In the coming academic year (2023-2024), we will continue to offer two courses designed specifically for students within the IDST program. As there is only one section per course, seats will be limited.
Students who are interested in taking these courses may use them to fulfill credits in any of the categories of their IDST program – in other words, you can put these courses into your Primary Category or your Secondary Category, as you prefer.
Why Should I Take These Courses?
These courses have two major goals. First, to create an opportunity to reflect on what it means to be in an interdisciplinary program, and how to best develop and use the skills that are unique to the program that you designed for yourself. We believe this will help you make the most of your time in the program, and better prepare yourself for your future after graduation. Second, to create an opportunity to meet your fellow students within the IDST program and share your thoughts, experiences, and ideas.
What Are The Courses?
WRDS 350 (001) – special section of WRDS 350 for IDST students
This course is a third-year course offered in the first term of the coming academic year that is designed specifically for IDST students and the unique writing expectations of IDST scholarship. Students will engage with one another in the study of interdisciplinarity and establish a grounding in the practices of interdisciplinary thinking and writing.
In this class, you will ask “What is interdisciplinarity?” “What does it mean to be interdisciplinary?” and “How can we link ideas and make knowledge in ways not confined to traditional disciplinary boundaries?” Just as importantly, you can meet with like-minded students pursuing similar interests as you ask these meaningful questions.
This course can also satisfy the Writing Component of the Writing and Research Requirement of your BA degree.
ASTU 401D (201) – IDST Capstone Course
This course is offered in the second term of the coming academic year that is designed specifically for IDST students and will focus on planning and conducting an interdisciplinary research project, as well as communicating your interests and goals with your peers. In the IDST program, each student has designed their own unique program of study that combines different disciplines together. This Capstone course will offer an opportunity to explore the ways that these different disciplines can be combined together to investigate a compelling academic question or theme. Together, we will explore the advantages and challenges of interdisciplinary research and collaboration with other interdisciplinary researchers (your classmates).
This course can also satisfy the Research Component of the Writing and Research Requirement of your BA degree.
Priority registration in this course will be given to fourth year students who do not have an ECON focus (as such students are recommended to take ECON 390).
How Can I Register In These Courses?
Students interested in WRDS 350 (001) may contact wrds.advisor@ubc.ca to register for a seat in the class.
Students interested in ASTU 401D (201) may request enrolment by contacting IDST Advising here.
Questions?
Students may reach out to IDST Advising here.
Drop-in office hours with the Student Program Coordinator are available on Tuesdays from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.