Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Introduction to Interdisciplinary Research & Studies (Online)

INDS 6000-70I

Course: INDS 6000-70I
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: INDS
CRN: 12287

Course Description

This course will analyze the concepts of interdisciplinary study. Students draft their interdisciplinary degree plan and gain the ability to describe their interdisciplinary degree to multiple audiences. Introduction to fundamental research evaluations methods. (As Needed) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Registration Restriction(s): None

Required Texts

None

Learning Outcomes

  1. Introduce and meet fellow classmates.
  2. Explain the field of interdisciplinary studies (INDS) and SUU's MIS degree.
  3. Read what INDS is, recognize the differences between intradisciplinary, interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary , cross-disciplinary, and transdisciplinary; and describe the pros and cons of INDS from pioneer authors in the field.
4. Write an APA paper.
5. Name and explain APA paraphrasing, summarizing and quoting
6. Demonstrate how to market one's self through a personal and degree elevator speech.
7. Compile and organize an e-portfolio of course work through a blog platform.
8. Work as a team to solve a "wicked problem" through interdisciplinary methods
9. Read and analyze works in contemporary interdisciplinary studies 


Course Requirements

Research Paper


Throughout the entirety of this course, you will be working on an APA-style research paper. The final draft of this paper will be worth 100 points. However, you will be doing a number of "supportive" assignments that will feed into your research paper. Those supportive assignments include three iterations of an Information Synthesis Matrix (25 points each x 3 = 75 points), a research paper outline (25 points), and a first draft with a peer review (50 points).

Discussions (DBs) 


There will be a number of times where we meet as a class over zoom to discuss readings from the previous week. If you come to the zoom meetings having done the reading and engage in the discussion you will get full points for the assignment. If you are unable to attend the zoom session, I will provide a recording that you can watch at a later date. You will then be required to turn in a brief reflection paper (with pre-arranged questions) on Canvas to receive the discussion points. 

Assignments


In addition to the discussion boards and research paper with its supportive assignments, you will also have other smaller assignments, both individual and group. The requirements for these assignments can be found under the modules section of the course on Canvas. 


Course Outline

Module 1: Introductions
Module 2: Researching Interdisciplinarily
Module 3: Presenting Interdisciplinarily
Module 4: Interdisciplinary Methods
Module 5: Working Interdisciplinarily
Module 6: Final Project

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work


All due dates and times are in Cedar City time (Mountain Time).

Late assignments are accepted for a reduction in points. Late work will be accepted up to two weeks after the deadline. 2% will be deducted from the score for each day the assignment is late (e.g. for an assignment submitted 4 days late, the maximum score you can earn is 92%). The maximum late deduction is 20%. It is important to note that assignments will NOT be accepted after the end of the course. So, an assignment that was due on Monday of Week 3 could be turned in on Monday of Week 5 for a maximum possible score of 80%. But an assignment due the last day of class must be turned in before the end of the class, and will not be accepted late.

Attendance Policy

Classes are asynchronous and online

Course Fees

NONE

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.