Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies with a Concentration in Small Business Management

Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies

The Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies is a 42-course, 126-credit degree. It is not designed to overlap with existing degrees but rather to provide qualified students with an academic program that meets their unique needs. Offering students flexibility, independence, and academic rigor, this option provides undergraduate adult learners with the opportunity to draw on the resources of the entire curriculum, across disciplines while building an academic focus in areas they find most important.

Concentration in Small Business Management

The Small Business Management Concentration is a 6 course, 18 credit concentration that focuses on issues relevant to individuals who are currently, or are interested in, leading their own small business. This concentration will give students writing, communication and business development skills that assist them to lead a profitable small business within the context of their community.

Curriculum Requirements - Total Credits Required: 125

General Education Requirements - 30 Credits

World Cultures Course (3 Cr.)

Aesthetic Awareness & Creative Expression Course (3 Cr.)

Literary Perspectives Course (3 Cr.)

Individual and Society Course (3 Cr.)

Quantitative Reasoning Course (3 Cr.)

Values & Ethical Reasoning Course (3 Cr.)

Science & Technology Course (3 Cr.)

Global Issues Course (3 Cr.)

World Language (6 Cr.)

General Education Electives (12 Cr.)

First Year Adult Learning Experience (7 Credits)

EC 201 - Experience, Competency and Belonging (Cr: 3
EC 355 - Career Transitions (Cr: 4)

Writing Designated Courses (6 Credits)

ENG 111 - Critical Reading and Writing I (Cr: 3)
ENG 112 - Critical Reading and Writing II (Cr: 3)

Upper Level Core Electives (6 Credits)

Must be above 100 level.

Interdisciplinary Studies Major Requirements (30 Credits)

Psychology or Sociology Elective (3 Cr.)

Philosophy or Religion Elective (3 Cr)

Political Science Elective (3 Cr.)

Science or Math Elective (3 Cr.)

History Elective (3 Cr.)

Political Science or IDS Elective (3 Cr.)

English Elective (3 Cr.)

American Studies or IDS Elective (3 Cr.)

IDS 201 - Interdisciplinary Seminar (Cr: 3) Taken twice (Cr: 6)

Final Research Project (9 Credits)

IDS 302 - Methods of Inquiry in the Humanities (Cr: 3)
Or
PSY 236 - Research Methods (Cr: 3)
IDS 489 - Senior Research (Cr: 3)
IDS 490 - Senior Thesis (Cr: 3)

Open Electives (7 Credits)

Small Business Management Concentration Required Courses- (18 Cr.)

BUS 309 - Project Management (Cr: 3)
BUS 328 - Sales Management (Cr: 3)
BUS 380 - Small Business Management (Cr: 3)
BUS 415 - Business Negotiation (Cr: 3)
BUS 460 - Brand Management (Cr: 3)
CMM 203 - Public Relations (Cr: 3)

Discipline-Designated Elective Requirements

The eight discipline-designated elective requirements (e.g. History elective, International Studies elective) may be met by taking any course with the individual discipline’s prefix. However, at least three of the eight courses must be above the 100-level.

ART 308 - Art in American Culture (Cr: 3)
ART 320 - Native American Art: Beyond Tradition (Cr: 3)
ENG 220 - American Short Story Cycles (Cr: 3)
ENG 224 - Justice and Injustice in American Literature (Cr: 3)
ENG 240 - Boston in Literature and Film (Cr: 3)
ENG 310 - Modern American Poetry (Cr: 3)
ENG 337 - American Indian Literature (Cr: 3)
HST 225 - The Salem Witch Trials (Cr: 3)
HST 227 - Boston History (Cr: 3)
HST 229 - The American West (Cr: 3)
HST 230 - African-American History (Cr: 3)
HST 306 - New England History (Cr: 3)
HST 317 - Civil Rights Movement (Cr: 3)
HST 330 - History of Sexuality in the United States (Cr: 3)
HST 340 - Women in American History and Culture (Cr: 3)
MUS 230 - Jazz Styles (Cr: 3)
MUS 240 - The Rise of Rock and Roll (Cr: 3)
SM 303 - Sport in Society (Cr: 3)
SOC 320 - Racial and Ethnic Diversity in American Society (Cr: 3)

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students will:

Effectively communicate in writing and through oral communication.
Demonstrate the critical inquiry and analysis skills needed to engage constructively in intellectual discourse in various disciplines.
Recall and apply the basic foundational knowledge of educational studies as delivered through the Baccalaureate Core.
Articulate the connections and distinctions between and among liberal arts disciplines, and their contemporary relevance.
Design, execute, and present a personal project, which synthesizes and applies, selected knowledge, skills and experiences appropriate to the students’ personal and professional goals and/or their chosen area of specialization.

In addition to fulfilling the outcomes of the Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies program, students completing the concentration in Small Business Management will:

Understand how to manage the financial, sales and public relations issues associated with small business ownership.
Demonstrate the writing, critical thinking, presentation and business development skills necessary to succeed in promoting and managing a small business.
Demonstrate capacity to communicate and negotiate with suppliers, potential investors, customers and employees.
Recognize the role of promotion, customer service and public relations in profitability running a small business.
Understand the role of effective project management and delegation to meet small business needs.