Integrated Studies Program

Integrated Studies Special Major

(Richard Harris, May 24, 1999)

Application (6 K)

Introduction:

The Integrated Studies Program (ISP) offers a limited number of highly qualified, self-directed students at CSUMB the opportunity to develop and pursue an individualized, interdisciplinary major. Like the students in the other majors at CSUMB, students who pursue an Integrated Studies Special Major (ISSM) must demonstrate that they have achieved a series of clearly defined major learning outcomes (competencies) in order to graduate. However, in contrast to students in the other majors at CSUMB, ISSM students must convincingly demonstrate that their academic and career goals can only be achieved through combining the learning outcomes, courses and other learning experiences offered by two or more of the existing degree programs at CSUMB.

To pursue an ISSM, interested students must submit an application to the Coordinator of the ISP Program, who determines whether or not they meet the minimum requirements for pursuing an ISSM. Each student whose application is accepted must develop both a Concentration Proposal and a Learning Plan that combines learning outcomes and learning experiences from two or more of the existing degree programs at CSUMB. In addition, each student's Concentration Proposal and Learning Plan may include a limited number of learning outcomes and learning experiences that are unique to the student's individual academic and/or career goals. All prospective ISSM students develop their Concentration Proposals and Learning Plans in the Integrated Studies ProSeminar.

Each prospective ISSM student must obtain the support of at least two full-time faculty members at CSUMB who are willing to advise the student while they are enrolled in the program. These faculty members, along with the Coordinator of the Integrated Studies Program, serve as the student's faculty advisory committee. The members of this committee must represent at least two of the major fields in the student's Concentration.

 

Major Learning Outcomes:

Consistent with CSUMB's approach to outcomes-based education, and similar to the other majors at CSUMB, the ISSM is centered on the achievement of a series of learning outcomes rather than the mere completion of a prescribed sequence of courses. Each student who pursues a Special Major in Integrated Studies is required to design an individualized, interdisciplinary "Concentration" that consists of at least 10 Major Learning Outcomes (MLOs). These learning outcomes must be largely drawn from the MLOs of existing degree programs at CSUMB. They also must be linked by a common integrative focus and rationale that reflects the student's particular academic and career goals.

Since the Integrated Studies Program is designed to encourage interdisciplinary learning and teaching as well as curricular innovation, the program does not prescribe a single set of MLOs for all the students who pursue an ISSM degree program. Each student must develop and pursue their own, individualized set of MLOs. In addition, all students who enroll in this degree program are required, like the students in the other majors at CSUMB, to complete all the learning outcomes (or their equivalents) prescribed by CSUMB's University Learning Requirements (ULRs) as well as all its general graduation requirements.

The learning outcomes-based Concentration Proposal of all ISSM students must meet the following requirements:

• The focus of the Concentration must be interdisciplinary and integrative, i.e., it must integrate the learning outcomes from two or more major areas of learning and teaching represented at CSUMB;
• The Concentration cannot duplicate any existing major at CSUMB, nor can it be used to avoid some of the MLOs of an existing major while pursing a learning program that could be achieved within this existing major; and
• The Concentration must be feasible. The particular combination of learning outcomes and learning experiences chosen by the student must be available or accessible through CSUMB, and their must be at least two full-time faculty members with expertise in the areas represented within the student's Concentration.

To ensure that the above requirements are fulfilled, the Concentration Proposals and Learning Plans designed by students who wish to pursue an ISSM are reviewed and approved by the ISP Coordinator. The Coordinator reviews each student's Concentration Proposal and Learning Plan to make sure that they meet the following requirements:

• the proposed Concentration of each ISSM student varies sufficiently from existing degree programs and it cannot be achieved within one of these programs;
• the proposed Concentration of each ISSM student integrates learning outcomes and competencies from at least two existing degree programs at CSUMB;
• the combination of learning outcomes chosen by each ISSM student realistically relates to existing faculty expertise and the learning experiences available or accessible through CSUMB;
• the Concentration Proposal and Learning Plan of each ISSM student reflects CSUMB's emphasis on: the integration of the sciences, arts, humanities, liberal studies and professional education; technological literacy; multiculturalism and global citizenship; ethical reflection and practice; social equity; effective communications in at least two languages; creative expression; value for the earth and earth systems; community service; wellness as well as a holistic sense of self;
• the Concentration Proposal and Learning Plan of each ISSM student exhibit the same or a greater degree of breadth, depth and complexity as the other approved degree programs at CSUMB.

 

Learning Pathways:

The following sequence of learning experiences constitute the required minimum elements of the varying learning pathways that students follow to graduate with an Integrated Studies Special Major:

1. ISSM 300, Integrated Studies Proseminar. Students should enroll in this 2 credit unit seminar as soon as possible after they have completed 45 semester credits and 2/3rds of the ULRs or their equivalents. In the Proseminar, students develop their Special Major Concentration Proposal and Learning Plan as well as learn about self-directed learning as well as interdisciplinary theories, issues and methods of inquiry. Successful completion of the Major Proseminar is required for all students who wish to major in the ISSM program.
   
   
2. ISSM 395, Integrated Studies Learning Community. This on-going learning experience will provide a learning community and "home base" for all ISSM students to share their interests and learning experiences, develop their presentation skills, learn from each other, and receive on-going faculty guidance and support. Prerequisite: Successful completion of the ISSM 300 Proseminar. All ISSM students must enroll in this 2 credit seminar every semester they are enrolled in the ISSM program.
   
   
3. ISSM 397, Integrated Studies Independent Learning. Students may enroll in this independent learning experience for 4-12 credits to achieve and/or demonstrate that they have achieved their individualized learning outcomes. Prerequisite: Successful completion of the ISSM 300 Proseminar and instructor consent.
   
   
4. ISSM 398 SL, Integrated Studies Service Learning. Student may enroll in this 2 credit independent service learning experience to satisfy their upper-division Service Learning requirement for graduation (they do may also choose to satisfy this requirement through a service learning experience offered by one of the other degree programs at CSUMB). Prerequisite: Successful completion of the ISSM 300 Proseminar and instructor consent.
   
   
5. ISSM 400, Integrated Studies Capstone Seminar. This seminar is the culmination of the student's involvement in the ISSM. In this seminar, all ISSM students are required to complete an integrative capstone learning project as well as compile their graduation portfolio. All ISSM students must enroll in this 2 credit capstone seminar to graduate from the program. Prerequisite: Students must have senior standing and instructor consent to enroll in this seminar.

Each student in the ISSM program, in consultation with their faculty advisors, determines the most appropriate combination of learning experiences - the specific "learning pathway" - that will enable the student to achieve their particular combination of learning goals and outcomes. ISSM students may choose classroom-based as well as other types of learning experiences (such as independent learning projects, internships, service learning experiences, etc.) offered by the various degree programs at CSUMB, and - depending upon their learning goals - they may also choose learning experiences offered by other approved universities and institutions in the United States and overseas.

 

Concentration Proposals and Learning Plans:

Both the student's Concentration Proposal and Learning Plan must be feasible in terms of CSUMB's learning resources, faculty expertise and the other types of learning opportunities that are available or approved by CSUMB. The student's learning goals and outcomes must match CSUMB's vision and educational goals, ULRs, graduation requirements, and the learning experiences available through the existing degree programs. All ISSM students must consult with faculty members in the various areas they seek to combine within their concentrations and obtain the approval of at least two full-time faculty members at CSUMB who are willing to serve on the faculty advisory committee that is established by the ISP Coordinator for each ISSM student.

The ISSM is unique in that it assigns a highly significant and proactive role to the student in developing and executing the student's learning program at CSUMB. This role requires that the student be considerably self-directed, highly motivated and capable of successfully undertaking an independent learning program. ISSM students must assume primary responsibility for planning their learning programs and cultivating a collaborative relationship with two or more full-time faculty members at CSUMB who are willing to advise and assist them throughout the completion of their special major. Therefore, ISSM students must take greater initiative and greater responsibility for shaping and implementing their learning program than most students in the other majors at CSUMB.

To gain approval, the ISSM Concentration Proposal must have the following required elements:

1. Proposed title of the student's Concentration.
2. Brief statement (one paragraph) of the integrative focus of the proposed Concentration.
3. Introductory autobiographical statement (1 to 2 pages) that describes the student's academic and career goals, prior learning experiences and academic background, as well as their readiness/preparation for self-directed learning.
4. A brief justification (1 to 2 paragraphs) for the Concentration that explains why the student's goals cannot be achieved within one of the existing degree programs at CSUMB, and how they can be achieved through combining the learning outcomes of two or more of the existing degree programs plus a limited number of unique learning experiences that complement and/or integrate those drawn from existing degree programs.

In addition, the ISSM Learning Plan must have the following required elements to gain approval:

1. A description of each of the learning outcomes in the student's concentration, how they relate to one another, how each outcome will be achieved (i.e., by a course at CSUMB, an internship, a service learning project, independent learning project, etc.), and how the achievement of each outcome will be assessed (i.e., by a course-based assessment, an independent faculty assessment of the student's competency, achievement of an acceptable score on a standardized examination, etc.). Depending upon the specifics of the proposed concentration, this section may require between 2 to 5 pages of explanation.
2. A brief description (1 to 2 paragraphs) of how the student plans to satisfy or has satisfied all ULRs (or their equivalents) and CSUMB's general graduation requirements.
3. A brief discussion (1 to 2 paragraphs) of possible options for a capstone project that will effectively demonstrate the student's ability to integrate the various outcomes/competencies in their proposed concentration.
4. The names of the faculty at CSUMB who have been consulted by the student and those who are willing to provide advice and support for the student through serving as members of their faculty advisory committee.
5. A proposed time-line (tentative schedule) for the achievement of the various outcomes listed in the learning plan as well as the completion of the ULRs or their equivalents and university graduation requirements (e.g., second language, service learning, etc.).

Both the Concentration Proposal and the Learning Plan must be approved by the ISP Coordinator by the end of the semester in which the student takes the Integrated Studies Proseminar in order for the student to continue in the program.

 

ISP Program Structure, Governance and Evaluation:

The main purpose of the Integrated Studies Program is to facilitate the efforts of students and faculty members who wish to develop and implement interdisciplinary and integrative degree programs. The ISP offers an organizational structure within which such programs can be incubated, reviewed and evaluated. The scope of the ISP encompasses the development of three types of interdisciplinary and integrative educational innovation at CSUMB:

1. special (individualized) majors for students with interdisciplinary and integrative learning goals - the Integrated Studies Special Major;
2. interdisciplinary degree tracks involving two or more majors designed by/for relatively small groups of students and faculty who share special interdisciplinary and integrative learning goals; and
3. experimental interdisciplinary and integrative degree programs which faculty and students seek to pilot on a trial basis before deciding whether or not to gain approval as established degree programs.

The ISP Faculty Advisory Council facilitates, reviews and evaluates these three forms of curricular innovation. This body is composed of: (1) the ISP Program Coordinator; (2) one full-time faculty member from each of the main academic clusters or centers at CSUMB - representing the humanities and arts, natural sciences, social sciences, information sciences and professional disciplines; and (3) two student representatives from the student government.

The ISP Faculty Advisory Council is accountable to the Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs, the Deans' Council and the Academic Senate's Educational Planning and Policy Council - all of whom are responsible for providing general direction, oversight and support for the ISP. The Council establishes the criteria and procedures for the review and approval of all proposals submitted to it and provides guidance, direction and support to the Coordinator of the ISP Program, who is responsible for the on-going and daily administration of the program. The Coordinator recruits faculty and students to participate in the program, advises and assists students and faculty involved in the program, coordinates the relations between the program and other academic programs at CSUMB, and represents the ISP program in the Academic Senate and on other university bodies where appropriate.

 

Application (6 K)