Interdisciplinary/Team-Taught Courses at FIT

FIT encourages faculty to collaborate in the classroom through its interdisciplinary/team-taught teaching program. Through a Memorandum of Understanding, approved in 2014, by the UCE and the Office of Academic Affairs, over ten interdisciplinary, team-taught courses have been created.

Team-taught courses give faculty across departments the opportunity to focus on a multifaceted topic that spans their disciplines, requiring two faculty members to teach in combination rather than teaching independently.

Interdisciplinary/team-taught courses at FIT are “owned” by the authoring team of faculty for the first eight semesters that the course is offered. The courses are only offered in semesters where both members of the authoring team are available and willing to teach them. For programming and student transcript purposes, the courses are cross-listed.

Interdisciplinary/team-taught courses are assessed at the conclusion of each semester in which the courses are offered.  

Through interdisciplinary courses, students are able to participate in specific learning opportunities that draw on different disciplinary perspectives, not achievable through traditional methods. Since establishing a structure for offering interdisciplinary courses at FIT, overall enthusiasm for interdisciplinary formats have flourished.

Current team-taught courses include:

  • MA/FM 329  Predictive Analytics for Planning and Forecasting (Interdisciplinary)
    3 credits; 2 lecture and 2 lab hours
    This course provides students interested in predictive analytics with an understanding of statistical applications to retail merchandising with a focus on case studies from the company Planalytics. Students apply time series analysis to case studies to understand how analytics techniques lead to stronger sales, fewer markdowns and improved gross margins.
    Prerequisite(s): MA 321 and choice of FM 301 or FM 321 or FM 322 or FM 324 or FM 325 or FM 326 or FM 328 or FM 341 or FM 361 or FM 362 or FM 363 or MG 306.
  • HA/PE 210 Devotional Art & Dance of the Indian Sub-Continent and West Asia (Interdisciplinary)
    3 credits; 2 lecture and 2 lab hours
    An interdisciplinary, team-taught course exploring devotional art and dance in India and western Asia. Students learn about devotional practices by studying art and movement practices. Emphasis is on the philosophical aspects and the intersections of art and dance. (G6: The Arts; G7: Humanities; G9: Other World Civilizations).
  • HA/PL 330 Approaches to Fashion Theory (Interdisciplinary)
    3 credits; 3 lecture hours
    Studies theories of fashion from both philosophical and art-historical perspectives. Examines how our relationship to our bodies, our concepts of self, our clothing, and our definitions of beauty are historically and culturally dependent. (G4: Social Sciences; G7: Humanities).
    Prerequisite(s): HA 112 or PL 141 or PL 321 or SS 131 or SS 171.
  • JD/SC 148 The Science of Jewelry (Interdisciplinary)
    3 credits; 2 lecture and 2 lab hours
    This course gives students an understanding of the scientific properties and geologic origins of materials used in the manufacture of jewelry, current issues in ethical and sustainable sourcing of these materials, and economics of the precious metals past and present. Gen Ed: Natural Science (G3).
  • PH/SC 254 Ecology and Photography: Sustainable New York (Interdisciplinary)
    3 credits; 1 lecture and 4 lab hours
    It is an introduction to field ecology, environmental storytelling, conservation, and wildlife photography and videography. Students are exposed to field trips, lectures, and discussion within some of New York’s parks and habitats. Through exploration and personal observations, applied scientific research methods are translated into a series of still pictures and moving images about environmental issues.
  • FA/MC 204 Images of the Mind: Introduction to Chinese Calligraphic Art (Interdisciplinary)
    3 credits; 2 lecture and 2 lab hours
    This is an interdisciplinary course introducing students to Chinese calligraphy. Through guided training students gain knowledge of key concepts, methods and techniques of calligraphy and brush pen writing. Students receive a thorough background in the history of the art form and its significance in Chinese culture, literature and language. (G6: The Arts, G9: Other World Civilization).
  • SC/TD 204 Designing with Emerging Materials (Interdisciplinary)
    3 credits; 2 lecture and 2 lab hours
    An introduction to basic skills and knowledge in science and textile design, enabling design innovation. An exploration of textile concepts and integration of the handmade with emerging materials and technologies. Design-led experimental research with biomaterials, biopigments, nanomaterials, and other advanced materials used to envision and prototype sustainable solutions to real world challenges.
    Prerequisite(s): mathematic proficiency (see beginning of Science section).
  • LD/JD 103 Jewelry and Accessories Fabrication (Interdisciplinary)
    2 credits; 1 lecture and 2 lab hours
    This interdisciplinary course challenges students to combine jewelry and accessories aesthetics, materials and problem solving methodology to create a unique three-piece collection that may include but not limited to sandals, hats, handbags and belts.
  • EP/FD 300 Fashion Design Concept Launchpad (Interdisciplinary)
    3 credits, 3 lecture hours
    In this dynamic forum, students identify new opportunities in the fashion market and create innovative product concepts and business plans through cross disciplinary collaborative partnerships. Focus is placed on apparel and fashion products. Students develop skills and resources as both designers and entrepreneurs, culminating in product design, technical specification, business strategy and pitch for a Launchpad into the marketplace.
    Prerequisite(s): EP 311
  • SS/MC 308 White Gold: Sugar, Power and the Creation of Atlantic Capitalism (Interdisciplinary)
    3 credits, 3 lecture hours
    This is an interdisciplinary course cross-listed with MC 308. In this team-taught course, students study the political and economic implications of the rise of sugar to dietary prominence and the literary representations of this phenomenon. Students examine the human costs of consumer behavior. (G7: Humanities; G9: Other World Civilizations)
  • HA/MA 272 Islamic Art and Mathematics (Interdisciplinary)
    3 credits, 3 lecture hours
    This is an interdisciplinary course cross-listed with MA 272. Students are introduced to the art and architecture of the Islamic world from the 7th century CE to the present. They are given a glimpse into the intertwined nature of mathematical, structural and decorative languages used by artisans and designers in this period. (G7: Humanities; G9: Other World Civilizations)