Roslyn Abt Schindler, Associate Professor/ Interdisciplinarity, Adult Learning, Holocaust, German, Spanish / mailto:roslyn.schindler@wayne.edu  rozschind@aol.com

Ph.D., Germanic Languages and Literatures. Office address and telephone number: 2310 A/AB; 313-577-7762.  

I joined the faculty of the former University Studies/Weekend College Program (US/WCP) in 1975, served as Director of the Program for almost 10 years, from 1988-1997, during which it changed its name to the Interdisciplinary Studies Program (currently the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies), and returned to the faculty to teach full-time in September 1999. My work both as Director (and Associate Dean of the College of Lifelong Learning, 1988-1997) and faculty member has been extremely rewarding through the years, largely because of the wonderful students our Program attracts and the interactive teaching-learning environment in our classes. However, it has also been gratifying because of the supportive network of faculty, staff, students, and alumni who are committed to enhancing and enriching the academic experiences our students have with us. My own teaching philosophy centers on encouraging students to succeed in ways that move them from their own starting point to one well beyond--and continuing still further in the true spirit of lifelong learning. 

The courses I have most recently taught--interdisciplinary studies seminar (ISS) for incoming students, intermediate interdisciplinary seminar, and senior essay/project--constitute the "spine" of the  curriculum. ISS (re)introduces new (and returning) students to the world of academic reading, writing, critical thinking, academic savvy, and college/university studies within the context of our interdisciplinary studies curriculum. This course and others I have taught assist students in developing and enhancing their writing, research, and interdisciplinary studies skills at increasing levels of competency as they move through the program. 

Areas of research and publication: Holocaust Studies; Interdisciplinary Studies and Adult Learning. 

She has written book chapters, published articles in journals, and given papers at national and international conferences.  She has been a referee for the Wayne State University Press and on the Editorial Board of Issues in Integrative Studies.  She has also published in Issues, the journal of the Association for Integrative Studies (AIS), founded in 1979 to promote the interchange of ideas among teacher-scholars and administrators in all of the arts and sciences on both intellectual and organizational issues related to furthering integrative studies.  Dr. Schindler has been active in the AIS for over a decade, presenting or coordinating programs at six of its past conferences.  From 1995-1997, she served as the AIS Board of Directors Vice President for Development, and in October 1997, she took office as President (1997-1999).  In 1993, Professor Schindler co-chaired the Planning and Program Committee for the AIS 15th Annual Conference, hosted by IS and held in Detroit; and in 1998, she played a major role, both in the planning and as President of the AIS, when the  again hosted the AIS Conference, in celebration of its own 25th anniversary and the AIS 20th anniversary.  Roslyn Schindler currently serves on the AIS Board of Directors as Past President (1999-2002).