The Master of Arts (M.A.) in Transdisciplinary Analysis degree meets a global need for new approaches to address wicked problems and build positive futures in a world characterized by rapid change and uncertainty. The M.A. in Transdisciplinary Analysis degree is designed to help students develop and apply transdisciplinary complexity mindsets in understanding “the metaphysics of dilemma”. Students develop insight and skills for working with complexity in systems and perspectives, problem-finding, reframing, problem-solving, and creative collaboration in critical, purpose-informed design thinking. The program leads students in developing awareness and competencies as scholars and practitioners in engaging with human-and world-centered issues and opportunities toward justice-oriented futures.
This program is offered in-person and can be completed in four semesters of full-time attendance.
Upon graduation, students will be able to use the following mindsets and competencies in scholarship and practice for social good and positive futures:
- Apply systems thinking to analyze non-linear, interconnected social and global systems, as a step toward addressing complex problems with justice-oriented solutions.
- Use complexity-based methods to make sense of uncertainty in various contexts and work adaptively in research, design, and leadership situations.
- Design thinking approach. Examine people and contexts (empathize and define) in an iterative process of defining issues, ideating, testing, and applying solutions.
- Reframe problems through integration of different perspectives, creating new pathways for imaginative solutions and innovation in challenging situations.
- Collaborate and communicate effectively with diverse audiences in both academic and non-academic settings, leveraging interdisciplinary teamwork for strategic development and innovation.
- Engage in critical self-inquiry and cross-boundary inquiry to ask better questions in developing solutions oriented toward justice and positive futures.
A minimum of 32 units is required for the degree. The M.A. in Transdisciplinary Analysis degree is comprised of Core Areas (20 units) and Electives (12 units).
The overall structure of Transdisciplinary courses combined with courses from other programs gives students flexibility and broader options. Importantly, it enables students to collaborate with faculty and peers across disciplines and develop a meaningful and strategic program plan aligned with career strategy.
Core Areas (20 units)
These comprise the following categories with courses offered through the Transdisciplinary Program with selected courses from other programs across CGU.
Foundations of Transdisciplinary Thought and Practice (8 units)
This core area presents foundational philosophy and frameworks for transdisciplinary thought and practice and key mindsets of equity-minded transdisciplinary approaches to strategic problem solving and innovation. Students learn about the importance of transdisciplinary approaches and develop perspectives and mindsets that prepare them to address systemic and complex problems that the world faces. Students develop self-awareness and reflexive capacity to surface and address implicit assumptions and bias, inter-perspectivity in working with multiple perspectives, and skills in reframing ideas and issues to collaborate and communicate creatively with others. MATDA students take the following foundation courses:
Tools for Change (8 units)
This core area helps students develop specific methods and tools to address complex or wicked problems. Tools for Change courses are based on methods that use systems and design thinking, collaboration and communication frameworks, transformative pedagogy approaches, foresight and futures exploration, participatory action research, data visualization, GIS mapping etc. These courses can be selected from our array of transdisciplinary courses or from many different programs across the university. They focus on application of methods and frameworks suited to examining, understanding, and addressing complex social issues.
A sample of Tools for Change courses includes:
In addition to the above, Tools for change courses can also be selected from other CGU departments. A representative sample is presented here. Note that we will expand the options for Tools for Change courses as new courses are developed. Please check the Transdisciplinary Studies website for the latest course list for this core area, or speak with the Program Director.
Students can also propose courses not listed here to fulfill this area. This can be done through the advising process to ensure alignment of the proposed course with program outcomes and the student’s’ program plan
This core area leads students in applying their learning of transdisciplinary principles and concepts to world contexts through observation and working with community and industry partners. This area focuses on creating a proof-of-concept process with students to deepen and strengthen the knowledge, mindsets, and skills they have gained through coursework and peer collaborations. There are 2 required courses and a companion course for strategic career design.
The Practicum: Field Project
Completed across 2 semesters, students develop a proposal to work with a project partner that might be a corporate or community organization to apply transdisciplinary skills in exploring an issue or innovation relevant to their Project Partner. The project focuses on discovery and exploration, analysis, and design on a situation or context, strategy, and plan, working closely with their partner organizations. At the end of the course, students present their field project to their Project Partner and relevant communities. The Practicum also includes a final portfolio development where students curate and showcase what they have learned in the M.A. program in terms of their mindsets, values, skills and competencies, artifacts that represent examples of their abilities from the courses and course projects they have created, as well as a position statement as scholar-practitioners and leaders.
Companion Pathway for Integrated Career Design
On starting their program, students enroll in a companion pathway for integrated advising and career design. This is coordinated with the Career and Professional Development (CPD) Office. The course runs in parallel with students’ academic journey from enrollment to graduation. The goal is to connect and map transdisciplinary knowledge, skills, and mindsets development with career needs and job profiles to develop a strategic career portfolio. This enables students to bring the development with the CPD Office into academic advising sessions to help them strategically select courses and reflect on their development as scholar-practitioners. This work then is brought into the Field Project courses to create their final portfolio. This program innovation integrates students’ academic development with strategic career development as part of the degree process rather than a student service add-on.
Students take electives through different CGU departments and programs. This enables them to develop a concentration that helps them ground the transdisciplinary knowledge, mindsets, and skills they develop through the program into an area of interest in their scholarship and career goals. Students will be guided through academic advising to work strategically in selecting electives. The program will curate a list of available elective courses for each year in the following focal areas based on offerings by faculty in programs across CGU. Elective courses are offered through other CGU programs that align with students’ career strategy and interests. We curate course offerings in a number of pathways for students:
Innovation, Technology, Change, and Social Impact
This electives area focuses on social impact and positive change in multiple forms such as addressing complex local and global issues, sustainability, current and future-focused innovation, the development and use of digital systems and tools, as well social justice education and action. This includes the arts and media as well as policy.
Research Methods, Research Translation, and Public Impact
The electives area focuses on the development of research methods and tools in science, social science, and the humanities, including research translation and data communication for public impact, data visualization, GIS research, media research, and participatory action research. Students are encouraged to take innovation methods courses that connect new media, big data, the arts, and narrative research.
Leadership and Strategy
This electives area focuses on courses that address leadership strategy development, especially courses on new models of leadership and strategy for the emerging world. In this area, students can take courses on leadership in specific fields or activities such as the arts and non-profits, culture, identities, and leadership, and the interaction of leadership and technology.
In addition, students may propose an alternative focal area that they want to develop. They will work with their program advisor to design the elective courses they take for their focal area.
Electives at the 5C Undergraduate Claremont Colleges
In addition, students can propose to take elective courses at the undergraduate Claremont Colleges that meet Electives guidelines. Students must follow the established practice for enrolling in 5C courses: They need the course professor’s permission, and the work is calibrated for graduate level credit. All proposals for electives outside the program list or at the 5Cs must be submitted for approval by the program director.
Dual Degree
Current CGU students may add the MA in Transdisciplinary Analysis program to their current degree(s) through a dual degree plan or they may switch from their current degree program to the MATDA program. For either option, the student must begin the process by meeting with the program director.
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