2008 Woodie Awards
Interdisciplinary 'elephant' makes its mark at WU
By: Jennifer Ginger
Issue date: 10/11/07 Section: Lifestyle
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The Center for Interdisciplinary Studies is a lot like an elephant, said Art Sandler, philosophy professor and chair of the CIS.
"If you're blindfolded and you feel only its trunk, then you might think it's a snake. If you feel only its leg, you might think it's a tree. But if you see all aspects of it, you know what it really is," Sandler said.
Likewise, the interdisciplinary majors offered by the CIS allow students to examine their field of study from multiple perspectives not limited to any one school of thought, Sandler said.
But if the CIS is an elephant, it has managed to stay well hidden. Only three majors fall under the center's administration, for a combined enrollment of 43 students. This is despite the fact that since 2005, Webster University has offered its students the unique opportunity to earn a degree from the first college in the nation to offer an international human rights major, Sandler said.
"Between the human rights major and the international campuses, Webster University students can be in on the forefront of global social change," Sandler said.
Students can grab that opportunity by choosing an interdisciplinary major, or they can simply educate themselves on the concepts by adding a minor or program certificate. The CIS is not part of any of WU's five schools. Rather, it offers eight minors and four certificates in subjects such as women's studies and international studies that span across multiple schools and departments, said Ann Kruse,
CIS associate.
"It makes a real interesting mix because we take from communication and arts and science and education," Kruse said. "It's a mélange of different areas
and interpretations."
Emily Kothe is a junior English creative writing major and human rights minor. The 18 credit hours she needs for the interdisciplinary minor are spread across multiple disciplines: international studies, behavioral science, philosophy
and communications.
"If you're blindfolded and you feel only its trunk, then you might think it's a snake. If you feel only its leg, you might think it's a tree. But if you see all aspects of it, you know what it really is," Sandler said.
Likewise, the interdisciplinary majors offered by the CIS allow students to examine their field of study from multiple perspectives not limited to any one school of thought, Sandler said.
But if the CIS is an elephant, it has managed to stay well hidden. Only three majors fall under the center's administration, for a combined enrollment of 43 students. This is despite the fact that since 2005, Webster University has offered its students the unique opportunity to earn a degree from the first college in the nation to offer an international human rights major, Sandler said.
"Between the human rights major and the international campuses, Webster University students can be in on the forefront of global social change," Sandler said.
Students can grab that opportunity by choosing an interdisciplinary major, or they can simply educate themselves on the concepts by adding a minor or program certificate. The CIS is not part of any of WU's five schools. Rather, it offers eight minors and four certificates in subjects such as women's studies and international studies that span across multiple schools and departments, said Ann Kruse,
CIS associate.
"It makes a real interesting mix because we take from communication and arts and science and education," Kruse said. "It's a mélange of different areas
and interpretations."
Emily Kothe is a junior English creative writing major and human rights minor. The 18 credit hours she needs for the interdisciplinary minor are spread across multiple disciplines: international studies, behavioral science, philosophy
and communications.
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