Courses Offered in Interdisciplinary Studies

This course will introduce students to the experience of academic exploration that is at the heart of a liberal arts education. Through study of one or more compelling questions or topics in a small seminar setting, students will practice creative and critical thinking and will learn to express themselves effectively and appropriately in a college setting. They will develop relationships and practices that allow them to effectively utilize college resources and become members of a community of learners. The specific topic of the seminar will be developed by individual faculty and will be announced in advance. First year seminars are required for first-year students and transfer students with fewer than 15 credits. Not open to students who have received credit for IDS189 or another first year seminar course.

Credits: 3.00

This course fulfills these general education curriculum requirements: First Year Seminar

Women's Studies and Gender Studies are complementary interdisciplinary fields whose research and scholarship examines women's and men's lives, conditions and contributions within historical, social, cultural, national and transnational contexts. Students will explore how gender is constructed and negotiated through the lens of families, communities, education, society, film and the media. Feminist and gender based theories and methodologies will enhance student awareness regarding the interlocking systems of inequity, inequality, oppression and privilege thereby addressing issues of power, resistance and social transformation. Three lecture hours per week.

Credits: 3.00

This course fulfills these general education curriculum requirements: Contemporary Society, Diversity, Power Dyn, Soc Just

Women's Studies and Gender Studies are complementary interdisciplinary fields whose research and scholarship examine women and gender through historical, social, cultural, national and transnational contexts. Students will explore how gender identities are constructed and negotiated through institutions like families, communities, education, religion, the media. Students will explore how intersections between gender and other categories such as race, class, sexuality, and ability shape power dynamics between groups, and will use feminist theories and mythologies to explore possibilities for resistance and social transformation. In addition, Honors students will conduct independent research on a topic of interest and consider how interdisciplinary thinking and research may be used to address social issues related to diversity, power dynamics and social justice.

Credits: 3.00

This course fulfills these general education curriculum requirements: Diversity, Power Dyn, Soc Just, The Human Past

Interdisciplinary study of Latin American, Caribbean and Latino histories and cultures. Draws upon various humanities and social science disciplines, as well as interdisciplinary fields of area studies defined by geography (Latin America, Caribbean) and ethnic studies defined by history, culture and identity (Latino Studies). Explores the similarities and differences among the diverse societies of Latin America and the Caribbean and the peoples of Latin American and Caribbean origin in the United States.

Credits: 3.00

This course fulfills these general education curriculum requirements: Diversity, Power Dyn, Soc Just

This course challenges ideas about and engages with debates over the meaning of "America" and "American" with a particular focus on how these terms have been shaped and limited by structual factors and tied to race, class, gender and ethnicity. Using an interdisciplinary perspective that integrates the humanities and social sciences students will explore how "American" cultural and national identities have developed over four centuries and consider the legacies of this history on
"American" experiences today. Students will be introduced to the methods and materials of American Studies as they learn to interpret cultural products drawn from popular and fine arts, literature, music and film, historical, sociological, legal and geographic documents as well as other non-fiction texts.Three lecture hours per week.

Credits: 3.00

This course fulfills these general education curriculum requirements: Diversity, Power Dyn, Soc Just, The Human Past

This course challenges ideas about and engages with debates over the meaning of “America” and “American” with a particular focus on how these terms have been shaped and limited by structural factors and tied to race, class, gender and ethnicity. Using an interdisciplinary perspective, students will explore how “American” cultural and national identities have developed over four centuries and consider the legacies of this history on “American” experiences today. Students will be introduced to the methods and materials of American Studies as they learn to interpret cultural products drawn from popular and fine arts, literature, music and film as well as historical, sociological and geographic documents and other non-fiction texts. Students will conduct some independent research on topics of interest and consider how interdisciplinary thinking and research methodologies may be used to address issues in our society related to power dynamics and social justice. Three lecture hours per week

Credits: 3.00

This course fulfills these general education curriculum requirements: Diversity, Power Dyn, Soc Just, The Human Past

This course uses an interdisciplinary American Studies approach to explore the complex ways in which "America" and "Americans" have been constructed and understood within the context of along-standing and ongoing global and transnational exchange of ideas, peoples and goods. By focusing attention on a range of non- US cultures and tracing the connections between them and what is often considered "American" culture (in the areas of demographics human rights popular culture and food ways) the course highlights two main points: The ways in which "American" identities as well as cultural economic political, intellectual practices and products have been shaped by peoples and cultures around the world and how peoples and cultures around the world have understood appropriated been influenced by or responded to the presence of "American" people cultures and practices historically and today. Centrally, this course focuses on the fact that understanding non-US cultures is essential to understanding both "America" and "Americans". Key course themes and concepts include globalization trans-nationalism and intercultural knowledge. Course materials and methods are drawn from a range of disciplines including literature visual culture sociology, history, political science, journalism and music. Students will collaborate with university students outside of the US and examine the global culture and history of Salem itself over the past 400 years. Three lecture hours per week. Not open to students who have received credit for IDS333A

Credits: 3.00

This course fulfills these general education curriculum requirements: World Cultures

This course is an interdisciplinary study of six major world religions—Buddhism, Taoism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and Christianity—considering such issues as their moral teachings and practices; historical development; and cultural and geographical settings. The course covers how religions are responsible for significant human achievement in many areas and also a source of joining
some persons together in meaning and purpose while excluding and demeaning others. Students will have continued opportunities to consider how their own cultural and religious identities are similar to, and different from, those of others we study, looking especially at how religions have played, and still play, a key role in U.S. history in defining and oppressing segments of society. The course closely
and empathetically examines the experiences of those who have been oppressed by religions. Three lecture hours per week.

Credits: 3.00

This course fulfills these general education curriculum requirements: Diversity, Power Dyn, Soc Just, Pers Growth & Responsibility, World Cultures

This course will explore the complex relationship between law and society. Focusing on the reciprocal nature of the law and the societal context in which law develops, the course will examine how social, economic, cultural and political forces shape the law's ability to make effective rules and to define common social values. The course serves as an introduction to America legal, political, and social actors and institutions. Using an interdisciplinary perspective, students will investigate questions relating to ideology, globalization, inequality, community, authority, legitimacy, and individualism. Three lecture hours per week.

Credits: 3.00

This course examines the historical, sociological, philosophical and environmental antecedents to conflict at the local, national and international levels and through a process of research, discussion and evaluation develops possible options that could have been used in the peaceful resolution of conflicts. A main focus is on current major peace keeping and peace making efforts. The course also examines the role that organizations and individuals play, and what options there are for the future. Three lecture hours per week.

Credits: 3.00

This course fulfills these general education curriculum requirements: Contemporary Society

This course explores how love and compassion transform the self, interpersonal relations, and social action. Students will integrate readings and discussions with personal reflections and experiences. Readings include scriptures and significant texts in Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism, which illuminate these religions as well as their cultural contexts. Students will be given the opportunity to practice and examine techniques developed by the world religions to nurture love and compassion. Three lecture hours per week.

Credits: 3.00

This course fulfills these general education curriculum requirements: Pers Growth & Responsibility, World Cultures

This course provides an introduction to the principles and theoretical structures of why and how to organize for participatory democracy at a grassroots level. As such this course aims to come to an understanding of how power is used to provide, as well as deny, access to goods, services, and basic human rights. This course covers actions from local, regional, national and international levels. Not open to students who have received credit for IDS385. Three lecture hours per week.

Credits: 3.00

This course fulfills these general education curriculum requirements: Diversity, Power Dyn, Soc Just

This course provides an introduction to the principles and theoretical structures of why and how to organize for participatory democracy at a grassroots level. As such this course aims to come to an understanding of how power is used to provide, as well as deny, access to goods, services, and basic human rights. This course covers actions from local, regional, national and international levels. Students will conduct some independent research on topics of interest and consider how interdisciplinary thinking and research methodologies maybe used to address issues in our society related to power dynamics and social justice Three lecture hours per week.

Credits: 3.00

This course fulfills these general education curriculum requirements: Diversity, Power Dyn, Soc Just

This course will investigate important questions about health and health care through an interdisciplinary perspective. Special emphasis will be placed on how cultural differences and structural inequalities (such as gender, race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, and geographic location) can affect the quality and accessibility of health care. Students will examine a variety of sources related to the experience and treatment of disease that may range from works of art and literature to documentary film to readings in cross-cultural psychology and medical anthropology. They will reflect on some of the ethical issues raised by forms of health-care delivery, medical research and end-of-life decision making, and develop some of the skills (observation, analysis, empathy, self-reflection) essential for humane medical care.

Credits: 3.00

This course fulfills these general education curriculum requirements: World Cultures

This course is a close examination of a topic significant in the creation of American culture(s) and identity(ies). It is designed to deepen knowledge of a particular area of American Studies while strengthening general American Studies methodological skills. Students will examine primary and secondary sources from a range of disciplines and conduct interdisciplinary research. Potential topics may be (but are not limited to) immigration, popular culture, religion, globalization, community, or consumerism. Required of students in the American Studies Concentration. May be repeated once for an additional 3 credits with permission of the Department Chairperson. Three lecture hours per week.

Credits: 3.00

Interdisciplinary research is a rewarding but challenging mode of inquiry, one that requires the practitioners to integrate research techniques, methodological approaches and literatures from a variety of disciplines. This course provides students with a structured learning environment to enable them to become grounded in the major research methodologies of interdisciplinary scholarship. Students will critique, evaluate, and interpret published research, learn how to
develop a potential interdisciplinary research project, and consider how interdisciplinary thinking is relevant to their personal and professional goals. Three lecture hours per week.
Prerequisites: Successful WI course completion.

Credits: 3.00

This course fulfills these general education curriculum requirements: Written Communication-Level II

An individualized program providing study in depth in an area to be approved by the Interdisciplinary Studies Department Chairperson.

Credits: 3.00 - 6.00

This capstone course engages students in an exploration of American Studies scholarship and supports them as they conduct original research. Students will read classic and recent works in American Studies and investigate the topical, theoretical and methodological developments of the field. Each student will develop and complete a substantive research paper related to a current area of inquiry in the discipline. Required of all students in the American Studies Concentration. Three lecture hours per week.
Prerequisites: W-II course (pre- or co-req.), IDS232 and IDS333 or permission of the Department Chairperson.

Credits: 3.00

This course fulfills these general education curriculum requirements: Written Commun-Level III

This course will assist you in completing an interdisciplinary thesis project of interest to you. Working with peer groups and one-on-one with faculty research mentors, you will design, implement and write up a significant research project that you will present to faculty, peers and members of the Salem State University community.
Prerequisite: IDS389 and Interdisciplinary Studies major, or permission of chairperson.

Credits: 3.00

This course fulfills these general education curriculum requirements: Written Commun-Level III

This two semester sequence is intended to prepare students in the Honors Program for their independent research project or creative production required during the Program's senior year. Principally the seminar will involve presentations of faculty and guest speaker research projects. Presentations about the College's computer facilities, Library resources, and Career Planning and Placement Center, the Graduate Record Examination, etc. may also be included.
Prerequisite: Open only to Juniors and Seniors in the Honors Program.

Credits: 1.50

This two semester sequence is intended to prepare students in the Honors Program for their independent research project or creative production required during the Program's senior year. Principally the seminar will involve presentations of faculty and guest speaker research projects. Presentations about the College's computer facilities, Library resources, and Career Planning and Placement Center, the Graduate Record Examination, etc. may also be included. This course supports the writing of the final senior project/thesis through instruction in writing and peer-editing. Open only to Juniors and Seniors in the Honors Program.
Prerequisite: IDS600H.

Credits: 1.50

This course is designed as a one or two semester research program (3 credits per semester). It provides Interdisciplinary Studies Department majors or minors who are Commonwealth Honors Program an opportunity to integrate their undergraduate experiences .Under the guidance of a faculty mentor, students conduct in-depth research, undertake creative or community-action projects, or work intensively on other scholarly endeavors. Course is limited to Interdisciplinary Studies Department majors who are Commonwealth Honors Program students. This course may be repeated once for credit.
Prerequisite: IDS600H and Junior or Senior Standing in the Honors Program.

Credits: 3.00