Overview
The MAIS 700: Capstone Course supports students in integrating their learning from their time in the MA-IS program and culminates in a capstone project in the form of an interdisciplinary research paper, a curated eportfolio, a policy document, or another graduate-level project that builds on the knowledge and skills they have developed.
The course provides opportunities for students to reflect on their learning journey through the program, synthesize their understanding of the various theories and disciplinary and interdisciplinary studies and approaches that they have engaged with, and strengthen their capacities to recognize and articulate their own approach to interdisciplinary study.
Students will read leading scholarship on interdisciplinary theory and methods, reflect on and discuss the value of different theories and approaches for their own areas of research interest, and engage in peer-to-peer learning through interdisciplinary conversations and peer review. MAIS 700 does not provide a thesis option.
The other option for MA-IS program completion is MAIS 701 or a double project MAIS 701/702, which is a project that a student coordinates with a professor who supervises. Please find information at the following link: MAIS 701.
Learning outcomes
MAIS 700 is specifically designed so that you will be able to:
- reflect on your path into and through the MA-IS program using the program learning outcomes as part of that reflection
- reflect on your disciplinary and interdisciplinary interests and priorities
- discuss similarities and differences in interdisciplinary interests and approaches and develop a proposal for extended scholarly engagement in the form of a capstone project
- provide and respond to constructive peer review feedback
- conduct research using current and relevant research literature on a specific research question using a multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary methodology and analysis and thereby engage with interdisciplinary research
Evaluation
To receive credit for this course, students must participate in the online activities, successfully complete the assignments, and achieve a final mark of at least 60 per cent. Students should be familiar with the Master of Arts—Interdisciplinary Studies grading system. Please note that it is students’ responsibility to maintain their program status. Any student who receives a grade of “F” in one course, or a grade of “C” in more than one course, may be required to withdraw from the program.
The following table summarizes the evaluation activities and the credit weights associated with them.
| Activity | Weight |
| Online Participation | 20% |
| Reflective Essay (P/F) | 10% |
| Capstone Project Proposal | 20% |
| Capstone Project (Final Paper, Eportfolio, or other professor-approved final graduate-level capstone project) | 50% |
| Total | 100% |
Materials
Digital course materials
Links to the following course materials will be made available in the course:
Repko, A. F., Newell, W. H., & Szostak, R. (Eds.). (2012). Case studies in interdisciplinary research. Sage.
Other Materials
All other course materials are available online, including a Course Information manual, weekly activities, and assigned readings.