Since 2007, Penn students have witnessed an impressive expansion of academic opportunities in the College of Arts and Sciences, owing in part to the efforts of the College Dean’s Advisory Board. Notable additions include the International Development minor and the Journalistic Writing minor, housed by the Political Science Department and English Department, respectively. Through these and other similar projects, the DAB has continued to work directly with the Dean of the College Dennis DeTurck to design new initiatives each semester that meet the needs of the College undergraduate community.
This semester we are recommending two new initiatives, one of which will continue to fortify Penn’s interdisciplinary foundation, the other striving to organize current academic courses toward a more global focus.
In conjunction with the Student Committee on Undergraduate Education, the DAB is exploring the creation of an Interdisciplinary Thesis Program. We envision a program that will allow highly motivated, double-major students to conduct research in both their areas of interest with the ultimate goal of submitting a single thesis that fulfills the requirements of each department. We believe that double-major students who wish to complete an interdisciplinary thesis would greatly benefit from a two-adviser system, each from a different department, and such an opportunity would strengthen the capstone of their educational experience at Penn.
The DAB strongly emphasizses that in no way are we proposing a shortcut to academic success. Instead, we believe that this initiative would push students to develop new perspectives on a number of areas of study — permitting undergraduates to transcend the traditional boundaries of higher education. We respect the methodology of Penn’s prestigious undergraduate honors programs and do not think it appropriate for us to decide which areas of study should allow this program to serve for honors credit. However, we believe that there is a general student interest in conducting more interdisciplinary research and, as a result, consider this program a necessary step toward accomplishing what the Penn Compact ultimately envisions by “Integrating Knowledge.”
We are also proposing a new minor, the Iranian Studies program, which we believe will increase awareness of international issues and provide an interdisciplinary approach to studying the history, politics, art and literature of an important world culture. While Iran has become a significant point of contention in the political realm in recent years due to deteriorating relations with the United States, we recommend a program that educates students about Iran’s rich historical and cultural traditions.
We have presented this initiative to several members of Penn’s Middle East Center and the Political Science and History of Art departments and have received a very encouraging response. Several universities currently have Iranian Studies programs, including the University of California, Los Angeles and Stanford and Harvard universities.
But student input and support is crucial. Soon, we plan to distribute an online survey that will allow students to help shape their ideal Iranian Studies minor. As for the curriculum, we have determined that there are a sufficient number of courses that could fall under the Iranian Studies minor, removing any financial concerns regarding new courses or faculty. However, our long-term goal is to establish the program as a major, increase the number of courses offered and to install a chairperson for the program. We believe that exposing Penn students to this new academic field will strengthen their global critical perspective.
It is our mission to represent the interests of the College in whatever way possible, be it by promoting new academic programs or by creating new student groups, like the College Cognoscenti, a new information panel for prospective families.
The DAB believes these two projects — an Interdisciplinary Thesis Program and an Iranian Studies minor — fulfill discernible needs amongst College students. Going forward, we welcome student and faculty suggestions and input. As always, we recognize that collaboration is essential on our international, interdisciplinary campus.
The College Dean’s Advisory Board wrote this column. Its communications chairman is College junior and former Daily Pennsylvanian reporter and columnist Michael Roberts. The authors can be contacted at communications@penndab.org.
