Interdisciplinary Studies

Overview/Areas of Interdisciplinary Study/Courses

Interdisciplinary teaching and scholarship cross boundaries between academic disciplines or schools of thought to expand traditional limits on knowledge and to address new and emerging challenges. The epidemiology of AIDS and the dynamics of climate change, for example, require the insights and resources of multiple disciplines. The Whitworth 2021 Strategic Plan emphasizes interdisciplinary studies as essential to a comprehensive and relevant liberal arts education and to subsequent vocational service and success.

Interdisciplinary studies at Whitworth entail a range of offerings, including academic majors, minors and signature general education courses such as Core 150, 250, and 350.  Several of these areas of study incorporate significant programmatic and co-curricular elements such as events, speakers, and leadership/service opportunities.

Interdisciplinary Majors

American Studies, History Emphasis or Political Science Emphasis

Bioinformatics

Cross-Cultural Studies, History Emphasis or Political Science Emphasis

International Studies, History Emphasis or Political Science Emphasis

Mathematical Economics

Peace Studies, History Emphasis or Political Science Emphasis

Interdisciplinary Minors

Asian Studies

Environmental Studies

Latin American Studies

Leadership Studies

Medieval & Early Modern Studies

U.S. Cultural Studies

Women's and Gender Studies

Core: Worldview Programs

Asian Studies Minor - Dr. Todd Friends

asianstudies@whitworth.edu

The Asian studies minor was created out of recognition that the vast region labeled “Asia” has greatly influenced, and continues to influence, human experience throughout the world. Whether Asia is viewed as a source of world religions, half the earth’s population, much of the economic growth of the last few decades, or a microcosm of the diversity of political and economic policies, it is clear that gaining a better understanding of Asia requires an interdisciplinary approach. The Asian studies minor builds upon the strengths of courses in the social sciences and humanities that focus on Asia or particular Asian countries. The confluence of these courses allows students to develop an integrated understanding of the region, read difficult texts, understand and formulate abstract ideas and make informed judgments about a world of many cultures. This focus on the “other” is fundamental to understanding the student’s own culture and the values that shape his or her worldview. From this understanding, it is hoped that students can begin to construct bridges across cultures.

The learning outcomes of the Asian studies minor prepare the student to do the following:

• Use an interdisciplinary framework to understand a foreign culture.
• Understand and reflect on the cultures of Asia in relation to the student’s own culture.
• Read and speak Japanese or Chinese at a level sufficient to begin study in either country.
• Augment a student’s major coursework with a concentration in Asia.
• Understand the role that Asia plays in shaping the contemporary world, as well as how outside forces have shaped Asia.

U.S. Cultural Studies Minor - Stacy Keogh

uscs@whitworth.edu

Whitworth’s U.S. Cultural Studies Program acknowledges that many factors, such as race, ethnicity, national origin, socio-economics, gender, sexual orientation and type of disability, influence our lives and experiences in the United States. In one way or another, others’ perceptions of us, or even our self-perceptions, have been formed by these personal characteristics and by the groups that are identified by these characteristics. Our goal is to study these groups so that we can better understand these groups and our own lives in the contemporary U.S.  Students of all identities and backgrounds are welcomed and encouraged to pursue this minor.

Through this program of study, our goals are:

1. To study the foundations and interactions of diverse groups living in the U.S. from an interdisciplinary framework.
2. To develop intercultural competencies for other coursework, graduate or professional schools, and eventual vocations.
3. To increase willingness and capacity to serve campus and communities by advancing social justice and reconciliation.

Women's & Gender Studies Program - Dr. Jennifer Brown

wgs@whitworth.edu

At Whitworth, we affirm that all people are created in God's image and share a common humanity.  At the same time, we acknowledge that many factors, such as gender, race, class, sexual orientation and religious upbringing, influence our learning and our lives.  These personal characteristics, including gender, may influence how women and men pursue scholarship, how women and men are represented in scholarship, in history and in society, and, ultimately, how women and men may come to honor God, follow Christ, and serve humanity.  Through curricular and co-curricular means, teaching both heart and mind, the Women's and Gender Studies Program at Whitworth offers students the unique opportunity to think through gender issues from a Christian perspective and to articulate, support, and critique feminist views in the light of biblical and theological traditions.

The learning outcomes of this major prepare the student to do the following:

• Use an interdisciplinary framework to engage with the pluralistic culture.
• Identify and investigate the intersections of gender, race, class and religion with gender experiences.
• Seek an increased understanding of gender issues from various Christian perspectives.
• Explore, develop, articulate and critique feminist views.

A minor in Women's and Gender Studies prepares successful candidates for jobs and for graduate school in a broad range of disciplines, including human resources, education, political science, journalism, social work, counseling, and medicine.  Candidates are urged to speak with the program director about course work and internships.