I’ve been working with a group of instructors and administrators at Kwantlen Polytechnic University (this group includes Sibeal Foyle from the Fine Arts department, Genni Gunn and Sheila Hancock from the Creative Writing department, Don Hlus from the Music department, and Humanities Dean Linda Schwartz) to develop an undergraduate stream in Interdisciplinary Expressive Arts.The first course in this new stream begins in Fall 2008. If you are interested in finding out more about the program, visit (and join, if you want) the development group. These courses represent a significant milestone in education for students in British Columbia: never before have interdisciplinary expressive arts courses been offered at the undergraduate level in BC.

What are Interdisciplinary Expressive Arts?

Interdisciplinary Expressive Arts refers to a specific set of educational activities, goals and strategies. Based on innovative pedagogy and integrative approaches to learning, interdisciplinary studies involve the synthesis and synergy of various disciplines toward a cohesive, unified educational experience. Interdisciplinarity is much more than enrollment in courses from more than a single discipline. Authentic interdisciplinarity emphasizes the linkages between disciplines by focusing on contrasting and complementary aspects of diverse educational domains.

The scheduling for IDEA 3100 is in-process at the moment, but this is the probable schedule:

• Fall 2008
• 14 weeks
• Thursdays,11:00am to 2:00 pm

Other details:

• 35 students max.
• No final exam…

Here is the outline (attached below) for the upcoming IDEA course planned for Spring of 2009 (IDEA 4100). Feel free to review and comment.

Here is the outline (attached below) for the upcoming IDEA course planned for Fall of 2008 (IDEA 3100). Feel free to review and comment.