Program Overview

Interdisciplinary Studies (INDS) Program

The Interdisciplinary Studies (INDS) program at Rice University is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education that combines multiple disciplines. The program offers a range of courses and research opportunities that allow students to explore complex problems and issues from different perspectives.

Course Offerings

The INDS program offers the following courses:

• INDS 500: The Interdisciplinary Mind: Liberal Arts and the Pursuit of Knowledge
  • Short Title: The Interdisciplinary Mind
  • Department: School of Continuing Studies
  • Grade Mode: Standard Letter
  • Course Type: Seminar
  • Credit Hours: 3
  • Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
  • Description: This course explores the meaning and history of interdisciplinary studies, as well as the debates and controversies associated with liberal education.
• INDS 534: Human Rights in World Affairs
  • Short Title: Human Rights in World Affairs
  • Department: School of Continuing Studies
  • Grade Mode: Standard Letter
  • Course Type: Seminar
  • Credit Hours: 3
  • Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Liberal Studies. Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
  • Description: This course examines the role of human rights and humanitarianism in contemporary world affairs.
• INDS 580: East Asian Food History
  • Short Title: East Asian Food History
  • Department: School of Continuing Studies
  • Grade Mode: Standard Letter
  • Course Type: Seminar
  • Credit Hours: 3
  • Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
  • Description: This course introduces students to the traditional dietary cultures of China, Japan, and Korea.
• INDS 600: The Interdisciplinary Scholar: Research, Writing, and Intellectual Practice
  • Short Title: The Interdisciplinary Scholar
  • Department: School of Continuing Studies
  • Grade Mode: Standard Letter
  • Course Type: Seminar
  • Credit Hours: 3
  • Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
  • Description: This course equips students with practical skills for engaging in graduate-level interdisciplinary research, writing, and professional scholarship.
• INDS 645: The Psychology of Employee Resilience
  • Short Title: Resilience in Psychology
  • Department: School of Continuing Studies
  • Grade Mode: Standard Letter
  • Course Type: Seminar
  • Credit Hours: 3
  • Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
  • Description: This course provides an overview of resilience research and practice.
• INDS 677: Special Topics
  • Short Title: Special Topics
  • Department: School of Continuing Studies
  • Grade Mode: Standard Letter
  • Course Type: Lecture/Laboratory, Independent Study, Internship/Practicum, Laboratory, Lecture, Seminar
  • Credit Hours: 1-4
  • Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
  • Description: Topics and credit hours vary each semester.
• INDS 699: Capstone Seminar
  • Short Title: Capstone Seminar
  • Department: School of Continuing Studies
  • Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
  • Course Type: Research
  • Credit Hour: 1
  • Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
  • Description: This seminar course is designed to familiarize students with the academic requirements of the Capstone Project.
• INDS 700: Capstone I
  • Short Title: Capstone I
  • Department: School of Continuing Studies
  • Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
  • Course Type: Research
  • Credit Hours: 1-9
  • Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Liberal Studies. Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
  • Description: Capstone I is the first semester of a two-term culminating experience in the Master of Interdisciplinary Studies program.
• INDS 701: Capstone II
  • Short Title: Capstone II
  • Department: School of Continuing Studies
  • Grade Mode: Standard Letter
  • Course Type: Research
  • Credit Hours: 1-9
  • Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Liberal Studies. Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
  • Prerequisite(s): INDS 699
  • Description: Capstone II is the final course in the culminating experience for the Master of Interdisciplinary Studies program.
• INDS 797: Advanced Independent Readings
  • Short Title: Advanced Independent Readings
  • Department: School of Continuing Studies
  • Grade Mode: Standard Letter
  • Course Type: Independent Study
  • Credit Hours: 1-9
  • Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
  • Description: This independent study course is designed for students in the Diploma in Liberal Studies (DLS) program.
• INDS 798: Diploma Project I
  • Short Title: Diploma Project I
  • Department: School of Continuing Studies
  • Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
  • Course Type: Research
  • Credit Hours: 1-9
  • Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
  • Description: This is the first of a two-semester research sequence for students in the Diploma in Liberal Studies (DLS) program.
• INDS 799: Diploma Project II
  • Short Title: Diploma Project II
  • Department: School of Continuing Studies
  • Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
  • Course Type: Research
  • Credit Hours: 1-9
  • Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
  • Description: This is the second of a two-semester research sequence for students in the Diploma in Liberal Studies (DLS) program.