Liberal Studies

Department website: https://www.sps.northwestern.edu/masters/liberal-studies/

The part-time Master of Arts in Liberal Studies program cuts a wide swath through the humanities and social sciences, studying the work of some of the world’s most powerful thinkers. As students explore a broad variety of subject matter, they enrich their understanding of social and cultural issues and improve their ability to analyze, write and complete research. MALS graduates strengthen and refine the analytical, critical and communicative skills that are highly transferable to any number of professional contexts. Secondary school teachers gain a competitive edge by deepening their subject area knowledge. For other students, the program can clarify the next stage in career or in life or provide excellent preparation for further graduate study. Northwestern's MALS is a full member program of The Association of Graduate Liberal Studies Programs

The Master of Arts in Liberal Studies program requires the successful completion of 9 courses to obtain a degree. Students need to complete three core courses including a thesis and six elective courses. 

Liberal Studies Courses

IPLS 401-0 Seminar in Liberal Studies I (1 Unit)  

Topics vary. May be repeated for credit with different topic.

IPLS 402-0 Seminar in Liberal Studies II (1 Unit)  

Topics vary. May be repeated for credit with different topic.

IPLS 403-0 Seminar in Liberal Studies III (1 Unit)  

Topics vary. May be repeated for credit with different topic.

IPLS 405-0 Topics in Liberal Studies (1 Unit)  

Topics vary. May be repeated for credit with different topic.

IPLS 410-0 Introduction to Graduate Studies in Literary and Cultural Analysis (1 Unit)  

This course considers the relation between art, culture, and society as it has been conceived, problematized and reconceived over time. The course will also prepare students for graduate work in literary and cultural studies with a focus on academic genres of writing and research methods.

IPLS 410-DL Introduction to Graduate Studies in Literary and Cultural Analysis (1 Unit)  

This course considers the relation between art, culture, and society as it has been conceived, problematized and reconceived over time. The course will also prepare students for graduate work in literary and cultural studies with a focus on academic genres of writing and research methods.

IPLS 420-0 Introduction to Digital Studies (1 Unit)  

Weekly topics include: digital annotation and database construction for close reading; "distant reading" tactics; digital mapping and timeline building; data and archives; network analysis; glitching and deformance for hermeneutic interpretation; and platforms and social media for humanities inquiry.

IPLS 420-DL Introduction to Digital Studies (1 Unit)  

Weekly topics include: digital annotation and database construction for close reading; "distant reading" tactics; digital mapping and timeline building; data and archives; network analysis; glitching and deformance for hermeneutic interpretation; and platforms and social media for humanities inquiry.

IPLS 492-0 Special Topics (1 Unit)  

Topics vary. May be repeated for credit with different topic.

IPLS 492-DL Special Topics (1 Unit)  

Topics vary. May be repeated for credit with different topic.

IPLS 499-0 Independent Study (1 Unit)  

Independent Study.

IPLS 590-0 Thesis Research (1 Unit)  

Thesis Research.