Interdisciplinary Programs
The College of Arts and Sciences is dedicated to the delivery of innovative, interdisciplinary training across established and emergent areas of study with enduring and profound relevance to historical and contemporary societies.
To declare a major in one of the college’s interdisciplinary programs, undergraduate students should visit Arts and Sciences Advising Services in Room 313 of Ayres Hall.
Animal Behavior
With an Animal Behavior major, you’ll gain a broad and integrated understanding of why animals behave the way they do while building skills that prepare you for many career paths. You’ll develop skills in critical thinking, scientific writing, teamwork, and the ability to design and test ideas—skills valuable for research, conservation, animal care, education, and more.
At UT, you’ll join one of only a few Animal Behavior programs offered at a research-intensive (R1) university in the entire country. Our program brings together courses from biology, psychology, animal science, neuroscience, and other disciplines to help you explore the amazing diversity of animal life.
Computational Social Science
Computational Social Science involves analysis of human social and behavioral and data to find underlying patterns and address contemporary challenges.
Students studying social and behavioral sciences gain a huge advantage by with a minor in computational social science. As societies generate vast amounts of digital data, this rapidly growing set of skills is being used to improve quality of life, inform science and innovation, and facilitate well-informed civic engagement. Applications range from public health to socioeconomic disparities, to sports statistics, social media analysis, marketing and the study of technological or popular trends.
Cultures & Societies
The concentration in Cultures and Societies aims to provide online students with a deeper understanding of the beliefs, practices and behaviors of different groups of people. The courses offered within this concentration are designed to enhance one’s knowledge of the history of various cultures and societies and how the practices and behaviors of various cultures influence people and our environment. Courses include: People and Environment, Bioethics, and Religion and Society in North America.
Digital Humanities
Digital Humanities is the understanding and application of digital technology to the humanities, liberal arts, and social sciences.
The Digital Humanities interdisciplinary program offers students the opportunity to enhance their skills in humanities, liberal arts, and social sciences by incorporating digital technology. Students learn how to engage critically with digital media and explore current issues such as AI and ethics, digital storytelling and gaming, social media analysis, and beyond by balancing scientific and computational methods with humanities practices such as analysis, critical thinking, and artistic creation. The DH minor offers several internship opportunities for students with partners on and off campus.
Jewish Studies
The Jewish Studies program at UT offers an interdisciplinary and globally relevant education that explores Jewish history, culture, philosophy, religion, and language. Students gain a broad perspective on Judaism’s historical evolution and contemporary relevance, engaging with topics such as the Holocaust, the Jewish textual tradition, and the Middle East.
With small class sizes, renowned faculty, and hands-on learning experiences, the program prepares students to analyze complex global issues, understand religious and cultural diversity, and develop strong research and communication skills.
The Jewish Studies major allows students to take courses from a variety of departments. Courses in Jewish Studies range from ancient archeology to modern Jewish history. Students in the major and minor can study abroad, do independent research with award winning professors, and engage in unique learning opportunities. With only one required course, students can tailor the major to their own interests, selecting from a diverse group of interdisciplinary offerings to explore the connection between the study of Jews and Judaism and a wide range of global phenomena.
Justice Studies
The new Justice Studies program integrates social sciences, liberal arts, and law into a transformative, self-guided curriculum, offering a comprehensive understanding of justice.
By drawing from multiple disciplines, Justice Studies provides a holistic view of justice systems, laws, policies, and the social forces behind power structures. Students will explore the empirical study of conflict, inequality, and harm, while contextualizing the role of social movements and grassroots efforts, especially within Knoxville and the Appalachian Region. The program features the Appalachian Justice Research Center (AJRC) and its community justice research lab, where students collaborate with local organizations on participatory justice research.
Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx Studies
The Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx Studies Program offers an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the region’s diversity through a study of its rich political, social and cultural traditions as well as its natural environments and geography.
The goals of the LACS program are to educate students and the wider campus community about the diversity and complexities of one of the world’s most vibrant regions. Students who major or minor in LACS will have access to a comprehensive and interdisciplinary curriculum that weaves together cultural traditions, regional languages, political systems, and societal and environmental issues. The program offers a deep understanding of how historical legacies and contemporary dynamics shape Latin America and the Caribbean, preparing students for impactful careers in international relations, cultural exchange, public policy, and more.
Linguistics
Linguistics is the scientific study of language systems and how they work. It includes both the systematic investigation of the properties of particular languages as well as the characteristics of language in general. The Linguistics program offers a broad exposure to the various areas of linguistics, including historical, descriptive, theoretical, and applied linguistics, along with an opportunity to study fields where linguistics overlaps with other disciplines such as psychology, sociology, education, speech pathology and the like. It is designed to prepare students for graduate work in linguistics or related areas, or to serve as an enrichment to the study of a particular language. It also provides an excellent background for those interested in teaching English as a second language. Graduates of our program have entered a variety of language-related and applied professional fields, such as translation, language teaching, publishing, journalism, speech pathology, forensics, tech industry, as well as continuing their study of linguistics at the graduate level.
Medieval & Renaissance Studies
The Marco Institute is a highly regarded center for studying the history and culture of the premodern world, from 300 to 1700 C.E.
Our interdisciplinary program allows students to explore events and cultures from this rich period through courses offered by over 40 faculty members in eight departments. We examine developments in Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, the Americas, and the Mediterranean, through disciplines like architecture, art history, archaeology, literature, music, and political science. Students can focus on the eras and methods that interest them most.
MRST students and faculty engage with the past to better understand our interconnected world. Graduates leave with a well-rounded knowledge of medieval and Renaissance societies and skills valued in today’s job market, including cultural and historical awareness.
Middle East Studies
The Middle East Studies program is a hub for research and teaching about the region of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA)—past, present, and future. Our courses provide students with interdisciplinary training in the history, cultures, literatures, politics, languages, and religions of the MENA to prepare them for a variety of careers related to this significant region of the world. Our faculty lead exciting study abroad programs, giving students opportunities to gain firsthand experience in this complex, fascinating region and to develop broader intercultural understanding. In collaboration with the local community, our faculty also bring the diverse cultures and societies of the MENA directly to campus, organizing engaging, student-friendly activities, events, and guest speakers, as well as advanced research activities.
Public Policy and Administration
The concentration in Public Policy and Administration aims to enhance one’s knowledge about the process of making decisions and policies within an organization as well as how the study of government policies impacts organizational functioning. Online students can take a variety of courses within this concentration to best suit their particular interests and career goals, including Contemporary Issues in American Public Policy, Law in American Society, and Conflict Processes.
Science, Technology, Health, and Society
STHS explores how science, technology, and medicine shape human societies – and how these societies, through their values, politics, and cultures, shape science, technology, and medicine in return.
It thrives on cross-disciplinarity, engaging fields like science, engineering, philosophy, psychology, law, history, sociology, and political science. The program examines questions like: Why do experts disagree? How do emerging technologies like AI and gene therapy impact society, and can we govern or mitigate them? How are science and technology tied to society, politics, and culture?
Combining literacy in science and technology with critical, ethical, and historical perspectives from the humanities and social sciences, STHS allows students to build unique educational and professional paths by drawing on multiple disciplines.
Visual and Interactive Storytelling
The Visual and Interactive Storytelling Program (VIS) offers students the opportunity to develop storytelling skills with classes in animation, creative writing, video game art, sound design, performance, filmmaking, and more. Students learn and experiment with contemporary narrative tools and practices.
Visual and Interactive Storytelling students gain hands-on experience with digital creation, media production, and performance. The curriculum connects courses in literature, art, cinema studies, and theatre, combining theory with practice in collaborative projects.
Women, Gender, and Sexuality
WGS is a dynamic and cutting-edge program centered on the study of gender and sexuality in human society and is designed to prepare students for thoughtful and active participation in their communities and workplaces.
The program in Women, Gender, and Sexuality is designed for UT students who want to expand their worldview while preparing for innovative careers. WGS faculty members come from Psychology, English, History, Nursing, Political Science, and other disciplines, creating the perfect home for students who want to take classes in subjects across the university. Our graduates attend medical school, earn spots at top law schools and postgraduate programs, work at national nonprofits, teach in various educational contexts, and build careers in diverse fields. We welcome any student who seeks to better understand the world around them.