Interdisciplinary Studies:Sample Programs
Below are ideas for possible programs of study in the Interdisciplinary Studies Major.
Latin American and Caribbean Studies
Dr. Tina Bucher, English Department
Description of course of study: Students who choose an interdisciplinary major in African American Studies will build their knowledge and understanding of the field not only through courses specifically focused on African American history, literature, sociology, and culture but also by taking courses focused on Africa, the Caribbean, and colonialism/postcolonialism, all of which are fundamental for understanding the development of African American culture in the United States.
Possible courses:
ANT320WI Women in Global Perspectives
ANT350 African Cultures
ANT360WI Caribbean Cultures
ANT390 Urban Anthropology
ANT440 Developing Nations
BUS308 Ethical Issues in Business
ENG332 Postcolonial Literature
ENG339WI African American Literature
ENG432WI Studies in Southern Literature
GOV418 Constitutional Law: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights
HIS349 African American History
HIS371 The Civil War and Reconstruction
HIS375WI U.S. Women’s History
HIS410WI Modern Africa
HIS415WI Imperialism, Colonialism, and Nationalism
HIS438 History of the South
LCS300 Introduction to Latin America and the Caribbean
MUS108 Improvisation
SOC335 Social Inequality: Race, Class, and Gender
SOC385 Race and Ethnic Relations
WNS387/GOV 387 Gender, Law, and Society
In addition, students may take self-designed Directed Readings courses with individual professors in individual fields.
Study Abroad Opportunities:
Latin American and Caribbean Studies May term in Jamaica
Stellenbosch University , South Africa
American University in Cairo , Egypt
Internship Opportunities:
Students may be able to arrange internships with organizations such as the Rome chapter of 100 Black Men of America, the Rome Area History Museum , tutoring and mentoring programs in the Rome area, the Atlanta chapter of the NAACP, and the King Center.
Dr. Chris Diller, English Department
Description of course of study: American Studies is an interdisciplinary field that investigates the past and present cultures of the United States in multiple media (e.g. technology, television, film, radio, music, history, sociology, literature, architecture, and material culture). Emerging from departments of English and History just before World War Two, American studies was initially devoted to questions of American national identity and character but has become increasingly concerned with the multicultural and transnational nature of our country, including issues of region, race, class, gender, and religion. Students who choose an interdisciplinary major in American studies can design a course of study that incorporates both popular and academic perspectives on American intellectual, cultural, and artistic life. For more information and resources related to American studies, visit the American Studies Association website at: http://www.georgetown.edu/crossroads/asw/.
Possible Courses:
ANT 325 Anthropology of Popular Culture
ANT 330 Anthropology of the Body
ANT 340 Globalization and Local Communities
ART 406 Art in the Real World
COM 201 Mass Communication and Society
COM 302 Media Criticism
COM 415 Theories of Communication
COM 418 Gender and Media
ECO 415 Economic History of the United States
ENG 220, 221, 333, 334, 335, 339, and 432 American Literature
FLM 210, 301, 350, and 418 Film Studies
GOV 211, 330, 333, and 337 American Government and Politics
HIS 205, 206, 349, 364, 371, 375, 432, and 433 American History
HUM 200 E pluribus unum
MUS 390 The Music Industry
PHI 359 Environmental Ethics
PSY 385 Psychology of Women
REL 330 Church and State
SOC 355 Environmental Sociology
SOC 370 Sociology of Religion
SOC 385 Race and Ethnic Relations
WNS 210 Introduction to Women’s Studies
WNS 387 Gender, Law and Society
Possible internships or study abroad experiences:
American Studies is a vibrant academic field and cultural concern in many other areas of the world including Latin America, Canada, England, Australia, Germany, Scandinavia, Japan, and Indonesia. Berry’s international programs could therefore provide an American studies student with an invaluable cross-cultural experience and education. Depending upon student interest, internships with area museums, broadcast companies, environmental organizations, and preservation agencies may also be possible.
Dr. Brian Jory, Department of Teacher Education
Description of Course of Study: Students who elect an interdisciplinary major in family studies will acquire and exhibit knowledge about the interdependence of families and society, dynamics of family relationships, marriage, sexuality, biological reproduction, parenting, child and adolescent development, mid-life changes and aging, family life education, family economics, spirituality, lifestyle and cultural diversity, and research methods. With careful planning, majors may qualify for certification as a Family Life Educator following graduation.
Possible Courses:
FAM 230 Marriage and Family
FAM 330 WI Family Problems and Interventions
FAM 496 Academic Internship in Family Studies
BIO 108 Understanding Human Genetics
BIO 206 and 207 Human Anatomy and Physiology
REL 358 or PHI 358 Bioethics
PSY 211 Human Sexuality
PSY 342 Child and Adolescent Psychology
PSY 390 Adulthood and Aging
FIN 225 Personal Finance
SOC 392 WI Social Science Research Methods OR
PSY 360 and 361 WI Research Methods
EDU 440 Families and Schools
IDS 300 Interdisciplinary Studies Seminar
Other suggested courses:
PSY 221 Lifespan Developmental Psychology
PSY 207 Psychology of Personality
SOC 350 Family Sociology
SOC 387 Gender, Law, and Society
REL 331 Christian Faith and Feminist Critique
EDU 205 OR 206 Foundations of Education and Psychology
COM 311 Group Communication
COM 418 Gender and Media
Possible Internships:
Students enrolled in Family Studies internships are encouraged to focus on one of the following areas:
1. Family policy research (e.g., Georgia Family Connection; The Carter Center for Peace and Justice, Georgia Family Violence Council),
2. Family life education (e.g., Marriage Education, Teen Parents Class, Divorcing Parents Class)
3. Family service delivery (e.g., Floyd County Health Department, Family Resource Center, Department of Family and Children’s Services).
Latin American and Caribbean Studies
Dr. Jennie Smith, Department of Sociology and Anthropology
Description of Course of Study: Latin American and Caribbean Studies focuses on the study and exploration of this region of the Americas at Berry College and in the immediate community and provides undergraduates with an interdisciplinary array of courses focused on the Latin American/Caribbean region. With an interdisciplinary degree in Latin American and Caribbean Studies, students interested in pursuing careers or graduate studies related to Latin America and/or the Caribbean will leave Berry with invaluable preparation.
Posssible Courses:
LCS 300 Introduction to Latin American and Caribbean Studies
ANT 360 Caribbean Cultures
ART 330 Pre-Columbian & Latin American Art
BIO 482 Coral Reef Ecology ( Belize )
BIO 483 Tropical Biodiversity and Conservation ( Costa Rica )
GEO 150 Geology of the Bahamas
GOV 358 Politics of Latin America
HIS 358 Latin American History
LCS 496 Internship
LCS 498 Directed Study (and Study Abroad)
SPA 310 Survey of Peninsular Spanish Literature
SPA 311 Survey of Spanish-American Literature
SPA 324 Hispanic Culture
SPA 403 Contemporary Spanish-American Literature
SPA 404 Spanish Business Communication
SPA 405 Topics in Spanish
Possible internships or study abroad experiences:
Students may participate in any of the Study Abroad Programs offered at Berry that involve travel to Latin America or the Caribbean. Such programs are offered through the Anthropology Department, the Biology Department, the Education Department, the Physics, Astronomy and Geology Department, and the LCS Program itself. The LCS Program offers a two-week study abroad program in Jamaica each May (please see http://www.berry.edu/academics/humanities/lcs/studyabroad.asp for more information).
Internship possibilities include positions with social service organizations, government offices, or other institutions that work with Latinos and/or Caribbean immigrants in the Northwest Georgia region.
Students may also complete internships and/or directed studies in locations within the Latin American/Caribbean region.
Dr. Ellen Johnson, Department of English
Description of Course of Study: Linguistics focuses on the structure, history, and use of language. A course of study in linguistics should include either advanced study in one modern language or introductory study of a less-commonly-taught language and it would include study of the social and educational functions of language.
Possible Courses:
ENG 204 Introduction to Linguistics
300 and 400-level courses in French, German, or Spanish
REL 225 (Hebrew) or REL 227 (Greek)
ENG 437 or 316 (Medieval Lit.): includes study of Old and Middle English.
Other languages offered sporadically at Berry, at another college, or abroad.
ENG/ANT 419 Sociolinguistics; or a sociolinguistic topic covered under ENG 428 or 434.
EDU 463 Cultures and Language.
ENG 428 (special topics) if language topic, e.g. English Grammar or Language and Gender
ENG 462, 464, or 495, courses for teachers of English as a Second Language.
EDU 320 or 429 on development of literacy
ENG 434 Studies in Linguistics
Courses in anthropology or sociology would be helpful.
Possible internships or study abroad experiences:
• Work in the schools or community organizations tutoring immigrants in English would be an excellent learning experience in applied linguistics.
• Study abroad in a non-English-speaking country would be enormously beneficial in learning about language use outside the classroom environment.
Dr. Dan Shiffman, Department of English, Rhetoric and Writing
Description of Course of Study: Multi-ethnic studies is about the history and traditions of various ethnic groups and regions as well as about how cultures intersect and interact. In our era of globalization, people are increasingly effected by international economic, social and political forces; and they often negotiate a number of cultural influences and identities. Multi-ethnic studies provides insight into the complex relationships of human society in the twenty-first century and helps prepare students to respond thoughtfully to such complexity.
Possible Courses:
ANT Cultural Anthropology
ANT 390 Urban Anthropology
BUS 410 International Business
COM201 Mass Communication and Society
COM 302 Media Criticism
ECO 450WI Comparative Economic Systems
ECO 440 International Economics
ENG 331 Contemporary Literature
ENG 332 Postcolonial Literature
ENG 339 African-American Literature
GOV 231 Model United Nations
GOV343 Comparative Politics of South Asia
GOV 440 Developing Nations
HIS 350 Gender in the Middle East
HIS 441 Military History of the Western World
HUM 200 E Pluribus Unum
LCS Introduction to Latin America and the Caribbean
REL 100 World Religion
REL 372 Scriptures of the World
REL 382 Women in World Religions
SOC 385 Race and Ethnic Relations
Possible Internships or Study Abroad Experiences: Virtually any study abroad program would
support a multi-ethnic studies program. Internship opportunities might include the Carter Center, Atlanta History Center, Amnesty International, Greenpeace, the Balch Institute for Ethnic Studies, and the Immigration History Research Center.
Dr. Carrie Baker, Department of Sociology and Anthropology
Description of Course of Study: An interdisciplinary major in women’s studies would focus on the history of women and the changing roles and status of women in the United States and throughout the world.
Possible Courses:
WNS 210 Introduction to Women’s Studies
ANT 320 WI Women in Global Perspective
ART 413WI Women and Art
BUS 212 Gender and Business
COM 418 Gender and Media
EDU 409 Gender and Education
ENG 342 Women’s Literature
HIS 375 U.S. Women’s History
HIS 390 Gender in the Middle East
MUS 346 Women in Music
PSY 385 WI Psychology of Women
REL 331 Christian Faith and Feminist Critique
REL 382 Women in World Religions
SOC 335 Social Inequality
GOV 350 Women in Politics
THE 325 Women and Drama
WNS/SOC/GOV 387 Gender, Law and Society
WNS 412 Women’s Studies Seminar
Possible internships or study abroad experiences:
There are many internship opportunities in women’s studies, including work at the Sexual Assault Center of Northwest Georgia, Hospitality House (a domestic violence shelter), the Floyd County Health Department, and others. There are also women’s studies programs abroad that would enhance a degree in women’s studies at Berry .
Dr. Amy Jo Johnson, Department of History
Description of Course of Study: The Middle Eastern Studies program emphasizes study of the region’s history and religions and also includes study of broader topics such as international relations, and international economics. Although no modern Middle Eastern languages are taught at Berry , the semester and summer abroad programs at the American University in Cairo are strongly recommended as they provide the opportunity for language study and for more specialized Middle Eastern Studies courses. Internships, participation in informal Arabic classes, and participation in the Model Arab League team offer students additional opportunities to broaden their study of the region.
Possible Courses:
HIS 353 Middle Eastern History to 1300
HIS 354 History of the Modern Middle East
HIS 390 Gender in the Middle East
HIS 415 Imperialism, Colonialism, and Nationalism
HIS/GOV/ANT 440 Developing Nations
GOV 321 International Relations
GOV 410 Conflict and Cooperation in World Politics
REL 100 World Religions
REL 225 Biblical Hebrew
REL 326 Seminar in World Religions (Islam, Judaism, or Christianity)
REL 382 Women in World Religions
ECO 440 International Economics
Additional Programs:
Study Abroad in Egypt
Internships with a Middle East-related group
Independent Study courses that focus on particular aspects of the region, e.g. Islam and Politics, Modern Arabic Literature, Middle Eastern Social and Cultural History.
Student Activities related to the Middle East :
Arabic lessons
Model Arab League