interdisciplinary studies

IDS Statement of Purpose

IDS 201

In this final assignment for IDS 201, you must submit a Statement of Purpose in which you explain the reasons for your decision to pursue an IDS degree and describe your plan of action for moving forward. This paper will function as the final exam for this course, so you will need to do much more than identify your individual goals. Rather, you will use this assignment to synthesize what you have learned about your specific areas of study AND the IDS degree more broadly throughout the semester, drawing heavily on course readings and lectures as well as your own individual research. In short, you will need to write a compelling argument about why pursuing an IDS degree at UNLV (i.e., Multidisciplinary Studies or Social Science Studies) is a good choice for you.

Another way to think about this assignment is as a kind of application essay into the degree program. Thus, imagine that your reader is a member of a selection committee looking for the following things:

• evidence that you know what it means to pursue an interdisciplinary (as opposed to a more traditional) degree

• evidence that you are entering into this degree with specific learning objectives in mind, and that you have thought about what courses you need to take to achieve these learning objectives

• evidence that your plan for your capstone project (which will guide the work you will be doing for the next 3 IDS classes) clearly ties together your areas of study and clearly connects to your personal and/or professional goals

As you write this essay, then, make sure to address the following questions (in no particular order):

• Do you plan to pursue a degree in Multidisciplinary Studies or Social Science Studies? Which specific disciplines (also known as areas of study) have you decided to focus on for this degree?

• What specific kinds of knowledge and skills do you anticipate taking away from this degree program? In answering this question, consider what topics you hope to learn about (e.g., phenomena) and what you hope to be able to do (e.g., methods) by the end of this degree program.

• How will gaining this knowledge and these skills help you achieve your personal and/or professional goals?

• What specific courses at UNLV would you ideally take within your areas of study? (Tip: This will require you to do some research to see what classes are actually available for you to take.) How would taking these courses help you gain the knowledge and skills you identified above? (Note: If you have already taken the majority of your coursework in your areas of study, explain how you plan to draw upon the knowledge and skills you gained from those

classes as you move forward with your capstone project. Be specific here, referring to specific classes and/or assignments that you have found particularly useful.)

• What interdisciplinary traits/skills do you hope to develop further in your future IDS classes? How will developing these traits/skills help you achieve your personal and/or professional goals? (Tip: I highly recommend that you refer back to the course readings when answering this question.)

• What specific topic do you plan to research further in your future IDS classes for your Capstone Project? How does this topic relate to your personal and/or professional goals?

• Why does this topic warrant interdisciplinary inquiry? • How exactly does this topic draw together (i.e., create common ground

between) your areas of study? • What form do you think your Capstone Project will ultimately take? Why do

you think this is the most appropriate form for your Capstone Project?

The IDS Statement of Purpose asks you to tap into the different kinds of knowledge you've gained throughout this course and weave them together in a coherent, well- written statement of your intention to be an IDS major. Make sure to use relevant key terms introduced in the course lectures and/or readings to demonstrate your understanding of what interdisciplinary studies is, why it is valuable, and what interdisciplinary thinking looks like in practice. This paper is meant to be a culmination of your work this semester, so you are welcome to draw upon what you have written in previous assignments for this course.

FORMAT: The double-spaced paper should be no less than 5 full double-spaced pages, though it can certainly be longer. If applicable, it should also include an additional works cited page (separate from the page count of the text). To avoid plagiarism, you will want to make very clear in the text when you are presenting words or ideas other than your own. Citations should follow MLA or APA guidelines, whichever is most appropriate to your disciplines.

In the upper left-hand corner, include a single-spaced heading that includes your name, the course name (IDS 201), and the date. Center the title “IDS Statement of Purpose” (without quotation marks) at the top of the page. Do not use more than 1 line of spacing between your name and the title. Do not use more than 1 line of spacing between the title and the first line of text. Use 1-inch margins and a standard font such as 12 point Times New Roman.

Finally, make sure to write clear, coherent paragraphs that demonstrate a logical progression of ideas and to proofread to avoid spelling and grammar errors.

Grading Criteria

Basic Guidelines Do you follow the instructions? Do you address ALL the questions listed in the assignment?

Understanding of Interdisciplinarity

Do you correctly use relevant key terms introduced in the course lectures and readings to demonstrate your understanding of what interdisciplinary studies is and why it is valuable?

Drawing Connections

Do you articulate clearly how adopting an interdisciplinary perspective will help you reach your academic and professional goals? Do you articulate clearly how your proposed research project creates common ground between your areas of study and reflects your interdisciplinary interests and goals?

Constructing a Plan

Do you construct a feasible plan of action for moving forward with the degree by identifying classes you plan to take in your areas of study and explaining how the specific knowledge and skills you will learn in these classes will help you reach your goals? If you have already completed the majority of the coursework in your areas of study, do you explain how the knowledge and skills you have gained from these classes will inform your interdisciplinary capstone project?

Credible Sources Do you use and properly cite credible sources of information, when applicable?

Organization Does your writing flow logically? Do you use transitions appropriately?

Professionalism Does your post contain 0-2 errors in spelling/ grammar?

• You will receive an A on this assignment if you demonstrate excellence in each category listed above.

• You will receive a B on this assignment if you have minor deficits in 1-2 of the categories listed above.

• You will receive a C on this assignment if you have major deficits in any 1 (or minor deficits in 3) of the categories listed above.

• You will not receive a passing grade if you have major deficits in any 2 of the categories listed above.