Camarillo, Calif., June 6, 2006 - The Academic Plan for 海角社区 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 海角社区 Board of Trustees.
鈥淲e're very excited about our Academic Plan, which was approved by the 海角社区 in March,鈥� said Theodore D. Lucas, 海角社区CI provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. 鈥淥ur new political science and performing arts programs will be widely sought by students and will respond to the needs of our local communities.鈥�
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.
鈥淭he 海角社区CI political science program will be interdisciplinary and require a civic engagement component, which are both hallmarks of the University's mission,鈥� Frisch said.鈥� 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.
鈥淭he 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,鈥� 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, 海角社区CI associate professor of English.
鈥淭he centerpiece of our program will be musical theater, which combines all three areas,鈥� Mayberry said. 鈥淭he 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.鈥�
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 海角社区CI art department.
Several other new 海角社区CI degree programs have also been approved by the 海角社区. They are scheduled to be offered in the future and are currently being developed by the University.
鈥淥ur 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. 鈥淎 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.鈥�
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 海角社区
海角社区 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鈥檚 strong academic programs focus on business, sciences, liberal studies, teaching credentials, and innovative master鈥檚 degrees.聽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聽CI's Social Media.