New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences

www.west.asu.edu/newcollege
Emily F. Cutrer, PhD, Dean

Ethnic Studies Program

Integrated Natural Sciences, Department of

Integrative Studies, Department of

Interdisciplinary Arts and Performance, Department of

Language, Cultures, and History, Department of

Mathematical Sciences and Applied Computing, Department of

Religious Studies Program

Social and Behavioral Sciences, Department of

Women’s Studies Program

PURPOSE

The New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences offers academic programs that prepare students to take their places as active participants in a rapidly changing social, political, and natural environment. These programs seek to provide students with the skills necessary for independent thinking and effective expression; an understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures past and present; sensitivity to the aesthetic dimensions of human endeavor and the natural environment; and, an appreciation and understanding of scientific perspectives and methods as tools for understanding nature and society. The college’s integrating principle or focus is social concern and community engagement.

The college has built a blend of interdisciplinary, integrative, and disciplinary programming that transcends academic boundaries while providing much of the general studies for the campus. The college’s teaching and research are guided by a linkage of theory and practice, engaging the local community through service learning activities, internships, and arts programming.

ORGANIZATION

The New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences is organized into six interdisciplinary departments and three academic programs:

Department of Integrated Natural Sciences

Department of Integrative Studies

Department of Interdisciplinary Arts and Performance

Department of Language, Cultures, and History

Department of Mathematical Sciences and Applied Computing

Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Ethnic Studies Program

Religious Studies Minor

Women’s Studies Program

DEGREE PROGRAMS

See the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences Baccalaureate Degrees and Majors table below.

The faculty of the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences offer a 30-semester-hour Master of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. For more information, see the Graduate Catalog.

MINORS AND CERTIFICATES

See West Campus Minors and West Campus Certificates.

Admission

Any student who is admitted to the university and who wishes to major in an interdisciplinary or disciplinary field offered by the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences is admitted to the degree program.

Degree Requirements

All candidates for graduation in the BA and BS degree curricula are required to present at least 120 semester hours, of which at least 50 semester hours must consist of upper-division courses. A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 is required for graduation.

In cooperation with their college and faculty advisors, students file a Declaration of Graduation in accordance with the degree requirements. It is the students’ responsibility to be aware of the requirements for their degree program and to select courses accordingly.

To graduate, a student must satisfy separate requirements of three kinds:

1. 1. college proficiency requirements for Language and Cultures and Mathematics;
2. 2. university First-Year Composition and General Studies requirements; and
3. 3. major requirements that involve concentrated course work in one program.

Proficiency Requirements

Each student is required to demonstrate proficiency in the analysis of language and cultures and mathematics by passing an examination or by completing the courses specified below with a grade of “C” (2.00) or higher in each course.

Students considering graduate work after completion of a bachelor’s degree should consult with faculty advisors regarding language requirements in their intended areas of study.

Language and Cultures

This requirement may be satisfied through one of the following:

1. 1. completion of secondary education at a school in which the language of instruction is not English;
2. 2. completion of a language course at the intermediate level (202 or equivalent), including American Sign Language IV;
3. 3. completion of upper-division course(s) taught in a foreign language, taken in the United States or the relevant country;
4. 4. completion of six semester hours of upper-division courses that have a Global Awareness (G) or Cultural Diversity in the U.S. (C) designation, in addition to the courses used to meet the University General Studies requirements; or
5. 5. completion of two sequential semesters of course work in a current computer language. Contact the college Advising Office for information on applicable course work.

Mathematics

MAT 142 or any MAT course for which MAT 117 or a higher level MAT course is a prerequisite.

Major Requirements

Each student is required to select a major from among the programs offered by the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences. The requirements for completion of the major are described under department listings.

The major program may require up to 45 semester hours of course work. The minimum is 30 hours. A maximum of 18 additional hours may be required in related courses and prerequisites. No more than 63 semester hours of course work may be required to complete the major, related courses, and prerequisites. A minimum of 12 upper-division semester hours in the major must be taken in campus resident credit.

No credit is granted toward fulfilling major or minor requirements in any upper-division course in the subject field of the major unless the grade in that course is at least a “C” (2.00). Normally a “Y” (satisfactory) grade needs confirmation that it is equivalent to a “C” (2.00) or higher.

General Electives

Once the three kinds of requirements have been satisfied, the remainder of the minimum of 120 semester hours required for graduation are general electives. Contact college advisors for assistance in selecting elective courses.