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Key Interdisciplinary Cluster Example (Psychobiology)
The ten Key Clusters are as follows:
Cluster 1: MOLECULAR ASPECTS OF LIVING SYSTEMS
College/Department Partnerships: Center for Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education (CSMATE), Department of Biology, Department of Chemistry
Courses (12 credits): LIFE 102: Attributes of Living Systems, CHEM 111/112: General Chemistry, KEY 192: Key Interdisciplinary Seminar, Molecular Aspects of Living Systems
Key Seminar Faculty: Dr. Stephen Thompson, CSMATE
Key Seminar Class Description: (coming)
Cluster 2: HUMAN HEALTH AND WELLNESS
College/Department Partnerships: Department of Environmental Health, Department of Psychology, Hartshorn Health Center
Courses (9 credits): HIST 151: U.S. History Since 1876; PSY 100: General Psychology, KEY Key Interdisciplinary Seminar, Human Health and Wellness
Key Seminar Faculty: Deb Morris, Hartshorn Health Center
Key Seminar Class Description: (coming)
Cluster 3: CULTURE AND COMMUNICATION
College/Department Partnerships: Center for Applied Studies in American Ethnicity (CASAE), Department of Speech Communications, College of Liberal Arts
Courses (9 credits): SOC 205: Contemporary Race and Ethnic Relations, SPCM 100: Communication in Popular Culture, KEY 192: Key Interdisciplinary Seminar, Culture and Communication
Key Seminar Faculty: Blane Harding, College of Liberal Arts
Key Seminar Class Description:
How do media and other methods of communication affect your view of ethnicity in America? How are your culture, ethnic background, and values reflected by popular culture? How do we make meaning of differences, cultures, and social environments? Through the seminar linked to SPCM 100, Communication and Popular Culture and ETST 205, Ethnicity and the Media, you will explore these questions through the course of the semester. In addition, you will learn more about the university’s resources that can assist with your transition to and continuing success at Colorado State University.
Cluster 4: CULTURAL INTERACTION IN A GLOBAL SOCIETY
College/Department Partnerships: Center for Applied Studies in American Ethnicity (CASAE), Department of Sociology, Vice President for Student Affairs Office (VPSA)
Courses (9 credits): SOC 100: General Sociology, ETST 100: Ethnicity in America, KEY 192: Key Interdisciplinary Seminar, Cultural Interaction in a Global Society.
Key Seminar Faculty: Dr. Blanche Hughes, Vice President for Student Affairs and Dr. Linda Ahuna-Hamill, Assistant to the Vice President for Student Affairs.
Key Seminar Class Description:
This seminar will be linked to content areas in two courses within our learning community. Introduction to Sociology (SOC 100) and Ethnicity in America (ETST 100). During the semester you will examine the definitions and multiple components of culture and ethnicity and explore how culture and ethnicity have historically and currently influence individuals and society. You will also discuss how culture and specific components of diversity impact your life, how to enhance your cultural competency, and how different perspectives influence your ability to effectively communicate and relate to one another at Colorado State University and the surrounding communities, in the nation, and throughout the world. We will engage in informed discussions about issues of race, ethnicity, culture, gender, sexual orientation, socialization, social status, and social change and explore the intersections of these issues in society (historically and currently). Through this seminar you will also enhance your critical thinking skills, improve your writing and oral communication skills, and learn about the university’s resources that will assist with your transition to Colorado State University.
Cluster 5: PSYCHOBIOLOGY
College/Department Partnerships: Department of Psychology, Department of Biology
Courses (9 credits): PSY 100: General Psychology, LIFE 102: General Biology, KEY 192: Key Interdisciplinary Seminar, Psychobiology
Key Seminar Faculty: Dr. Larry Bloom, Department of Psychology
Key Seminar Class Description:
What do psychology and biology have in common? This seminar deals with topics that
interlink the fields of psychology and biology. Take the concept of stress, a common phenomena that occurs in our lives. Stress is a large part of modern day life and has definite psychophysiological properties. In the section on stress for the class, you will examine the concept of stress, its psychophysiological effects on the human, and explore different types of stress diseases. The various topics chosen in this seminar were selected due to their general interest level and because knowledge of them is very important in increasing the probability of success during your university years and beyond. Lecture material will be presented on the same topics and, whenever possible, the psychobiological foundations of that area will be elaborated. Media sources will be utilized to highlight and illustrate the concepts presented within each topic. The following topics will also be explored in this seminar: memory and learning; study skills; motivation; anxiety and performance; stress; depression; love and relationships; sleep and dreaming; anger and aggression; and gender differences.
Cluster 6: SCIENCE, SOCIETY, AND THE ENVIRONMENT
College/Department Partnerships: Department of Sociology, Department of Biology, Department of Wildlife Biology, Cooperative Extension
Courses (10 credits): BZ 110/111: Principles of Animal Biology, SOC 105: Social Problems in Contemporary Society, KEY 192: Key Interdisciplinary Seminar, Science, Society and the Environment
Key Seminar Faculty: Dr. Dennis Child, Forest, Rangeland, and Watershed Stewardship
Key Seminar Class Description:
We learn together about our many roles to live and work compatibly in societies and within the biological and ecological processes of the environment. In this seminar, you will conduct background research, and write and speak often to develop skills necessary for academics and professional work. A seminar is usually a group of advanced students studying under a professor with each doing original research and all exchanging results through reports and discussions. As a first year student, you will treat our interactions as a group of learning students who will develop thoughts and actions about science, society and the environment. You will think about the environment broadly including soil, air, water, energy, plants, animals, built environments, and human societies that impact them. "Society" is a community, nation, or broad grouping of people having common traditions, institutions, and collective activities and interests. You will also use current events, readings, projects and discussions to challenge thinking on different sides of issues. Included in the class is a trip to Rocky Mountain National Park to discuss the values and problems associated with parks and to discuss solutions to overpopulations of elk, grazing impacts on vegetation, what to do with elk in Estes Park and whether wolf introductions are possible in the current society and biological systems. With all solutions come new problems and the need for societies to adapt to ever changing situations.
Cluster 7: A HISTORY OF VALUES: IDEOLOGY IN THE HUMANITIES
College/Department Partnerships: Department of Speech Communications, Department of English, Center for Advising & Student Achievement
Courses (9 credits): SPCM 100: Communication in Popular Culture, CO 150: College Composition, KEY 192: Key Interdisciplinary Seminar, A History of Values: Ideology in the Humanities
Key Seminar Faculty: Robert White, Center for Advising & Student Achievement (CASA), English
Key Seminar Class Description:
What is the chief purpose of humanity? What is good and evil? Right and wrong? Normal and deviant? What is civilization and what is barbarism? What are the roles of men and women? What is our relationship to God? What form of government best serves and reflects human nature? How and why have the answers to these questions—or the questions themselves— changed over time?
In this seminar, you will explore how literature has served as a promoter, critic, and shaping force of the foundational ideas of our society. You will focus on timeless issues and questions and recognize the ways that we are affected by them. You will also examine how these issues shape modern U.S. society by analyzing some current debates within politics, religion, higher education, and popular culture.
This seminar is complemented by College Composition (CO 150) and Communication and Popular Culture (SPCM 100). As a cluster, these three classes will offer you the opportunity to study a history of ideas that relate to your own life, apply critical thinking skills, and learn to contribute your ideas in discussion and writing.
Cluster 8: PSYCHOLOGY OF DIVERSITY: FROM AWARENESS TO EMPOWERMENT
College/Department Partnerships: Center for Applied Studies in American Ethnicity (CASAE), Department of Psychology, University Counseling Center (UCC)
Courses (9 credits): PSY 100: General Psychology, ETST 100: Ethnicity in America, KEY 192: Key Interdisciplinary Seminar, Psychology of Diversity: Awareness to Empowerment
Key Seminar Faculty: Dr. Ernie Chavez, Chair, Psychology Department
Key Seminar Class Description: This seminar will focus on learning about the history, experience and the process of prejudice, including developing a knowledge base of it’s history. Theories of socialization, liberation and identity development, the history of prejudice, discrimination, social stigma, privilege, and empowerment will also be addressed. There will be an investigation and development of coping skills dealing with the increasing degree of social and cultural differences in our communities. During the semester, you will work cooperatively to create opportunities to build knowledge and skills. The course will also incorporate ways to facilitate the transition to academic life at Colorado State University. This seminar will be linked to content areas in the two courses within our learning community, General Psychology (PSY 100) and Ethnicity in America (ETST 200).
Cluster 9: VALUES, DIALOGUE, AND CHOICES: THEORIES OF HUMAN NATURE
College/Department Partnerships: Department of Philosophy, Department of English
Courses (9 credits): PHIL 103: Moral and Social Problems, CO 150: College Composition, KEY 192: Key Interdisciplinary Seminar, Values, Dialogue and Choices
Key Seminar Faculty: Dr. JoAnn Hedleston, Department of Philosophy
Key Seminar Class Description:
Do humans have a particular nature, like dogs and chickens? How ought good humans behave? What matters to us? Values, Dialogue and Choices is about the connection between human nature and the ethics class, Moral and Social Problems (PHIL 103). We do quite a bit of writing in relation to the reading of our text, Ten Theories of Human Nature, and also to our experiences with other cluster assignments of an experiential nature. The class includes team presentations, research papers, and class discussions.
Cluster 10: INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS AND LEADERSHIP IN A GLOBAL COMMUNITY (FOR BUSINESS MAJORS ONLY)
College/Department Partnerships: College of Business
Courses (12 credits): ACT 210: Introduction to Financial Accounting; POLS 131: Current World Problems; and KEY 192: Key Interdisciplinary Seminar, Introduction to Business and Leadership in a Global Community
Key Seminar Faculty: Dr. Margarita Lenk, College of Business
Key Seminar Class Description: (coming)
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