Courses Wayne State University College of Urban, Labor, and Metropolitan Affairs Department of Interdisciplinary Studies Times' Harvest courses, Winter 2001     ( http://www.is.wayne.edu/drbowen/thw05) Times' Harvest Advanced Seminar (online)     ISP 3360, Section 010, Call Number 25265, 4 credits Times' Harvest Advanced Directed Study (online)     a) ISP 3340, Section 010, Call Number 25785, 2 credits     b) ISP 3340, Section 011, Call Number 25786, 4 credits	Instructor
	David R. Bowen 2311 A/AB Wayne State University Detroit, MI 48202	Daytime tel: (313) 577-1498 Evening tel: (248) 549-8518 FAX: (313) 577-8585 Home Page:     http://www.is.wayne.edu/drbowen Email: d.r.bowen@wayne.edu At Ford: 313-390-2155

	Course welcome	Policies, assignments and course meetings	Online tools	The class and participants	Lectures and further information	Course descriptions	General DIS and WSU information

Last updated: 1/4/05
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The Department of Interdisciplinary Studies (DIS):
Background for Essays
David Bowen

Several of the Times' Harvest essay topics deal with the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies (DIS). This web page is intended as background. In no way does it represent a consensus within DIS faculty or students; it is purely the work of David Bowen, but reflect my listening to both faculty and students (before and after graduation). Statements are meant to be generally true, but they are probably not true in all cases.

1. What does DIS do well?
   1. Preparation for Graduate School in many areas. Many of our graduates go on to graduate school in a variety of areas, including the DIS Masters Program. Those that we hear back from usually report that they were well-prepared. What they lack in specialized courses they more than make for in basic academic skills such as research, analysis, reading and writing.
   2. Reading and Writing. Most DIS courses require careful and accurate reading, and extensive writing. We view writing as a fundamental tool for intellectual analysis, for figuring out what you think. The writing is usually on the basis of careful reading, and accurately registering what authors say.
   3. Working with people with differing backgrounds and views. DIS students often report that they have skills in understanding the views of people they do not agree with, either for the purpose of compromise, or for the purpose of asserting their own views in an effective manner.
   4. Seeing "the big picture." DIS students reports that they have a solid overview of the range of opinions, and the views of people with different disciplinary background or job responsibilities.
   5. We are very good, at least compared to other departments and programs, in responding to the individual problems (academic and personal) and interests of students. Both counselors and faculty are experienced, knowledgeable and available.
   6. We offer courses using formats, times, and locations that are convenient for most students.
   7. Courses that students need in order to graduate are almost always ready when students need them.
2. What does DIS not do as well?
   1. I feel that DIS does not offer, require or teach enough mathematics and science, relative to their importance in society, and in the variety of career paths they can open to graduates. Most DIS students enter and leave being mystified by and terrified of mathematics and science. Even for those who might be interested, there are few opportunities.
   2. DIS is especially weak in providing laboratory experiences.
   3. We do not require or teach enough about business and economics, again relative to their significance and potential usefulness for students. From my discussions with faculty, most will almost pride themselves in taking a hostile (and, in my view, ignorant) view of business and industry, and take their positive contributions for granted.
3. What are the institutional opportunities and constraints for DIS?
   1. Because of WSU policy that applies to all academic programs, DIS is not allowed to offer Credit for Prior Learning. We do have the only proposal before the University to do this, and under the new WSU administration, we are hopeful that it will be acted upon (but don't hold your breath!). In contrast, we can use "Directed Studies" course titles to offer "niche" courses that other departments have not yet offered ("eCommerce" is an example).
   2. Because of WSU policy that applies to all academic programs, DIS is not allowed to offer courses that substantially overlap courses offered in other departments. We cannot offer courses that specifically and exclusively deal with computers, business, science, and so forth. We can offer similar courses by adding social considerations in science courses, and cross-cultural comparisons in Social Science and Humanities.
   3. By WSU policy, we are viewed as a single department, and are therefore not allowed to offer majors or concentrations. To some extent, we still offer options since we have several degrees.
   4. Because we offer courses at a variety of time and locations, we often have difficulty in getting enough students to register in each time and location to offer as many choices as we would like. This is an area where I feel that we could make better use of online courses and personal videoconferencing from home PCs, either for small groups or for individuals.