Upper Division Requirements

30 upper division units distributed among the following three sections;
Additional ISF Elective Courses

1. AREA OF CONCENTRATION

A minimum of 20 UNITS (at least SIX courses) drawn from at least THREE fields or disciplines. Courses for this requirement must be UPPER DIVISION, i.e., numbered 100 or above. Upon consent of an adviser, courses outside of the College of Letters and Science may be accepted when relevant, e.g., courses in Social Welfare, Journalism, Public Policy, City Planning, Business Administration, Architecture, etc. (For further information, please see the Sample Areas of Research/Concentration.)

2. CORE METHODOLOGY COURSES

All ISF majors must take ISF 100A and one more course from the ISF 100 series (ISF 100B, 100C, 100D or 100E). These core courses provide an introduction to interdisciplinary theories and methodologies in the social sciences and the humanities.

ISF 100A - Introduction to Social Theory and Cultural Analysis
Introduction to central theoretical investigations concerning the construction and organization of social life. Using some works from the "classical" traditions of social theory as well as some examples of contemporary analysis, this course will explore such topics as the nature of power and social/historical change, the nature of economic production and consumption, the meaning of difference--racial, sexual, class--the development of institutions, etc. (F, Sp)

AND

ISF 100B - Introduction to Social Theory and Cultural Analysis
Introduction to classical and contemporary analyses of the construction of individual identity, the concepts of subjectivity and agency, and notions about the inner life. An exploration of the construction of meaning and communication through an examination of works from discourse analysis, symbolic anthropology, literary and film studies. (F, Sp) (ISF 160 may fulfill the 100B requirement.)

OR

ISF 100C - Word and Image
This course is designed to sharpen our skills in understanding what happens when the worlds of images and words meet. Starting with works from the "classical" tradition we will proceed to investigate how word/image constellations operate in a variety of media, including sculpture and poetry, silent movies and advertising.

OR

ISF 100D - Introduction to Technology, Society, and Culture
This course will focus on the impact of technology on the materiality of social and cultural life.

OR

ISF 100E The Globalization of Rights, Values, and Laws in the 21st Century (4 units)
This course, aimed at helping students to anticipate and prepare for the great ethic and legal debates of the 21st century, applies theoretical and methodological tools of social science, jurisprudence, and philosophy to examine the complex interplay between transnational values and international norms governing social interaction. We explore the shifting nature of important international norms in an effort to clarify how their evolution is influenced by transnational value changes, and vice versa. Particular attention is paid to the changing contents of social concepts such as sovereignty, citizenship, human rights, work, marriage, life and war, and how these changes often unleashed by the powerful forces of globalization -- are reflected in the laws governing transnational intercourse. The ultimate questions this course intends to answer are a) whether or not the ever closer interconnection of peoples and nations is inevitably leading to the emergence of a universal value system, and if so, b) whether this homogenization of values can be achieved peacefully and c) what kind of values will ultimately prevail.

NOTE: If a student's area of concentration requires advanced work in a specific methodological approach, an appropriate course may be substituted for ISF l00B, 100C or 100D with the permission of an adviser. In such cases, the student's area of concentration normally requires courses in quantitative analysis, advanced statistical methods, demographics, natural sciences, and/or computer science.

3. SENIOR THESIS REQUIREMENT

Thesis Preparation: We highly recommend that students participate in a thesis workshop (ISF 188) in semesters preceding their enrolling in ISF 190/ H195. Students should discuss the various thesis options with their ISF faculty adviser, including the creative option that is available to students in the arts.

The thesis consists of 30-40 double spaced pages. The honors thesis consists of 60 to 80 double spaced pages. Both categories include a title page, an abstract, a table of content, and a bibliography. Students define a feasible research question, develop a hypothesis, choose a methodological approach appropriate for their field of analysis, and structure an argument. Students are encouraged to submit outstanding thesis work for publication in the Berkeley Undergraduate Journal.

ISF Creative Thesis Option - On occasion, an appropriate part of the Senior Thesis is an original, creative work such as a play, musical composition, a performance piece, a video production, a screenplay, or a collection of poetry. The thesis, no matter what form it takes, is expected to be an outgrowth of the area of concentration. Students choosing to do the creative option must 1) secure an outside adviser who is knowledgeable in the appropriate creative field, and 2) write a 15 page research paper on the theoretical foundations of the creative work. Students who are interested in exploring this option should first consult with Professor Robert Ehrlich.

ISF 190 - Senior Thesis (4 units) - This course is the culmination of the student's work in the major. The subject of the thesis should reflect the Area of Concentration. The thesis will demonstrate an acquaintance with the methods of research in the appropriate fields and disciplines. Students participate in the course meetings and tutorials that are especially designed to support the work of researching and writing an undergraduate thesis in interdisciplinary studies.

ISF H195 - Senior Honors Thesis (4 units) - ISF H195 - Senior Honors Thesis (4 units) - Students declaring the major in Spring 2003 and after must have a 3.60 GPA in the major and 3.5 GPA overall to be eligible to enroll in ISF H195 in lieu of ISF 190. In collaboration with the honors thesis director, students will identify a faculty member outside the ISF Major with expertise in the student's area of thesis research. This faculty member will evaluate the completed thesis in addition to the ISF thesis director.

4. RECOMMENDED COURSE: ISF 188 - Thesis Workshop

This workshop meets two hours per week to introduce ISF students to research and writing their thesis. It is highly recommended for all ISF students.