Rationale Prompt

When you begin the process of applying for the Major or Minor in Interdisciplinary Studies, your first task is to provide a brief essay (500 words, 2 pages double-spaced) in which you carefully articulate the rationale (purpose) for your special, contracted major or minor. The essay should including the following 3 parts:

  1. You must give a general theme of the particular minor you wish to propose. Give it a name/identity, and discuss briefly how the program addresses your learning objectives.
  1. You must spell out your learning objectives. This is really the cornerstone of your essay in that it establishes the foundation of your request to pursue the IDS minor. The minor that you design will be evaluatedon how well it addresses the learning objectives you spell out in this opening section.
  2. Therefore, make sure that you think carefully about your learning objectives. If you think you “want to get out of here” or that “you just want a good job”, please think some more. Objectives of that sort are not appropriate reasons to pursue the IDS minor.
  3. We are looking for more substantive objectives. Tell us about the career path that you want to be prepared for in the future. How will this Plan of Study meet your academic goals?
  4. You need to describe in some detail your area of expertisefor that career path or possibly just because you are driven by a strong academic curiosity in a specific direction.
  1. You must refer to your proposed Plan of Study to briefly discuss the courses you include in your proposed Plan of Study; how they come together to form a coherent minor. Discuss how this set of courses best meets your learning objectives and career goals.

You need to present an effective argument to establish good reasons for the University to allow you to pursue a special minor of your own design. Your proposal for your particular plan of study for the Interdisciplinary Studies Minor is not subjected to the standard curricular processes of standing majors/minors. However, you cannot expect the University to approve your proposal because you ask nicely. The rationale requires you to assume the professional responsibility of providing a solid, academic case for the program you are proposing.

** Please remove this line and all previous text BEFORE submitting your final rationale document.

Rationale

Applicant’s Name{TYPE HERE}

UID#{TYPE HERE}

Major: Interdisciplinary Studies Minor

Theme: {TYPE HERE}

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