Department of Integrative Studies aims to enhance students’ world view

By Hannah Sussman
Collegian Reporter
September 20, 2006

In spring 2006, a new area of study, the Department of Integrative Studies, was formed within the School of Arts and Sciences. The department consists of multiple minors, including Forensic Studies, Leadership and Global Understanding, Women’s Studies and Urban Studies. Other minors may be added in the future.

“The idea is integration,” Integrative Studies co-creator Dr. Marjorie Allen said. “Integrating urban and suburban, high school and college lifestyles, breaking down barriers that are in place.”

The department is designed to help students apply the information they learn in class while using it to solve real world issues. Allen mentioned the AIDS epidemic as an example, describing how many areas of study can be applied to one problem.

“You need biology, chemistry, sociology, communication and other areas to understand all sides of the issue,” Allen said.

The courses within the program are meant to provide students with insight that could be applied to almost any future career.

“You can’t do anything unless you know a discipline,” Allen said. “Students should also then be able to go beyond their discipline and solve problems. That is how the real world works.”

Besides attempting to encourage students to apply their coursework to global issues, the program seeks to integrate college and high school students. La Salle has created a Dual Enrollment program with Philadelphia Central High School and Germantown High School, allowing qualified high school students to take college-level courses.

“We’re really excited to have them,” Allen said. “The program brings in very, very smart high school students.”

Additionally, La Salle will be working with Grover Washington, Jr. Middle School, getting La Salle students to mentor the preteens who go there.

The program will even allow La Salle to offer new courses, such as African-American Studies, by forming partnerships with other universities.

Members of the faculty are hopeful about the new program.

“These efforts will strengthen the University’s commitment to excellence in teaching and scholarship,” said Thomas Keagy, Dean of La Salle’s School of Arts and Sciences.

sussmanh1@lasalle.edu