Nena M.

Woo
Interdisciplinary Studies Minor: Individualized Sequence: Conceptual Applications
Rationale
I.

Learning Objectives
With the skills that I would develop from the areas of art and philosophy, I would learn how to advertise
messages to society in a creative and modern form. A minor in interdisciplinary studies would prepare me
for a career that involves informing people with interesting and effective techniques. A minor in the areas
of art and philosophy together would complement the skills that I will acquire in my public relations major
and add knowledge and expertise that the public relations major does not offer.

II.

General Overview
An Interdisciplinary Studies minor in conceptual applications would prepare me for the work of applying
ideas through different forms of artistic medium used in modern society. Photography, video, graphic
design, and integrated media courses would provide me with the variety of modern artistic techniques that
I can use to create presentations, publications, and designs to spread messages and ideas to society. In
addition to basic philosophy, a course in ethical philosophy and peace studies would provide me with
knowledge about current social issues and the way people feel about, discuss, and cope with those
issues. These philosophy courses and the peace studies course would improve my ability to
communicate with people by increasing my understanding of their behaviors and ways of communicating.

III.

Coursework
The art courses would teach me how to do technical work. Photography 1 (ART 235) is using
photography as an art form. Therefore, I would learn how to express concepts in an artistic and thought
provoking way. Video 1 (ART 252) offers the knowledge and skills of a very popular and modern medium.
Here I would learn how to bring images to life. I would learn how to produce and edit films providing
concepts to society in commercials, short films, and informational films. Graphic Design 1 (ART 226)
would introduce me to techniques of simplifying ideas that appeal to the eye. Graphic Design 1 would
provide me with skills in producing advertisements and publications. Integrated Media 1 (ART 284) would
teach me how to combine different forms of art including music and theater into one piece with one theme
and concept. Integrated Media 1 is important because all of the arts play a significant role in attracting
peoples attention and integrating the fine arts together allows one to attract a larger population. The
technical work from these art classes will compliment the concepts that I learn to develop and express
from philosophy classes.
The philosophy and peace studies courses would teach me how to debate, discuss, analyze, and
understand other peoples perspectives on current social and worldly issues. Basic Issues in Philosophy
(PHI 101) would be a good introduction in understanding common philosophical issues. I would be
introduced into a few different types of issues that people face before I take a course in a specific subject
matter. Basic Issues in Philosophy would give me a better understanding about controversial issues and
the types of messages people need to hear and see. The course Rights and Wrongs (PHI 238) would
teach me specifically about the ethical principles of society. From the material I would learn about the
difficult ethical issues in our society including issues in business, the media, and the law. I would learn
about the morals that the majority of our culture practice versus other cultures and how I could
communicate to diverse cultures without being biased. Peace Studies (IDS 111) is another course that
would focus on social issues in the world. This course would help me understand what major conflicts
have existed and how they were resolved, how people from other countries communicate with each other
in a crisis, and how diverse societies in the world feel about and peace. These ideas would help me
develop my own opinions and options for a more peaceful world. Peace Studies would help me develop
positive and useful messages that can be spread to people of many diverse communities. These courses
in philosophy and peace studies would give me a better understanding about peoples beliefs and social
issues and help me become better at writing and explaining ideas that I could put into presentations,
publications, designs, and advertisements.

I am proposing an Interdisciplinary Studies minor which will enable me to develop expertise in the use of
various digital and electronic media as well as to understand how members of our society intellectually
and emotionally process current social issues. An Interdisciplinary Studies minor in Conceptual
Applications would significantly enhance the skills I acquire in my Public Relations major.
I appreciate your consideration.