The Bachelor of Arts major in Interdisciplinary Studies was introduced as a response to the need sounded in academia for greater dialogue among departments and scholars and to the more practical need of the students for flexibility. Since its institution in the late 1970s, the program has produced graduates active in the fields of law, business, education, sports, and the arts. It rests on the belief that reality is complex and multidimensional. Thus, any attempt at understanding reality and discoursing on the same can be achieved—and only provisionally so—after the critical synthesis of the various methodologies and knowledge of different disciplines. What are learned are not only “truths” but also the premises underlying and legitimizing them. The program, therefore, prizes open-mindedness, broadness of vision, reflexivity, and a commitment to knowledge.
The program also recognizes the individuality of each pupil. Instead of dismissing the particular (and sometimes idiosyncratic) inclinations of students, it mines and hones these in the belief that education is self-perfection for the better service of society. Thus, in addition to receiving the humanistic training required by the Ateneo core curriculum, IS majors design their own course of studies, based on their interests and strengths and given the actual means and services of the university, under the supervision of the Department Chair.
The terminal requirement for the degree is a monograph (called the senior paper) in which the IS major integrates the skills, knowledge, and methodologies learned from the classes he or she took to probe, critique, and explain issues, suggest feasible and sound solutions to specific problems, or produce substantial creative work.
With proper guidance and the student’s own commitment, the IS program hopes to engender graduates equipped in the intellectual rigors—and pleasures—of creativity and synthesis, critical thinking and analysis, reflection and self-reflexivity. It is the mission of the Interdisciplinary Studies Department to develop well-rounded students who are able to see beyond disciplinary lines, synthesize knowledge gained from different disciplinary perspectives, have professional skills in disciplines of their own choosing, and are equipped to view and respond to the world from a holistic perspective.
|
Program Learning Objectives At the end of their course of study, graduates of AB IS are expected to, |
|
1: Demonstrate familiarity with key concepts, theories, methodologies, and developments in a discipline or an interdisciplinary field. |
|
2: Analyze objects, texts, issues, or phenomena from broad perspectives informed by cultural, historical, ecological awareness, among others |
|
3: Develop socially relevant research and creative projects related to human and sustainable development, especially in marginalized sectors and communities in the Philippines. |
|
4: Practice self-reflection, that is, a critical examination of one's beliefs, values, and behavior, in pursuit of holistic development, personal growth and lifelong learning |
|
5: Create an individual or collaborative culminating research or creative project addressing complex issues, problems, or realities through an interdisciplinary approach. |
Curriculum
It is the mission of the Bachelor of Arts major in Interdisciplinary studies program to develop well-rounded students and lifelong learners: who are able to see beyond disciplinary lines; who are able to synthesize knowledge gained from different disciplinary perspectives; who have professional skills in disciplines or fields of their own choosing; and who are equipped to view and respond to the world from a holistic perspective.
In line with the overarching vision and mission of Ateneo de Manila University, the undergraduate program in Interdisciplinary Studies has three components: the core curriculum, the co-curriculum, and the major curriculum.
The core curriculum constitutes an integrated program that the Ateneo conceives to be a truly liberal education. The co-curriculum or the Integrated Ateneo Formation Program (InAF) seeks to provide students with opportunities that can help develop and integrate the personal, academic, socio-cultural, and spiritual dimensions that comprise the personhood of each student. The core and co-curriculum are shared in common by all Ateneo students and consist of 76 units of Core courses ( C ), 8 units ot PATHFIT (Physical Education), 3 units of Free Elective (FE), and 6 units of InAF or formation courses.
The major curriculum comprises subjects in a wide range of fields of specialization that are carefully selected and regularly reviewed to provide students with the best preparation for their chosen career. The AB-IS Major Curriculum has the following components:
Track Major Electives (ME)
15 units of Track 1 ME
15 units of Track 2 ME
Major Courses (M)
15 units of M
Required Major Electives (RM)
15 units of RM
—--
60 units
Track Major Electives (ME)
The AB Interdisciplinary Studies program is premised on the heterogeneity of experience and is thus directed at developing the critical faculty of integration. A key feature of the IS Program is the opportunity for students to craft their own unique program of study by allowing them to combine two tracks or two fields of specialization. AB Interdisciplinary Studies majors select select courses following the track design of their selected tracks with supervision from the IS Department’s Academic Adviser. Each track consists of 15 units or 5 Major Elective (ME) courses. IS students choose a combined total of 30 units or 10 ME courses for their two tracks. IS majors may choose from a menu of 50 tracks consisting of a selection of disciplines or interdisciplinary fields of inquiry offered by various department or programs from the five schools of the Higher Education cluster of Ateneo de Manila University. Subject to approval by the Academic Adviser, IS majors may choose two tracks among the following options:
Gokongwei Brothers School of Education and Learning Design (GBSEALD)
Education
School of Humanities (SOH)
Fine Arts: Art Management
Fine Arts: Creative Writing
Fine Arts: Information Design
Fine Arts: Theater Directing
Fine Arts: Theatrical Performance
Foreign Language and Culture: French
Foreign Language and Culture: German
Foreign Language and Culture: Spanish
Literature and Cultural Studies
Literature Across the Professions
Literature (Filipino)/Panitikang Pilipino
Music Literature
Philosophy: Western Philosophy
Philosophy: Eastern Philosophy
Philosophy: Ancient Philosophy
Philosophy: Thematic Philosophy
Philosophy: Contemporary Philosophy
John Gokongwei School of Management (JGSOM)
Finance
Information Technology Management
International Business
Marketing
Project Management
Strategic Human Resource Management
Sustainability
School of Science and Engineering:
Computer Science: Multimedia
Computer Science: Programming
Management Information Systems
School of Social Sciences
Anthropology
Cultural Heritage
Communication: Film and Media Studies
Communication: Journalism
Communication: PR and Advertising
Communication: Image and Sound Production
Development Studies: Development and the Law
Development Studies: Development Management
Development Studies: Health and Development
Development Studies: Humanitarian Action
Development Studies: Urban Development
Economics
Foreign Language and Culture: Chinese Studies
Foreign Language and Culture: Korean Studies
Foreign Language and Culture: Japanese Studies
Gender Studies
Global Politics
History
Political Science
Public Management
Psychology
Sociology
Major Courses (M)
In addition, AB IS majors take 15 units of mandatory courses or 5 Major (M) Courses offered by the Interdisciplinary Studies Department, namely: Introduction to Interdisciplinary Approaches in the Humanities and Basic Music Research taken in the First Year; Methods in Interdisciplinary Research, a service learning course taken during the Junior Year; and finally, students take a pair of terminal courses in their Senior Year: Undergraduate Thesis I and Undergraduate Thesis II which allow students to integrate their two tracks in a culminating investigative-analytical paper, an applied research project, or a creative work. Thus, the program combines training in the foundations of two fields and offers opportunities for interdisciplinary synthesis.
Required Major Electives (RM)
To complete the IS Major Curriculum, students have another 15 units or 5 Required Major (RM) courses which consist of electives such as: 1 Great Books course (they may choose from a menu of Great Books courses); 3 IDS Electives (chosen from Interdisciplinary Electives offered by the IS Department); and 1 Free Elective of their choice (any course of their choice offered by any department, for as long as they meet the eligibility criteria).
In emphasizing an interdisciplinary approach to the analysis of texts or of contemporary Philippine realities, the Bachelor of Arts major in Interdisciplinary Studies acknowledges that insights into the human condition and its problems — whether societal, environmental, commercial, or interpersonal; whether theoretical-philosophical or practical — can originate from various points and be made to converge productively.
Department of Interdisciplinary Studies
Horacio dela Costa Hall
Ateneo de Manila University Loyola Heights campus
Katipunan Avenue, Loyola Heights
1108 Quezon City
Philippines
Telephone +63 2 8426 6001 local 5340, 5341
is.soh@ateneo.edu