Liberal Studies, MA Interdisciplinary Studies Specialization

Students enrolled in the Interdisciplinary Studies specialization may create their own course of study from available courses in consultation with their Student Adviser.

Curriculum

Course Title
Core Courses (3 units)
IPLS 401-0Seminar in Liberal Studies I
IPLS 410-0/410-DLIntroduction to Graduate Studies in Literary and Cultural Analysis
IPLS 590-0Thesis Research
Interdisciplinary Studies Electives (6 units)
Graduate-level courses in liberal studies, humanities, and related social sciences. Students may take courses in the areas of American Studies, Chicago Studies, Digital Studies, History, Religious and Ethical Studies, or other areas approved by the SPS Graduate Office. *
*

Prior approval from the student adviser is required for registration in any courses offered by The Graduate School. No approval is necessary for enrollment in LIT or IPLS courses. Students are limited to three 300-level course registrations.

About the Thesis 

Students sign up for the final course in the program during the term in which they start their master's thesis. The capstone project for the MALS program is an essay of 45 to 60 double-spaced pages written under the supervision of an approved faculty member. The project presents an opportunity to research and explore a topic thoroughly. Students often elect to expand a seminar paper from a previous course. With the approval of the program director, students may create an interdisciplinary final project rather than a traditional thesis.