Liberal Arts and Sciences Cross-Disciplinary Studies

200 | 300 | 400

Zora D. Zimmerman, Associate Dean for Academic Programs

Cross-disciplinary studies in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences encompass a variety of interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary areas of study as well as courses that cross established departmental lines. Students may enroll in Program courses; declare majors or minors where offered, or develop an Interdisciplinary Studies major built upon Program offerings. (see Index for Program courses).

Cross-Disciplinary Programs

African American Studies Program (Minor only) see Index, African American Studies.

American Indian Studies Program (Minor only) see Index, American Indian Studies.

Biological/Premedical Illustration Program (Major or minor) see Index, Biological/Pre-Medical Illustration.

Classical Studies (Minor only) see Index, Classical Studies.

Communication Studies (Major or minor) see Index, Communication Studies.

Criminal Justice Studies (Minor only) see Index, Criminal Justice Studies.

Emerging Global Disease (Minor only) see Index, Emerging Global Disease.

Entrepreneurial Studies (Minor only) see Index, Entrepreneurial Studies.

Environmental Science (Major or minor) see Index, Environmental Science.

Environmental Studies (Secondary minor or major) see Index, Environmental Studies.

The Honors Program in Liberal Arts and Sciences see Index, Honors Program.

Interdisciplinary Studies Program (Major only) see Index, Interdisciplinary Studies.

International Studies Program (Second major or minor) see Index, International Studies.

Latino/a Studies, U.S. Program

Program Director: H. Avalos

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, (see Index, 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, 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.

Life in Iowa Program

Program Director: N. Bevin

The Life in Iowa program integrates classroom study of Midwestern culture and identity with summer experiential learning (internships, research and service) in communities throughout Iowa. Particular emphasis is placed on personal values, meaningful work, civic responsibility, and local sustainability. Humanities based methodologies are used to examine the social, economic, political and ecological systems of Midwestern United States. Classroom courses are writing intensive. Summer coursework is delivered online.

Linguistics Program (Major or minor; graduate minor) see Index, Linguistics.

Premedical and Preprofessional Health Programs see Index, Preprofessional Study.

Speech Communication Program (Major or minor) see Index, Speech Communication.

Teacher Education Program see Index, Teacher Education, Courses and Programs.

Technology and Social Change (Minor, graduate minor) see Index, Technology and Social Change.

Women's Studies Program (Major or minor) see Index, Women's Studies.

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: 12 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 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, nationality, and race in the development of a multi-cultural society. There will also be analysis of multiculturalism 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. Cr. 3. An interdisciplinary introduction to a world region in a state of rapid social and cultural transition. Discussion of the history, social and political institutions, arts, economy, agriculture, and environment of the new nations.

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 Cultures: History and Community. Cr. 3. Prereq: Engl 105. Development of Asian American cultures in the United States from 1850 to present. Immigration and settlement patterns, legal issues, social movements, assimilation, media, stereotypes and the impact of these phenomena on community building and the evolution of culture.

LAS 350. Topics in Interdisciplinary Studies. Cr. 2-4. Content varies.

LAS 380. Life in Iowa Orientation. Cr. 1. S. Prepares students for experiential learning and civic engagement in Iowa communities. Students evaluate life goals and conduct research on the community and service organization in which they will carry out locally-defined projects.

LAS 381. Life in Iowa Seminar: Place and Purpose. Cr. 3. F.S. Study of Midwestern culture and environments with emphasis on Iowa. Students will reflect on personal identity, vocation and other life choices in relation to sustainable communities and natural landscapes. Writing intensive. Satisfies Life in Iowa Orientation requirement.

LAS 382. Life in Iowa: Work and Service. Cr. 2. SS. Prereq: 380 or 381 and Internship Placement via Life in Iowa Program. Work experience in professional setting plus 100 contact hours of service to local community. Academic requirements include weekly journal and final paper for public presentation.

LAS 383. Life in Iowa Internship: Work, Service and Community Research. Cr. 4. SS. Prereq: 380 or 381 and Internship Placement via Life in Iowa Program. Comprehensive community-based learning, including work experience in professional setting, research and 100 contact hours of service. Academic requirements include community research project, writing assignments and public presentations.

LAS 384. LIfe in Iowa Reflection. Cr. 1. F. Prereq: 382 or 383. In-depth reflection on experiential learning and the future of Iowa communities. Writing assignments and public presentations required.

LAS 385. The Holocaust. (2-0) Cr. 2 or (3-0) Cr. 3. F. An examination of the religious, social, scientific, and historical contexts for the Nazi destruction of European Jewry. Topics covered include anti-Semitism, German volkish philosophy, eugenics, World War II, the Final Solution, rescuers, and contemporary issues. Optional third credit requires a term paper.

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. 1-4.
C. Communications. Cr. 1-4.
D. Mathematics & Natural Science. Cr. 1-4.
E. Social Sciences. Cr. 1-4.

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 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. Prereq: Permission of the instructor.

LAS 491. Service Learning. Cr. 1-4. F.S.SS. Prereq: Permission of the dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Service work as appropriate to the student's degree program. Academic work under faculty supervision may include written project, report, and guided reading.

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.

LAS 499. Internship. Cr. 1 to 4. F.S.SS. Prereq: Permission of the dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Work experience in professional setting appropriate to the student's degree program. Academic work under faculty supervision may include written projects, reports, and guided reading.