Interdisciplinary Concentration Major

The Fairhaven Interdisciplinary Concentration is an individually designed major for the Bachelor of Arts degree. 

This major allows students to formulate a degree program to meet individual personal and career goals, bringing together each student's vital interests from more than one discipline into a cohesive whole.  Within a set of carefully structured classes, processes and advisement students create a plan of study which combines coursework, usually from several disciplines, with independent studies and other experiences personally suited to their needs, interests and goals. 

Students who pursue the Interdisciplinary Concentration as their major assemble a faculty committee who support them in articulating sound rationales for their areas of study and advise them in developing a detailed plan of study.  Students are assisted in completing the Concentration by faculty and other advisors and by the Concentration Seminar Course (FAIR 303a). At the conclusion of the program students enroll in an Independent Study Senior Project (FAIR 401a) representing the culmination of their academic work in their Concentration.  A Summary and Evaluation written in the Advanced Seminar (FAIR 403a) helps each graduate evaluate their own work and to look toward the future.

The Concentration Seminar (FAIR 303a) is required of all students pursuing the Interdisciplinary Concentration as their major. The Concentration Proposal must be completed and filed at least three quarters before graduation. Prerequisites: Fair 101a, 201a, 203a and 301a.

This seminar is designed to assist you with your development and writing of an interdisciplinary self-designed concentration. It will serve as a forum for discussion, guidance, and support during the proposal writing process. While your Concentration Committee must finally approve your proposal, you will work collaboratively in small groups, meeting with each other weekly, and meeting with the instructor individually in order to write your learning proposal and identify relevant courses and experiences to help you achieve your educational goals. Here are some of the questions we will examine through this process:

• What are the appropriate guidelines and requirements involved?
• What exactly is it you want to achieve in your degree?
• How can your intentions be given effective shape and form?
• Who should be on your committee?
• How do the parts of your concentration work together conceptually?
• What are the best vehicles for your learning?

• What should you put in and what should you leave out of your concentration?

  More information about the Interdisciplinary Concentration, BA

It is a Fairhaven College policy that students are required to be enrolled for a MINIMUM of three quarters AFTER the quarter in which they file their concentration with the Fairhaven College Records Office prior to graduation and need to enroll in AND complete a MINIMUM of 36 credits over the span of those three quarters.

Students are encouraged to include ISPs (Independent Study’s) in their Concentrations.  The maximum number of ISPs allowed in the Concentration is 25% of the total Concentration credits.  The Senior Project, although it is part of the Concentration Class List, is not counted in the ISP credits.