Integrated Design, Engineering, Arts & Society Minor
Department website: http://www.wesleyan.edu/ideas/
Minor Description
The challenges of our society demand nimble students that utilize an integrated skill set. The Integrated Design, Engineering, Arts & Society (IDEAS) program prepares students to succeed at the intersection of design, the arts, and engineering in a liberal arts context. Students develop foundational knowledge in these areas by working in collaborative groups and individually on project-based assignments which emphasize making and doing as critical forms of knowledge. Core courses within the minor provide a foundation in the technical, aesthetic, and human dimensions of design and engineering. These courses are followed by a focus in one of many modules that span design and engineering disciplines.
Admission to the Minor
Students should complete at least one course from the required gateway courses to be admitted to the IDEAS minor. The gateway courses are in categories of Design & Engineering and Design & Arts; for students in the class of 2024 and beyond, a third gateway course in the Social Sciences is also required. Declare the IDEAS minor through your WesPortal.
Minor Requirements
A minor in IDEAS requires six credits for students in the class of 2023. Students must complete two project-based design courses, one focusing on engineering, and one on the arts (options are listed below). Students are strongly encouraged to complete a third course that examines the social and cultural aspects of design and/or engineering (options are listed below); this course is a requirement for students in the class of 2024 and beyond, (and hence seven credits total for the minor are required for these students). The remaining four elective courses come from course “modules.” Some courses offered on an irregular basis are not listed in modules, but may be used for electives, subject to approval from the minor advisor. In addition, students will assemble a digital or physical portfolio of their work from project-based courses to complete the minor.
Student Portfolio
All IDEAS minors will assemble a portfolio encompassing work developed within IDEAS courses. Students participating in the minor will begin the development of a digital and/or physical portfolio in the required project-based minor courses. In consultation with an advisor, projects will be added to this portfolio and reviewed before completion of the minor.
Required Project-Based Design Courses
Students must complete one course from each group below.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| One Project-Based Design & Engineering Course | 1 | |
| Introduction to Mechanical Design and Engineering | ||
| Introduction to Electrical Design & Engineering | ||
| One Project-Based Design & Arts Courses | 1 | |
| Product Design I | ||
| Form and Code | ||
| Digital Foundations | ||
| Studies in Computer-based Modelling and Digital Fabrication | ||
| Fast & Furious | ||
| Graphic Design | ||
| Digital Projects Lab | ||
Required Course on the Social and Cultural Aspects of Design & Engineering
Students must complete one course from the list below, in consultation with your minor advisor to ensure the course fits with your program of study. This requirement only applies to the Class of 2024 and later (i.e., Class of 2023 is excluded from this requirement).
The following is a list of eligible courses from the 2022-23 WesMaps listings
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| One Course on Social and Cultural Aspects of Design & Engineering | 1 | |
| Design Studies | ||
| Startup Incubator: The Art and Science of Launching Your Idea | ||
| The Secrets of Ancient Bones: Discovering Ancient DNA and Archaeology | ||
| Introduction to Archaeology | ||
| East Asian Archaeology | ||
| Patricelli Center for Social Entrepreneurship Fellowship | ||
| Activism and Theories of Change | ||
| Introduction to Social Entrepreneurship | ||
| Human Rights Advocacy: Critical Assessment and Practical Engagement in Global Social Justice | ||
| Evolution in Human-Altered Environments | ||
| Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems | ||
| Schools in Society | ||
| Comparative Urban Policy | ||
| History of Ecology | ||
| Science in Western Culture | ||
| Anthropocene as Modern Grand Narrative | ||
| Science and the State | ||
| China as Scientific Powerhouse | ||
| History and Geography | ||
| Unsettling Times: Clocks for Ghosts, Monsters, and Aliens | ||
| Sociology and Social Theory | ||
| The Health of Communities | ||
The courses listed below are not offered in the current year, but are eligible to fulfill the requirement, with approval from your minor advisor.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| One Course on Social and Cultural Aspects of Design & Engineering (not offered in 22-23) | 1 | |
| Race and Medicine in America | ||
| Bioethics and the Animal/Human Boundary | ||
| Architecture of the 20th Century | ||
| New York City: Architecture and Urbanism | ||
| Bauhaus: Art, Craft, Design | ||
| Energy and Modern Architecture, 1850-2020 | ||
| Activism and Theories of Change | ||
| Climate Change Economics and Policy | ||
| Comparative Urban Policy | ||
| BioFeminisms: Science, Matter, and Agency | ||
| Enlightenment and Science | ||
| Development in Question: Conservation in Africa | ||
| Sciences as Social and Cultural Practices | ||
| Colonizing Space: Exploration, Extraction, and Inhabitation | ||
| Sciences as Social and Cultural Practices | ||
| Race, Gender, and Medicine in U.S. History | ||
| Research Methods in Science Studies | ||
Elective courses from Modules:
The course modules provide topical focus in the wide array of areas in Design, Engineering, Arts & Society. The IDEAS modules consist of four courses above the two required courses, to make the total of six courses in the minor.
Some of the proposed modules include courses listed among those that will satisfy the gateway course distribution requirement listed above. Students will most efficiently complete such a module by selecting a required course that also contributes to the module. Students will work with an advisor to help them achieve the appropriate depth of study in the module area. Related courses that are not offered on a regular basis may be approved for minor credit, subject to review by the minor advisor. Students may propose substitutions or alternate modules, which must have approval from the advisor of the minor. Typically, introductory (100-level) courses may not be counted toward the elective requirement.
3D Design
The study of objects, their design, and technologies of production. This module consolidates project-based learning in architecture, product design and furniture design.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| If not completed in the general requirements, two of the following design courses: | 3 | |
| Product Design I | ||
| Studies in Computer-based Modelling and Digital Fabrication | ||
| Architecture I | ||
| Architecture II | ||
| How Things Fail: Mechanics and Materials | ||
| Space Design for Performance | ||
| Text & Visual Imagination: Introduction to Eco Design for Performance | ||
| One course in the History of Architecture: | 1 | |
| European Architecture and Urbanism to 1750 | ||
| Romanesque and Gothic Art and Architecture | ||
| Italian Art and Architecture of the 16th Century | ||
| European Architecture and Urbanism, 1750-1910 | ||
| American Architecture and Urbanism, 1770--1914 | ||
| Architecture of the 20th Century | ||
| Contemporary World Architecture | ||
| Buddhist Art and Architecture in East Asia | ||
| Energy and Modern Architecture, 1850-2020 | ||
| One additional course from the following list, for a total of six courses: | 2 | |
| Drawing I | ||
| Digital Foundations | ||
Applied Math
Mathematical methods applied in science, engineering, computer science, and social science.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| If not completed in the general requirements, two of the following engineering design courses: | 2 | |
| Introduction to Mechanical Design and Engineering | ||
| Introduction to Electrical Design & Engineering | ||
| How Things Fail: Mechanics and Materials | ||
| Introduction to Sensors, Measurement, and Data Analysis | ||
| One course in computing and programming foundations: | 1 | |
| Introduction to Programming | ||
| Bioinformatics Programming | ||
| How to Talk to Machines | ||
| How to Design Programs | ||
| Computer Science I | ||
| Computational Physics | ||
| Two additional courses from the following list, for a total of six courses: | 2 | |
| Differential Equations | ||
| An Introduction to Probability | ||
| Mathematical Statistics | ||
| Waves and Oscillations | ||
| Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos | ||
| Mathematical Physics | ||
Biological or Biochemical
Applications of biology and biochemistry to solve challenges in life and health sciences.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| If not completed in the general requirements, two of the following engineering design courses: | 2 | |
| Introduction to Mechanical Design and Engineering | ||
| Introduction to Electrical Design & Engineering | ||
| How Things Fail: Mechanics and Materials | ||
| Introduction to Sensors, Measurement, and Data Analysis | ||
| One course in computing and programming foundations: | 1 | |
| Introduction to Programming | ||
| Bioinformatics Programming | ||
| How to Talk to Machines | ||
| How to Design Programs | ||
| Computer Science I | ||
| Computational Physics | ||
| Two additional courses from the following list, for a total of six courses: | 2 | |
| Principles and Mechanisms of Cell Biology | ||
| Bioinformatics Programming | ||
| Genomics Analysis | ||
| Molecular Modeling and Design | ||
| Science Materials For a Malagasy Classroom | ||
| Introductory Medical Biochemistry | ||
| Introduction to Biomolecular Structure | ||
| Advanced Genetics | ||
| Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences | ||
Chemical
Applications of chemistry to the design of new chemicals, materials, and energy production.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| If not completed in the general requirements, two of the following engineering design courses: | 2 | |
| Introduction to Mechanical Design and Engineering | ||
| Introduction to Electrical Design & Engineering | ||
| How Things Fail: Mechanics and Materials | ||
| Introduction to Sensors, Measurement, and Data Analysis | ||
| One course in computing and programming foundations: | 1 | |
| Introduction to Programming | ||
| Bioinformatics Programming | ||
| How to Talk to Machines | ||
| How to Design Programs | ||
| Computer Science I | ||
| Computational Physics | ||
| Two additional courses from the following list, for a total of six courses: | 2 | |
| Principles of Organic Chemistry I | ||
| Principles of Organic Chemistry II | ||
| Physical Chemistry I: Quantum Mechanics and Spectroscopy | ||
| Physical Chemistry II: Thermodynamics, Statistical Mechanics, and Kinetics | ||
| Chemistry of Materials and Nanomaterials | ||
| Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences | ||
| Molecular Modeling and Design | ||
Computer
Applications of computer science to the design of new computer hardware and software.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| If not completed in the general requirements, two of the following engineering design courses: | 2 | |
| Introduction to Mechanical Design and Engineering | ||
| Introduction to Electrical Design & Engineering | ||
| Introduction to Sensors, Measurement, and Data Analysis | ||
| One course in computing and programming foundations: | 1 | |
| Introduction to Programming | ||
| Bioinformatics Programming | ||
| How to Talk to Machines | ||
| How to Design Programs | ||
| Computer Science I | ||
| Computational Physics | ||
| Two additional courses from the following list, for a total of six courses: | 2 | |
| Digital Projects Lab | ||
| Computer Science II | ||
| Automata Theory and Formal Languages | ||
| Algorithms and Complexity | ||
| Design of Programming Languages | ||
| Computer Structure and Organization | ||
| Computational Media: Videogame Development | ||
Digital and Graphic Design
Design in 2D and 3D, ranging from letterpress printing to the creation of virtual spaces, always referencing production and technology.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| If not completed in the general requirements, two of the following engineering design courses: | 2 | |
| Product Design I | ||
| Digital Foundations | ||
| Drawing I | ||
| Graphic Design | ||
| Text & Visual Imagination: Introduction to Eco Design for Performance | ||
| One course in Art History at the 200-level or higher: 1 | 1 | |
| Survey of Greek Archaeology and Art | ||
| Visualizing the Classical | ||
| Survey of Roman Archaeology and Art | ||
| Romanesque and Gothic Art and Architecture | ||
| Cross, Book, Bone: Early Medieval Art, c. 300-1100 | ||
ARHA219 | ||
| Northern Renaissance Art | ||
| Early Renaissance Art and Architecture in Italy | ||
| Italian Art and Architecture of the 16th Century | ||
ARHA225 | ||
| Art and Culture of the Italian Baroque | ||
| Revolutionary France and the Birth of Modern Art, 1789-1900 | ||
| European Architecture and Urbanism, 1750-1910 | ||
| American Architecture and Urbanism, 1770--1914 | ||
| Contemporary Art Since 1980 | ||
| Art After 1945 | ||
| Architecture of the 20th Century | ||
| Just Cities: Architectures of Public Encounter | ||
| Contemporary World Architecture | ||
| Islamic Art and Architecture | ||
| Buddhist Art and Architecture in East Asia | ||
| Two additional courses from the following list, for a total of six courses: | 2 | |
| Studies in Computer-based Modelling and Digital Fabrication | ||
| Digital Projects Lab | ||
| Computational Media: Videogame Development | ||
Electrical
Applications of electrical and magnetic systems to the design of new devices and communications.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| If not completed in the general requirements, two of the following engineering design courses: | 2 | |
| Introduction to Mechanical Design and Engineering | ||
| Introduction to Electrical Design & Engineering | ||
| Introduction to Sensors, Measurement, and Data Analysis | ||
| One course in computing and programming foundations: | 1 | |
| Introduction to Programming | ||
| Bioinformatics Programming | ||
| How to Talk to Machines | ||
| How to Design Programs | ||
| Computer Science I | ||
| Computational Physics | ||
| Two additional courses from the following list, for a total of six courses: | 2 | |
| Radio Astronomy | ||
| Waves and Oscillations | ||
| Quantum Mechanics I | ||
| Electricity and Magnetism | ||
| Experimental Optics | ||
| Electronics Lab | ||
Environmental
Application of environmental and ecological knowledge to the protection of ecosystems and human population.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| If not completed in the general requirements, two of the following engineering design courses: | 2 | |
| Introduction to Mechanical Design and Engineering | ||
| Introduction to Electrical Design & Engineering | ||
| How Things Fail: Mechanics and Materials | ||
| Introduction to Sensors, Measurement, and Data Analysis | ||
| One course in computing and programming foundations: | 1 | |
| Introduction to Programming | ||
| Bioinformatics Programming | ||
| How to Talk to Machines | ||
| How to Design Programs | ||
| Computer Science I | ||
| Computational Physics | ||
| Two additional courses from the following list, for a total of six courses: | 2 | |
| Ecology | ||
| Soils | ||
| Hydrology | ||
| Environmental Geochemistry | ||
| Energy Sustainability: An examination of US, New England and Connecticut Energy | ||
| Introduction to GIS | ||
| Living in a Polluted World | ||
| Modeling the Earth and Environment | ||
Geomechanics/Geosystems
Applications of geology and earth science to the development and preservation of subterranean resources.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| If not completed in the general requirements, two of the following engineering design courses: | 2 | |
| Introduction to Mechanical Design and Engineering | ||
| Introduction to Electrical Design & Engineering | ||
| How Things Fail: Mechanics and Materials | ||
| One course in computing and programming foundations: | 1 | |
| Introduction to Programming | ||
| Bioinformatics Programming | ||
| How to Talk to Machines | ||
| How to Design Programs | ||
| Computer Science I | ||
| Computational Physics | ||
| Two additional courses from the following list, for a total of six courses: | 2 | |
| Mineralogy | ||
| Earth Materials | ||
| Structural Geology | ||
| Introduction to GIS | ||
| Modeling the Earth and Environment | ||
Materials Science
Discovery, design, and properties of new materials.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| If not completed in the general requirements, two of the following engineering design courses: | 2 | |
| Introduction to Mechanical Design and Engineering | ||
| Introduction to Electrical Design & Engineering | ||
| Introduction to Sensors, Measurement, and Data Analysis | ||
| One course in computing and programming foundations: | 1 | |
| Introduction to Programming | ||
| Bioinformatics Programming | ||
| How to Talk to Machines | ||
| How to Design Programs | ||
| Computer Science I | ||
| Computational Physics | ||
| One course in statics and dynamics: | 1 | |
| How Things Fail: Mechanics and Materials | ||
| One additional course from the following list, for a total of six courses: | 1 | |
| Chemistry of Materials and Nanomaterials | ||
| Nanomaterials Lab | ||
| Thermal and Statistical Physics | ||
| Condensed Matter | ||
Mechanical
Application of mechanics, kinematics, and thermodynamics to design and develop new mechanical systems.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| If not completed in the general requirements, two of the following engineering design courses: | 2 | |
| Introduction to Mechanical Design and Engineering | ||
| Introduction to Electrical Design & Engineering | ||
| Introduction to Sensors, Measurement, and Data Analysis | ||
| One course in computing and programming foundations: | 1 | |
| Introduction to Programming | ||
| Bioinformatics Programming | ||
| How to Talk to Machines | ||
| How to Design Programs | ||
| Computer Science I | ||
| Computational Physics | ||
| One course is statics and dynamics: | 1 | |
| How Things Fail: Mechanics and Materials | ||
| One additional course from the following list, for a total of six courses: | 1 | |
| Physical Chemistry II: Thermodynamics, Statistical Mechanics, and Kinetics | ||
| Waves and Oscillations | ||
| Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos | ||
| Classical Dynamics | ||
| Thermal and Statistical Physics | ||
| Condensed Matter | ||
Performance Design
Stage design for theater or dance, sets, costumes, and lighting.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| One course in the History of Design: | 1 | |
| European Architecture and Urbanism to 1750 | ||
| European Architecture and Urbanism, 1750-1910 | ||
| American Architecture and Urbanism, 1770--1914 | ||
| Architecture of the 20th Century | ||
| Two additional courses from the following list: | 2 | |
| Text & Visual Imagination: Introduction to Eco Design for Performance | ||
| Studies in Computer-based Modelling and Digital Fabrication | ||
| Lighting Design for the Theater | ||
| Media for Performance | ||
| Space Design for Performance | ||
| Introduction to Costume Design for Performance | ||
| One additional credit from the following list, for a total of six credits: | 1 | |
| Applied Scenography: From Idea to the Stage | ||
and | ||
| Performance Practice in Design A | ||
or | ||
| Performance Practice in Design B | ||
Additional Minor Information
- There may be prerequisite courses required for some of the courses listed above. These prerequisites do not count towards the minor.
- Some of the courses may be cross-listed with other departments; students can enroll in any listing for the specified course.
- Students may propose an alternate course module or a different combination of elective courses, in consultation with the IDEAS advisor.
- Some courses may overlap with existing major requirements. A student may only count two course credits toward the IDEAS minor that are also counted towards a major, linked major, certificate, or other minor, unless receiving explicit approval from the IDEAS minor administrator to waive this requirement.