Course descriptions for Integrated Stud. Special Major

Individualizes student placement for field study as related to Integrated Studies. Offered as interest warrants.

Develops the integrative focus of each student's special major and an Individualized Learning Plan including a path toward fulfillment of their Major Learning Outcomes and the university's graduation requirements. Completion of this course is required to continue in the Integrated Studies program.

The purpose of this course is to survey four specific areas of World Mythology and the general world of global mythologies. The following areas will be the foci of this learning experience: Hindu Mythology, Norse Mythology, Celtic Myths and Legends, and American Indian Myths and Legends. We will also examine some of the history of the scholarly theory surrounding the origin, purpose, and comparison of mythic literature around the world.

This ground-breaking Learning Experience from the genre of World Mythology will explore the historical existence, patriarchal suppression of, and the burgeoning rebirth of this "once and future" astro-biological tradition and its significance for gender equity, ecological awareness and earth stewardship, and a cross-cultural appreciation for the important role women have played and still play in creating human and "cosmic" history.

The purpose of this course is to explore the dynamic historical relationships between cultures and their diverse impacts on the development of math, science, art, astronomy, literature, medicine, law, spirituality, and worldviews, in general. Beginning with the Pre-Socratic philosophers, the history of scientific thought will be explored in this class with a particular emphasis on diverse contributions to the field of mathematics and science and their collective effects on the development of human knowledge.

Jungian Perspectives and Transformations of the Self: This course will take a psycho-historic look at the depth psychological approaches of Carl Gustav Jung and his many followers, including such neo-Jungians as Jean Shinoda-Bolen, Marian Woodman, Robert Johnson, and many others. The archetypal psychological approach for solving everyday individual human problems, as well as world problems like hunger, poverty, war, love, and encroaching environmental problems.

This course surveys the classical myths of Greek and Roman Mythology and their influence on later literature, law, art, science, medicine, politics, and various social issues. As the major mythological underpinnings of Western thought, classical mythology will aid our students in any of their current careers.

The purpose of this course is to continue the exploration the dynamic historical relationships between cultures and their diverse impacts on the development of math, science, art, astronomy, literature, medicine, law, spirituality, and worldviews, in general from the 17th century to the Present. These must be compared with the developing importance, from the Renaissance period onward, of the Neo-Platonic Achemical study of spirituality and healing and the contemporary Western tendency to look to and attempt to incorporate the sacred psycho-spiritual/herbal traditions of the global Indigenous systems above during the from the Renaissance to the present .

This course gives a panoramic view of the waning days of the so-called "Middle Ages", characterized by the so-called "pagan" practices or magical tradition, and the ensuing transition to the Renaissance period of rapid intellectual change and the growth of science and religion as uneasy partners. Along the way, a thorough exploration of the astro-biological world-view of earth-centered Great Goddess system and its contribution to the magical world will take place. This will set the stage for the rise of patriarchal religious thought and provide the central focus for the rise science field, as well as change in many other disciplines.

Provides opportunity to gain knowledge and greater understanding of leadership, including the philosophical and theoretical perspectives that underlie leadership models and strategies. Reviews several models of leadership. Analyzes the qualities and styles of past and present effective leaders, as well as their pathways to leadership roles. Provides opportunity to further develop, assess, improve, and enhance one's own leadership abilities and effectiveness in preparing for service and leadership in the community and beyond, and for success in one's chosen field and in life.

Develops competency in cross-cultural analysis, involving a working knowledge of one's own ethnic heritage and the ability to make constructive comparisons with at least one other ethnic group. Addresses a conceptual understanding of culture, methodologies for studying and understanding culture, knowledge of cross-cultural relations in the U.S., socio-cultural experiences of U.S. based social/ethnic groups and other societies, power relations and equity, and socio-political systems and effects on "status" of a cultural group.

The ISSM Learning Community is required of all ISSM students every semester after completion of the ProSeminar and until enrollment in the Capstone Seminar.

Provides students with the option of pursuing an independent field studies learning experience consistent with the focus of their special major.

Student and faculty member select topic of study and number of credits.

Provides students with the option of pursuing an independent service learning experience consistent with the focus of their special major.

Capstone experience for seniors in the Integrated Studies Special Major. Students produce a capstone project and compile a portfolio that integrates their course-based and experiential learning as well as internships, field studies, and/or volunteer service. Required of all ISSM students in their final semester.

Provides students with the option of pursuing an independent field studies learning experience consistent with the focus of their special major.

Student and faculty member select topic of study and number of credits.