Students need more interdisciplinary options

The University of Alberta has long prided itself on the interdisciplinary programmes available to students, but with the exceptions of the Computer Game Development Certificate, Religious Studies, and Science, Technology and Society majors, the current interdisciplinary programmes offered by the university are restrictive.

Environmental Studies, for example, is a joint program between the Faculty of Arts and ALES, but this program is offered only for a specific group of students. Similarly, International Studies is suggested as a minor for liberal arts students so they can “internationalize” their degree, and the Peace and Post-Conflict Certificate is suggested to those seeking a career in international relations. The Writing Studies program only has three courses — not even enough for a minor. Other interdisciplinary programs, like Humanities Computing and Internetworking, are restricted to graduate students, who can also apply for an individualized program.

Simply put, interdisciplinary opportunities aren’t as readily available to undergraduate students as the university would have us believe. Those who aren’t in a professional program or aren’t interested in these specialized subjects would find it difficult to personalize their education and make it interdisciplinary.

While science and arts students can double major within their faculty, cross-faculty double majors are nearly nonexistent. The university assumes that students are only interested in areas in their faculty, but not between two different faculties. Students who are interested in a broader education are forced to choose a single faculty, sacrificing one area of interest for another. This choice increases the imagined divide between arts and science, maintaining the stereotype that a student can only succeed at one, as well as the fictitious notion that there is a fundamental difference in the required skill set.

One could argue that students still have the opportunity to pursue a minor, but that fails to reflect the interest the individual may have had in the area. A minor is called such for a reason — people assume you are more interested and knowledgeable about your major. The U of A’s current system doesn’t allow for undergraduate students to gain the depth and understanding they may desire from their education.

In addition, a cross-faculty double major would not take students longer to graduate. Under the current requirements, even students in an honours or specialization program have enough arts or science credits and approved options in their program that they could complete an entire major in a different faculty if they would be allowed.

The suggestion of a cross-faculty double major may seem strange, but universities across Canada have this option available to their students. For example, the University of British Columbia has both cross-faculty double majors and dual degrees available to their students. U of A should be proactive and offer these kinds of programs to undergraduates so it can remain competitive. Students well-versed in multiple areas are more prepared for the job market, and are more employable.

The university remains the primary barrier to the interdisciplinary opportunities available to undergraduates. It is in administration’s interest to create interdisciplinary options to help students get the education they want, and the one they’re paying thousands of dollars a year for.