The Department of Interdisciplinary Studies offers courses and programs and programs of study that challenge disciplinary boundaries. We offer degrees in the interdisciplinary fields of Gender, Women's and Sexuality Studies and Global Studies, plus Appalachian's only "DIY" major: the Interdisciplinary Studies degree.
The Department is also home to Watauga Residential College, an alternative general education program that emphasizes integrative and experiential learning.
Interdisciplinary Studies
The DIY major – Students design their own major, integrating concepts and methods from multiple disciplines.
Gender, Women's and Sexuality Studies
GWS is an academic program generating, supporting and sharing research on women, gender and sexuality.
Global Studies
An interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary academic program devoted to understanding historical, social, political, geographic, cultural and artistic dimensions of international, transnational and global processes.
Watauga Residential College
WRC is a student and faculty community that fosters creativity, thoughtfulness, and civic engagement through experiential, inquiry-based learning both in and out of the classroom. Watauga students live, share meals, and take classes together in a unique hillside residence hall on campus.