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Students in Drake's Interdisciplinary Study of the Humanities and Sciences program engage in discussion as class begins

Interdisciplinary Study of the Humanities and Sciences Concentration

Math and philosophy. Art and religion. Everything is connected; in this concentration, you’ll discover, analyze, and discuss the links.

College of Arts & Sciences | On-Campus

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What You'll Learn

Every day, science and technology play an increasingly large role in our personal and work lives, social relationships, art, and other aspects of modern life. Despite that, the connection between the sciences and the humanities isn’t always obvious.

In Drake University’s Interdisciplinary Study of the Humanities and Sciences (ISHS) concentration, you’ll work with faculty in a wide spectrum of disciplines to uncover unexpected intersections—and to see how these seemingly disconnected areas are, in fact, united.

This structure encourages you to understand and articulate how scientific inquiry, mathematical reasoning, and humanistic analysis and interpretation relate to one another. By the time you complete the program, you will be able to describe the overlapping influence among these disparate areas in a complex, nuanced, reflective, and informed manner.

What You’ll Learn

  • The history, philosophy, and sociology of science and mathematics.
  • The influence of technological innovation on the pursuit of scientific, mathematical, and humanistic inquiry.
  • The role of narrative in framing developments in the sciences, mathematics, and humanities.
  • Scientific and humanities perspectives on language, identity formation, gender/sex/sexuality, discourse, and subjectivity.
  • Hybrid humanities-scientific-mathematical approaches to framing and addressing social issues (such as public health, technological innovation, gender and sex identity, new media literacy, education, race, and social justice).
  • The ethics of scientific research and technological development.

Program Facts

  • On campus
  • Full-time
  • 18 credits for the concentration

Program Options

Try something completely different: this concentration gives you the chance to study with faculty from a wide range of departments and programs, including English, philosophy, chemistry, and sociology.

ISHS Concentration

You will complete an introductory course, four electives, and a culminating capstone as part of this 18-credit concentration.

Meet the Faculty

In this concentration, you’ll study with faculty who cover a remarkably broad spectrum of interests and disciplines. Many address topics you likely won’t encounter in your major curriculum—and cast subjects in a unique interdisciplinary light.

Dr. Jill Allen

Dr. Jill Allen

Senior Associate Dean; Associate Professor, Psychology

Maura Lyons

Maura Lyons

Professor, Art and Design

Dr. Mark Vitha

Dr. Mark Vitha

Windsor Professor of Chemistry

All Faculty Members

Outside the Classroom

As with every Drake program, experiences outside the classroom bring everyday lessons to life. For the ISHS concentration, a capstone project and research opportunities give you the chance to explore relevant issues, questions, and perspectives on your own and in groups.

A student in Drake's Interdisciplinary Study of the Humanities and Sciences program works on research for their capstone project

Capstone

You’ll conclude your work in the interdisciplinary studies concentration with a one-of-a-kind project that integrates scientific and humanistic inquiry. This capstone will reflect your own interests and perspective on what you’ve learned.

Two students enrolled in Drake's Interdisciplinary Study of the Humanities and Sciences analyze data on a laptop for their research project

Research

Exploration is central to ISHS. You’ll work with faculty in multiple disciplines while getting the chance to participate in their scholarly work—or satisfy your curiosity by conducting your own.

Students participating in a club related to the Interdisciplinary Study of the Humanities and Sciences program convene for a meeting with their laptops

Student Clubs

This concentration has a way of sparking new interests far outside your chosen field. Pursue them further in any of Drake’s 170+ student clubs and organizations.

Careers & Skills

Growing numbers of employers want to find workers whose skills are flexible enough to complete a range of tasks. In this concentration, you’ll build the ability to see around corners and find unexpected links—making you a better job candidate, regardless of your field.

Opportunities

  • Graduate school
  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Business
  • Research

Skills

  • Appreciate ways of thinking outside your major.
  • Interdisciplinary connection.
Two students in Drake's Interdisciplinary Study of the Humanities and Sciences program explore different career possibilities in a campus common area

Related Programs

Students in every discipline can add this interdisciplinary concentration—and every discipline benefits from the perspective it brings.

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Take the Next Step

Learn how the sciences and the humanities are connected through this multidisciplinary concentration, and see your own area of interest in a new light.

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A student listens to a lecture in a class for Drake's Interdisciplinary Study of the Humanities and Sciences program