Interdisciplinary studies is an expanding, exciting academic area in which students study, conduct research, and do creative work in subject areas that span multiple traditional academic disciplines. It has developed out of recognition that responses to complex problems and challenges require a combination of the intellectual tools available from a wide range of academic disciplines. Students with interdisciplinary studies backgrounds are well-prepared for the fluidly changing realities of the professional world as well as future study in an ever more interdisciplinary academic arena.
The Interdisciplinary Studies Department provides a number of major, minor, and concentration programs for students interested in subjects that span multiple traditional academic disciplines. The growing list includes the following options:
- Self-designed interdisciplinary major of Liberal Studies
- Minors (18 credits) in African and African Diaspora Studies; Asian Studies; Ethnic Studies; and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
- Concentrations (15 credits) in Environmental and Sustainability Studies; Ethnic Studies; Global Studies; and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Some courses in these areas are offered by the Interdisciplinary Studies Department, while many other courses are offered in other departments across the university’s curriculum. Worcester State’s Student Planning platform allows students to search for all courses offered in a given semester in a specific program.
Nursing students get real-world experience at free clinic
The sun wasn’t yet up when five Worcester State nursing students reported for duty at Remote Area Medical’s (RAM’s) free health clinic in Willimantic, Conn., at 4:45 a.m. on Saturday, March 2. The pop-up clinic, with all medical equipment transported to the Windham Middle School on a repurposed NASCAR truck, provided vision, dental, and medical […]
Community leaders tackle housing justice at university summit
Worcester State University brought together community organizations, affordable housing advocates, housing experts, and city officials on March 12 for its first Housing Justice Summit. The event featured panel discussions, presentations, and a networking event that focused on issues surrounding the region’s housing crisis and resulting housing insecurity. The Commonwealth, like much of the rest of […]
Worcester State takes a creative approach to teaching about consent
Visitors to the Sheehan Dining Hall on March 5 were treated to a tasty and informative fry bar hosted by Worcester State’s Sexual Assault and Violence Education (SAVE) program as part of their Consent and F.R.I.E.S. campaign. The acronym F.R.I.E.S. is used by SAVE as a reminder that consent should be Freely given, Reversible, Informed, […]
Gallery opens exhibition of junk paintings and assemblage sculptures
Enter the world of madness through the lens of self proclaimed “junk collector” and lowbrow pop surrealist artist Brad Chapman Bleau in “Step Right Up” at The Mary Cosgrove Dolphin Art Gallery. Bleau’s work is situated within material and visual culture, finding deep beauty in the dusty detritus of yesteryear, showing us that seemingly insignificant […]
University greenhouse reopens for learning, research and activities
Green thumbs have cause for celebration as the university’s greenhouse blossoms back to life, offering students fertile ground for research and a chance to ‘leaf’ their mark on the botanical world. The greenhouse, located on the roof of the Ghosh Science and Technology Center, closed for repairs in early December and the newly renovated space […]
8th annual Backpack to Briefcase program offers lessons on career-readiness and networking opportunities
From networking with alumni to participating in interviews with actual recruiters, the weeklong Backpack to Briefcase program featured various events designed to prepare students for the jump from college to career. The series ran from February 5 to 8, and was open to all Worcester State students. “Helping students go through that transition is the […]
Artist and filmmaker Kaz Supernova to screen hip hop documentary at Worcester State
Among events celebrating Black History Month this month at Worcester State is a chance to see an acclaimed documentary with a local angle, “Wortown Rising, the Untold Story of the First Hip-Hop Music Scene in Worcester, MA.” The film, which packed the house at recent screenings in Worcester, will be shown at 5:30 p.m. Feb. […]
New Worcester Postcards exhibit provides window into city’s history
A new exhibit on campus gives the community a chance to glimpse into Worcester’s architectural history. Curated by university archivist Ross Griffiths, the Worcester Postcards exhibit on the second floor of the Learning Resource Center features 18 antique postcards that depict buildings and landmarks from around Worcester that no longer exist. The images show former […]