Undergraduate Catalog 2011-2013 - SUNY Institute of Technology

Interdisciplinary Studies
B.A. Degree Requirements
I. General Education Requirements (38-48 Credits)
Students must complete a minimum of 30 credits in the
ten SUNY General Education Requirement silos. In addition,
students must satisfy SUNYIT requirements by completing the
Laboratory Science and Upper Division Writing requirements.
SUNY General Education Requirements
Mathematics 3-4
Natural Science 3-4
Social Sciences 3-4
American History 3-4
Western Civilization 3-4
Other World Civilizations 3-4
Humanities 3-4
Arts 3-4
Foreign Language 3-4
Basic Communication 3-4
SUNYIT General Education Requirements
Laboratory Science 4
Upper Division Writing (COM 308 or approved alternative) 4
II. Interdisciplinary Studies Program Requirements
i. Area of Concentration (20-28 credits)
Students must complete 20-28 credits, depending on the
option selected, in an Area of Concentration chosen by the
student.
Option A Area of Concentration
(20 credits)
Students must complete 20 credits in an Area of Concentration
of their choice. Students may choose their Area
of Concentration from among any of the program majors,
minors, or program concentrations offered at SUNYIT, as
well as from some additional fields. Students are required to
demonstrate that they have attained depth of knowledge in
their area of concentration by taking a minimum of 8 credits
at the 300/400 level.
Option B Area of Concentration
(28 credits)
Students with specialized curricular interests may opt to
design a 28 credit individualized program of study, to be developed
in consultation with their faculty advisor and approved
by the Interdisciplinary Studies faculty. Students must take a
minimum of 12 credits at the 300/400 level.
ii. Interdisciplinary Studies Program Core (24 credits)
Students must complete 8 credits in each of the three Areas
of Inquiry that define the IDS Program Core, with a minimum
of 4 credits in each Area of Inquiry completed at the 300/400
level. Students must complete at least one course in each Area
of Inquiry carrying the Critical Studies in Technology (CST)
designation.
A. Histories and Systems of Thought:
Explores the development and significance of major intellectual
and cultural themes that shape the way we think about
the world. Themes include the development and influence of
technological ways of thinking and systems of thought.
IDS 201: Perspectives on Knowledge
IDS 204: Understanding Human Nature
IDS 400: Prominent Themes in Western Civilization Since
the Renaissance (CST)
B. Social and Political Contexts:
Examines the interrelationships between social and political
contexts and social practices: i.e. how social and political
contexts shape social practices, and how social, political, and
technical practices articulate, express, and shape (and challenge,
resist, and reconfigure) social relations, including relations of
power. Includes the examination of how technologies articulate
socio-political practices, and how technological developments
shape and reshape the contexts of social practice.
IDS 103: Science, Technology, and Human Values (CST)
IDS 203: Introduction to Science, Technology, and Society (CST)
IDS 304: Technology in American History (CST)
HIS 375: Gender Issues in World History
C. Cultural Analysis and Interpretation:
Examines forms and modes of cultural expression and
develops the analytical and interpretive practices for building a
critical understanding of the cultural environment, the ways in
which cultural objects articulate social and historical contexts,
and the ways in which cultural practices shape subjectivity
and social relations. Includes the study of how technologies
shape representational and cultural practices, and the critical
analysis and interpretation of representations of technology.
IDS 102: Art and Culture
IDS 301: Monsters, Robots, Cyborgs (CST)
IDS 302: Postmodernism and Popular Culture (CST)
IDS 435: Art and Technology (CST)
iii. Capstone Sequence
(8 credits)
Students must demonstrate skills in research and critical
inquiry, together with mastery and integration of their chosen
area of concentration with the IDS Core, by completing the
methods and capstone project course.
IDS 410: Research and Critical Methods
IDS 499: Interdisciplinary Studies Project
III. Electives
(16-34 credits)
Students must complete the balance of the 124 required
credits in college-level courses in any discipline carrying
SUNYIT or transferable credit.
56 SUNYIT Undergraduate Catalog 2011-2013