Institute for Liberal Arts and Interdisciplinary Studies

Your sense of curiosity. You have a variety of interests — interests that don't fit neatly within traditional boundaries of departments and major programs. You want an education that gives you the freedom to explore a wide range of fields and yet maintains an overall sense of coherence.

Why Emerson? We created the Institute of Liberal Arts & Interdisciplinary Studies (a.k.a., the Institute) with students like you in mind. The liberal arts courses that form your "general education" foundation provide broad exposure to the fields of politics, history, philosophy, art, science, literature, and the arts. But the experience of learning goes even deeper. The Institute also offers courses that explore the interrelationships among the liberal arts and different fields of communication and emphasize the connections between theory and practice.

Your Emerson experience. Students in the Institute are continually exposed to emerging areas of thought and creative practice in innovative classroom settings. First-Year Institute Seminars feature small, student-centered courses that introduce the richness and interconnectedness of academic life at Emerson. Through the Office of Service Learning and Community Action, you can take part in community action opportunities that advance your learning and foster your social awareness. The New Pathways program, meanwhile, consists of learning communities that unite students and faculty around interdisciplinary themes such as creative writing, performance studies, and new media design.

Your future. Whatever you want to do — or even if you're not quite sure yet — the Institute for Liberal Arts & Interdisciplinary Studies at Emerson will help you forge an individualized program to suit your interests.