Interdisciplinary Programs

Interdisciplinary Majors

Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (BIS)

Dr. Ellen Weinauer, Director
118 College Drive, Box 9660
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001
601.266.4317

Anderson, Davis, Eickelmann, Weinauer

The Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (BIS) is a uniquely collaborative degree that fosters in students the ability to think critically, creatively, and flexibly about the issues and challenges of the 21^st-century world. Guided by careful advisement and mentoring, students accepted into this program develop individualized degree plans that combine coursework from multiple areas and culminate in a capstone research project integrating their diverse interests. Students leave our program prepared for lives and careers in a rapidly changing global society that requires complex problem solving, an awareness of and respect for diversity, and a commitment to the public good.

The Interdisciplinary Studies (IDS) Program at Southern Miss is an institutional member of the Association for Interdisciplinary Studies, an international professional organization founded in 1979. The IDS program also helps to coordinate and serve the needs of such interdisciplinary minors as Black Studies, Women’s and Gender Studies, and American Indian Studies.

Major Requirements for the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies

Students in the BIS program must complete a minimum of 36 hours of concentration coursework selected from two or more departments; a 13-hour Interdisciplinary Studies core (IDS 201, IDS 301 , IDS 401 , IDS 402 , and IDS 350); and either ENG 332 or ENG 333 .

Interdisciplinary Centers and Minors

American Indian Studies

Dr. Tammy Greer, Director
Department of Psychology
118 College Drive, Box 5025
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001
601.266.4177

Center for Black Studies

Dr. Sherita Johnson, Director
Department of English
118 College Dr., Box 5047
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001
601.266.4333

Dr. Cheryl Jenkins, Associate Director
Department of Mass Communication and Journalism
118 College Dr., Box 5121
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001
601.266.4258

The Center for Black Studies offers a minor based on multidisciplinary inquiry into a wide range of topics related to contemporary and historical experiences of peoples in Africa and the Black Diaspora. The mission of the Center is two-fold: to promote research and provide educational opportunities related to the history and culture of African-Americans and the Black Diaspora and to facilitate connections between the university and the various social, political and economic entities that address black experiences. The minor offered through the Center reflects this dual focus. Students are expected to take courses related to black studies and also to complete a three-hour project that involves application of course material through an internship or service-learning project. The aim of the minor is to engage students in the center and increase their knowledge, involvement and critical awareness of race in the human experience.

Center for Human Rights and Civil Liberties

For more information about the Center, contact:

Dr. David M. Cochran, Jr.
Chair, Board of Directors, Center for Human Rights and Civil Liberties
Department of Geography and Geology
University of Southern Mississippi
118 College Dr., Box 5051
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001
601.266.6014
david.cochran@usm.edu

For more information about the Human Rights minor, contact:

Dr. Kate Greene
Program Coordinator, Human Rights Minor
Department of Political Science, International Development and International Affairs
University of Southern Mississippi
118 College Dr., Box 5108
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001
601.266.4310
kate.greene@usm.edu

http://www.usm.edu/human-rights

The Center for Human Rights and Civil Liberties at The University of Southern Mississippi is founded to advance the principle of “liberty and justice for all,” both here and abroad. The Center is committed to excellence in education and in preparing its students to translate classroom knowledge into action in a variety of careers in the public and private sectors. The Center’s faculty is devoted to providing an academic home for an interdisciplinary minor in human rights and civil liberties.

Additionally, the Center promotes, encourages, and facilitates student and faculty research on domestic and international questions related to human rights and civil liberties. The Center serves the university and the broader communities by fostering collaboration with community partners on projects that address problems of social justice and public policy.

The Center also provides a forum in which to bring together disparate constituencies to engage in a dialog to advance social justice and democratic values. By building a reputation for effective teaching, productive scholarship, and wide-ranging service to a variety of constituents, the Center aspires to gain recognition as one of the most innovative programs, combining academic and community learning, in the southeastern United States.

Non-Profit Studies

Dr. Ann Marie Kinnell, Director
Department of Anthropology and Sociology
118 College Drive, Box 5074
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001
601.266.5339

http://www.usm.edu/anthropology-sociology/nonprofit-studies-program

The nonprofit studies minor is an interdisciplinary minor which provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary for work in the nonprofit sector. This minor is appropriate for students in all colleges and majors who wish to pursue a variety of career choices, from research and advocacy to the arts to health and social services provision.

A graduate certificate in nonprofit studies is also offered. For more information, please contact Dr. Kinnell.

Women’s and Gender Studies Program

118 College Drive, Box 9660
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001
601.266.4317

The Women’s and Gender Studies program offers a minor earned through an interdisciplinary series of courses on issues and research concerning women. Its aim is to increase students’ awareness, knowledge and critical analysis of gender issues and differences.

Programs

Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies

Non-degree