Camarillo, Calif., June 6, 2006 - The Academic Plan for 91Թ features new undergraduate degree programs in political science and performing arts for the 2006 academic year, as well as several more that have been approved and are awaiting development.
The University reviews its academic plan each year, updating it to reflect the needs of the campus and region. It is then submitted for approval by CSU Board of Trustees.
“We're very excited about our Academic Plan, which was approved by the CSU in March,” said Theodore D. Lucas, CSUCI provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. “Our new political science and performing arts programs will be widely sought by students and will respond to the needs of our local communities.”
The new political science major will be a small-unit major, requiring 39 units, that can serve as a component of a double major, according to Scott Frisch, associate professor of political science and program coordinator. It will focus on international relations, comparative government, and multiculturalism. A unique feature will be its emphasis on politics as it relates to ethnicity and race.
“The CSUCI political science program will be interdisciplinary and require a civic engagement component, which are both hallmarks of the University's mission,” Frisch said.” The capstone (final senior) project will be community-based, with students working with local government agencies or community groups. As the program grows, they may also work at the state and national levels.
“The program will also focus on skills for different kinds of jobs, not just in government or politics. It will teach students how to think critically, communicate, and analyze,” Frisch said.
The performing arts program will also be interdisciplinary in nature, focusing on musical theater, which integrates acting, music, and dance, according to Bob Mayberry, CSUCI associate professor of English.
“The centerpiece of our program will be musical theater, which combines all three areas,” Mayberry said. “The idea is for students to learn by presenting performances for the community to enjoy. The demand is there and the timing is perfect. In time, we'll be presenting an annual musical theater performance aimed at audiences throughout our area.”
Another facet of the program will be classes on the theory of performance, how it affects audiences as well as actors. Instruction will be eventually offered for related fields such as directing, playwriting, and set designing in coordination with the CSUCI art department.
Several other new CSUCI degree programs have also been approved by the CSU. They are scheduled to be offered in the future and are currently being developed by the University.
“Our Academic Plan provides for a full range of degree programs that should attract many students with wide-ranging interests to the University, said Stephen Lefevre, associate vice president for Academic Planning. “A great deal of thought, discussion, and planning has gone into these programs and the result is a very comprehensive plan that meets the needs of students as well as the community.”
Here is the schedule:
2007: BA, Communication; B.A., Early Childhood Studies; and B.S., Nursing.
2008: B.A. and B.S., Applied Physics; B.A., Chicano/Chicana Studies; B.A., Criminal Justice; B.A. and B.S., Kinesiology; and an M.A., English.
2009: B.A., Anthropology; B.A., Philosophy; and an M.S., Biology.
2010: B.A., Multicultural Studies; B.A., Social Work; M.A., History; and an Ed.D., Education.
2011: B.A., Geography and Urban Studies
2012: B.S., Computer Engineering, and an M.P.A. (Master's in Public Administration)
2013: M.S., Nursing.
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About 91Թ
CSU Channel Islands(CI) is the only four-year, public university in Ventura County and is known for its interdisciplinary, multicultural and international perspectives, and its emphasis on experiential and service learning. CI’s strong academic programs focus on business, sciences, liberal studies, teaching credentials, and innovative master’s degrees. Students benefit from individual attention, up-to-date technology, and classroom instruction augmented by outstanding faculty research. CI has been designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and is committed to serving students of all backgrounds from the region and beyond. Connect with and learn more by visiting CI's Social Media.