WWU / Fairhaven College of Interdiscipinary Studies
The Interdisciplinary Concentration
The Fairhaven Interdisciplinary Concentration is an individually designed major for the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Arts in Education degree.
The majority of Fairhaven's characteristically independent students choose the Concentration as their major. It 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, a Senior Project (FAIR 403a) and a concentration Summary and Evaluation help each graduate evaluate her or his own work and to look toward the future. Building an Interdisciplinary Concentration
Law, Diversity & Justice Concentration
The Law, Diversity & Justice Concentration is an interdisciplinary degree program, designed to increase the number of people from underrepresented groups seeking careers in law and social justice. See more details about the LDJ Concentration on the Center for Law, Diversity & Justice website. Read more
Resources for Current Students
Declaring the Concentration as a Major
Fairhaven College students may "declare" and officially record the Interdisciplinary Concentration as their major at any time.
Just as any other choice of academic major at WWU, The Fairhaven Interdisciplinary Concentration is recorded as a student's major officially only after submission of the Declaration of Major card, available through the Fairhaven College Main Office. Students do NOT need to complete the Concentration process or the Concentration Seminar before "declaring" the Concentration as their major. The Declaration of Major card must be filed before a student has accrued 120 credits, and, in some cases, provides access to otherwise restricted coursework in some departments.
Contact Kathy Johnson in the Fairhaven College Office for any questions about the Declaration of Major process.
Building the Concentration
Each Fairhaven student designing his/her own degree must plan for a minimum of the following to complete his/her Interdisciplinary Concentration
- a minimum of 6 quarters at Fairhaven
- 30 non-Fairhaven credits
- Study 3 qtrs. at Fairhaven AFTER you have FILED your concentration with a total of 36 credits in those quarters.
- Independent Study Projects = 10%-25% of total Concentration credits.
Guide to Building the Interdisciplinary Concentration (PDF, 55KB)
The Concentration Seminar
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 305a. See the courses page for further descriptions of these courses.
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?
Current Concentrations In Progress
Updated list coming soon.
