"The terms epistemological obstacles, or epistemological breaks, refer to conceptual difficulties that cause stagnation or even regression in people’s theoretical and scientific thinking (Bachelard [1934] 1967). The term epistemological obstacle thus provides a useful frame for examining the conceptual hurdles faced by students in interdisciplinary studies courses, such as the plurality of disciplinary knowing and the complexity of real world problems. The presenter will describe and illustrate epistemological obstacles faced by students in the large online first year undergraduate interdisciplinary course he designed and taught in the Arts Faculty of the University of Ottawa [Canada] in the Winter term of 2021. Since many attendees will no doubt have similar experiences [or perhaps different ones], most of the time will consist of discussion and sharing of stories and challenges in introductory interdisciplinary studies courses."