Interdisciplinary Concentrations

Interdisciplinary Concentrations within Disciplinary Majors or Minors

Interdisciplinary Concentration in Arts Management

Approachable by studio art, art history, music, theatre, and dance majors or minors and provides curricular links for students interested in further practical and academic experiences in the area of arts management. Faculty coordinators are the director of the Modlin Center for the Arts and the director of University Museums.

5 units, including

MUS/THTR/ART 345 Philanthropy in the Arts
MUS/THTR/ART 388 Internship
One unit, chosen from ART 322 Seminar in Museum Studies MUS/THTR 310 Managing Performing Arts Organizations
One unit in accounting, chosen from ACCT 201 Fundamentals of Financial Accounting ACCT 202 Fundamentals of Managerial Accounting
One unit in marketing, chosen from MKT 320 Principles of Marketing MKT 321U Principles of Marketing

Students are expected to fulfill all prerequisites necessary for courses within the minor. Prerequisites do not count toward the minor unless otherwise noted.

Courses in accounting and marketing may be taken in the School of Business, the School of Continuing Studies, or by transfer in consultation with one of the concentration's coordinators. A concentration coordinator should be consulted for approval of the internship as appropriate for the concentration.

The arts management coordinators may be consulted for additional recommended courses in areas of arts, business, or leadership that support the student's particular area of interest. An arts course in an area other than a student's major or minor is encouraged, and may include applied music study or music ensembles.

Interdisciplinary Concentration in Comparative Literature for English Majors

The basic assumption behind this concentration is that literary studies can be unduly limited by restricting the context and parameters of scholarly inquiry to the literary works of one particular literary tradition, usually defined in fairly narrow geographical and linguistic terms. Comparative literature in the broadest sense may be defined as the text-based investigation of themes, issues, and works of art, free from the fetters of artificial geographical, cultural, political, or disciplinary demarcations. Students of comparative literature achieve a greater awareness of certain boundaries involved in the traditional study of literature--national, linguistic, generic, disciplinary, etc.--and of the issues and advantages involved in crossing those boundaries. In this concentration, students willing to acquire additional linguistic and disciplinary skills will develop the habits and tools necessary to address problems or topics of interest from a number of literary and disciplinary perspectives.

7 units, including

ENGL 391 Methods and Themes in Comparative Literature
Three upper-level literature courses from the modern literatures and cultures, Latin American and Iberian studies, or classical studies departments, in the original language
Two courses in fields outside of literature (Students will choose from ancillary fields such as philosophy, art history, religious studies, etc., in support of their research concentration, and subject to approval of concentration coordinator.)
A one unit independent study culminating in a substantial research project; honors students can use this research project as their honors thesis.

Interdisciplinary Concentration in Medieval and Renaissance Studies for English Majors

This concentration was created for English majors interested in deepening their knowledge of the cultures of the Middle Ages and Renaissance through interdisciplinary study. It thus requires that in addition to taking upper-level courses in Medieval and Renaissance English literature, majors also explore these periods from the perspective of other academic disciplines including, but not limited to, the history of art and architecture, foreign literatures, philosophy, religious studies, and history. It is hoped that the breadth of knowledge and intellectual flexibility that interdisciplinary study fosters will enable students in this concentration to undertake more complex kinds of research projects and achieve more sophisticated levels of critical thinking and writing than might otherwise have been possible.

7 units, including

ENGL 308/ID 390 Interdisciplinary Studies in the Middle Ages and Renaissance
One 300- or 400-level course in Medieval literature and one 300- or 400-level course in Renaissance literature, chosen from ENGL 301 Literature of the Middle ENGL 302 Literature of the English Renaissance ENGL 303 Chaucer ENGL 304 Shakespeare ENGL 305 Critical Approaches to Shakespeare ENGL 306 Milton ENGL 309 Desire and Identity in the Renaissance: The Lyric Tradition ENGL 330 Selected Topics in Literature Before the Early to Mid-19th Century ENGL 400 Junior/Senior Seminar (depending on topic)
Three units from at least two different departments outside of English, chosen from ART 314 Northern Renaissance Art ART 315 Art of the Italian Renaissance ART 316 Art in the Age of Reform FREN 411 The French Middle Ages FREN 421 Renaissance HIST 225 Medieval Italy HIST 227 High Middle Ages HIST 229 Medieval England HIST 230 The Renaissance ITAL 423 Le Tre Corone: Dante, Petrarca and Boccaccio LAIS 321 Literary Spain: Poetry, Drama, Fiction LAIS 432 True Lies: Fiction and Truth in Don Quijote MLC 357 The Idea of the Renaissance: Self, History and Knowledge RELG 258 Medieval Religious Thought

A final critical paper examining one or more works relevant to the major shall be completed in the junior or senior year preferably as the final project in ENGL 308/IDST 390 or in another appropriate upper-division English course with prior approval from the concentration coordinators.

Students also will be encouraged to consider enrolling in any number of the following courses (these courses will not, however, count toward the six courses in Medieval and Renaissance Studies required of English major concentrators): ART 221 Survey I: Prehistory through the Middle Ages ART 222 Survey II: Renaissance to the Present CLSC 301 Greek Art and Archeology CLSC 302 Roman Art and Archeology CLSC 306 The Classical Tradition ENGL 226 Love and War in Medieval Literature ENGL 234 Shakespeare ENGL 236 On the Road: Literature of Quest and Pilgrimage FREN 431 Le Siècle Classique GREK 301 Greek Epic GREK 302 Greek Drama HIST 110 Ideas and Institutions of Western Civilization I HIST 223 The Roman Empire PHIL 281 Philosophy of Art PHIL 362 Philosophy of Religion RELG 241 Introduction to Early Christian Era RELG 243 The World of the New Testament RELG 340 Varieties of Early Christianity RELG 341 Paul and Christian Origins RELG 342 John and Early Christian Literature

Interdisciplinary Concentration in Medieval and Renaissance Studies for Art History Majors

This concentration is intended to encourage art history majors to develop an interdisciplinary approach to the study of Medieval and Renaissance visual cultures. The concentration aims to expose students to a variety of disciplines, approaches, and methodologies by supplementing their upper-level courses in Medieval and Renaissance art with those covering aspects of these historical periods in other academic disciplines. The selection of courses offered through the concentration allows students with a specific interest in Medieval and Renaissance art to broaden their knowledge of the periods, and provides them with opportunities to comprehensively examine topics of interest. Students will meet with their Medieval and Renaissance studies advisor in art history to outline a track of study from among the broad range of interdepartmental courses listed below.

6 units, including

Three 300- or 400-level Department of Art and Art History courses in the areas of early Christian, Medieval or Renaissance art
Three approved courses from at least two different departments outside art and art history, chosen from CLSC 205 Greek and Roman Mythology: Epic CLSC 207 Mythology: Greek Drama CLSC 301 Greek Art and Archaeology CLSC 302 Roman Art and Archaeology CLSC 305 Greek and Roman Values CLSC 306 The Classical Tradition ENGL 226 Love and War in Medieval Literature ENGL 234 Shakespeare ENGL 236 On the Road: Literature of Quest and Pilgrimage ENGL 301 Literature of the Middle Ages ENGL 302 Literature of the English Renaissance ENGL 303 Chaucer ENGL 304 Shakespeare ENGL 305 Critical Approaches to Shakespeare ENGL 306 Milton ENGL 307 Epic Traditions ENGL 390 Interdisciplinary Studies in the Middle Ages and Renaissance FREN 411 The French Middle Ages FREN 421 Renaissance GREK 301 Greek Epic GREK 302 Greek Drama GREK 303 Greek Historiography GREK 304 Greek Philosophical Prose HIST 223 The Roman Empire HIST 225 Medieval Italy HIST 226 Early Middle Ages HIST 227 High Middle Ages HIST 229 Medieval England HIST 230 Renaissance ITAL 321 Readings in Italian Literature LATN 302 Ovid LATN 303 Roman Epic LATN 304 Roman Historiography LATN 305 Horace LATN 306 Roman Philosophical Literature LATN 307 Catullus LATN 308 The Novel LATN 309 Cicero LAIS 432 True Lies: Fiction and Truth in Don Quijote PHIL 271 Ancient Greek Philosophy RELG 241 Introduction to Early Christian Era RELG 243 The World of the New Testament RELG 258 Medieval Religious Thought RELG 332 Hebrew and Christian Wisdom Literature RELG 340 Varieties of Early Christianity RELG 341 Paul and Christian Origins RELG 342 John and Early Christian Literature RELG 356 Religious Thought of the Renaissance and Reformation
Senior thesis project on a subject in early Christian, Medieval or Renaissance art

Students also will be encouraged to consider enrolling in any number of the following courses (these courses will not, however, count toward the three courses in Medieval and Renaissance studies taken outside the Department of Art and Art History required for the art history concentration): FREN 431 Le Siècle Classique HIST 110 Ideas and Institutions of Western Civilization I PHIL 281 Philosophy of Art PHIL 362 Philosophy of Religion RELG 263 Religion and the Arts

Interdisciplinary Concentration in Neuroscience for Biology and Psychology Majors

Majors in biology or psychology with a special interest in neurobiology or behavioral neuroscience may apply to pursue an interdisciplinary concentration in neuroscience. Because of the scheduling demands of the concentration, students are strongly encouraged to apply during the fall semester of the sophomore year.

Students are expected to fulfill all prerequisites necessary for courses within the major. Prerequisites do not count toward the major unless otherwise noted.

Designated Courses for Biology Majors

18.5 units, including

BIOL 199 Introduction to Biological Thinking
One unit in genetics, cellular and molecular biology, chosen from BIOL 201 Genetics BIOL 205 Cell Biology
One unit in evolution, diversity and ecology, chosen from BIOL 225 Evolution BIOL 230 Ecology
One unit in organismal biology, chosen from BIOL 216 Botany BIOL 217 Integrative Physiology BIOL 229 Microbiology
Five units of biology approved for the major, four of which are at the 300 level, with at least three chosen from BIOL 308 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy BIOL 311 Microanatomy BIOL 312 Developmental Biology BIOL 338 Comparative Animal Physiology BIOL 343 Neurobiology BIOL 344 Behavioral Ecology BIOL 345 Cellular Neurophysiology BIOL 351 Special Topics: Biology of Neurodegenerative Disease BIOL 352 Evolutionary Developmental Biology BIOL 354 Biological Basis of Neurodegenerative Diseases with Laboratory
CHEM 141 Introductory Chemistry: Structure, Dynamics and Synthesis
CHEM 205-206 Organic Chemistry
MATH 212 Calculus II, or 232 Scientific Calculus II
One unit, chosen from PHYS 132 General Physics with Calculus II PHYS 133 Atomic and Sub-Atomic Physics PHYS 134 Biological Physics
PSYC 200 Methods and Analyses
Two units of neuroscience-related psychology, chosen from PSYC 331 Behavioral Neuroscience PSYC 333 Cognitive Science PSYC 341 Cognitive Neuroscience PSYC 440 Advanced Neuroscience PSYC 441 Clinical Neuroscience PSYC 442 The Neurobiology of Relationships Approved 400-level seminar
One half unit research project in neuroscience, chosen from BIOL 350 Undergraduate Research BIOL 395 Honors Research

Designated Courses for Psychology Majors

18 units, including

PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychological Science
PSYC 200 Methods and Analyses
PSYC 331 Behavioral Neuroscience
PSYC 341 Cognitive Neuroscience
Two units of PSYC 361 Independent Research
Two units of senior research, chosen from PSYC 461/462 Senior Research PSYC 491/492 Senior Honors
Two units of PSYC 449 Advanced Seminar
MATH 211-212 or 231-232 Calculus I and II
One unit, chosen from BIOL 201 Genetics BIOL 205 Cell Biology
One unit, chosen from BIOL 225 Evolution BIOL 229 Microbiology BIOL 230 Ecology BIOL 235 Physiology
One unit, chosen from BIOL 308 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy BIOL 311 Microanatomy BIOL 312 Developmental Biology BIOL 338 Comparative Animal Physiology BIOL 343 Neurobiology BIOL 344 Behavioral Ecology BIOL 345 Cellular Neurophysiology BIOL 351 Special Topics BIOL 352 Evolutionary Developmental Biology BIOL 354 Biological Basis of Neurodegenerative Diseases with Laboratory
CHEM 141 Introductory Chemistry: Structure, Dynamics and Synthesis
CHEM 205-206 Organic Chemistry

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