Integrated Liberal Studies (ILS) is an interdisciplinary program offering courses devoted to Western history, philosophy, politics, art, literature, and culture. As an alternative to scattered electives, ILS offers a set of related courses specially tailored to meet the breadth requirements of the College of Letters & Science. ILS draws exemplary, dynamic faculty from departments across campus to create courses that challenge students with a rigorous program of interdisciplinary study emphasizing critical thinking and judgment rather than passive absorption of information. Although these courses may be taken as single electives, the purpose of the program is to counter the fragmentation of undergraduate education by providing a common ground of learning.

Because ILS courses are interdisciplinary, students are encouraged to make connections between the various subject areas. They study the relations between literature and the arts; science, technology, and philosophy; and political, economic, and social thought. The content of the curriculum has been developed in the belief that historical perspective is required for a full understanding of contemporary issues. Courses numbered 201-208 progress from historical to contemporary topics, in each of the three breadth areas. Together, these courses provide a comprehensive introduction to the achievements of Western culture. Those numbered 251-372 cover interdisciplinary special topics in the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities, from "Art and Political Activism" to "Vietnam: Music, Media, and Mayhem." ILS also includes a course (ILS 200 Critical Thinking and Expression) in Critical Thinking and Expression to sharpen communication and research skills necessary for college work. This course satisfies the university's Communications B requirement. ILS 400 Capstone Integration Seminar, a senior capstone seminar addressing an interdisciplinary topic, is required in order to complete the ILS certificate.

Bradley Learning Community

The ILS program is affiliated with the Bradley Learning Community, a residence hall. ILS faculty participate in activities and offer courses taught in the residence hall.

AFFILIATED FACULTY

Richard Avramenko, Chair (Political Science)
William Aylward (Classics)
Doug Bradley (Integrated Liberal Studies)
Aaron Brower (Social Work)
Florence Hsia (History of Science)
David Kleinman (Rural Sociology)
Jason Lopez (Communication Arts)
Laura McClure (Classics)
Cathy Middlecamp (Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies)
Steve Nadler (Philosophy)
Adam Nelson (Educational Policy Studies)
Lynn Nyhart (History of Science)
Shawn Peters (The Center for Educational Opportunity—CeO)
Nandini Pandey (Classics)
Howard Schweber (Political Science)
Basil Tikoff (Geoscience)
Mike Vanden Heuvel (Theatre and Drama)
Craig Werner (Afro-American Studies)
John Zumbrunnen (Political Science)