Interdisciplinary Programs

DEGREES:

General Studies, A.A.
General Studies, B.G.S.

MAJORS:

International Studies, B.A.
Legal Studies, B.A., B.S.
Medical Biology, B.S.
Native American Studies, B.A.
Neuroscience, B.S.
Sustainability, B.A., B.S.

MINORS:

Archaeology
Classical Humanities
Geography
Gerontology
Interdisciplinary Sciences
International Studies
Legal Studies
Multicultural Studies
Native American Studies Minor
Neuroscience Minor
Organizational Communication Minor
Social Media Marketing
Sustainability
Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Minor

ASSOCIATE OF ARTS DEGREE IN GENERAL STUDIES (A.A.)

The Associate of Arts in General Studies includes general education courses and an array of flexible electives, which together can serve as the first two years of a bachelor’s degree within the SD regental system. The program is provided in its entirety by distance to serve time- and place-bound individuals. The Associate of Arts Degree in General Studies is awarded through the College of Arts & Sciences.

BACHELOR OF GENERAL STUDIES (B.G.S.)

The Bachelor of General Studies is designed to accommodate students who have accumulated significant college credit and who want to complete a baccalaureate degree. The Bachelor of General Studies is awarded through the College of Arts & Sciences.

INTERDISCIPLINARY MINORS

Certain interdisciplinary minors are also available.

Archaeology  (Department of Anthropology and Sociology)
Classical Humanities   (Department of History)
Geography   (Department of Anthropology and Sociology)
Gerontology   (College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Office)
Interdisciplinary Sciences   (College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Office)
International Studies   (Department of Political Science)
Multicultural Studies  (College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Office)
Native American Studies   (Department of History)
Neuroscience  (Department of Psychology)
Organizational Communication  (College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Office)
Social Media Marketing  (Department of Media & Journalism)
Sustainability  (Department of Sustainability and Environment)
Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies  (Department of History)

INTERNATIONAL STUDIES SCHOLARSHIP

Please contact the department for additional information about available scholarships and awards. Also see College of Arts & Sciences for college/school level scholarships.

Leonard E. Arnaud Memorial Scholarship

Student Learning Outcomes for General Studies (A.A.)

Students will intentionally engage with diversity in ways that increase awareness, content knowledge, cognitive sophistication, and empathic understanding of the complex ways individuals interact within systems and institutions leading to opportunities for equal access to participation in educational and community programs for all members of society.
Students will be able to systematically explore issues, objects or works through the collection and analysis of evidence that results in informed conclusions or judgments, and break down complex topics or issues into parts to gain a better understanding of them.
Students will comprehensively explore issues, ideas, artifacts and events before accepting or formulating an opinion or conclusion, and combine or synthesize existing ideas, images or expertise in original ways reflecting a high degree of innovation, divergent thinking, and risk taking.
Students will recognize when there is a need for information and identify, locate, evaluate and effectively and responsibly use and convey that information to address the need or problem at hand.
Students will design, evaluate, and implement a strategy to answer an open-ended question or achieve a desired goal.

Student Learning Outcomes for General Studies (B.G.S.)

Students will design, evaluate, and implement a strategy to answer an open-ended question or achieve a desired goal.
Students will recognize when there is a need for information and identify, locate, evaluate and effectively and responsibly use and convey that information to address the need or problem at hand.
Students will comprehensively explore issues, ideas, artifacts and events before accepting or formulating an opinion or conclusion, and combine or synthesize existing ideas, images or expertise in original ways reflecting a high degree of innovation, divergent thinking, and risk taking.
Students will be able to systematically explore issues, objects or works through the collection and analysis of evidence that results in informed conclusions or judgments, and break down complex topics or issues into parts to gain a better understanding of them.
Students will intentionally engage with diversity in ways that increase awareness, content knowledge, cognitive sophistication, and empathic understanding of the complex ways individuals interact within systems and institutions leading to opportunities for equal access to participation in educational and community programs for all members of society.

Student Learning Outcomes for International Studies (B.A.)

Students will comprehensively explore issues, ideas, artifacts and events before accepting or formulating an opinion or conclusion, and combine or synthesize existing ideas, images or expertise in original ways reflecting a high degree of innovation, divergent thinking, and risk taking.
Students will be able to demonstrate the cultivation of knowledge, skills, values and motivation that will enable them to make a difference in the civic life of communities and promote the quality of life in a community and engage in activities of personal and public concern that are both individually life enriching and socially beneficial to the community
Students will be able to demonstrate cognitive, effective, and behavioral skills that support effective and appropriate interaction in a variety of cultural contexts.
Students will be able to systematically explore issues, objects or works through the collection and analysis of evidence that results in informed conclusions or judgments, and break down complex topics or issues into parts to gain a better understanding of them.
Students will connect ideas and experiences in order to synthesize and transfer learning to new, complex situations within and beyond the campus. 
Understand the history, structure, and operation of the international system.
Understand similarities and differences between types of governments of the world, including arguments for and against each type.
Understand the major theories of international relations, and knowledge the theorists associated with each theory
Proficiency in a modern foreign language and culture of a non-English-speaking country or region of the world.
Synthesize and integrate concepts and theories to analyze and understand novel problems.
Systematically explore issues, objects or works through the organized, methodical collection and analysis of evidence.
Find, understand, and evaluate primary and secondary sources of information.
Evaluate competing arguments using empirical and logical methods.
Apply findings to new questions, evidence or situations.
Formulate and construct logical and coherent arguments about international and global issues, processes, and policies.
Compose written arguments that are coherent and logical; that develop a clear thesis; and that support the thesis with evidence.
Present ideas and research findings orally, including taking a position for or against political issues and positions.
Participate in cross-cultural experiences and activities at some point during their studies.
Demonstrate continuing engagement with international and global affairs.
Students will demonstrate the ability to evaluate their own value systems, ethics, and morals within the context of international and global affairs, and their professions.
Demonstrate cognitive, affective and behavioral skills and characteristics that support effective and appropriate interaction in a variety of cultural contexts.
Students will have a resume or curriculum vitae that effectively communicates their education, experience and qualifications.
Students will seek career and/or graduate school guidance from their academic counselors.
Students will seek career and/or graduate school guidance from the Academic and Career Planning Center.