Master of Liberal Studies Courses
In addition to the 21-hour concentration you choose, you will take 10 credit hours of core courses. These courses are designated with the "IDS" prefix (for interdisciplinary studies). All of the core courses that make up the Master of Liberal Studies degree program are available every semester, but may vary in method of delivery (on-campus vs. virtual). Please check the FHSU course schedule to see how many sections of each course are offered in a particular semester, and whether a section has a full registration. See the core course delivery schedule.
Upon completion of the core courses, students will be able to:
- Analyze and integrate information and knowledge from diverse sources.
- Assess the validity and usefulness of information from multiple sources.
- Construct research-based arguments.
- Employ effective communication skills.
- Demonstrate ability to think critically.
Core Courses
IDS 801 Introduction to Graduate Liberal Studies (1 credit hour)
The purpose of the course is to provide a multi-disciplinary introduction to information-seeking skills, critical thinking skills, and analytical writing skills as a means of fostering intellectual growth, and enhancing employability in a world where integrated knowledge is a key resource.
View a standard syllabus for IDS 801 (specific course material and assignments subject to change).
- Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) is available for this course prior to registration in the course. If you have previously been awarded a graduate degree, and during your coursework you produced a thesis, wrote a capstone research paper, or took coursework in research or information literacy, you may be eligible to receive credit for that work by demonstrating proficiency in the material. If you are interested in pursuing credit for prior learning, please contact the MLS Coordinator, Peter Tramel, at mls@fhsu.edu prior to enrolling in the course.
IDS 802 Ways of Knowing in Comparative Perspective (3 credit hours)
This course compares various thought-systems (such as science, theology, art, ethics, etc.) or "ways of knowing" with each other and explores ethical, moral and logical dilemmas posed by their application. The purpose of the course is to provide a broad introduction to systems of knowledge-creation in humanities, natural sciences, and social and behavioral sciences, and to provide an opportunity to explore the origins and implications of each approach.
View a standard syllabus for IDS 802 (specific course material and assignments subject to change).
IDS 803 Origins and Implications of the Knowledge Society (3 credit hours)
This course is an introduction to the historical beginnings and potential impact of the knowledge-value revolution. The purpose of this course is to help the student understand how new "ways of knowing" and knowledge itself serve as the catalysts for future social, political and economic challenges and opportunities.
View a standard syllabus for IDS 803 (specific course material and assignments subject to change).
IDS 804 Information Literacy (3 credit hours)
This course is designed to help students recognize the need for information, identify what is needed, locate it using various information networking technologies and infrastructures (e.g., world wide web, Academic Index), evaluate it, organize it, and apply it in productive ways. The purpose of this course is to develop within the graduate-level student the ability to conduct independent research and learning utilizing the best information resources available.
View a standard syllabus for IDS 804 (specific course material and assignments subject to change).
Electives & Culminating Experiences (if applicable)
IDS 810: Readings in Liberal Studies
Directed readings on a specific topic in liberal studies. Requires permission of the instructor and graduate standing. May take up to 6 hours with permission.
IDS 820 Projects in Liberal Studies
This class is an applied and technique oriented offering in which students engage in qualitative and/or quantitative research projects, or other experience of significant academic value. This course is designed to fulfill the culminating experience requirements of the Master of Liberal Studies degree.
IDS 880: Seminar in Liberal Studies
This course will provide an in-depth study of a particular topic in interdisciplinary studies at the graduate level. The course title and topic of study will be displayed in the class schedule. Requires instructor permission and graduate standing.
IDS 890: Internship in Liberal Studies
The internship is designed to be the final practical culminating project for a student in the Masters of Liberal Studies degree program. Taken in the final semester or two, the purpose of the internship is two-fold:
- To integrate the knowledge learned in the core courses as well as the concentration, and
- To give students practical experience in change in a real world environment.
The successful MLS intern should have a broader understanding of the quickly evolving world and a greater understanding of the discipline they studied as a concentration. In fact, this requirement, above most others, is critical. The successful MLS intern will act as a graduate candidate not just a graduate student. The internship is only one of the possible options for the MLS candidate. MLS graduate students may also complete a traditional research paper or thesis, depending on their interests, in collaboration with a graduate advisor. It is anticipated that advisors will allow for customized internships given the flexible and customizable nature of the program, but some MLS students may be best served by a more traditional approach.
IDS 899: Thesis
This course is available for those who would like to write a thesis for their culminating experience. This must be the last course taken in the student's program of study.