Interdisciplinary Signature Areas
Building on the Academic Master Plan initiative, a CLAS task force is currently engaged in developing a five-year strategic plan for the College. One key component of the strategic plan is the identification of a small number of Interdisciplinary Signature Areas for the College. Building on departmental strengths, these interdisciplinary signature areas are themes that involve multiple departments, possibly from more than one college, and that are (or are poised to become) distinctive areas of excellence for the college.
CLAS Signature Areas decided -- march 2007
Based on proposals prepared by faculty from across the college and university, voting by faculty, staff and students, and after considerable discussion by the CLAS Council, the CLAS Chairs, and the CLAS leadership team, seven interdisciplinary signature areas have been identified that will be included in the CLAS strategic plan. They are (in alphabetical order):
o Environome Science
o Geo-Spatial Technologies
o Innovative Learning Research*
o Public Humanities
o Social Justice, Civic Engagement, and Critical Consumption
o Sustainability
o Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
* Note that Innovative Learning Research is a combination of the original TRUE Learning and the Science and Math Education Research proposals.
Many thanks to everyone who participated in this process. It generated a lot of excitement, and there is already significant activity occurring to propel these broad and diverse college signature areas forward. Some of the proposals that did not rise to the level of college signature areas nonetheless generated new initiatives that are also being actively pursued by interest groups within the college.
The next steps in the process will include:
a) listing the signature areas in the college strategic plan;
b) including a request for campus “initiative funding” for signature area activities in the budget proposal for next year, and
c) planning to move ahead with the initiatives outlined in the 5-page proposals for each area.
Please be aware that selection of a signature area indicates that there is broad faculty support in the college for the initiative, and that the college will work to help achieve the initiatives; however it is not a commitment to fund everything in all the proposals! Each signature area group will be meeting with the dean and the office of sponsored programs to plan out activities and support strategies.
The Proposals
Abstracts are presented here. The link for each will deliver a PDF of the entire proposal.
Center for Public Humanities
This Center is based in the belief that the public mission of the humanities disciplines (Literature, History, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Art History, Musicology, etc.) is to enrich public discussions about art, the historical past, and the diverse cultures of the world. Scholars can only accomplish this mission by forging connections with groups and institutions outside the university walls. Our planned activities include lectures to audiences at an international art center (The Laboratory of Art and Ideas), book publishing ventures, and workshops in digital storytelling. The work that we sponsor will help to establish the university as — in the words of the Academic Master Plan— "an indispensable partner and valuable problem-solver in the external community."
Center for Public Humanities Proposal (PDF) »
Environome Science
The environome is the companion to the genome, and refers to the social/environmental factors that interact with underlying genetic makeup to affect health. It encompasses the majority of disease and health problems, because very few diseases result solely from genetic factors alone. For example, the environome includes the growing prevalence of low-cost, energy-rich food that has increased the probability that people with genes predisposing them to obesity will, in fact, become obese. Faculty in this program will work to identify the key aspects of the environome, and teach undergraduates and graduate students the concepts and methods they need to contribute to this work.
Environome Science Proposal (PDF) »
Geo-spatial Technologies
A Geo-spatial Technologies Signature Area would provide the opportunity to expand already established activities in CLAS with the potential to become regionally and nationally recognized. Geographic technologies, including geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing (RS), and global positioning systems (GPS), are increasingly utilized to study spatial relationships in a wide variety of application areas. These resources enable faculty and students to collaborate across departments and colleges/schools, and to link with the Colorado and international communities. The overarching purpose of this signature area is to promote spatial thinking throughout CLAS by building the capacity of geo-spatial technologies for supporting undergraduate and graduate education, as well as student and faculty research.
Geo-spatial Technologies Proposal (PDF) »
Science and Mathematics Education
There are strong reasons for CLAS to assign Signature status to the many initiatives constituting Science and Mathematics Education. Properly implemented, these programs enhance learning for undergraduates pursuing science-based careers, enlighten citizens seeking to understand our complex, technology-driven world, and educate teachers who will engage all of our children. At their best, they emphasize not just content, but also the reflective understandings and dispositions towards knowledge and its uses that the sciences promote. These outcomes share perspectives with, and complement, all of the liberal arts. Science and Mathematics Education Signature status thus benefits the programs, the College, and the public.
Science and Mathematics Education Proposal (PDF) »
Policy and Decision Analysis
The Policy and Decision Analysis Institute would award degrees that take advantage of the convergence in social and behavioral sciences in CLAS, public administration, business and health sciences. Initially dual master's degrees and an undergraduate decision analysis degree would be created. Later a flexible Ph.D. would include core courses on decision-making and areas of specialization in the participating departments. The Institute would promote interdisciplinary policy-related research involving students, the community and faculty across departments, colleges and campuses. This research would facilitate external funding and provide important policy insights for the state and local communities.
Policy and Decision Analysis Proposal (PDF) »
Science and Spirituality
We seek to deepen understanding of spirituality and its relationship to science. "Science" is examination through rational means supported by verifiable evidence. "Spirituality" involves awe, meaning, recognition of the sacred, and consciousness. Both function as paradigms. Our central theme involves the emerging paradigm shift(s) that are deconstructing old dogmas in mechanistic science and institutionalized religion. The centerpiece of the new paradigm is the recognition of active (even "conscious") holistic systems interacting on sub-atomic, physical, biological, psychological, social, environmental and spiritual levels. Components of the program include examination of emerging paradigm(s) in Religious Studies, Social, Integrated, Physical and Health Sciences.
Science and Spirituality Proposal (PDF) »
Social Justice, Civic Engagement and Critical Consumption
This is an interdisciplinary theme through which students can acquire the intellectual tools and moral commitment to participate effectively and responsibly in the world. The new curricular focus involves a freshman seminar, first-year learning community, undergraduate minor and Master's level certificate program as well as faculty colloquia to stimulate collaborative research among faculty. "Critical consumption" refers to the challenge of reflection upon and critique of the myriad of ideas, images, and goods that compete for our attention. Achieving social justice involves the creation a global society where everyone is granted the same human rights and access to public resources. Civic engagement "means working to make a difference in the civic life of our communities." Twenty-first century students need global perspectives on citizenship that are informed by and can contribute to processes of civic engagement in all parts of the world.
Social Justice, Civic Engagement, and Critical Consumption Proposal (PDF) »
Sustainability
Given a strong faculty, a robust course base, and a field of great importance, we propose a college-wide undergraduate Signature Area in Sustainability. Sustainability is a widely used concept applied to "development", "livelihoods", "farming", and a host of other issues. Questions of sustainability are currently among the most important facing humankind and are receiving tremendous attention in the media, in government, and in international planning circles. Because issues of sustainability do not arise from single causes, nor can solutions be developed within narrow disciplinary frameworks, a multidisciplinary perspective is necessary to evaluate and understand the problems, and identify and implement solutions.
Sustainability Proposal (PDF) »
T.R.U.E. Learning:
A Model for Teaching through Research in Undergraduate Education
This program promotes and elevates undergraduate research by supporting student engagement in faculty-mentored multidisciplinary research. We propose a new curricular program, a grants-in-aid program supporting undergraduate research, and a seminar course focused on training undergraduates in and fostering multidisciplinary research on campus. Finally, we seek the establishment of a Director of Undergraduate Research who will provide the nexus for undergraduate research and creative activities on the Downtown Denver Campus. New opportunities will continuously arise from this program and be incorporated into the curriculum in a way that reflects the dynamism that lies at the heart of a vital university.
Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (WGSS)
Proposal: To create a Signature Area in WGSS, supported by a Center, joint faculty appointments, curricular innovations, and coordinated CLAS programming. A Signature Area in WGSS would enhance three areas of development:
Faculty: WGSS would provide a resource for faculty interested in gender-related scholarship and spur interdisciplinary and cross-campus collaboration.
Students: WGSS would address student demand for coordinated gender-related courses and a more visible minor. Students have already signaled their interest by creating a student group devoted to gender issues (GISA).
Diversity: WGSS would allow CLAS to demonstrate its commitment to a broad definition of diversity and inclusion. It would fulfill UCD's mandate to "improve the campus climate," and involve "local communities and businesses through mentorship, internships, and other activities." (https://www.cusys.edu/diversity/brc/purpose.html)