Interdisciplinary Studies
With 30+ majors, minors, and certificates to choose from, Interdisciplinary Studies programs are a unique hub for students to explore a single field of study from a variety of perspectives.
You’ll learn to make innovative connections between everyday ideas, spark meaningful conversations, and tackle urgent challenges.
Degrees
Global Studies, BA*
*minor option available
Global Studies is an interdisciplinary program focused on global interconnections and integration, as well as inequalities and disruptions, at multiple scales around the world including at home in Tennessee.
Global Studies draws on the expertise of faculty across the Division of Social Sciences, as well as other colleges on campus. The major brings together faculty and students from diverse perspectives in the social sciences and humanities to help students build an interdisciplinary understanding of the world. Majors choose one of three concentrations, “Global Society and Culture,” “Global Politics and Economy,” or “Language, Politics, and Culture.”
Interdisciplinary Programs, BA
*minor options available
With wide-ranging areas of study, the Interdisciplinary Programs, BA encourages students to dive deep into a single area of study through multiple lenses. You’ll explore academic topics through the lens of the natural and life sciences, social sciences, and arts and humanities, blending multiple perspectives into connecting ideas.
Interdisciplinary Programs offers 13 concentrations that explore topics such as computational social science, animal behavior, linguistics, Jewish studies, and more. Our unique program equips students with both deep expertise and a breadth of knowledge.
Certificates
Computational Social Science Undergraduate Certificate
The Computational Social Science Undergraduate Certificate teaches students to harness digital data to glean insights on topics ranging from public health to climate change to business, and so much more. This 12-credit hour, interdisciplinary certificate equips students with foundational knowledge in data collection, analysis, and visualization, all of which are highly transferrable skills to any field in today’s data-driven world.
Humanities Undergraduate Certificate
This 12-credit hour certificate prepares students to take interdisciplinary coursework in Africana Studies, Classics, English, History, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Theatre, Art, and even World Languages and Cultures. Students will ask philosophical, literary, and interpretive questions about humanity, culture, and the human experience, attempting to understand these concepts through literature, art, film, and history. This program is a great fit for students interested in asking big questions about the world.
Stand-alone Minors
Digital Humanities Minor
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.
Justice Studies Minor
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.
Science, Technology, Health, and Society Minor
Science, Technology, Health, and Society 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.
Native American and Indigenous Studies Minor
The Native American and Indigenous Studies minor teaches students about the culture, political transformation, and dynamics of power that have historically impacted Native Americans throughout various global regions. Students will learn about topics such as decolonization, Indigenous writers, cultural rhetorics, and dive deep into the study of Native American and Indigenous civilizations.
Looking For More Options?
The College of Arts and Sciences offers students the broadest range of academic programs and opportunities for research and creative activities at the University of Tennessee, powered by faculty expertise across every discipline.
Admissions and Aid
Are you ready to become a Vol? Learn how to apply and explore tuition, cost, and aid below.
