Interdisciplinary Studies (IDIS)

SU’s Africana Studies Program promotes the understanding, appreciation and advancement of Africana people and culture. Be inspired by the rich diversity of the program as you delve into the history, art, politics, innovation, environment and so much more about diverse people of African heritage on the continent of Africa and in the Caribbean, North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia and around the world.

Visit our Africana Studies Concentration page for more information!

Visit our catalog to see the requirements for this program:

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For more information contact the Co-Directors Joseph Venosa jlvenosa@salisbury.edu & James King jsking@salisbury.edu.

About the American Studies Concentration

The American studies concentration combines various disciplines from the arts, humanities and social sciences to provide students with a liberal arts degree focused on the American experience of history, culture, society, and institutions, including America’s role in a globalizing world. Students take core courses in English literature, history, interdisciplinary studies, and political science, then select additional courses among art, communication, dance, environmental studies, music, philosophy, and sociology. Through these disciplines, students build the skills necessary for employment in a knowledge-based economy or to further their studies in graduate or law school.

Why American Studies?

American Studies examines multiple complex, influential cultures and people within the Americas.  Our diverse courses offer personal, academic and professional growth across the disciplines. Students customizable their program based on their interests, grounded with a central focus in arts, humanities, and social science. The curriculum builds effective communication, analytical, and research skills.

Visit our catalog to see the requirements for this program:

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For more information contact the Director Isabel Quintana Wulf - IXQUINTANAWULF@salisbury.edu.

About the Anthropology Concentration

Anthropology is the discipline that bridges the humanities–science divide, examining humanity across the widest possible perspective, from our biological origins, through the prehistoric past, and into the full diversity of our modern cultural and social differences. It promotes not only a better understanding of others and the cross-cultural interactions that play such a vital role in our increasingly global societies, but also of ourselves.

Why Anthropology?

Students gain a broad knowledge of human biological and cultural diversity in the past and present, an ability to think critically about the often-contentious issues raised by this diversity, and the ability to communicate their knowledge and opinions through a wide variety of media. Anthropology provides an interdisciplinary foundation for graduate work in the social sciences and a useful background for anyone who will find themselves working with people of other cultures, either in the US or abroad, whether in business, medicine, teaching, or advocacy groups. Anthropologists work as activists, archaeologists, health care workers, marketing consultants, crime scene investigators, administrators and researchers in a wide variety of fields, and even create realistic languages for fictional worlds in Hollywood!

Visit our catalog to see the requirements for this program:

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Learn more about SU's Anthropology Program.

For more information contact the Director Elizabeth Ragan - EARAGAN@salisbury.edu.

About the Ethnic and Intercultural Studies Concentration

PLEASE NOTE: The Interdisciplinary Studies, B.A. Ethnic and Intercultural Studies Concentration has been suspended. New students will not be admitted into the program.

The Ethnic and Intercultural Studies Concentration is intended for any student interested in the study and comparison of cultures, races, and ethnicities. Students first select among courses in Communication, English, Philosophy, Psychology, Sociology, and History. Then students select among three substantive areas:

• United States Minorities courses emphasize ethnic and minority relations in the US from English, History, Political Science, and Sociology.
• Cultural Area Studies courses focus on a geographic area and its culture from the disciplines of English, Modern Languages, History, Philosophy, and Political Science.
• Intercultural and Comparative Culture Studies courses are expressly either comparative and/or global in scope from Communication, English, History, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology.

Why Ethnic and intercultural Studies?

Ethnic and Intercultural Studies examines the crucial areas of culture, race, and ethnicities, which are vital to understand and appreciate in our diverse, modern, interconnected world. It is essential in education, career, and community to have evidence-based awareness of different cultures, groups, people, and their interactions. Informed, responsible citizens must be sensitive to ethnic and cultural dynamics in al aspects of our lives.

Visit our catalog to see the requirements for this program:

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For more information contact the Director Joseph Venosa - JLVENOSA@salisbury.edu.

About the Gender and Sexuality Studies Concentration

Gender and Sexuality Studies (GSST), one of the first interdisciplinary programs offered at Salisbury University, examines gender and sexual orientation issues and questions from a contemporary multidisciplinary perspective. At its core, Gender and Sexuality Studies investigates the relationship between individual lived experiences and the socio-historical conditions that define and shape those experiences.

Students majoring in Gender and Sexuality Studies explore how gender and sexuality roles and expectations have been produced and shaped by social institutions such as politics, religion, family, media, medicine, education and art. As a result of this interdisciplinary approach, students gain valuable and marketable skills such as critical thinking, analytical reasoning, problem solving and an understanding of and appreciation for diversity.

Why Gender and Sexuality?

The Gender and Sexuality Studies provides opportunities for students to supplement their academic experiences, for example: participate in Women’s History Month events, Take Back the Night, a state-wide conference of the University System of Maryland Women’s Forum, and volunteer at local non-profit organizations. Students may also become members of several student organizations such as Women in Leadership (WIL) and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning Alliance (LGBTQ Alliance).

Gender and Sexuality Studies has a vital role to play as our society attempts to grapple with changing gender roles and changing attitudes toward sexuality. In politics, the media, education, and our communities, students trained in gender and sexuality have fertile ground in which to make a difference.

The Gender and Sexuality Studies degree provides students with the skills and knowledge to be successful employees in a wide array of fields (government and policy, research, non-profit organizations, education, etc.). Among the skills and knowledge acquired by GSST majors, many are identified by employers as critical in new hires - excellence in written and oral communication skills, team work, intercultural competence, social justice and problem solving as qualities that they are looking for in hiring ( Source: “What is a Liberal Education?” brochure of the Association of American Colleges and Universities, LEAP initiative). Possible careers include:

• Human Resources (Administrator, Manager, Trainer, Legal)
• Advocate (Clinic, Victims’ Rights, Nonprofit)
• Health (Physician, Nurse, Psychologist, Therapist)
• Government (Law Enforcement, Social Work, Attorney)
• Education (Librarian, Teacher, Consultant)
• Arts (Visual, Dance, Music, Media)

Visit our catalog to see the requirements for this program:

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For more information contact the Director Kara French - KMFRENCH@salisbury.edu.

About the Individually Designed Concentration

The Individually Designed Concentration allows students to create a flexible track that is best suited to their interests or career goals. The major accommodates students who wish to develop programs of study in two or more disciplines or create a major in an area of study not offered by a traditional major.

Students wishing to major in Interdisciplinary Studies Individually Designed Concentration must submit an IDIS Proposal Form to the Interdisciplinary Studies Coordinator for approval in order to officially change to the Interdisciplinary Studies major. Students are required to complete two courses, IDIS 335 Fundamentals of Interdisciplinary Studies and IDIS 435 Interdisciplinary Research Seminar, and to write a goal statement to show a rationale for the cohesion of the areas of study and describe any potential career goals suitable for the program proposal. The program proposals should list any lower-division prerequisites to the courses chosen for the Interdisciplinary Studies major and note the possible 300/400 level courses being used to complete the Interdisciplinary Studies major.

Why the Individually Designed Concentration?

The Individually Designed Concentration is the most flexible, innovative major available to students, as either a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree, that grants students the opportunity to integrate information across disciplines for a well-rounded education and career plan. Students have a unique opportunity to work in close contact with their academic advisor to design the best course of study for the student’s needs and profession.

Learn more about Individually Designed Concentration Sample Goal Statements & How to get Started.

Visit our catalog to see the requirements for this program:

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For more information contact the Director Catherine Jackson - CAJACKSON@salisbury.edu.

• African
• Africana
• Asian
• European
• Latin American
• Middle Eastern

• Cognitive Science
• Ethnic and Global Literature
• Health Humanities
• Law, Justice and Advocacy
• Nonprofit Leadership
• Religious Studies
• User Experience (UX)

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We use a bridge as the symbol of the IDIS Internship program because an internship is a bridge between your academic and professional careers. Our course is designed to help you get the most out of your internship. In this course, you are the teacher. You set the class goals that define success. The semester assignments are designed to help you learn about your industry, improve your job interview skills, facilitate post-graduate professional development, mark your success and progress during the semester, and gain valuable experience in your field of study.