The opportunity for students to experience the intellectual richness that interdisciplinary study provides is the driving force behind a new course being offered this fall at Kent State University at Geauga.
After attending a conference for the Society for Applied Anthropology last spring in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Kent State Geauga Associate Professor of Anthropology Jeanne Marie Stumpf-Carome, Ph.D., and English Instructor Molly Mokros Natale, who both share a background and love for interdisciplinary study, decided to collaborate in creating the course, The Construction of Self Through Tourism.
The new course will allow students to arrive at a deeper understanding, not only of the "selfie" culture in which they live, but also of themselves as travelers and as human beings. Students enrolled in the class will improve upon their writing and communication skills. They also will come to a broader understanding of anthropology as an applied discipline that promotes the investigation of the principles of human behavior and the application of these principles to contemporary issues and problems.
These natural connection points between disciplines support learning how to transfer and connect concepts – skills that support their lifelong learning process – and add value to the future workforce. Teaching students how to collaborate between and within disciplines also adds to the expertise that accelerates research and discovery.
During Kent State President Beverly J. Warren’s visit to Kent State Geauga this past April, Dr. Stumpf-Carome asked her about university support for interdisciplinary courses. With President Warren’s positive response, the ground was prepared for pooling resources.
Her favorite thing about teaching at Kent State Geauga is introducing the student body to multiple disciplinary perspectives on “diversity” while, yet, underscoring that we are all members of the same species, Homo sapiens sapiens.
Ms. Natale has taught at the campus for eight years. She regularly teaches College Writing II, as well as The Fundamentals of the English Language. Her favorite part about teaching at Kent State Geauga is witnessing her students grow and improve their writing skills. She also loves the creativity inherent in the position.