Section III. Integrative Studies

This area offers students an opportunity to gain a larger picture of human culture by making connections between different domains of experience and knowledge. Courses in the areas of Multicultural and Interdisciplinary Studies are concerned with developing civic competency in the face of the interdependence of nations and global problems, and encouraging an appreciation of the diversity and commonality of human values and interests.

MULTICULTURAL (200 level)

Multicultural refers to awareness of race, ethnicity, class and gender, as well as other such issues involved in improving human relations. This group of courses considers the dynamics of multiculturalism in American society by studying periods (contemporary or historical), groups, cultural artifacts such as art, music or literature, or key themes. These courses are designed to present a balanced range of critical perspectives so that students and faculty find a way to converse honestly, rationally, and in an informed way, about the issues of our multicultural society.

The goals for Multicultural Studies are to:

• Promote understanding about how heritage influences current traditions and values in both personal and public cultures in the United States.

• Educate students about frames of reference within different domestic cultural groups, including how each group thinks, knows, and values.
  

INTERDISCIPLINARY (300 level)

Interdisciplinary courses give students an opportunity to see how different fields of knowledge can converse with and inform one another. These upper division courses are designed for an in-depth study of ideas, cultures, and environments, and many were selected for their non-western or international perspective.

The goals for Interdisciplinary Studies are to:

• Identify and analyze the questions and perspectives that emerge from the dialogue of different disciplines.
  

• Give students an opportunity to practice critical thinking, using the concepts and methods of different disciplines.
  

• Educate students about how individual and societal behavior and choices can have global consequences in an interdependent world