Interdisciplinary Studies at Towson University

1. Welcome to Interdisciplinary Studies at Towson University Click to next slide when ready, and click to successive slides at your own pace

2. Dr. James DiLisio, Director of Interdisciplinary Studies

3. Contact Information • Interdisciplinary Studies • Towson University • Office: Linthicum Hall 108 • Telephone: 410-704-2128 • Fax: 410-704-6392 • jdilisio@towson.edu • www.towson.edu/idis

4. College of Liberal Arts New Building Artist’s rendition of the new CLA Building. Phase I will open in the Fall 2009. Interdisciplinary Studies will move in during Phase II in the Fall 2011. For more information, see: http://www.towson.edu/cla/NewBldg/index.asp

5. Majors in Interdisciplinary Studies American Studies • American Studies • Animal Behavior • Asian Studies • Latin American Studies • Social Science • Cultural Studies American Studies Asian Studies Cultural Studies Social Science

6. Minors in Interdisciplinary Studies • African & African American Studies • American Studies • Asian Studies • Business, Communications & Liberal Arts • Classical Studies • Jewish Studies • Latin American Studies • Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Studies • Museum Studies

7. Individually Designed Thematic Option • Design and create your own major! • IDIS is the only major enabling you to combine disciplines to create a new major. • A few examples of current IDIS Thematic Option programs designed by students and their advisors:

8. Examples of Individually Designed Thematic Option IDIS Majors: • Special Education in Computer Studies • Deaf Studies and Recreation • Dance Management • Visual Communications • Industrial Design • Arts Administration • Psychobiology • Science Writing • Theatre Management • Middle East Studies • African American Studies • Geopolitics • Global Studies

9. Here is how the Thematic Option works…. • The major requires a minimum of 45 upper-division units (300-400 level). All 45 units must be completed with a grade equivalent of 2.00 or higher.

10. Thematic Option (cont.) Up to 21 units may be transferred toward completion of the major.

11. Thematic Option (cont.) The Individually Designed Thematic Option allows you to pursue a major that is not available at Towson University, but is offered at other colleges and universities. This program places special responsibilities on the student:

12. Thematic Option (cont.) • First, the student must find the model for the major she or he wishes to pursue in the catalog of another university. Then, the student must determine that Towson University offers the specific or equivalent courses necessary to complete the major.

13. Thematic Option (cont.) Second, the student must meet with the Director of IDIS to ask for preliminary approval of the proposed major.

14. Thematic Option (cont.) Third, with the assistance of the Director of IDIS, the student identifies a professor with the necessary expertise who is willing to serve as his or her major adviser.

15. Thematic Option (cont.) Fourth, under the guidance of the major adviser, the student must write a program of study that includes a name/title for the individually designed thematic option, a description of its goals, and a list of required and elective courses.

16. Thematic Option (cont.) After formal approval by the faculty adviser, the student, and the Director of IDIS, the agreement is signed. This constitutes the student’s major. We have now created a new major tailored to your career goals! A template for the program of study is available on the IDIS website: www.towson.edu/idis. Click on Individually Designed Thematic Option, then click on “program of study”.

17. Advising • T.U. has an Intentional Advising Program • Students are given academic advising across all four years. • Advising is designed to meet your needs at different stages of your T.U. experience. From the first year through graduation, each year has a different focal point: transition, focus, engagement, commencement. • IDIS advisers can help make your dreams into realities.

18. Advising American Studies Professor Tracey Miller advises a student.

19. Commencement T.U. President Robert Caret congratulates IDIS graduate at commencement. IDIS Director Dr. James DiLisio congratulates student at commencement.

20. Commencement

21. Meet one of our IDIS graduates: Beth is pursuing her dream career as a dolphin trainer at the National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland.

22. Give us a call! Consider a major in Interdisciplinary Studies! Contact Dr. James DiLisio tel. 410 704 2128 jdilisio@towson.edu www.towson.edu/idis