Integrated Liberal Studies

Do you strive to be a successful and contributing member of society? Want to retain your individuality while recognizing the strengths inherent in association? Is your goal to succeed in an increasingly complex world?

If you are curious about many things and are looking to develop skills and knowledge in a wide variety of fields, along with the tools to apply that knowledge to a many different professions, then you may want to major in integrated liberal studies.

The Integrated Liberal Studies MAJOR

The ILS major will give you a broad liberal arts base of knowledge in several arts and sciences fields, develops skills in critical thinking and analysis, and requires that you minor in a particular subject, so as to deepen your understanding of one field of study.

Many Curry ILS majors are prospective educators, pursuing degrees with education or environmental research in mind. Education licensure degrees are also encouraged for ILS majors.

Core Courses

English and Writing (3 credits)

Students will choose three credits from among the following English and writing courses. The three credits must be from one of the two literature and writing categories listed below:

American Literature:
ENG 2110 American Literature I
ENG 2120 American Literature II
ENG 2140 Contemporary American Literature: A Multicultural Approach
ENG 2150 African American Literature
ENG 3110 American Novels

Language and Writing:
ENG 2015 Structure of the English Language
ENG 2300 Creative Writing I
ENG 2480 Writing for the Professions
ENG 3410 Writing in the Electronic Age

Politics and History (3 credits)

Students will choose one of the following:
P&H 2320 Contemporary American History
P&H 2250 International Relations
P&H 2600 History of U.S. Foreign Relations

Biology (4 credits)

Students will choose one of the following:
BIOL 2215 Environmental Science
BIOL 2310 Field Ecology
BIOL 2330 Aquatic Biology

Sociology/Anthropology (3 credits)

Students will choose one of the following:
SOC 2160 Urban Life: Culture and Change
SOC 2085 World Cultures: Selected Area Topics
SOC 2620 Family, Kinship, and Social Organization

Psychology/Health (3 credits)

Students will choose one of the following:
PSY 2115 Men, Self, and Society
PSY 2200 Behavior Disorders in Children
PSY 2500 Behavior Change: Theory and Practice
PSY 2800 Social Psychology
HE 3020 Current Issues in Health and Wellness

Capstone (3 credits)

ILS 3590 Capitalism, Socialism, Democracy

Related Requirement

Students will select one of these courses as a related requirement:

Literature: British/World Literature:
ENG 2010 Major British Writers I
ENG 2020 Major British Writers II
ENG 2190 Global Literature
ENG 2632 Women in 19th Century World Literature

Required Minor:
All students in this major are required to complete a minor of at least 12 credits. The minor should further refine the student's course of studies. A minor is not required of students with a double major.

Course sequence for Education Licensure Students:
Students who are majoring in integrated liberal studies with the goal of education licensure should follow the course sequence recommended by the Education department faculty. Please consult the education section of the course catalog for the required CLAC I courses and the education course sequence. In addition, please confer closely with your academic advisors as you matriculate through the licensure program to ensure all course requirements are being met.

Get Started Today!

Visit campus and explore Curry's ILS program in person. You may also request information to learn more about the major, minor or concentration of your choice. When you're ready to apply to Curry, we'll help you get started.