2023-2024 Edition

Academic Catalog

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.

One Project-Based Design & Engineering Course1
Introduction to Mechanical Design and Engineering
Introduction to Electrical Design & Engineering
One Project-Based Design & Arts Courses1
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

One Course on Social and Cultural Aspects of Design & Engineering1
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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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: 11
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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.