Interdisciplinary Studies -- HELP!!!

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Berkeley
1

<p>Ok so I'm a transfer student to letters and science. I applied to all Cal schools -- some in film and some in communications. I'm in everywhere, but leaning towards Berkeley (after visiting last weekend). But since my first two years' curriculum satisfied partial film and partial comm major recs I don't have a declared major yet. The truth is, I can't really make up my mind about which one I want. Ultimately, I'm most likely going to be a producer, so I'm not looking for an all hands on technical ed (but I would like to take a sight/sound and a screenwriting course), I do enjoy film studies (the history, and art form), but then at the same time I love comm (the business of media and its effect on society) -- oh and I'm currently working for an online company so digital media and emerging technologies should fit in there and I'm also interested in media/film's role in globalization. </p>

<p>Ya, I know it sounds a little all over the place - but actually there is an overarching theme of film and media -- I think that I might be able to form a really great program in interdisciplinary studies. But I know nothing about the major and how it works -- plus it's kinda scary to be so "on your own" w/o the typical requirements of if you do this and take these classes you'll graduate w/ such and such...</p>

<p>Help! Here's a couple of concerns off the top of my head:</p>

<p>-How helpful are advisers in designing your program (I've heard they're not the best at Cal because there are so many of us!) </p>

<p>-What priority do interdisciplinary studies students have in terms of getting into their first choice classes?
---are you eligible to take any class from other majors or are there restricted courses?</p>

<p>-What would the title of my degree be -- BA in Interdisciplinary Studies?
---what does a degree like that look like when I apply for graduate school (which will
of course be in either film or comm)</p>

<p>Advice?</p>

2

<p>BA in “Your Mom”</p>

3

<p>You certainly live up to your name.</p>

4

<p>ucla is closer to hollywood and it is in la</p>

5

<p>ISF is for people who have a clear vision with what they want to accomplish, but the established departments and curriculum do not neatly conform to what they want to achieve.</p>

<p>Take a look at the application, first. <a href=“http://ls.berkeley.edu/ugis/isf/major/forms/ISFMajorApplication.pdf[/url]”>http://ls.berkeley.edu/ugis/isf/major/forms/ISFMajorApplication.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Basically, the idea of ISF is your selecting a roster of courses that will help you to sufficiently explore one question or topic, and work towards a senior thesis paper. </p>

<p>Find three departments that most closely relates to your topic. Select three upper division courses from each of these departments. </p>

<p>Now go back and examine each of the already-established departments carefully. After preparing your ISF plan, do any one of these majors already help you reach your goal? If so, ISF is probably not for you.</p>

<p>ISF is for self-starters. If you need help designing your course of study, then you are behind the curve. This trait is necessarily important, because ISF majors do not have priority standing in any other departments. What should happen is if a class were full, the ISF student would personally contact the course instructor (in person, not email), explain your situation, explain your reason for taking the course, and get through that way if need be; arguably, you should notify the instructor of your intentions even before Tele-Bears season. Where you might find trouble is in impacted departments (like Mass Communications), although if you follow the above and be pro-active, I’m certain the instructor would make an exception (for upper-division classes, professors teach subjects near and dear to their professional interests, and students that express an interest in that topic will always be looked upon in favorable light relative to others who are there solely to fulfill requirements). </p>

<p>If you are around campus, I would highly recommend stopping by the department. I would first look at the application, have an idea of what you would study (not what you might, or several things you would consider), and ask to talk to a faculty adviser to see if the major is right for you.</p>