In 1967, Otterbein College developed a program called the Common Courses to provide a foundation of liberal arts study applicable to any major. In 1989, Integrative Studies was one of six liberal arts programs in Ohio recognized for excellence by the Independent College Challenge Program of the Ohio Board of Regents. Over the years, we have also had support from a Ford Foundation grant, the Clements Foundation and from the college's NEH Challenge Grant. Some forty faculty teach in Integrative Studies each year, and instructors have included faculty from nearly all the departments in the college.
Senior professors join young faculty in teaching the core curriculum.
The courses in I.S. include small discussion courses as well as large lecture courses, and classes are taught in a variety of instructional styles. All I.S. courses examine human nature, and the program encourages students to integrate this interdisciplinary study of human nature with the study of a specific discipline in the major. Designed as a four-year program, it requires five courses of freshmen and sophomores, and five courses of juniors and seniors. The courses are designed to be taken in a sequence, with each course building on the ones before it. After this beginning, we ask you to put your knowledge of yourself, your traditions and your beliefs into ever-widening contexts.