Concentrations

B.A. in Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences: Childhood Studies Concentration
B.S. in Early Childhood Education: Co-concentration in Childhood Studies

The Childhood Studies concentration fosters an interdisciplinary exploration of the many factors that shape the cultural construct of the child and family in society. This concentration draws upon the fields of anthropology, literature, history, psychology, education, law, sociology and the natural sciences.  Students will gain a rich and multi-faceted liberal arts education that emphasizes critical thinking and specialized knowledge about children and families in social contexts, in the US and globally.  Upon successful completion of the concentration, students will be able to use multiple disciplines to examine critical issues in the field, including health, education, disability, nutrition/obesity, law, the environment, human rights, and public policy.

Total credits required: 32 (at least 20 credits must be completed in residence in the IAS Department) 
 

Three Required Major Courses (12 credits):

• IAS 24200, Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies (4 credits)
• IAS 23324, Advanced Composition or IAS 23304, The Essay (4 credits)
• SPAN 22504, Intermediate Spanish (4 credits)
   

Two Foundational Courses (8 credits), selected in consultation with your Academic Advisor:

• ANTH 26504, Language and Society (4 credits)
• IAS 10800, Doing Social Research (4 credits)
• PSC 12504, Introduction to Public Policy (4 credits)
• PSY 22604, Introduction to Life Span Development or PSY 24604, Introduction to Human Development: Infancy and Childhood or PSY 25604, Introduction to Human Development: Adolescence and Youth (4 credits)
   

Three Elective Courses (12 credits), selected in consultation with your Academic Advisor:

• Students may select from a wide range of approved electives in Anthropology, Education, English, Film, History, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology, as well as many interdisciplinary electives. Refer to the Class Schedule for a list of specific elective courses approved for this concentration.
   

Honors: Students interested in a Capstone experience may consider taking IAS 30100-30300, Honors Research, once they have completed the Required Major Courses and the two Foundational Courses for their concentration.  Students are strongly advised to take IAS 10800, Doing Social Research, before considering Honors Research in Childhood Studies.

B.A. in Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences: Disabilities Studies Concentration
B.S. in Early Childhood Education: Co-concentration in Disabilities Studies

The Disabilities Studies concentration incorporates intersecting perspectives from the social sciences, humanities, science, social policy and the law.  It takes the perspective that disability is not inherent in the individual as a deficit, but rather, comprises a set of physical and social barriers that limit the experiences of certain individuals.  This concentration is designed to prepare students for work as insightful educators, as services providers, for work in community-based agencies, and as advocates for people with disabilities.

Total credits required: 32 (at least 20 credits must be completed in residence in the IAS Department)
  

Three Required Major Courses (12 credits):

• IAS 24200, Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies (4 credits)
• IAS 23324, Advanced Composition or IAS 23304, The Essay  (4 credits)
• SPAN 22504, Intermediate Spanish (4 credits)
   

Two Required Foundational Courses (8 credits):

• IAS 31235, Introduction to Developmental Disabilities (4 credits)
• IAS 31240, Issues for Adults with Developmental Disabilities (4 credits)
   

Three Elective Courses (12 credits), selected in consultation with your Academic Advisor:

• Students may select from a wide range of approved electives in Anthropology, English, Film, History, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology, as well as many interdisciplinary electives. Refer to the Class Schedule for a list of specific elective courses approved for this concentration.
   

Honors: Students interested in a Capstone experience may consider taking IAS 30100-30300, Honors Research, once they have completed the Required Major Courses and the two Foundational Courses for their concentration.  Students are strongly advised to take IAS 10800, Doing Social Research, before considering Honors Research in Disabilities Studies.

B.A. in Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences: History, Politics and Society
B.S. in Early Childhood Education: Co-concentration in History, Politics and Society

The concentration in History, Politics and Society allows students to explore all the facets of our social worlds, utilizing various approaches from across the humanities and the social sciences to do so.  Courses in this concentration examine expressions of traditional, popular, and world cultures from the perspectives of anthropology, cultural studies, economics, gender studies, history, literary studies, philosophy, political theory, psychology and sociology. This concentration is particularly well suited for students interested in a well-rounded Liberal Arts education, which may lead to work in law, politics, education or the arts, among many other possibilities.  Upon successful completion of this concentration, students will be able to interpret and analyze cultural, historical and political texts and investigate the institutions and legacies that continue to shape our understanding of culture and society today.

Total credits required: 32 (at least 20 must be completed in residence in the IAS Department)   
 

Three Required Major Courses (12 credits):

• IAS 24200, Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies (4 credits)
• IAS 23324, Advanced Composition or IAS 23304, The Essay  (4 credits)
• SPAN 22504, Intermediate Spanish (4 credits)
   

Two Foundational Courses (8 credits), selected in consultation with your Academic Advisor:

• ANTH 20104, Cross-cultural Perspectives (4 credits)
• IAS 10300, Interdisciplinary Global Studies (4 credits)
• IAS 10800, Doing Social Research (4 credits)
• PSC 27504, Contemporary Political Thought (4 credits)
• WS 10004, Intro to Women’s and Gender Studies (4 credits)
   

Three Elective Courses (12 credits), selected in consultation with your Academic Advisor:

• Students may select from a wide range of approved electives in Anthropology, Economics, English, Film, History, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology, as well as many interdisciplinary electives. Refer to the Class Schedule for a list of specific elective courses approved for this concentration.
   

Honors: Students interested in a Capstone experience may consider taking IAS 30100-30300, Honors Research, once they have completed the Required Major Courses and the two Foundational Courses for their concentration.  Students are strongly advised to take IAS 10800, Doing Social Research, before considering Honors Research in History, Politics and Society.

B.A. in Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences: Literary, Media and Visual Arts
B.S. in Early Childhood Education: Co-concentration in Literary, Media and Visual Arts

The Concentration in Literary, Media and Visual Arts develops students’ knowledge of areas such as literature, creative writing, journalism, communications, film studies, theater, art, art history, and music. Courses situate literary and cultural texts, artistic movements, and media institutions within their historical, political, and cultural contexts, thus providing students with strong analytical and interpretive skills that will allow them to conceptualize social issues relevant to both the workplace and the world.  This concentration is particularly well suited  for students interested in careers or graduate school in writing, communications, publishing, museum studies, library science, law, education, and the arts.

Total credits required: 32 (at least 20 must be completed in residence in the IAS Department)   
 

Three Required Major Courses (12 credits):

• IAS 24200, Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies (4 credits)
• IAS 23324, Advanced Composition or IAS 23304, The Essay  (4 credits)
• SPAN 22504, Intermediate Spanish (4 credits)
   

Two Foundational Courses (8 credits), selected in consultation with your Academic Advisor:

• SPCH 11104, Foundations of Speech Communication or SPCH 11404, Oral Interpretation (4 credits)
• ENGL 25004, Introduction to Literary Studies (4 credits)
• ENGL 22014, Creative Writing Workshop I (4 credits)
• MCA 23304, Introduction to Journalism (4 credits)
• MCA 12104, Introduction to Media Studies (4 credits)
• MCA 12104, Introduction to Film Studies or MCA 22104, History and Theory of Film I (4 credits)
   

Three Elective Courses (12 credits), selected in consultation with your Academic Advisor:

• Students may select from a wide range of approved electives in Art, English, History, Media and Communications Arts, Music, Philosophy, Speech, and Theater, as well as many interdisciplinary electives. Refer to the Class Schedule for a list of specific elective courses approved for this concentration.
   

Honors: Students interested in a Capstone experience may consider taking IAS 30100-30300, Honors Research, once they have completed the Required Major Courses and the two Foundational Courses for their concentration.

B.A. in Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences: Social Welfare Concentration
B.S. in Early Childhood Education: Co-concentration in Social Welfare

The Concentration in Social Welfare draws from multiple academic disciplines and uses these to explore and understand effective methods to respond to human needs and alleviate suffering.  The knowledge base for this concentration includes applications of psychology, anthropology, sociology, statistics, criminal justice and public health.  Courses encompass social policy, history, human rights, epidemiology, community action and casework, social research, and counseling. A global perspective is fostered throughout the curriculum. Students learn to apply a social change perspective to working and advocating effectively within diverse, urban communities. Students who successfully complete the concentration are prepared to work in various fields, including public service, community-based education, entry-level social work or human resources, in the disabilities field, and many other human services.  Upon successful completion of this concentration, students will be prepared to enroll in professional studies in social work, law, public health, or psychology.

Total credits required: 32 (at least 20 must be completed in residence in the IAS Department) 
 

Three Required Major Courses (12 credits):

• IAS 24200, Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies (4 credits)
• IAS 23324, Advanced Composition or IAS 23304, The Essay  (4 credits)
• SPAN 22504, Intermediate Spanish (4 credits)
   

Two Foundational Courses (8 credits), in consultation with your Academic Advisor:

• IAS 10800, Doing Social Research (4 credits)
• IAS 31212,* Statistics for Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences (4 credits)
• PSY 10204,* Psychology in the Modern World (4 credits)
• SOC 24404,* Principles of Social Work (4 credits)
• SOC 24504,* Social Welfare Institutions I (4 credits)
• SOC 24604,* Social Welfare Institutions II (4 credits)
• SOC 31511,* Interviewing (4 credits)
• PSC12504,* Introduction to Public Policy (4 credits)
   

* indicates courses recommended for students considering entry into MSW programs and/or entry-level social service positions.
 

Three Elective Courses (12 credits), in consultation with your Academic Advisor:

• Students may select from a wide range of approved electives in Anthropology, Economics, History, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology, as well as many interdisciplinary electives. See the Class Schedule for specific elective courses approved for this concentration.
   

Honors: Students interested in a Capstone experience may consider taking IAS 30100-30300, Honors Research, once they have completed the Required Major Courses and the two Foundational Courses for their concentration.  Students are strongly advised to take IAS 10800, Doing Social Research, before considering Honors Research in Social Welfare.