Interdivisional courses of study at St. Norbert College constitute an integral part of a genuinely liberal arts education and contribute strongly to the goals of the College, as a Catholic, Norbertine and liberal arts institution.

Combining skills from a variety of individual academic disciplines (such as Business Administration, Communication, History, Modern Languages and Culture, Political Science, Sociology and others), these courses of study play a vital role in the intellectual, moral and personal development of our graduates. The inter-disciplinary nature of these programs encourages students to become well versed in a number of different fields as they pursue their studies.

These courses of study form a solid foundation for students intent on public service at the local, state, national or international level, as well as in non-governmental organizations such as the Peace Corps.

The interdivisional course offerings are:

IDIS 100 College Writing
This course helps students develop and discipline their powers of written communication. Students will learn about the composing process – planning, shaping, writing, revising, editing and proofreading –- and how to apply this process to a series of college writing assignments that include personal narratives, informational summaries, persuasive essays and documented research essays. IDIS 100 can be taken as an elective by students who feel a need for a composition course and the course is required for students who demonstrate a need for a college-writing course (as determined by a timed writing sample, college admission scores and high school record). Fall and Spring semesters. 

IDIS 110 Academic Survival Skills (2 Credits)
This course is designed to increase the student’s success in college by assisting the student in obtaining necessary skills to reach his or her educational objectives. Topics in the course include time management, study techniques, beginning career decision making, test taking, reading for understanding and retention, note taking, college resources, decision making and memory techniques.

IDIS 115 College Preparation and Reading (2 Credits)
This course presents reading and study techniques that will enhance the student’s ability to read and retain college-level material. The student will learn to implement general strategies for dealing with course material and strategies to improve reading rate and comprehension. 

IDIS 120 SUCCESS Program Participation (0 Credits)
This program assists students in reaching their full academic potential by regularly monitoring academic performance, improving study skills and providing guidance necessary to complete college-level work. The “Success” program is conducted by the Academic Support Services department. Open only to students who are required to participate as a condition of initial or continued enrollment. Repeatable.

IDIS 145 – Communio: A Liberal Arts Seminar
This course has been designed to be an incredibly enriching experience. In a unique and innovative way, the three traditions of the College (liberal arts, Catholic and Norbertine) have been brought together, providing the building blocks for your entire college career. The fact that this is a living/learning course means that education doesn’t stop at the classroom door. Bergstrom Hall has been reserved exclusively for first-year students taking this course. Discussions will flow beyond the classroom, allowing you to debate and engage with students from all five sections, examining a common question from a variety of perspectives. Programming in the hall will engage you even further, helping you connect the classroom with daily life. 

IDIS 189 Taiwanese History, Culture and Society
An interdisciplinary course on contemporary Taiwanese history, culture and society, including a two-week study abroad component in Taiwan.

IDIS 310 Language Analysis & Applied Linguistics
This course will familiarize students with different fields of applied linguistics and language analysis, including grammar, semantics, phonology, phonetics, discourse analysis, language acquisition and social linguistics. This course is a requirement for ESL certification. Prerequisite: ENGL 290 or Instructor’s consent.

IDIS 363 Poverty and Social Justice – GS 11
Service learning is an essential component of this course. Students will prepare for, engage in service among those in poverty, reflect on their actions, and evaluate its effectiveness.

Designed for the general student, this course provides an introduction to the multifaceted and complex phenomenon of poverty and exploration of its relationship to social justice. Topics addressed include definitions of poverty and justice, the roots of poverty, its historical manifestations and structural influences, how it may be measured and ways that it may be alleviated. Poverty is pervasive, affecting the human population on every continent and in every country throughout history. We ask why this is so and what we ought to do about it. Students investigate past approaches, assess their effectiveness and consider future options for reducing and hopefully eliminating, poverty in the Third Millennium.

IDIS 389 Special Topics in Interdivisional Studies
This course will concentrate on a topic pertinent to the current needs and interests of students. Primarily, it will focus on topics which cross divisional lines and will involve two or more disciplines across divisions.

IDIS 494 Service-Learning Seminar
Students will participate in a community service internship and share their experiences and personal reflections in an effort to increase student awareness of civic needs and community services, further emotional, intellectual, moral, social and personal growth and develop community service skills and life-long civic responsibility. Open discussions, led by guest speakers from the college and local community, will focus upon topics such as an individual’s responsibility to serve community needs and services, the effects of service and the role of the served. Prerequisites: Instructor’s consent and approval of the Associate Academic Dean.