About the Interdisciplinary General Education Department

Founded in 1983, the Interdisciplinary General Education Department (IGE) offers students a unique and stimulating choice to fulfill their general education requirements. At the heart of IGE lies the concept of an integrated core: a curriculum that explores human experience across the multiple perspectives of different disciplines. The IGE Program introduces participants to different ways of examining concepts and ideas, fostering a connective ability--a power to see all knowledge as interrelated. Ernest Boyer explains: "As students see how the content of one course relates to that of others, they begin to make connections, and in so doing gain not only a more integrated view of knowledge, but also a more authentic view of life."

IGE provides an interdisciplinary undergraduate general education experience that prepares students to lead globally conscious, socially responsible, productive, satisfying, and ethical lives in a changing diverse world.

Our Goals

To provide a supportive learning community as well as a stimulating intellectual environment for each participant's academic, civic, and personal growth;
To contribute to the ongoing development and practice of creative learner-based pedagogy that integrates teaching, learning, service, and research;
To strengthen our partnerships in CEIS, across Cal Poly, and with the community in order to foster a culture focused on the recruitment, retention, and success of students;
To exercise leadership on the campus and in academe at large in the area of general education so that we may serve as a peer model and contribute to the ongoing development of liberal arts education.

Our Students

The students and faculty members that choose to participate in IGE reflect the diversity of the Cal Poly campus and surrounding community. Through discussion and other class activities we seek to dissolve the boundaries that inhibit our ability to fully engage one another, that limit our potential to become most completely ourselves, that restrict the joyous exploration that is true learning. Ironically, the experience of being part of a community of learners encourages each of us to become more independent.

The motto of the IGE Student Organization (or IGESO in short) is "IGE in Action," and to that end IGESO sponsors diverse events. Last year, for example, we had a very successful spring barbeque, and in the fall a "pizza night" before one of the Cal Poly Theatre arts events. We have also co-ordinated a student/faculty retreat about IGE. Further, we've participated in community service projects such as treeplanting and working with a Habitat for Humanity crew. This year, among other activities, we plan to have more social events, continue to work with the arts events, help put on the annual "projects fair" for graduating IGE students, and maybe even sponsor a film series. IGESO is open to all current and alum IGE students. The faculty advisor is Ken Stahl.