Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies for Inclusive Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education and Special Education Licensure, B.S.

Dr. Scott Paulson, Interim Director
Dr. Steve Baedke, Area Director for Mathematics, Science and Technology
Phone: (540) 568-5260
Email: paulsosa@jmu.edu
Location: Maury Hall, Room 118
Website: http://www.jmu.edu/idls

Professor
G. F. Linder

Associate Professors
M. Chamberlin, P. Frana, K. Wright

Assistant Professors
J. Mangan, M. Schmitt-Harsh, J. Walker

Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies (IDLS) is the undergraduate major for students pursuing teaching licensure in inclusive early childhood education (early childhood education, preK-3 and early childhood special education, birth to five), elementary education (PreK-6), middle grades education (6-8) and special education (K-12). The IDLS major meets Virginia teacher competencies by providing breadth and integration across the content areas of English and language arts, history, social sciences, mathematics, natural sciences, and technology.

IDLS requirements vary by education program, as outlined in this section. Students declaring the IDLS major must also declare one of the teacher education programs listed. Detailed information on teacher education programs is in the College of Education section of this catalog.

In the unusual circumstance that a student exits the education licensure pre-professional program late in his/her college career, the IDLS director may permit the student to complete the IDLS degree with the addition of an appropriate minor.

Degree Requirements

Required Courses

IDLS and General Education core 53 Credit Hours
Remaining General Education 6 Credit Hours
IDLS upper-level concentration 21 Credit Hours
Education program 35-47 Credit Hours
Elective 0-5 Credit Hours

Total: 120 Credit Hours

Core Requirements

Language Arts and Communication

Writing: 3 Credit Hours

WRTC 103. Critical Reading and Writing 3.00

Oral Communication: 3 Credit Hours

(choose one)

Literature: 3 Credit Hours

(choose one)

History/Social Sciences

Global History: 6 Credit Hours

(both required)

HIST 101. World History to 1500 3.00
HIST 102. World History Since 1500 3.00

U.S. History: 4 Credit Hours

HIST 225. U.S. History 4.00

Government: 4 Credit Hours

POSC 225. U.S. Government 4.00

Economics: 3 Credit Hours

(choose one)

ECON 200. Introduction to Macroeconomics 3.00
ECON 201. Introduction to Microeconomics 3.00

Geography: 3 Credit Hours

(choose one)

GEOG 200. Geography: The Global Dimension 3.00
GEOG 280. Human Geography: The Cultural Landscape 3.00
ANTH 195. Cultural Anthropology 3.00 (C, R)

Psychology: 3 Credit Hours

PSYC 160. Life Span Human Development 3.00

Health: 3 Credit Hours

(choose one)

KIN 100. Lifetime Fitness & Wellness (2,2) 3.00
HTH 100. Personal Wellness 3.00

Mathematics

Fundamentals of Math: 9 Credit Hours

(all required)

MATH 107. Fundamentals of Mathematics I 3.00
MATH 108. Fundamentals of Mathematics II 3.00
MATH 207. Fundamentals of Mathematics III 3.00

Natural Sciences: 9 Credit Hours

Upper Level concentration requirement: 21 Credit Hours

IDLS Concentration

In addition to the IDLS core, students will complete an IDLS concentration to provide depth and integration beyond core requirements. The four concentration options are noted below, with each option requiring seven upper-level courses.

Option 1: Math and Science and Technology. Take four courses in math and three in science and technology, or take three in math and four in science and technology.
Option 2: Humanities and Social Sciences. Choose a humanities and social science track (1-7) and take six courses in that track, plus the IDLS 400 capstone.
Option 3: Math and Humanities and Social Sciences. Choose a humanities and social science track (1-7). Take three courses in the humanities and social sciences track and four in math, or take four in the humanities and social sciences track and three in math. The humanities and social sciences courses can include IDLS 400 , but it is not required.
Option 4: Science and Technology and Humanities and Social Sciences. Choose a humanities and social science track (1-7). Take three courses in the humanities and social sciences track and four in science and technology, or take four in the humanities and social sciences track and three in science and technology. The humanities and social sciences courses can include IDLS 400 , but it is not required.

The current list of concentration courses is available on the IDLS website.

IDLS Advisement

IDLS majors are assigned two advisers, one to guide them through teacher education program requirements and another to guide them through IDLS major requirements. Students should check with both advisers regularly to ensure timely graduation. These advisers are assigned when students officially declare their education program and IDLS major. To declare, students must acquire education and IDLS academic unit head signatures on a “Change or Declaration of Major” form.

Teacher Licensure

To be eligible for teacher licensure in inclusive early childhood, elementary, middle school and special education, students graduating with the Bachelor of Science degree in IDLS must complete the appropriate teacher education program at the undergraduate and graduate (Master of Arts in Teaching) levels.