BA in Interdisciplinary Studies
with Gender Focus

 The College of Liberal Arts offers a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies. Because of the unique nature of the degree program, you have the ability to build your own degree in a way you never have before at the University of Mississippi including building a course of study with gender studies as a central component.

Why Gender Studies?

Gender Studies is an interdisciplinary endeavor organized around questions, particularly about how gender and sexuality affect people's lives and individual lived experiences in the present and at different times in history.  What do we mean when we say “gender”? How does sexuality relate to masculinity and femininity?  Why do those who challenge conventional expressions of gender and sexuality make folks uncomfortable?  Many young people’s expressions of gender fluidity and “nonbinary” and “trans” identity have taken these questions in new directions, giving these questions a broader relevance.

The interdisciplinary nature of Gender Studies makes it a perfect match for the interdisciplinary studies major because it provides a critical lens and then applies that lens to real-world pursuits and endeavors. What Gender Studies students share is a keen analytic intelligence and an ethical commitment to a better world.

Options:

Option A: Construct a 42-credit hour plan of study around a unifying theme or problem consisting of at least 2 disciplines with no more than 18 credit hours in the same discipline. Must include a methods course that is relevant to your plan of study.

Option B: Construct a 42-credit hour plan of study around a unifying theme or problem consisting of 2 minors and complementary courses appropriate to the theme. One of the minors must come from the College of Liberal Arts. At least 12 hours in each minor must be at the 300-level or higher. The plan of study must include a methods course that is relevant to your plan of study.

Requirements:

Students pursuing the BA in Interdisciplinary Studies must complete the General Education Requirements of the College of Liberal Arts, a 42-credit hour personal plan of study with a methods course relevant to your plan of study, and 3 additional courses: IDS 101, IDS 499, and Speh 102. With at least 27 hours at the 300-level or higher.

In addition to the 42 hours of disciplinary coursework, students must complete:

• Speh 102 - Fundamentals of Public Speaking (3 credits)

• IDS: 101 - introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies (3 credits)

• IDS 499 - Interdisciplinary Studies Capstone Seminar (3 credits)

30 hours must be from the College of Liberal Arts

Models:

Below, we give five possible pathways for combining Gender Studies with other kinds of disciplinary studies.  These are possible models, but more importantly, they are an invitation for students to imagine their own passions and interests.  Tell us what you dream of doing in the world, and we will shape a curriculum that gives you the tools and critical skills to achieve it.

Gender & Health • Gender & Media • Gender & Non-Profit Management • Gender & Spirituality •  LBGTQIA+ Life & Culture

To discuss these or to start building your own adventure, please contact Dr. Jaime Harker at jlharker@olemiss.edu.