Mission
The faculty of the School of Liberal Studies uphold the mission of Spalding University through their commitment to the following: recognition of the creative and intellectual potential of all students; creation of a vigorous and caring learning environment; and active participation with their students in the promotion of peace and justice through the interdisciplinary study of African American Studies, art, literature, philosophy, religious studies, linguistics, writing, anthropology, history, sociology, and psychology.

Program Overview
The School of Liberal Studies offers a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Humanities, a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing.

The Interdisciplinary Studies degree is composed of courses in two of the following: African American Studies, anthropology, art, creative writing, English, history, philosophy, psychology, and religious studies. Students take at least six courses in two disciplines. For example, the interdisciplinary BFA in Creative Writing degree emphasizes the study of writing and literature in addition to studies across disciplines such as art, history, religious studies, and anthropology. 

All four degrees offer a focused and integrated curriculum emphasizing the development of critical abilities; an empathic understanding of ethical, social, and cultural issues; an appreciation of art forms as cultural achievements; a capacity to enlarge one's perspective; and creative, original, unconventional thought.

Each academic year students and faculty study a designated theme from the disciplinary perspectives of art, anthropology, language/literature, philosophy, psychology, religion, history, and psychology, with an emphasis on integrating disciplines to create projects highlighting the interrelations among cultural and social practices. Topics in past years have been peace and justice, the natural environment, and community and responsibility.

Admission
Students may declare a major at any time. Students completing the Interdisciplinary Humanities major, the Interdisciplinary Social Sciences major, the Interdisciplinary Studies major, and the BFA in Creative Writing major, must complete 52 credit hours in University Studies courses. 

Requirements
For the Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Humanities or Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, students complete 48 credit hours in the major. These include 36 credit hours in at least three disciplines, and HUM/SS 101: Inquiry, Discovery, Practice; HUM/SS 201 Special Topics in Interdisciplinary Studies; LS 452: Capstone Project; and an internship. One half of the 48 credit hours must be upper division courses. Students must take one half of the credit hours required for the major at Spalding University. 

For the Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, students complete 48 credit hours in the major. These include 36 credit hours in at least two disciplines, and LS 101: Inquiry, Discovery, Practice; LS 201: Special Topics in Interdisciplinary Studies; LS 452: Capstone Project; and an internship. In most cases, one half of the 48 credit hours must be upper division courses. Students must take one half of the credit hours required for the major at Spalding University.

The BFA in Creative Writing requires students to complete 120 credit hours, including 52 hours of University Studies courses and then, to serve their major, 48 additional hours, including: 21 hours in writing; 21 hours in literature and linguistics, 6 hours in the Senior Seminar and Internship, and 20 hours in a minor or free electives. One half of the 48 credit hours must be upper division courses. In addition, students must take one-half of the credit hours required for the major at Spalding University.

Minors

Students majoring in Liberal Studies degree programs and students in majors other than Liberal Studies degree programs may minor in African American Studies.

African American Studies Minor (18 total credit hours)
AAS 201
AAS 300
HIST 383
2 electives chosen from: AAS 349, AAS 385, ANTH 315, HIST 330, HIST 384
1 elective chosen from: ENG 310, RS 218, ENG 364, ANTH 305

Literary Citizenship in Creative Writing Minor
Students who pursue the Literary Citizenship in Creative Writing minor will explore and articulate how to publish their written work, build a community and create a brand around their writing, interact as a writer within a community of writers, critically examine the role of writers in our society and explore what it means to be a writer and how to make their voices heard. Through this interdisciplinary minor, students will gain perspectives on various publishing techniques, writing cultures, methods of publishing, and elements of community building.

Students will complete six classes (18 hours) in the BFA in Creative Writing program:
CW221 Intro to Creative Writing
CW385 Special Topics in Creative Writing
CW326 Online & Print Publishing
ENG225 Emerging Genres
CW400 Leadership in the Arts
Practicum 1 of 2: ○ Writing Center Consultant ENG250 ○ Literary Mag ENG260

The Creative Entrepreneurship minor is available to students majoring in a Liberal Studies degree program. The ability to be creative, innovative, and entrepreneurial are vital skills across many fields. The Creative Entrepreneurship interdisciplinary minor exposes students to entrepreneurial thinking skills that can be applied to designing new creative ventures, adding value to existing creative organizations, and developing opportunities for individual creative professionals. 

Students in any major may earn an interdisciplinary minor in Environmental Studies through the School of Liberal Studies. By concentrating on the topic of the environment through multiple disciplines, students will come to a better understanding of the complex relationship between humans and the natural world, and gain broad-based and integrated knowledge to work toward better social and environmental stewardship.

Environmental Studies Minor (18 total credit hours)
ENVS 101
HUM/LS/SS 101
4 electives chosen from: ARTH 495, ANTH 200, ANTH 300, ART 388, BA 205, COM 240, ENG 383, PHIL 160, PHSC 102, POLS 201, PSY 321, RS 301

Students in any major may earn an interdisciplinary minor in Women’s and Gender Studies through the School of Liberal Studies. Through an interdisciplinary curriculum, students will explore how the intersectionality of women’s lives and gender issues historically and contemporarily affect all aspects of society. This minor is appropriate for all students interested in understanding how gender, race, class, and sexualities intersect to construct our political, social, and cultural institutions, and, in turn, shape our individual and collective real-world experiences.

Programs
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing
Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Humanities
Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies
Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Social Sciences