Universities In Australia 
Universities In Canada 
Universities In Germany 
Universities In Ireland 
Universities In Jordan 
Universities In New Zealand 
Universities In Saudi Arabia 
Universities In United Kingdom 
Universities In United States Of America 
Nondepartmental, interdisciplinary studies
In CAS, the Independently Designed Major (IDMajor) and Minor (IDMinor) are non-departmental, interdisciplinary options for students with academic interests that are not met by the programs currently offered. An IDM may not be a program of narrow professional training. Rather, the goal of an IDM should be intensive investigation of a broad area of human knowledge which is not covered by a single major discipline, or reflected in a grouping of loosely associated courses. With their faculty sponsor, students pursuing an IDM will craft a coherent curriculum that allows the student to concentrate on a unique area of study; for the ID Major, this will culminate in a "capstone" senior project research paper, project, or thesis.
Looking for ideas?
There are many potential directions to go with an IDM. Below are just a few examples of Individually Designed majors or minors you might create.
Art + Technology Minor
(18 credits) Building your own minor in art + technology is an exciting opportunity to develop creative, critical and visual thinking and explore research-based art and design practices. It provides a systematic inquiry that compares, contrasts and combines physical and digital modes of our lives while it explores the contemporary alloy of art, science and technology. This minor is also well suited for those interested acquiring design technical skills in the pursuit of established creative careers in the arts, design and media sectors. Over two million people in the United States are employed in arts, design, entertainment, sports and media occupations, with rapid growth expected within a number of these occupations, (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). This self-designed minor is an option for students from all disciplines. Faculty contact is Jenn Karson (email) Faculty Profile
A potential curriculum might be:
Prerequisites
One of the following (3 credits)
- One of ARTS 001 or ARTS 012
- One of ARTH 5, 6 or 8
- CS 8 Introduction to Website Development
- CS 21 Computer Programming 1
- ME 001 First Year Design Experience
- EE 001 Principles and Design
- BME 001 Introduction to Biomedical Engineering Design
- ARTS 095 Intro to Photoshop
One of the following (3 credits)
- ARTS 195 Digital Fabrication
One of the following (3 credits)
- ARTS 132 Printmaking
- ARTS 145 Graphic Design
- ARTS 138 Color Photography
- ARTS 148 Intro to Video Art
One of the following (3 credits)
- Any 100 level Art History or
- HST 107 Visual Cultures of India
- HST 181 Film and History
One of the following (3 credits)
- ARTS 195 Independent Study or ARTS 190 Independent Research
- ARTS 195 Digital Art Studies
Note: Classes to consider from CDAE could include CDAE 001, 015, 016 + 116.
Critical Theory in Action Minor
In a world that prompts us to act rather than to think, studying critical theory in action offers students a chance to explore critical thinking itself as a form of action. Students pursuing this type of minor will investigate what gives rise to the problems that we confront today in order to give students the tools to confront them in a critical way, examining the intersection of society and subjectivity, while paying special attention to what remains opaque in all our systems of knowledge.
A potential curriculum might be:
Core courses:
"¢ ENGS 100: Literary Theory
"¢ FTS 121: Film and Television Theory
"¢ SOC 101: The Development of Sociological Theory
Electives:
"¢ PHIL 102: History of Modern Philosophy
"¢ POLS 41: Intro to Political Theory
"¢ POLS 148: Democratic Theory
Other courses which might be included in this ID Minor:
ENG 110: Gender and Sex in Literary Studies
FTS 123: Capitalism and Global Cinema
FTS 131: Advanced Film/TV Theory
PHIL 108: Plato
POLS 141: History of Political Thought from Plato to Aquinas
POLS 142: History of Political Thought from Machiavelli to Nietzsche
Faculty contact: Prof. Hillary Neroni (Film & Television Studies), [email protected]
Critical Race and Ethnic Studies Major
Students in the critical race and ethnic studies program learn to deconstruct the way race and ethnicity are both constructed and articulated–in the U.S. and abroad–a project of increasingly urgent importance.
A potential curriculum might be:
Core courses:
"¢ SOC 196: Race and Ethnicity
"¢ CRES 196: Latino Writers US Contemporary Perspectives
"¢ CRES 195: Environmental Justice
"¢ ENGS 281: The Great American Race Novel
"¢ POLS 195: Political Construction of Race
"¢ CRES 296: Senior project
Electives:
"¢ CRES 11: Race Racism Across Disciplines
"¢ CRES 61: Asian-American Experience
"¢ CRES 75: Diversity: Contemporary US Theatre
"¢ CRES 196: African American English
"¢ EC 53: Political Economy of Race
"¢ HLTH 155: Racism and Health Disparities
For other options which might fit in this ID Major, see the courses listed each semester under Critical Race and Ethnic Studies.
Faculty contact: Prof. Jinny Huh, Director of Critical Race and Ethnic Studies, [email protected].
Diversity and Social Justice Minor
Studies in diversity and social justice responds to the current need for critically engaged people who can analyze the social construction of identity categories (such as age, gender, sexuality and race) and address global inequities around these intersecting identity categories. There are practical applications in fields ranging from law and policymaking to education and advocacy.
A potential curriculum might be:
Core courses:
"¢ CSD 274: Culture of Disability
"¢ GSWS 100: Gender and Feminism
"¢ SOC 119: Race and Ethnicity
Electives:
"¢ EDSP 5: Issues Affecting Persons with Disabilities
"¢ EC 53: Political Economy of Race
"¢ GSWS 105: LGBT Politics and History
Other courses which might be included in this ID Minor
CRES 11: Race Racism Across Disciplines
CRES 51: Intro to Critical Race and Ethnic Studies
CRES 61: Asian-American Experience
CRES 75: Diversity: Contemporary US Theatre
CRES 195: Environmental Justice
ENGS 057 : Race and Ethnic Literary Studies
ENVS 179 : Ecofeminism
GSWS 155: The Politics of Sex
HIST 017 : North American Indian History
POLS 120: The Politics of Sex
SOC 19: Race Relations in the US
SOC 022 : Sociology of Sexualities
SOC 32: Social Inequality
SOC 120: Aging in Modern Society
SOC 295: Transgender Studies
STAT 052 : Statistics and Social Justice
Environmental Economics Minor
Environmental economists aim to understand the incentives behind human behavior that lead to environmental problems, while designing effective policy solutions to these problems. Solutions can include regulatory instruments (fuel efficiency standards), market-based approaches (carbon taxes or renewable energy subsidies), or innovative governance regimes involving community and stakeholder engagement that can lower pollution from production and consumption and promote development and diffusion of environmental technologies. Thus, the minor will involve statistical and computer modeling to analyze and/or compare the effectiveness of existing regulations and propose alternative policy solutions. Further, the choice among alternative solutions or the decision to implement proposed regulations require cost-benefit analysis. Students building a minor in this vein may also be interested in learning valuation methods essential to estimating the benefits and costs of environmental protection to understand the tradeoffs involved in different pollution control measures or in energy projects such as construction of new hydroelectric plants or transnational pipelines.
A potential curriculum might be:
Core courses:
"¢ EC 133: Economics of Environmental Policy
"¢ EC 230 Topics in Environmental Economics
"¢ ENVS 141: Introduction to Ecological Economics
Electives:
"¢ CDAE 006: Energy Alternatives
"¢ EC 130 Public Policy
"¢ ENVS 142 Introduction to Environmental Policy
Other courses which might be included in this ID Minor
CDAE 106: Renewable Energy Workshop
POLS 130 U.S. Environmental Politics
POLS 159 International Economic Governance
POLS 180 Comparative Environmental Politics
Faculty contact: Prof. Donna Ramirez-Harrington (Economics), [email protected]
Historic Preservation Minor
Historic preservation is a really conversation with the past about the future. It may provide opportunities to ask, "What can we learn from historic sites and from the built heritage of communities and places?" and "How can important features of the historic environment be conserved and sustained for the future?" An IDM in historic preservation might also include studies in landscape history, architectural conservation, sustainability, adaptive reuse and development economics, as well as learning about preservation career opportunities.
A potential curriculum might be:
Core courses:
"¢ HP 200 History of American Architecture
"¢ HP 201 History on the Land
"¢ HP 205 Historic Preservation Law
Electives:
"¢ HP 204 Historic Preservation Development Economics
"¢ HP 205 Historic Preservation Law
"¢ HP 306 Architectural Conservation I
Faculty contact: Prof. Thomas Visser, Director, Historic Preservation Program, [email protected]
Marine Biology Minor
The oceans cover 71% of the earth, and yet we have only scratched the surface when it comes to understanding them. There is a pressing need to learn more about the marine environment that supports all life on the planet. A student building a minor in this discipline might delve into effects of pollution and climate change, invasive species, marine community ecology and conservation, physiology of marine organisms, the health of coral reefs, human health, dissolution of carbon dioxide and refining alternate energy sources.
A potential curriculum might be:
Core courses:
"¢ BIOL 196: Introduction to Marine Science
"¢ BIOL 295: Field Marine Biology
"¢ WFB 161: Fisheries Biology & Techniques
Electives:
"¢ GEOL 010: Geological Oceanography
"¢ BIOL 295: Marine Mammal Biology
"¢ WFB 279: Marine Ecology & Conservation
Other courses which might be included in this ID Minor:
BIOL 195: Soundscapes and Behavior Research
BIOL 219: Comparative/Functional Vertebrate Anatomy
BIOL 225: Physiological Ecology
GEOL 102: Plate Tectonics & Evolution of the Earth
WFB 224: Conservation Biology
WFB 232: Ichthyology
WFB 261: Fisheries Management
Faculty contact: Prof. Laura May Collado (Biology), [email protected]
Mountain Science Major
Going "right to the top" allows geologists, geographers, hydrologists, engineers and environmental scientists to evaluate mountain eco-systems, study impacts of human interventions, investigate plant and wildlife populations and learn how mountains shape our world view.
A potential curriculum might be:
Core courses:
"¢ GEOG 190: International Field Studies: High Andes Underfoot
"¢ GEOG 246: Advanced Topics in Climate and Water Resources: Snow Hydrology
"¢ GEOL 101: Field Geology
"¢ GEOL 240: Tectonics
"¢ SOC 121: Sociology of Disaster
"¢ GEOG 296: Senior project
Electives:
"¢ GEOL 001: Earth System Science
"¢ GEOG 040: Weather, Climate & Landscapes
"¢ GEOG 140: Biogeography
"¢ GEOL 110: Earth Materials
"¢ GEOL 116: Glacial Geology
"¢ GEOL 151/ GEOG 144: Geomorphology
Other courses which might be included in this ID Major
GEOL 005: Mountain to Lake
GEOL 007: Earth Hazards
GEOG 143: Climatology
GEOG 148: Global Environmental Change
GEOG 174: Rural Geography
GEOG 192: Vermont Field Studies
GEOL 135: Environmental Geochemistry
GEOL 217: Vermont Field Geology
GEOL 234: Global Biogeochemical Cycles
GEOL 235: Geochemistry of Natural Waters
Faculty contact: Prof. Beverley Wemple (Geography), [email protected] or Prof. Andrea lini (Geology), [email protected].
Museum Studies Minor
Museums, libraries and institutes require a broad array of skill sets including exhibition curation, design, visitor services and educational programming. There are 35,000 museums in the U.S. alone, and managers in the field seek employees with a broad liberal arts background. Building your own minor in museum studies could prepare you for jobs in science centers, art museums, historical museums and many other areas.
A potential curriculum might be:
Core courses:
"¢ ANTH 250 - Museum Anthropology
"¢ ARTH 282 Seminar: Museum Studies
"¢ AS 190: Museum Studies Internship
"¢ EDAR 177-Curriculum & Practicum in Elementary Art
"¢ EDAR 284-Current Issues in Art & Education/Alternative Sites
Electives:
"¢ ANTH 127 - Modernity & Material Culture
"¢ REL 195: Exhibiting the Sacred
"¢ THE 035 - History of Costume
Other courses which might be included in this ID Minor:
ANTH 203 - Tourism & Heritage
HP 200--History of American Architecture
Faculty contacts: Prof. Kelley DiDio (Art History), [email protected], or Prof. Jennifer Dickinson (Anthropology), [email protected].
Urban and Regional Planning Minor
The field of Urban and Regional Planning is a diverse and exciting area that requires core conceptual elements including: understanding relations between social, natural, and built environments; thinking critically about the political economy and social/spatial justice; and familiarity with processes such as urban and rural dynamics, community development, globalization, and environmental challenges and climate change. Planners"™ technical skills vary by area of specialty, but exposure to statistics, geospatial technologies (GIS, remote sensing), community-based and mixed-methods research skills, and design are all helpful.
A potential curriculum might be:
Core courses:
"¢ GEOG175: Urban Geography
"¢ GEOG176: Rural Geography
"¢ GEOG184: GIS
Electives:
"¢ SOC 32: Social Inequality
"¢ CDAE 102: Sustainable Community Development or CDAE 278: Applied Community Planning
"¢ ENVS 181: Environmental Justice
Other courses which might be included in this ID Major
CE 10: Geomatics
CS 21: Python Programming
FOR 1: Forest Conservation
CDAE 1: Drafting and Design Drawing
CDAE 6: Energy Alternatives
EC 11: Macro Economics
ANTH 89: Global Health, Devt, And Diversity
STAT 52: Stats for Social Justice
STAT 87: Intro to Data Science
VS 52: Introduction to Vermont
SOC 19: Race and Racism in the US
NR 1: Natural Resources and Human Ecology
GEOG 60: Geography of Race and Ethnicity in the US
GEOG 70: Society, Place, and Power
HSCI 21: Intro to Public Health
GEOG 191: Internship
SOC 100: Fundamentals of Social Research
NR 141/ENVS 141: Intro to Ecological Economics
NR 153/ENVS 142: Intro. Environmental Policy
HST 167: London: A Cultural History
ENVS 107: Human Health and the Environment
ENVS 137: Landscape Design Fundamentals
GEOG 177: Gender, Space and Environment
GEOG 185: Remote Sensing
GEOG 192: Vermont Field Studies
HP 200: History of American Architecture
CDAE 260: Smart, Resilient Communities
GEOG 274: Critical Urban/Social Geography
GEOG 281: Advanced GIS and Remote Sensing
GEOG 287: Spatial Analysis
Faculty contact: Prof. Meghan Cope (Geography), [email protected]