Independent Interdisciplinary Major
An independent interdisciplinary major (IIM) offers students with diverse academic interests the opportunity to design a course of study not available in the regular curriculum. Our student-focused learning environment provides meaningful interactions between students and professors, making Brandeis an ideal setting for pursuing an independent major.
To pursue an IIM, you’ll propose a course of study, drawing on at least three departments, that will enable you to probe your topic through a variety of lenses, perspectives and schools of thought. Once your proposal is accepted (by the end of the fall semester of your junior year), you’ll work closely with three carefully chosen faculty advisors as you complete the 12 courses required for your IIM. Your IIM experience will culminate in a senior capstone project.
The IIM allows for truly original and interdisciplinary inquiry, as you can see from these recent examples: Communication and Media Studies; Conflict and Cooperation Studies; Global Hunger and Food Security; and Philosophy, Politics and Economics.
IIM Proposal Deadlines:
Fall 2020 - Friday, October 16
Spring 2021 - Friday, March 12
Why Brandeis?
At Brandeis, you are at the helm of your education, and our faculty are committed to your success. If you have the academic ability, intellectual curiosity, drive and passion to create a new topic of inquiry and devise a curriculum to explore it, we will support you all the way. Some IIMs, like Creativity, the Arts, and Social Transformation. even become official majors at Brandeis.
Academics and Research
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The IIM coordinator in the Office of Academic Services advises students about how to begin the IIM process. In addition, Undergraduate Departmental Representatives who are pursuing their own independent majors are available to answer questions from students considering this program.
To pursue an IIM, you must find one primary faculty advisor and two secondary faculty advisors who will serve as a resource throughout your studies at Brandeis.
- Your primary advisor will help with the proposal process, and will meet with you at least once a semester to review your progress.
- Your secondary advisors will also help you with the proposal process, offering suggestions and edits to your curriculum and evaluating its viability.
A required component of your proposal is a letter of support signed by your three faculty advisors, confirming your topic's viability as a discrete area of intellectual inquiry.
Each IIM comprises 12 courses, including a senior capstone project that entails writing a thesis (the equivalent of one two-semester course) or conducting research (the equivalent of one one-semester course).
The goal for both capstone options is to enable you to engage deeply with your subject, work one-on-one with a professor, and contribute original scholarship to an academic discipline or disciplines.
IIM students are able to pursue an additional major or minor outside of their independent major. They can study a foreign language throughout their time at Brandeis. IIM students are also welcome to follow the pre-health track or engage in pre-law advising.
The senior thesis option enables you to pursue honors. Your three advisors will decide on the level of honors to be awarded.
Beyond the Classroom
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You may earn course credit for study abroad, and many students pursuing the IIM do.
Students pursuing an IIM often gain experience outside the classroom by working with one of the many organizations on campus, such The Justice or WATCH Housing Advocacy Clinic, for example.
Many also gain valuable experience off campus. Recently students have done relevant work for the Cape Cod National Seashore, Popular Science magazine, media marketing companies and book publishing.