, focusing in particular on the reasons why many nations and peoples outside the ruling classes of the major developed nations turn to violence. Not open to First-Year Students.

INTD 204 Human Sexuality 3 credits
This course is an examination of issues concerning sexuality and sexual functioning. Considered are the following topics: biological, psychological, and sociological aspects of sexuality; the development of sex roles; sexual myths; sexuality and religion; birth control; changing sex roles in today’s world.

INTD 210 The Art and Science of Peace 3 credits
This course is a consideration of the use of various forms of art throughout history to convey themes of peace and an examination of psychological, sociological, and religious research designed to promote peace. Students in the course produce original works of art which express personal visions of peace. An additional course fee is required.

INTD 211 Women of the World 3 credits
This course is an international study of women’s issues, focusing on women in the global economy, reproductive rights, domestic abuse, civic duties, HIV/AIDS, genital mutilation, and Sharia law. Contemporary issues pertaining to women in such countries as China, Japan, South Africa, Nigeria, Afghanistan, and Mexico are compared to promote understanding of and broaden perspectives on the lives of women outside the United States. (This course can be taken as POLS 211.)

INTD 251 Origins of Western Thought I: The Ancient World 3 credits
This course is an examination of intellectual life in the civilizations of Ancient Greece and Rome. It explores characteristic cultural themes and values by focusing on differing perceptions of the hero and on the manifestations of those perceptions in representative written and visual forms. This course is one of a series of three courses examining the development of thought in the Western world. Each course is offered every third semester. Not open to First-Year Students.

INTD 252 Origins of Western Thought II: The Middle Ages and Renaissance 3 credits
This course is an examination of thought in Europe during the Middle Ages and Renaissance. It explores characteristic cultural themes and values by focusing on differing perceptions of the relationship between the sacred and the profane and on the manifestations of those perceptions in representative written and visual forms. This course is one of a series of three courses examining the development of thought in the Western world. Each course is offered every third semester. Not open to First-Year Students.

INTD 253 Origins of Western Thought III: The Modern Age 3 credits
This course is an examination of modern thought as it has developed in the Western world from the 17th century to the present. It explores characteristic cultural themes and values by focusing on the emergence of a rationalist vision and of reactions to that vision by exploring representative written and visual examples. This course is one of a series of three courses examining the development of thought in the Western world. Each course is offered every third semester. Not open to First-Year Students.

INTD 301 Heuristics 3 credits each
These courses focus on the investigation and discovery of methodologies of problem solving within a broad spectrum of academic disciplines and pragmatic pursuits. Open to juniors and seniors only. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

INTD 306 International Development 3 credits
This course is interdisciplinary in structure and examines the economic, political, and social development of Lesser Developed Countries. A major focus of the course is the environment and “sustainable development.” When taught as a travel course, it consists of classes and meetings with political, IGO, and NGO officials and staff. Students gain knowledge of development at the local level by traveling to villages and talking with citizens and local leaders. Students participate in environmental research and conservation activities.

INTD 320 Nonprofit Field Study 3 credits
In this course, students have the opportunity to apply skills learned in the classroom and solidify their interest in nonprofit management. This experience also provides an opportunity for development of a professional identity and possible contacts for the future.

INTD 470 Internship in Interdisciplinary Education and Psychology 1 credit
Internships provide student with off-campus exposure to the life and work in a professional education field of student, non-teaching certification. All internships must have the approval of the Education Department faculty and are supervised and evaluated by the departmental field supervisor and by a professional in the field. A journal and a written summary of the student’s experiences and their relationship to pertinent theories and practices of the chosen field is required. Prerequisite: Declared Interdisciplinary Education and Psychology major; junior standing or the permission of the instructor.

INTD 477 Senior Seminar in Interdisciplinary Education and Psychology 1 credit
This course is an introduction to professional opportunities in education and psychology and related fields and an exploration of value and ethical consideration. Continued guidance on senior project and senior comprehensive examinations also is provided during this course. Prerequisite: Declared Interdisciplinary Education and Psychology major; junior standing or the permission of the instructor.
INTD 487-488 Independent Study 2-4 credits

INTD 490 Senior Project 2-4 credits

INTD 495 Comprehensive Exams
This course is an administrative placeholder used to record a student’s score on Comprehensive Exams (CR/NCR).

Interested in learning more about studying Interdisciplinary Studies at Bethany?

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