Required graduate-level ProSeminar for students entering the interdisciplinary studies graduate program. This learning experience introduces students to the Master of Arts Program in Interdisciplinary Studies. It provides an overview of history, theory, and practice in interdisciplinary studies, introduces students to graduate faculty, their teaching expertise and research interests, discusses courses and alternative learning experiences which will facilitate students' study in the program, and helps students design graduate learning outcomes and develop individual learning plans. The seminar introduces Interdisciplinary Studies students to methodologies used in ethnographic as well as critical and cultural studies. Both practical application and theoretical discussions will animate this seminar in which students are expected to conduct an independent research project of their own design.
Students work both collaboratively and individually on a major research project in social history.
Topics vary according to student interests. Classes are conducted in seminar style and emphasize the collaborative development of critical thinking in framing effective research questions and choosing the research methods that are most appropriate to the questions asked. This course enables graduate students to enrich 300 or 400 level courses to satisfy graduate level requirements. Prior to enrolling in this course, students must seek instructor's permission, provide a description of the course content and submit a proposal to explain how additional and enriched graduate level assignments will be implemented. The course needs to be approved by the faculty advisor, the instructor of the course, the Center Dean and the Program Coordinator .