Interdisciplinary Studies

The Human Rights Project (HRS) promotes an understanding of worldwide genocide and human rights oppression and activism through academic coursework and co-curricular events open to the college and community at large. For further information, contact Dr. Florence Dee Boodakian, Bradley Hall, room 227, 516.572.7185 ext. 25663, Florence.DeeBoodakian@ncc.edu.

The Jewish Studies Project (JWS) provides students with an introduction to the world of Judaism from ancient origins to the present day. We offer two courses: Jews in Biblical and Medieval Cultures (JWS 102), generally offered in fall, examines Jewish life and culture from the Biblical period in the Middle East through the Renaissance in Europe, including Ashkenazic, Mizrahic, and Sephardic populations. Jews in the Modern World (JWS 104), generally offered in the spring, begins with the Enlightenment's impact on the Jewish community, including the effects of new areas of influence, such as Chassidism, Reform Judaism, Zionism, and Feminism. Overviews of the Holocaust, Immigration to America, and the Israel-Palestine conflict are included. Both courses feature readings, discussions, films, field trips, and guest speakers. They satisfy credit requirements for Gen Ed, Western Heritage, Global Awareness, and Pluralism and Diversity; both courses transfer to four-year colleges. Students from all backgrounds are welcome to enroll. The Jewish Studies Project also offers two scholarships each spring, and sponsors campus-wide programs and speakers each semester. For additional information, contact the Jewish Studies Project Coordinator, Professor Susan Cushman, Bradley Hall 215, Susan.Cushman@ncc.edu.

The Latin American Studies (LAS) Project promotes knowledge and an understanding of Latin American and US-Latino peoples, cultures, history, languages, literature, politics, economics, and relations with the US and other countries. The Project supports related courses in various departments, including History, English, and World  Languages, and offers two interdisciplinary courses: Introduction to Latin American Studies (LAS 101) and Introduction to Latino/a American Studies in the US (LAS 105). These courses help students explore this field of study and provide a useful background for different careers. For more information and/or advisement, contact Dr. Ines Shaw, Bradley Hall, room 228, 516.572.7840, Ines.Shaw@ncc.edu.

Multidisciplinary Courses (MDC) are designed to make connections between ideas in different disciplines, especially in the sciences and humanities. In the contemporary world it is important to see that events, discoveries, and social policies, as well as the creative arts, are motivated by some of the same ideas, and that they constantly influence one another. The world is a multidisciplinary place, and learning should follow suit. The five courses offered are open to all students in any field, especially those who intend to move on to a four-year school or compete for meaningful employment in a complex world. The Making of the Modern Mind II (MDC 102) and Mayor Ideas in the Post-Modern World (MDC 130) may be taken for General Elective credit. There are no prerequisites and they also may be taken in any order. For further information, contact MDC Program Coordinator, Professor William Moeck, Bradley Hall, Room 213, 516.572.9810, William.Moeck@ncc.edu.

Multidisciplinary Science Courses (MDS) are 4-credit Laboratory Science classes and have been approved as SUNY GenEd requirements. There are currently two courses in this area. Connecting the Sciences - A Macroscopic Approach (MDS 101) examines scientific ideas, methodology, and principles by studying the evolution of the universe, solar system, and Earth. Connecting the Sciences - A Microscopic Approach (MDS 102) examines scientific ideas, methodology, and principles by studying the evolution of life through the organization of atoms into living and nonliving structures. Both of these courses emphasize "hands-on" laboratory investigations. A more detailed description of these courses can be found under course descriptions. For further information, contact MDS Coordinator, Professor Frank Frisenda, Cluster D, Room 2086, 516.572.3556, Frank.Frisenda@ncc.edu.

Women and Gender Studies (WGS) a multidisciplinary project emphasizing diversity, serves hundreds of students each academic year. Sponsoring departments include Art, Communications, Economics, English, History, Health/PED, Library, and Sociology. Every term we offer several sections of Introduction to Women's Studies (WST 101) both online and face-to-face, a course that examines women's roles cross-culturally in the family, workplace, community, professions, and popular culture. We also offer Gender in Popular Culture (WST 105), which examines representations of masculinity and femininity in media including television and film; The Goddess in World Religions (WST 110), which investigates images of the Goddess in world religions such as Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, traditional African religions, and Native American traditions; Women’s Issues in Global Context (WST 201), which looks at labor, reproductive rights, education, sexual identity, and grassroots activism in targeted areas around the world; and Philosophy of Sex and Gender (WST 107), a course dual-listed with the Philosophy, which investigates the nature and development of the sex-gender distinction and its application to issues surrounding sexual equality. For further information, contact WGS Program Coordinator, Professor Sara Hosey, 351 Harmon Avenue, second floor, 516.572.7082, sara.hosey@ncc.edu.