The foundations upon which Baker University's interdisciplinary course on the history of ideas is built are described in this position paper. The particular situation of the Baker students and faculty members is analyzed by way of identifying the needs, resources, and problems to be resolved. The presuppositions and definitions from which the course planning can proceed are also stated. The terms "humanities,""interdisciplinary,""history of ideas," and "Western" are defined. The "history of ideas" is taken to mean the history of individual ideas, not the development of world views. Attention is given to the concept of "history" that the course presupposes. Emphasis is placed on the continuous and mutual interaction between the natural environments in which people live, their social institutions and informal groups, individual personalities, and the ideas upon which people act. (Author/LBH)