The world’s most pressing problems exceed the bounds of a single discipline—and so should your education. The liberal arts major offers an interdisciplinary course of study, inviting you to explore complex issues by connecting ideas across multiple fields. Through our interdisciplinary track offerings, you can tailor your studies to your interests while developing a flexible, marketable skill set. The result is an education that expands your perspective, enhances your ability to identify connections among diverse ideas, strengthens your adaptability, and opens the door to a wide range of career possibilities.
Liberal arts students choose an area of focus where different subjects intersect, creating a unique course of study: the interdisciplinary track or I-track. The I-track will culminate in a capstone project that addresses a complex issue, allowing you to apply your interdisciplinary learning in a meaningful way. Areas of focus include:
Each interdisciplinary track culminates in a research project on a culturally relevant issue of the student’s choice. The two required liberal arts courses, Truth and Interpretation and Senior Seminar, will provide the context and support for researching, preparing, and presenting your project.
If you pair a liberal arts major with another major or minor, up to 15 credits can count for both. This means you’ll need fewer extra classes to complete the liberal arts major. At the same time, you’ll get a broader and more well-rounded education by combining different areas of study.
As a liberal arts major, you will benefit from the expertise and personal mentorship from professors at our School of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, the Alex G. McKenna School of Business, Economics, and Government, and the Herbert W. Boyer School of Natural Sciences, Engineering and Computing.
Surveys from the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) indicate that over 90% of employers prioritize a candidate’s capacity to think critically, communicate clearly, and solve complex problems beyond their specific undergraduate major. National research shows that students with a broad liberal arts education are more adaptable in their careers and more likely to pursue graduate study.
Tech industry leaders are increasingly looking for liberal arts graduates. Skills in ethics, historical context, and creative writing are vital to building culturally aware and ethically sound AI and digital media.
“The liberal arts program freed me to pursue my interests across disciplines and land a good job.”
The liberal arts major is part of the School of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences and supported by our core curriculum, where students delve into diverse academic subjects at both foundational and advanced levels to explore how different disciplines connect, fostering deeper self-understanding and proficiency in their chosen field of study.
Arts Liberal Arts Major Requirements (38-39 credits):
LA 225 Truth and Interpretation Senior Seminar
LA 325 Interdisciplinary Track*
*Depending on the I-track selected, there is a recommended 8-semester program plan for liberal arts. This plan is designed to be a road map to help students finish their degrees in a timely manner and should be utilized in consultation with their academic advisor.
Liberal Arts as Second Major
It is advisable, but not required, for the liberal arts major to be declared in addition to a second major. When this pairing of majors occurs, up to 15 credits of the additional major (or minor) can contribute toward the interdisciplinary curriculum of the liberal arts major (but not to the LA minor).
Truth and Interpretation
What is the meaning and value of truth and how do we obtain it? This course explores these questions while helping you engage thoughtfully with diverse perspectives, interpretations, and the growing presence of disinformation and conspiracy theories.
You’ll be introduced to key ideas in epistemology (the study of knowledge) and hermeneutics (the study of interpretation), with a focus on their role in interdisciplinary research. The course also examines different academic methods as ways of seeking truth, the origins of the seven liberal arts, and the development of the modern humanities, including the idea of a “unity of knowledge.”
Senior Seminar
This course is designed for the student who is in the final stages of the liberal arts capstone project. The course will utilize a workshop format, and class meetings will focus on the stylistic and technical aspects of the senior project.
