Interdisciplinary Studies Minors

Western Illinois University offers a variety of minor programs using an interdisciplinary approach. These programs include individual courses, taught by instructors from one or more departments, that embrace the subject matter and class methods of several disciplines. All interdisciplinary studies minors include courses from at least two departments (not including the student's major). To enroll in an interdisciplinary minor, students should consult their major academic adviser and the minor adviser listed below.

Interdisciplinary Minor in Broadcast and Print Media: 18

Academic Advisers: Dr. Sharon Evans, Department of Broadcasting; Dr. Mohammad Siddiqi, Department of English and Journalism

This minor is not open to students majoring in either journalism or broadcasting.

1. Core Requirements: 12 s.h.
   Jour 121-Introduction to Mass Communications (3)
   BC 101-Introduction to Broadcast Production (3)
   One of the following combinations of two courses:
   Jour 231, plus Jour 232 or BC 200 or BC 315; OR
   BC 200, plus Jour 231 or Jour 232 or BC 315
   The above courses are as follows:
   Jour 231-Reporting for the Mass Media I (3)
   Jour 232-Reporting for the Mass Media II (3)
   BC 200-Broadcast Reporting I (3)
   BC 315-Broadcast News I (3)
2. Directed Electives: 6 s.h.
   One of the following:
   Jour 305-Reviewing and Criticism (3)
   Jour 306-Editorials (3)
   Jour 330-Magazine and Feature Writing (3)
   Jour 334-Public Affairs and Beat Reporting (3)
   One of the following:
   BC 261-Video Production (3)
   BC 250-Audio Production (3)
   BC 402-Advanced Broadcast Writing (3)

Interdisciplinary Minor in Environmental Studies: 18-22 s.h.

Academic Adviser: Dr. Roger Viadero, Institute for Environmental Studies, College of Arts and Sciences

1. Core Requirements: 6 s.h.
   

   ENVR 201—Introduction to Environmental Studies (3 s.h.)
   ENVR 401—Colloquium on Environmental Studies (3 s.h.)

2. Must take at least one course from each Foundation Area and a fourth course from any Foundation Area 12-16 s.h.
   1. Foundation Area 1: Environmental and Earth Sciences
      AGRN 278 Fundamentals of Soil Science (3)
      BIOL 350 General Ecology (4)
      BIOL 453 Streams Ecology (3)
      BOT 210 Local Flora (3)
      CHEM 342 Fundamentals of Environmental Chemistry (4)
      EOS 310 Environmental Sciences (3)
      EOS 311 Environmental and Occupational Health Problems (3)
      GEOG 327 Environmental Climatology (3)
      GEOL 113 Energy and Earth Resources (3)
      GEOL 310 Geologic Field Methods (2)
      GEOL 375 Environmental Geology (3)
      GEOL 380 Hydrogeology (4)
      GEOL 420 Geomorphology (3)
      PHYS 124 General Physics (5)
   2. Foundation Area 2: Human Dimensions and Environmental Interactions
      ANTH 410 Anthrozoology (3)
      ANTH/BOT 463 Ethnobotany (4)
      ENG 340 American Nature Writing (3)
      ENG 481 Environmental Discourse and Rhetoric (3)
      HIST 420 History of Illinois (3)
      HIST 422 American Environmental History (3)
      PHIL 333 Environmental Ethics (3)
      RPTA 376 Perspectives in Outdoor Recreation (3)
      RPTA 448 Interpretation of Cultural and Environmental Resources (3)
      WS/ANTH 395 Gender, Race, and the Environment (3)
   3. c. Foundation Area 3: Environmental Management and Decision-Making
      CONS 405 Soil and Water Conservation (4)
      EOS 316 Integrated Waste Management (3)
      ECON/AGEC 430 Environmental Economics (3)
      GEOG 308 Introduction to GIS (3)
      GEOG/BIOL 426 Conservation and Management of Natural Resources (3)
      INAG 310 International Agriculture in Developing Countries (3)
      MGT 481 Management and Society: Ethics and Social Responsibility (3)
      POLS 393 Environmental Politics (3)

Interdisciplinary Minor in Gerontology: 18 s.h.

Academic Adviser: Dr. Paige Goodwin, Department of Psychology

1. Core Courses: 9 s.h.
   Gero 200—Introduction to Gerontology (3)
   Psy 423—Psychology of Adulthood and Aging(3)
   Soc 405—Sociology of Aging in Rural and Urban America (3)
2. Practicum: 3 s.h.
   Psy 487—Field Experience (1)
   Psy 490—Seminar (2)
3. Electives: 6 s.h.
   CN 433—Special Problems in Counselor Education (1–3)
   HS 410—Human Disease (3)
   HS 412—Principles and Practices of Public Health Administration (3)
   HSM 314—Health Care Management (3)
   MUS 151—Introduction to Music Therapy (2)
   KIN  290—Anatomy & Physiology I (3)
   KIN  300—Fitness Activities for the Older Adult (3)
   RPTA 251—Inclusive Leisure Services for People with Disabilities (3)
   RPTA 452—Leisure Services for the Elderly (3)
   SW 442—National Social Work Policy and Services (3)
   ZOOL 420—Biology of Aging (3)

* Check the course prerequisites to determine eligibility to take the course.

Interdisciplinary Minor in Horticulture: 18 s.h.

Academic Adviser: Ms. Ember Keithley, Department of Agriculture

1. Required Courses: 7 s.h.
   Bot 329-Plant Structure and Function (3)
   Hort 180-Introductory Horticulture (3)
   Hort 493-Practicum in Horticultural Sciences (1)
2. Choice of one of the following courses: 3 or 4 s.h.
   For 208-Dendrology (4)
   Hort 380-Landscape Plants I (3)
   Hort 381-Landscape Plants II (3)
3. Electives to be selected from any of the following four areas: 7 or 8 s.h.
   1. Production
      Agrn 373-Integrated Pest Management (4)
      For 406-Arboriculture (4)
      Hort 384-Landscape Management (3)
      Hort 385-Landscape Design (3)
      Hort 393-Greenhouse and Nursery Management (3)
      Hort 480-Plant Propagation (3)
      Hort 485-Turf Management (3)
   2. Design and Construction
      RPTA 483-Landscape Construction (3)
   3. Plant Science
      Agrn 278-Fundamentals of Soil Science (3)
      Bot 462-Diseases of Trees and Shrubs (3)
      Hort 389-Home Horticulture (3)
   4. Operations
      For 407-Urban Forestry Management (3)
      RPTA 489-Park Maintenance and Operations Management (3)

Interdisciplinary Minor in International Studies: 18 s.h.

Academic Adviser: Dr. Vincent A. Auger, Department of Political Science

1. Core Requirements: 6 s.h.
   1. Required of all minors:
      POLS 228-Fundamentals of International Relations (3)
   2. Choose one of the following four courses:
      The chosen course must not be in the student's major department.
      Anth 110-Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (3)
      Geog 110-World Regional Geography (3)
      Hist 126-Western Civilization Since 1648 (3)
      POLS 267-Comparative Politics (3)
2. Language Component: 0-6 s.h.
   Some, but not all, of the area concentrations require a foreign language. Language study is encouraged but not required for the others. This requirement can be satisfied in whole or part by proficiency credit. The areas which involve language requirements are:
   Latin America (6 hours Spanish)
   Eastern Europe (6 hours German)
   Western Europe (6 hours French or 6 hours German or 6 hours Spanish)
3. Area Studies Concentration: 6-12 s.h.
   This requirement is for 6 or 12 s.h. depending on whether a language is required for the student's area of study (see 2 above). If a language is required in 2, only 6 s.h. are required here. If no language is required in 2, 12 s.h. are required. Note that courses in a nonrequired but appropriate language (e.g., Japanese for a student in Asian studies) can satisfy part of this requirement. Courses must be in a minimum of two departments. The elective courses from which the student must elect 6 or 12 s.h., as appropriate, are listed below by area.
   1. African Studies
      AAS 381-Modern African Literature (3)
      AAS 286-Civilizations of Africa II (3)
      Anth 201-World Culture Regions-Africa (3)
      Econ 420-Economic Development (3)
      Econ 470-International Trade (3)
      Geog 466-World Regions-Africa (3)
      Hist 349-Africa since 1800 (3)
      InAg 310-International Agriculture in Developing Countries (3)
   2. Asian Studies
      Anth 301-World Culture Regions-Asia (3)
      Econ 420-Economic Development (3)
      Econ 470-International Trade (3)
      F L 151/152-Self Instruction in an Asian Language (1-6)
      Geog 466 (G) -World Regions-Monsoon Asia (3)
      Hist 345-China (3)
      Hist 346-Japan
      InAg 310-International Agriculture in Developing Countries (3)
      Rel 350-Hinduism (3)
      Rel 355-Buddhism (3)
   3. Latin American Studies
      Anth 301-World Culture Regions-Latin America (3)
      Econ 420-Economic Development (3)
      Econ 470-International Trade (3)
      Geog 466-World Regions-Latin America (3)
      Hist 341-Latin America since 1860 (3)
      InAg 310-International Agriculture in Developing Countries (3)
      POLS 329-Political Systems in Latin America (3)
      Span 456-Masterpieces of Spanish American Literature (3)
      Span 457-Contemporary Spanish American Prose (3)
   4. Middle Eastern Studies
      Anth 301-World Culture Regions-Middle East (3)
      Econ 420-Economic Development (3)
      Econ 470-International Trade (3)
      Hist 344-Middle East (3)
      InAg 310-International Agriculture in Developing Countries (3)
      Rel 365-Islam (3)
   5. Russian and East European Studies
      ArtH 489-Early Christian and Byzantine Art (3)
      Econ 470-International Trade (3)
      Geog 466-World Regions-USSR (3)
      Hist 399-Imperial Russia (3)
      Hist 431-Soviet Union since 1917 (3)
   6. Western European Studies
      ArtH 283-History of Art: Renaissance to 1900 (3)
      Eng 228-Introduction to British Literature II (3)
      Fr 404-French Civilization and Culture I (3)
      Fr 405-French Civilization and Culture II (3)
      Hist 338-Germany (3)
      Hist 427-French Revolution and Napoleon (3)
      Hist 429-20th Century Europe (3)
      Hist 438-Germany under Hitler (3)
      Mktg 317-International Business (3)
      Phil 300-History of Ancient Philosophy (3)
      Phil 310-History of Modern Philosophy (3)
      POLS 322-Political Systems of Western Europe (3)
      Span 408-Spanish Civilization and Culture (3)
      Thea 390-World Theatre History I (4)
      Thea 391-World Theatre History II (4)

Interdisciplinary Minor in Law and Society: 18 s.h.

Academic Advisers: Dr. Richard Hardy, Department of Political Science

1. Required Courses: 3 s.h.
   PolS 226—Introduction to Law and Society (3)
   or
   Phil 205—Philosophy, Law and Society (3)
2. Electives: 15 s.h.
   Courses must be selected from the following list. They must be drawn from three different departments, not including the student’s major. Student may count Phil 205 as a directed elective only if student has taken PolS 226.
   A&S 230—Special Topics in Law and Society (1–3)
   AAS 270—Blacks and the Law (3)
   Hist 303—American Law (3)
   Jour 417—Law of Mass Communications (3)
   LEJA 212—Criminal Law (3)
   LEJA 312—Criminal Procedure (3)
   LEJA 441—Seminar on Current Issues in the Court System (3)
   Phil 205—Philosophy, Law and Society (3)
   Phil 330—Moral Philosophy (3)
   Phil 420—Philosophy of Law (3)
   PolS 319—The Judiciary (3)
   PolS 382—Modern Political Theory (3)
   PolS 410—Constitutional Law: Government Organization and Powers (3)
   PolS 411—Constitutional Law: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights (3)
   PolS 448—The Supreme Court
   Psy 453—Psychology and the Law (3)
   Soc 355—Criminology (3)

Interdisciplinary Studies Courses

The College of Arts and Sciences offers Interdisciplinary Studies Courses which involve the consideration of significant concepts and topics that cross the lines of a single department. Several of these courses, such as those dealing with themes in law and society, are primarily designed to serve the needs of students enrolled in interdisciplinary minors. Although not specifically designed for this purpose, Interdisciplinary Studies Courses can be useful for career preparation in some areas.

Course Descriptions

ARTS AND SCIENCES (A&S)

195 Introduction to Liberal Arts and Sciences. (3) A comparative introduction to the major areas of the liberal arts and sciences. Students will learn how each area evolved and how each approaches problems and controversies. The course may take its particular focus each year from the university theme.

210 Group Diversity. (3) (General Education/Multicultural Studies) Study of cultural identities, values, and interaction of diverse groups. Among the concepts explored will be race, ethnicity, gender, class, sexual orientation, ableism, and age.

298 Individual Studies. (1–3) Special projects in interdisciplinary studies carried out under the supervision of a faculty member.

495 Liberal Arts and Sciences Senior Capstone. (3) Capstone course for the Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Sciences degree. Students will study examples of scholarship from a multidisciplinary perspective, research and present an interdisciplinary solution to a significant problem, and prepare a self-reflective academic personal narrative. Writing Instruction in the Discipline (WID) course. Prerequisites: A&S 195, Eng 280, and senior standing, or permission of instructor.

498 Individual Studies. (1–3) Special projects in interdisciplinary studies carried out under the supervision of a faculty member.

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES (Envr)
Formerly University (Univ)

201 Introduction to Environmental Studies. (3) Dimensions and scope of environmental studies, includes relationship of humans to nature, ecosystems, earth resources, population, environmental economics, politics, health, and biodiversity.

401 Colloquium on Environmental Studies. (3) The capstone course in the Environmental Studies minor. Variable topics on such issues as population growth, terrestrial resources, environmental ethics, global warming, politics and economics of environment, environmental regulations, agriculture—world food resources will be examined. Students will complete a research project. Prerequisites: Envr 201 and completion of all elective requirements for one of the two emphases of the Environmental Studies minor.

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