Liberal Arts and Sciences Cross-Disciplinary Studies (LAS)

Zora D. Zimmerman, Associate Dean for Academic Programs

Cross-disciplinary studies in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences encompass programs of study and courses that cross established departmental lines.

Cross-Disciplinary Programs

African American Studies Program (Minor only)
American Indian Studies Program (Minor only)
Biological/Premedical Illustration Program (Major or minor)
Classical Studies (Minor only)
Criminal Justice Studies (Minor only)
Environmental Science (Major or minor)
Environmental Studies (Secondary minor or major)
The Honors Program in Liberal Arts and Sciences
Interdisciplinary Studies Program (Major only)
International Studies Program (Second major or minor).

U.S. Latino/a Studies Program (Program Director: J. Garcia)
U.S. Latino/a Studies is devoted to the study of Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, Cuban Americans and other groups of people living in the United States who trace their ancestry to the Spanish-speaking countries of Latin America, and who comprise the fastest growing ethnic groups in America. U.S. Latino/a Studies is to be distinguished from Latin American studies, which focuses on people living in Latin America. The methodology of U.S. Latino/a Studies is cross-disciplinary, drawing from the methods established in anthropology, sociology, political science, economics, history, literary studies, and other fields.

In addition to the general requirements of a major in Interdisciplinary Studies, a major in Interdisciplinary Studies focusing on U.S. Latino/a Studies would require the completion of 24 credit hours. At least 15 of the 24 credits must be in courses numbered 300 and above. These 24 credits in the major focusing on U.S. Latino/a Studies must include the following courses, each of which is worth three credits: LAS 211 (Introduction to U.S. Latino/a Studies), Anthr 323 (Peoples and Cultures of Latin America), Engl 344 (U.S. Latino/a Literature); Hist 441 (History of Mexico and Central America), or a course in U.S. Latino/a history, expected to be offered beginning in 1999-2000; Relig 338 (The Latino/a Religious Experience); and Soc 332 (The Latino/a Experience in U.S. Society).

The student must have an average grade of C in the required courses of the major. Fulfillment of the foreign language requirement with Spanish is strongly recommended, but not required. For a list of other eligible courses and more information on the U.S. Latino/a Studies Program, contact the program committee chair.

Other:
Linguistics Program (Major or minor; graduate minor).  
Premedical and Preprofessional Health Programs.  
Speech Communication Program (Major or minor).  
Teacher Education Program.
Technology and Social Change (Minor, graduate minor)  
Women’s Studies Program (Major or minor).

Courses Primarily for Undergraduate Students

LAS 101. Orientation for Open Option and Preprofessional Students
(1-0) Cr. 0.5. F.S. First 8 weeks. Liberal Arts and Sciences staff. Self-responsibility and university procedures. LAS general education requirements, ISU departments and programs, time management, academic study skills, adjustment to the university environment. Required of all first year students in the Open Option and Preprofessional Health Programs. Offered on a satisfactory-fail grading basis only.

LAS 104. Personal Career Development
(2-0) Cr. 2. F.S. Prereq: 15 credits of ISU coursework. Comprehensive approach to personal career development; intensive self-analysis; utilization of a computerized career exploration system; contact with area professionals; examination of work in modern society and the impact of technology on the future of work; exposure to job search skills necessary for career choice implementation.

LAS 111. Elementary Physical Science
(2-4) Cr. 4. S. For students in elementary education and child development. Topics are selected from astronomy, geology, meteorology, physics, and chemistry.

LAS 130. Cross-Cultural Learning Community Seminar
(1-0) Cr. 1. Required seminar for participants in the Cross-Cultural Learning Community. The focus is on developing students’ cross-cultural communication skills, increasing their awareness of international concerns and introducing them to international sources and opportunities available at Iowa State University. Offered on a satisfactory-fail grading basis only.

LAS 150. Society, Culture and Change in a Diverse Nation
Cr. 3. Prereq: Approval of instructor. An analysis of contemporary patterns of diversity in the United States. The focus will be on patterns of gender, class, ethnicity, and race in the development of a multi-cultural society. There will also be analysis of multiculturalsim and national character.

LAS 211. Introduction to U.S. Latino/a Studies
(3-0) Cr. 3. S. A survey of the people in the United States who trace their origin to the Spanish-speaking countries of Latin America, focusing principally on Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, and Cuban Americans. History, religion, social structure, political participation, literature, and other aspects of each group within the framework of various sociological theories of ethnic identity and relationship.

LAS 250. Cultures in Transition: Central Europe
Cr. 3. An interdisciplinary introduction to a world region in a state of rapid social and cultural transition, focused on the Czech and Slovak Republics. Discussion of the history, social and political institutions, arts, economy, agriculture, and environment of the new nations of Central Europe.

LAS 290. Special Problems
Cr. 1 to 3 each time taken. F.S.SS. Prereq: Freshman or sophomore classification. This course may be taken only with permission of the dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

                G. Catt Center Project. Cr. 1 to 3.

LAS 298. Internship/Co-op
Cr. R. F.S.SS. Prereq: Permission of Business/Liberal Arts and Sciences Career Services and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; sophomore classification. Students participating in an internship or co-op on a full-time basis must register for this course prior to beginning their work experience to remain in full-time student status.

LAS 325. Asian American Culture: History and Community
Cr. 3. Prereq: Engl 105. Development of Asian American cultures in the United States from 1850 to 1950. Immigration and settlement patterns, legal issues, social movements, assimilation, media, stereotypes and their affects on community building, and the evolution of culture.

LAS 350. Topics in Interdisciplinary Studies
Cr. 2-4. Prereq: Engl 105. Content varies.

LAS 395. Interdisciplinary Study Abroad
Interdisciplinary examination of a selected world region via study abroad. Multi-faceted exploration of a selected world region directed at developing a comprehensive understanding of a selected culture’s role in contemporary society.

                A. Pre-Departure Seminar. Cr. 1.

                B. Humanities. Cr. 1-3.

                C. Communications. Cr. 1-3.

                D. Mathematics & Natural Science. Cr. 1-3.

                E. Social Sciences. Cr. 1-3.

LAS 398. Internship/Co-op
Cr. R. F.S.SS. Prereq: Permission of Business/Liberal Arts and Sciences Career Services and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; junior classification. Students participating in an internship or co-op on a full-time basis must register for this course prior to beginning their work experience to remain in full-time student status.

LAS 417. Student Teaching (Same as C I 417.)
Cr. var., each time taken. F.S. Prereq: Engl 494, or F Lng 496, or Math 497, or Music 466, or LAS 492 or 493A and 493B, or Sp Cm 495B; admission to teacher education; approval of coordinator during semester before student teaching. Evaluation of instruction, lesson planning, and teaching in the liberal arts and sciences.

                A. History/Social Sciences

                B. Physical Sciences

                C. Mathematics

                D. Biological Sciences

                E. English and Literature

                F. Speech Communication

                G. Foreign Languages and Literatures

                J. Earth Sciences

                K. Music—Secondary

                L. Music—Elementary

                M. Science—Basic

                N. International Student Teaching

                P. Project Opportunity Cr. 8.

LAS 480. Field Experience for Secondary Teaching Preparation (Same as C I 480.)
Cr. 1 to 2 each time taken, maximum of 2. Observation and participation in a variety of school settings after admission to the teacher preparation program. Permission of area coordinator required prior to enrollment. (S/F grading may be used in some offerings of some sections)

                A. History/Social Sciences

                B. Physical Sciences

                C. Mathematics

                D. Biological Sciences

                E. English and Literature

                F. Speech Communication

                G. Foreign Languages and Literatures

                J. Earth Sciences

                K. Music

LAS 490. Independent Study
Cr. var. F.S.SS. Prereq: Permission of the dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. No more than 9 credits of LAS 490 may be applied toward graduation. This course may be taken only with the permission of the dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

                G. Catt Center Project

LAS 492. Methods for Teaching Science (Same as C I 492.)
See Curriculum and Instruction.

LAS 493. Methods of Teaching History/Social Sciences (Same as C I 493)
(3-0) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: Admission to teacher education and 30 credits in subject-matter field. Course is taught at Ames High School. Students observe classes, plan and implement lessons. Course content also includes determining appropriate learning objectives, questioning strategies, cooperative learning activities, use of technology, curriculum development, differentiating instruction, evaluation, and classroom management.

LAS 498. Internship/Co-op
Cr. R. F.S.SS. Prereq: Permission of Business/Liberal Arts and Sciences Career Services and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; senior classification. Students participating in an internship or co-op on a full-time basis must register for this course prior to beginning their work experience to remain in full-time student status.