Students and Their Majors
These are the Independent Interdisciplinary Majors that our students have developed … so far!
Early Childhood Venture Development – Audrey Meyers
Healthcare Administration – Mark McCulloch
Environmental Journalism – Dana Lain
Primate Studies – Jennifer Draiss
Rhetoric and Performance – Brandon Hebert
Women and Social Change – Rachel Greenlee
Art History – Maren Landers
Rural Studies: Iowa Country School Experience I – Mary Richards
Healthcare Administration – Mark McCulloch
Environmental Journalism – Dana Lain
Primate Studies – Jennifer Draiss
Rhetoric and Performance – Brandon Hebert
Women and Social Change – Rachel Greenlee
Art History – Maren Landers
Rural Studies: Iowa Country School Experience I – Mary Richards
Descriptions of the Independent Interdisciplinary Majors and projects
Audrey Myers
IIM Major: Early Childhood Venture Development
Minor: Accounting
Grad. Date: May 2013
Description: This degree combines early childhood with business management coursework to develop the skills needed for owning and managing childcare centers.
The most beneficial project for me, as a future entrepreneur, would be to “open” my own childcare center. This will start in my Small Business Management class with Professor Mueller. During this course, I will create a business plan, then after completion of the course I will continue working on the business plan as my senior project.
Curriculum:
Educ 114 Foundations of Education
Educ 118 Student Development & Learning
Educ 231 Intro to Early Childhood
Educ 233 Foundations of Special Education
Educ 236 Language & Communication
Educ 315 Assessment & Diagnosis for Early Childhood & Reading
Educ 321 Human Relations in Teaching
Educ 323 Early Childhood Curricula & Methodology
Educ 334 Early Childhood Classroom Environment, Relationships, Management
Magt 234 Marketing
Magt 323 Human Resource Management
Soc 101 Intro to Sociology
Soc 211 Sociology of the Family
Senior Project: Developing a business plan for opening a child care center
IIM Major: Early Childhood Venture Development
Minor: Accounting
Grad. Date: May 2013
Description: This degree combines early childhood with business management coursework to develop the skills needed for owning and managing childcare centers.
The most beneficial project for me, as a future entrepreneur, would be to “open” my own childcare center. This will start in my Small Business Management class with Professor Mueller. During this course, I will create a business plan, then after completion of the course I will continue working on the business plan as my senior project.
Curriculum:
Educ 114 Foundations of Education
Educ 118 Student Development & Learning
Educ 231 Intro to Early Childhood
Educ 233 Foundations of Special Education
Educ 236 Language & Communication
Educ 315 Assessment & Diagnosis for Early Childhood & Reading
Educ 321 Human Relations in Teaching
Educ 323 Early Childhood Curricula & Methodology
Educ 334 Early Childhood Classroom Environment, Relationships, Management
Magt 234 Marketing
Magt 323 Human Resource Management
Soc 101 Intro to Sociology
Soc 211 Sociology of the Family
Senior Project: Developing a business plan for opening a child care center
Mark McCulloch
IIM Major: Healthcare Administration
Description: A healthcare administration major melds together courses from business administration, biological sciences and social sciences to form a course of study pertinent to individuals seeking a career or advanced degree in healthcare administration.
The senior projects will be the development of a study of how pre-planning and prevention of medical emergencies in special populations, such as the high risk population of elderly in West Des Moines, can reduce the need for emergency medical care.
Graduation Date: December 2012
Curriculum:
Econ/Math 201 Elementary Statistics
CIS 205 Decision Support Systems
Magt 131 Management Concepts
Phil 235 Health Care Ethics
Magt 234 Marketing
Acct 201 Introduction to Accounting
Magt 231 Business Law and Ethics I
Magt 323 Human Resource Management
Magt 380 Independent Study: Research Methods
Magt 300 Project Management
IntSt 398 Independent Interdisciplinary Research
Senior Project: Impact of pre-planning and prevention on the need for emergency medical care
Project Supervisor: Rick Griner
IIM Major: Healthcare Administration
Description: A healthcare administration major melds together courses from business administration, biological sciences and social sciences to form a course of study pertinent to individuals seeking a career or advanced degree in healthcare administration.
The senior projects will be the development of a study of how pre-planning and prevention of medical emergencies in special populations, such as the high risk population of elderly in West Des Moines, can reduce the need for emergency medical care.
Graduation Date: December 2012
Curriculum:
Econ/Math 201 Elementary Statistics
CIS 205 Decision Support Systems
Magt 131 Management Concepts
Phil 235 Health Care Ethics
Magt 234 Marketing
Acct 201 Introduction to Accounting
Magt 231 Business Law and Ethics I
Magt 323 Human Resource Management
Magt 380 Independent Study: Research Methods
Magt 300 Project Management
IntSt 398 Independent Interdisciplinary Research
Senior Project: Impact of pre-planning and prevention on the need for emergency medical care
Project Supervisor: Rick Griner
Dana Lain
IIM Major: Environmental Journalism
Description: This major includes work from journalism in news writing, reporting, copy editing, hands-on desktop publishing, videography, and photojournalism coupled with the biological sciences applied to marine animals and environments. The objective of this program is to prepare a student to present data in a way that people can make wise informed decisions on critical environmental issues, ranging from the impact of environmental crisis, such as marine oil spills, to marine wildlife conservation and marine wildlife rescue.
The senior project will specifically focus on the two-year effects of the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. I will create a short documentary on the effects of the oil spill on marine life in the Gulf. Also, I will explore the ecology of marine wildlife through taxonomy, distribution, morphology, physiology, reproduction, diet and the effects the pollution has on these.
Minor: English
Graduation Date: May 2012
Curriculum:
Bio 103 Environmental Science
Bio 110 Principles of Biology
Bio 135 Biology Statistics
Bio 253 Principles of Ecology
Bio 275 Behavioral Ecology
Bio 319 Public Aquarist Internship
Bio 358 Freshwater Ecology
Bio 390 Marine Animals and Oil Spills
Comm 101 Intro Communications and Media Studies
Comm 301 Media Law and Ethics
Comm 311 Editing and Design
Comm 319 Videographer Internship
PoSc 370 Public Policy Topics
Senior Project: Impact of Pollution on Marine Wildlife: Aftermath of Oil Spills
Project Advisors: Lisa Carponelli & Dr. Clint Meyer
Description: This major includes work from journalism in news writing, reporting, copy editing, hands-on desktop publishing, videography, and photojournalism coupled with the biological sciences applied to marine animals and environments. The objective of this program is to prepare a student to present data in a way that people can make wise informed decisions on critical environmental issues, ranging from the impact of environmental crisis, such as marine oil spills, to marine wildlife conservation and marine wildlife rescue.
The senior project will specifically focus on the two-year effects of the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. I will create a short documentary on the effects of the oil spill on marine life in the Gulf. Also, I will explore the ecology of marine wildlife through taxonomy, distribution, morphology, physiology, reproduction, diet and the effects the pollution has on these.
Minor: English
Graduation Date: May 2012
Curriculum:
Bio 103 Environmental Science
Bio 110 Principles of Biology
Bio 135 Biology Statistics
Bio 253 Principles of Ecology
Bio 275 Behavioral Ecology
Bio 319 Public Aquarist Internship
Bio 358 Freshwater Ecology
Bio 390 Marine Animals and Oil Spills
Comm 101 Intro Communications and Media Studies
Comm 301 Media Law and Ethics
Comm 311 Editing and Design
Comm 319 Videographer Internship
PoSc 370 Public Policy Topics
Senior Project: Impact of Pollution on Marine Wildlife: Aftermath of Oil Spills
Project Advisors: Lisa Carponelli & Dr. Clint Meyer
Jennifer Draiss
IIM Major: Primate Studies
Description: This major will allow one to develop an awareness and depth of understanding for primate evolutionary history, behavior, and cognition, while gaining an awareness for how the field of primatology fits into larger disciplines and issues. Courses in psychology, biology, and philosophy, as well as hands-on research, care-giving, and conservation work will be significant preparation for a graduate program in primatology would be achieved.
The senior project will be research working with the apes at Great Ape Trust. I will study at the bonobos’ system of non-vocal communication outside of lexigram usage.
Minor: Biology
Graduation Date: May 2012
Curriculum:
Bio 110 Principles of Biology
Bio 270 Basic Genetics
Bio 350 Mammology
Phil 350 Philosophy of Language
Phil 385 Philosophy of the Mind
Psyc 231 Animal Behavior
Psyc 290 Special topics: Language, Culture, Tool Use
Psyc 290 Special topics: Monkey Wars
Psyc 290 Special topics: Primate of the World
Psyc 290 Special topics: Primates course (not yet titled)
Psyc 375 Advanced Research I (Capstone)
Psyc 376 Advanced Research II (Capstone)
Psyc 390 Special topics: Primate Social Behavior
Senior Project: Non-vocal communication by a group of language-competent bonobos
Project Advisor: Dr. Don Evans
IIM Major: Primate Studies
Description: This major will allow one to develop an awareness and depth of understanding for primate evolutionary history, behavior, and cognition, while gaining an awareness for how the field of primatology fits into larger disciplines and issues. Courses in psychology, biology, and philosophy, as well as hands-on research, care-giving, and conservation work will be significant preparation for a graduate program in primatology would be achieved.
The senior project will be research working with the apes at Great Ape Trust. I will study at the bonobos’ system of non-vocal communication outside of lexigram usage.
Minor: Biology
Graduation Date: May 2012
Curriculum:
Bio 110 Principles of Biology
Bio 270 Basic Genetics
Bio 350 Mammology
Phil 350 Philosophy of Language
Phil 385 Philosophy of the Mind
Psyc 231 Animal Behavior
Psyc 290 Special topics: Language, Culture, Tool Use
Psyc 290 Special topics: Monkey Wars
Psyc 290 Special topics: Primate of the World
Psyc 290 Special topics: Primates course (not yet titled)
Psyc 375 Advanced Research I (Capstone)
Psyc 376 Advanced Research II (Capstone)
Psyc 390 Special topics: Primate Social Behavior
Senior Project: Non-vocal communication by a group of language-competent bonobos
Project Advisor: Dr. Don Evans
Brandon Hebert
IIM Major: Rhetoric and Performance
Description: The major will develop the skills understand the social needs of audiences, providing a basis for the analysis of situations and a method for confronting those situations with confidence through leadership and language use.
IIM Major: Rhetoric and Performance
Description: The major will develop the skills understand the social needs of audiences, providing a basis for the analysis of situations and a method for confronting those situations with confidence through leadership and language use.
The senior project will bring all the aspects of the IIM together into a final performance where I will exercise the theatrical aspects of the major and demand that I take charge of the space provided through an extemporaneous delivery through which I can build a relationship with the audience.
Minor: Religion
Graduation Date: May 2011
Curriculum:
Comm 102 Public Speaking in Society
Comm 201 Argumentation & Rhetoric
Comm 204 Small Group Communications
Comm 205 Interpersonal Communications
Comm 222 Introduction to Integrated Marketing Comm
Comm 355 Research in Communication & Media
Eng 350 Philosophy on Language
Rel 222 Theology of the Oppressed
Rel 331 Theology and Social Theory
Thtr 130 Acting One
Thtr 216 Oral Interpretation
Thtr 230 Acting Two
Thtr 232 Direction One
Senior Project: Final performance
Project Advisor: Brian Steffen
Minor: Religion
Graduation Date: May 2011
Curriculum:
Comm 102 Public Speaking in Society
Comm 201 Argumentation & Rhetoric
Comm 204 Small Group Communications
Comm 205 Interpersonal Communications
Comm 222 Introduction to Integrated Marketing Comm
Comm 355 Research in Communication & Media
Eng 350 Philosophy on Language
Rel 222 Theology of the Oppressed
Rel 331 Theology and Social Theory
Thtr 130 Acting One
Thtr 216 Oral Interpretation
Thtr 230 Acting Two
Thtr 232 Direction One
Senior Project: Final performance
Project Advisor: Brian Steffen
Rachel Greenlee
IIM Major: Women and Social Change
Description: The IIM addresses themes of women’s issues, the changing role of women in society’s history, the social movements of society based on women and feminist movements, and an investigation of the organizational impact of gender and sexuality on the lives of individuals and social institutions. This interdisciplinary major will bring together a rounded perspective of the disciplines of sociology, history, and philosophy as applied to women.
The senior project will be based on interviews done in Thailand with individuals and organizations working toward the goal of abolishing the sex trade as sex tourism in Thailand. The project will illustrate the efforts and goals of those abolitionists and the female victims for whom they wish to free.
Graduation Date: December 2010
Second Major: Sociology with a concentration in Social Work
Curriculum:
CJ 333 Sexual Violence: Victims/Perps
CJ 501 Victimology
CJ 540 Social Justice and Human Rights Issues
Comm 275 Gender/Race/Class Media
Eng 234 Women’s Literature
Eng236 Studies in American Minority Literatures and Cultures
Hist 222 Women’s American History
IntSt 398 Senior Project
Phil 331 Feminist Philosophy
Rel 225 Women and Religion in American Culture
Rel 260 Feminist Interpretation of the Bible
Soc 311 Women and the Struggle for Equality
Soc 360 Social Movements
IIM Major: Women and Social Change
Description: The IIM addresses themes of women’s issues, the changing role of women in society’s history, the social movements of society based on women and feminist movements, and an investigation of the organizational impact of gender and sexuality on the lives of individuals and social institutions. This interdisciplinary major will bring together a rounded perspective of the disciplines of sociology, history, and philosophy as applied to women.
The senior project will be based on interviews done in Thailand with individuals and organizations working toward the goal of abolishing the sex trade as sex tourism in Thailand. The project will illustrate the efforts and goals of those abolitionists and the female victims for whom they wish to free.
Graduation Date: December 2010
Second Major: Sociology with a concentration in Social Work
Curriculum:
CJ 333 Sexual Violence: Victims/Perps
CJ 501 Victimology
CJ 540 Social Justice and Human Rights Issues
Comm 275 Gender/Race/Class Media
Eng 234 Women’s Literature
Eng236 Studies in American Minority Literatures and Cultures
Hist 222 Women’s American History
IntSt 398 Senior Project
Phil 331 Feminist Philosophy
Rel 225 Women and Religion in American Culture
Rel 260 Feminist Interpretation of the Bible
Soc 311 Women and the Struggle for Equality
Soc 360 Social Movements
Maren Landers
IIM Major: Art History
Description: Art history is the study of how art has influenced and been influenced by the world. It requires a critical understanding of the world through the eyes of artists throughout time. We can look at works of art from different time periods and discover things about that time that one cannot just learn the study of history or art alone.
Minor: Art
Graduation Date: Spring 2010
Curriculum:
Art 121 Basic Drawing
Art 131 Foundations of Design I-2D
Art 201 Art History: Independent Study Prehistoric to Renaissance
Art 202 Art History: Independent Study Renaissance to 19th Century
Art 203 Art History: Modern Art
Art 204 Art History: Non-western Art
Art 205 Art History: Art Since 1940
Art 206 Art History: History of Design
Art 297 Art History May Term trip: Roman Britain
Hist 305 Renaissance & Reformation
Hist 390 Special Topics: Crusades
Hist 390 Special Topics: History of India
Senior Project: In-depth study of a specific topic in art history
Sponsor: Gabrielle Rose-Curti
IIM Major: Art History
Description: Art history is the study of how art has influenced and been influenced by the world. It requires a critical understanding of the world through the eyes of artists throughout time. We can look at works of art from different time periods and discover things about that time that one cannot just learn the study of history or art alone.
Minor: Art
Graduation Date: Spring 2010
Curriculum:
Art 121 Basic Drawing
Art 131 Foundations of Design I-2D
Art 201 Art History: Independent Study Prehistoric to Renaissance
Art 202 Art History: Independent Study Renaissance to 19th Century
Art 203 Art History: Modern Art
Art 204 Art History: Non-western Art
Art 205 Art History: Art Since 1940
Art 206 Art History: History of Design
Art 297 Art History May Term trip: Roman Britain
Hist 305 Renaissance & Reformation
Hist 390 Special Topics: Crusades
Hist 390 Special Topics: History of India
Senior Project: In-depth study of a specific topic in art history
Sponsor: Gabrielle Rose-Curti
Mary Richards
IIM Major: Rural Studies: Iowa Country School Experience I
Description: The senior project addresses the significance of the Iowa country school experience in rural Iowa. The one-room country schools were the only opportunity for children to earn an education in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. What is the meaning of the Iowa country school experience? What did the children experience as they traveled to and from their one-room school? What did the children study under the aegis of one teacher during school hours? How did the one-room country school education help the child know ‘who am I’? What social events took place outside of the school day?
Graduation Date: May 2010
Curriculum:
Art 360 Art for Public School
Educ 114 Introduction to Education
Educ 300 Reading-Language Arts Education
Educ 388 Student Teaching
Hist 101 History of Western Civilization I
Hist 102 History of Western Civilization II
Hist 201 U.S. History to 1877
Hist 202 U.S. History since 1877
Mus 204 Elementary School Music
Senior Colloquium 399 The Great Equalizer
Speech 1 Speech Fundamentals
Senior Project: Rural Studies: The Iowa Country School Experience
Project Advisor: Dr. John Bolen
IIM Major: Rural Studies: Iowa Country School Experience I
Description: The senior project addresses the significance of the Iowa country school experience in rural Iowa. The one-room country schools were the only opportunity for children to earn an education in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. What is the meaning of the Iowa country school experience? What did the children experience as they traveled to and from their one-room school? What did the children study under the aegis of one teacher during school hours? How did the one-room country school education help the child know ‘who am I’? What social events took place outside of the school day?
Graduation Date: May 2010
Curriculum:
Art 360 Art for Public School
Educ 114 Introduction to Education
Educ 300 Reading-Language Arts Education
Educ 388 Student Teaching
Hist 101 History of Western Civilization I
Hist 102 History of Western Civilization II
Hist 201 U.S. History to 1877
Hist 202 U.S. History since 1877
Mus 204 Elementary School Music
Senior Colloquium 399 The Great Equalizer
Speech 1 Speech Fundamentals
Senior Project: Rural Studies: The Iowa Country School Experience
Project Advisor: Dr. John Bolen