Center for Interdisciplinary Studies
Interim Director of the Center for Interdisciplinary Studies:
Charles Harrington, Ph.D.
The Center for Interdisciplinary Studies (IDS) offers the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies degree on the USC Upstate campus and on the USC Upstate Greenville campus. Interdisciplinary studies provides students the opportunity to broaden their education by developing, in consultation with an advisor, a multidisciplinary or individualized program of study to meet their educational and career goals.
Harrington, Charles, Interim Director, IDS, Professor
Smith, Marlon, Director, Center for African American Studies, Asst Professor
Interdisciplinary Studies
Exploration of local-to-you social, environmental, and economic challenges with emphasis on the application of student's field of study to real-world experience and honing of career readiness skills. Expectations include 2 hours of direct involvement in public activities per credit hour. Pass/Fail.
Practical application of local-to-you social, environmental, and economic challenges with emphasis on the application of the student's field of study to real-world experience and honing of career readiness skills. Expectations include 2 hours of direct service to an organization per credit hour. Pass/Fail.
Approaches to understanding, analyzing, and synthesizing information from varied perspectives. Emphasis is on researching, writing, and crafting sound arguments from multi-disciplinary approaches.
A research seminar that investigates the laws and ethics codes of various professions, such as education, business, healthcare and data management. Each seminar participant selects one profession to track throughout the semester and reports on that field's laws, conduct requirements, legal cases and methods of conflict resolution. Evaluations are based on oral presentations, papers and participation in class discussion.
Supervised work experience in a community agency or business based on an individualized, contracted program planned in conjunction with a faculty member and approved by the student's advisor. For six internship credit hours, a student is to work 270 hours with an approved agency; for five credit hours, 225 work hours; for four credit hours, 180 hours; for three credit hours, 135 hours; for two credit hours, 90 hours; and for one credit hour, 45 hours. A student may repeat IDST U398 once with a different internship contract description for a total of no more than six hours of undergraduate credit.
An individualized, contracted research planned in conjunction with an Interdisciplinary Studies faculty member. May be repeated for a total of no more than six credit hours.
Survey of selected topic planned around an area of faculty interest. Course may be repeated for additional credit during the same semester and subsequent semesters as topics vary.
Reading and research on selected topics designed to explore issues of broad interdisciplinary interest. Particular emphasis is placed on integration of knowledge at an advanced level, exploration of ethical issues, and gain experience in research and oral presentation. Seminar topics vary.
Nonprofit Administration
Application of knowledge and skills reflecting essential nonprofit competencies of the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance Certification (CNP), practical experience in nonprofit organizations, leadership abilities, and meaningful service. May be repeated for a maximum of four semester hours.
The importance of the nonprofit sector in the United States emphasizing the history, the relationship to business and government and the place of the nonprofit sector within American society generally.
The fundamentals of nonprofit administration to include leadership, legal foundations, board development, the role of volunteers, nonprofit advocacy and ethics.
Financial management within the nonprofit sector emphasizing strategic planning, budgeting, accountability, risk management and control.
Fundamentals of resource development in the nonprofit sector including strategic planning, principles of philanthropy, proposal writing, event planning, and charitable trusts.
An individualized, contracted program of study planned in conjunction with a faculty member.
Study in selected topics in nonprofit administration. Emphasis upon competencies necessary for emerging leaders in the nonprofit sector. May be repeated with permission of advisor.
Introduction to the history, theory and emerging activities of social entrepreneurship. Course topics also cover nonprofit administration skills for social entrepreneurial organizations, scaling of social impact, and social performance measurement.
Supervised work experience in a nonprofit organization. Forty-five hours of work for each credit hour are required.
University
The purposes of higher education and the potential role of an individual student within the university and other learning environments. Open to freshmen only. This course does not count toward graduation in some majors.
The successful transition into higher education through social, personal and academic development. Considered are topics and activities in study skills, time management, goal setting, careers, health and wellness, responsibility, cultural awareness, and the enhancement of the relationship between the faculty adviser and the student.
The successful transition into higher education through academic, social and personal development. Considered are topics and activities in time management, goal setting, responsibility, and careers, with special emphasis on study skills. The academic performance of students, in all classes, is monitored throughout the semester. Required of academic skills students. (Students cannot receive credit for both University U103 and U102).
Various approaches to the definition of leadership and practical experience in building leadership skills. The critical questions of what is leadership, what are the qualities of a good leader, and what skills does a leader need are examined.
Practical experience in building leadership skills within the context of community-based leadership. The focus is upon the most pressing needs for leadership within the community to allow students to become directly involved with a relevant project.
This course examines the contemporary research in career development (e.g., happiness, purpose, decision-making, values, experiential learning). The course guides students to use design thinking to apply the concepts to life action plans. Students will increase self-awareness and self-advocacy to maximize their potential and envision multiple pathways for further education and life-work balance, while understanding and applying theoretical concepts related to their strengths, professional acumen, self-awareness, and identity, known career narratives and life design theories that build resilience and networking through panel sessions, readings, projects, and small group seminars.
Personal finance and financial literacy topics of student debt, budgeting, saving, credit, and spending.
Applied topics of personal finance including student debt and repayment, budgeting, saving, credit, and spending.
Advanced personal financial and financial literacy topics of savings accounts, retirement accounts, and brokerage/investment accounts.
Preparation of a portfolio documenting college-level learning gained through life experiences such as employment, training, volunteer work, travel, and military experience. To demonstrate mastery of course outcomes, students prepare a portfolio of documents that can be used to apply for experiential credit assessment. Degree-seeking students who are enrolled in at least one course at USC Upstate may request evaluation of prior experience for credit as documented in a portfolio. Multiple portfolios may be submitted but UNIV U210 may not be repeated.
Designed for rising sophomores who aspire to build upon their freshman achievements. This course empowers students with practical strategies to excel academically, adapt their learning approaches, and thrive in the face of challenges.
Methods of career readiness, including planning, networking, professional resumes and cover letters, and interview techniques. Attendance at experiential learning events and career fairs is required.
Practical application of leadership principles through a public service internship. Limited to participants in the Leadership Development Program.
Application of specific guidance and teaching techniques while serving as a peer leader for University 101. Emphasis is placed on role modeling, group dynamics, creating classroom cohesion, using interactive teaching methods, and the importance of assessment. Acceptance into the peer leadership program is required. May be repeated for additional credit for maximum of six hours.
Supervised work experience in a community agency or business based on an individulaized, contracted program planned in conjunction with a faculty member and approved by the student's advisor. For three internship credit hours, a student is to work 135 hours with an approved agency; for two credit hours, 90 work hours; for one credit, 45 hours. A student may repeat UNIV U398 once with a different internship contract description for a total of no more than six hours of undergraduate credit. Prerequisites: junior standing, and approved internship contract. This internship cannot be used to meet concentration requirements for bidisciplinary and multidisciplinary concentrations.
An individualized, contractual program of study planned in conjunction with a faculty member involved with the student's interdisciplinary program of study. May be repeated for a total of no more than six hours of undergraduate credit with consent of advisor.