IDS 104: Interdisciplinary Studies – Foundations of Learning and Community

Course Catalog DescriptionIDS 104 introduces students to the interdisciplinary approach to learning, where knowledge from multiple fields is integrated to solve complex personal, academic, and societal challenges. Through self-reflection, collaborative projects, and community-building activities, students develop foundational skills in metacognition, critical inquiry, digital literacy, ethical reasoning, and inclusive teamwork. The course emphasizes the creation of a supportive learning community that values diverse perspectives and prepares students for success in college and beyond.Course Learning OutcomesBy the end of the course, students will be able to: Explain the principles of interdisciplinary studies and apply them to real-world issues.
Demonstrate metacognitive awareness by reflecting on personal learning styles, strengths, and growth areas.
Use critical thinking, information literacy, and ethical reasoning to evaluate sources and ideas across disciplines.
Build and contribute to an inclusive learning community through collaboration and respectful dialogue.
Create a digital portfolio that documents academic and personal development.
Design a personal action plan for lifelong learning and community engagement.

Required MaterialsAll readings are provided free via the LMS (Open Educational Resources + instructor-curated articles).
Access to a computer/tablet and stable internet.
Recommended (free): Zotero or similar reference manager; Canva or Google Slides for presentations.

Grading Breakdown (1000 points total)Weekly Assignments & Discussions: 400 points (40%)
Midterm Interdisciplinary Project: 150 points (15%)
Final e-Portfolio & Reflection: 200 points (20%)
Community Engagement Activities: 150 points (15%)
Participation & Peer Feedback: 100 points (10%)

Late work policy: 10% deduction per day (up to 3 days); extensions available with advance notice.Weekly Schedule with Exact Assignment Topics and GuidesWeek 1: Welcome to Interdisciplinary Studies & Building Our Community
Topic: Course overview, icebreakers, what “interdisciplinary” means.
Readings: Syllabus + “Why Interdisciplinary Studies?” (short article).
Assignment 1 (30 pts) – Personal Introduction & Learning Goals
Guide: Post a 300–400 word introduction video or written post (LMS forum). Include your major/background, one strength, one growth area, and why you chose IDS 104.
Reply thoughtfully to at least 3 classmates (100 words each).
Submit a one-page “Learning Goals Contract” (template provided) listing 3 SMART goals for the semester.
Due: Sunday 11:59 pm.

Week 2: Metacognition & Learning Styles
Topic: How we learn; VARK, Growth Mindset, self-regulated learning.
Readings: Dweck’s Growth Mindset excerpt + learning-styles inventory.
Assignment 2 (30 pts) – Learning Autobiography
Guide: Complete two free learning-style inventories (links in module).
Write a 500-word reflection analyzing your results and past learning experiences.
Identify one strategy you will use this semester and create a visual “My Learning Toolkit” (one-page infographic).
Due: Sunday 11:59 pm.

Week 3: Critical Thinking Across Disciplines
Topic: Bloom’s Taxonomy, logical fallacies, interdisciplinary problem framing.
Readings: “Thinking Critically” chapter + TED Talk on interdisciplinary thinking.
Assignment 3 (30 pts) – Discipline Lens Analysis
Guide: Choose a current issue (e.g., climate change, AI ethics).
Analyze it from the lens of two different disciplines (e.g., biology + sociology).
Write a 400-word post + visual diagram showing connections and conflicts.
Respond to two peers with a question that bridges disciplines.
Due: Sunday 11:59 pm.

Week 4: Information Literacy & Digital Citizenship
Topic: Evaluating sources, bias, academic integrity, responsible online presence.
Readings: CRAAP test guide + “Digital Citizenship” article.
Assignment 4 (30 pts) – Source Evaluation Portfolio
Guide: Find three sources on the same topic (one scholarly, one popular, one questionable).
Apply CRAAP test to each and create a one-page comparison table.
Write a 300-word reflection on how bias affects interdisciplinary research.
Due: Sunday 11:59 pm.

Week 5: Communication & Collaboration Skills
Topic: Active listening, giving/receiving feedback, group dynamics.
Readings: “Crucial Conversations” excerpt.
Assignment 5 (30 pts) – Team Charter & Icebreaker Activity
Guide: Join a small group (assigned).
Co-create a Team Charter (template provided) covering roles, norms, and conflict resolution.
Facilitate or participate in a 15-minute synchronous or asynchronous icebreaker.
Submit individual 200-word reflection on collaboration.
Due: Sunday 11:59 pm.

Week 6: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Learning Communities
Topic: Cultural humility, privilege, inclusive language.
Readings: “Intercultural Competence” article + case studies.
Assignment 6 (30 pts) – Identity & Belonging Reflection
Guide: Complete the “Social Identity Wheel” activity.
Write a 500-word essay on how your identities shape your learning experience.
Propose one concrete action to make our class community more inclusive.
Due: Sunday 11:59 pm.

Week 7: Ethics & Decision-Making in Interdisciplinary Work
Topic: Ethical frameworks, case studies (e.g., environmental justice).
Readings: Two short case studies.
Assignment 7 (30 pts) – Ethical Dilemma Analysis
Guide: Choose one case study.
Apply two ethical lenses (utilitarian + rights-based).
Write a 400-word analysis + record a 2-minute video explaining your interdisciplinary recommendation.
Due: Sunday 11:59 pm.

Week 8: Midterm Project – Interdisciplinary Problem Proposal
Topic: Synthesis of Weeks 1–7.
Midterm Project (150 pts)
Guide: In teams of 3–4, select a complex campus or community issue.
Submit a 5-page proposal (or 8-slide deck) that: (a) frames the problem interdisciplinarily, (b) cites 4+ sources, (c) includes stakeholder perspectives, and (d) proposes a feasible solution.
Present 5-minute team pitch (recorded or live).
Individual peer/self-evaluation (100 words).
Due: Sunday 11:59 pm.

Week 9: Research Methods Across Disciplines
Topic: Qualitative vs. quantitative, mixed-methods basics.
Readings: Short methods primer.
Assignment 9 (30 pts) – Research Question Workshop
Guide: Revise your Week 8 problem into 2–3 testable interdisciplinary research questions.
Post questions + brief method proposal.
Provide constructive feedback on two other teams’ questions.
Due: Sunday 11:59 pm.

Week 10: Goal Setting & Time Management
Topic: Long-term planning, habit formation, academic resilience.
Readings: “Atomic Habits” excerpt (selected).
Assignment 10 (30 pts) – Semester Action Plan
Guide: Create a visual 8-week action plan (calendar or roadmap).
Include weekly study blocks, community involvement, and self-care.
Write a 300-word rationale linking plan to your Week 1 goals.
Due: Sunday 11:59 pm.

Week 11: Community Engagement & Service Learning
Topic: Local/global citizenship, reflection on service.
Readings: Service-learning framework.
Assignment 11 (30 pts) – Community Mapping & Proposal
Guide: Identify one on- or off-campus community partner or issue.
Create a one-page “Community Asset Map” (visual + 200-word narrative).
Propose a small group service-learning idea.
Due: Sunday 11:59 pm.

Week 12: Creativity & Innovation in Interdisciplinary Thinking
Topic: Design thinking, brainstorming tools.
Readings: Design-thinking overview.
Assignment 12 (30 pts) – Creative Solution Prototype
Guide: Using design thinking, prototype one low-fidelity solution from your midterm project.
Submit photos/screenshots + 300-word explanation of interdisciplinary elements.
Due: Sunday 11:59 pm.

Week 13: Reflection & e-Portfolio Development
Topic: Integrative learning, artifact selection.
Assignment 13 (30 pts) – Portfolio Draft
Guide: Begin building your e-portfolio (Google Sites or LMS template).
Select 4 artifacts from Weeks 1–12 with 150-word reflective captions each.
Submit draft link + one-paragraph overview statement.
Due: Sunday 11:59 pm.

Week 14: Capstone Synthesis & Peer Review
Topic: Pulling it all together; preparing for final.
Assignment 14 (30 pts) – Peer Portfolio Review
Guide: Review two classmates’ portfolio drafts using provided rubric.
Provide 300-word constructive feedback via LMS.
Revise your own draft based on received feedback (submit revision log).
Due: Sunday 11:59 pm.

Week 15: Final Presentations & Course Celebration
Topic: Showcase learning; farewell to the community.
Final e-Portfolio & Reflection (200 pts)
Guide: Complete polished e-portfolio with: About Me page
6–8 curated artifacts + reflections
Final 800–1000 word “Interdisciplinary Journey” essay addressing all 6 learning outcomes
Future Action Plan (personal & community goals post-IDS 104)

Deliver 5-minute live or recorded presentation to the class.
Submit peer celebration posts (100 words each to 3 classmates).
Due: Last day of finals week.

Study Notes (Key Concepts & Review Guide)Use these concise notes for quizzes, exams, and portfolio reflections. Each week includes core vocabulary, one big idea, and a reflection prompt.Week 1 – Core: Interdisciplinary = integration of 2+ disciplines. Big idea: Community starts with vulnerability. Prompt: How does sharing my story build trust? Week 2 – Core: Metacognition, Growth Mindset, fixed vs. growth. Big idea: Learning is a skill you can improve. Prompt: Which strategy will I practice daily? Week 3 – Core: Bloom’s Taxonomy (remember → create), interdisciplinary lens. Big idea: Problems are rarely single-discipline. Prompt: Where do my lenses overlap or clash? Week 4 – Core: CRAAP test, confirmation bias. Big idea: Information literacy protects critical thinking. Prompt: How will I spot bias in future research? Week 5 – Core: Psychological safety, team norms. Big idea: Collaboration > competition in learning. Prompt: What norm helped my group most? Week 6 – Core: Cultural humility, intersectionality. Big idea: Inclusion is an active practice. Prompt: One action I took this week. Week 7 – Core: Utilitarianism, deontology, virtue ethics. Big idea: Ethics guide interdisciplinary decisions. Prompt: Which lens felt most natural? Week 8 – Midterm synthesis. Big idea: Proposals must be feasible AND integrative. Week 9 – Core: Research question criteria (specific, measurable, interdisciplinary). Big idea: Good questions drive good methods. Week 10 – Core: SMART goals, habit loops. Big idea: Planning prevents procrastination. Prompt: Which habit will I track? Week 11 – Core: Asset-based community development. Big idea: Communities have strengths, not just needs. Week 12 – Core: Empathy → Define → Ideate → Prototype. Big idea: Creativity requires constraints. Week 13–14 – Core: Integrative learning, reflective practice. Big idea: Portfolios show growth, not perfection. Week 15 – Core: Lifelong learning mindset. Big idea: Celebration reinforces community. Final Review Tip: Re-read your Week 1 Learning Goals Contract and compare it to your final e-portfolio. The difference is your evidence of growth.

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