Courses offer career exploration to undeclared students - Inside Higher Ed

bermudalagi.blogspot.com

Students who enter college with undeclared majors are considered a high-risk group. In addition, many decide on a major and then have doubts about their choice. An estimated 61 percent of college grads would change their undergraduate majors if they could go back, according to a 2022 survey from BestColleges.

Adelphi University in New York supports its undeclared-major students in the classroom with its interdisciplinary learning curriculum, which fosters exploration of various academic areas and can establish a student’s career aspirations.

The inspiration: The 360 course concept was born in fall 2019 from a desire to increase visibility of and access to interdisciplinary studies on campus, explains Lauren Rosenbaum, general studies professor and head of the 360 courses.

Search over 40,000 Career Opportunities in Higher Education
We have helped more than 2,000 institutions hire the best higher education talent.

Browse all job openings »

“We are showing them that, actually, interdisciplinary work is quite natural and a part of academics and part of what their careers will likely be,” Rosenbaum says. “There are always ways in which we are using other disciplines to further explore our work and research and our interests.”

The term “360” comes from the idea that the subject is covered from all angles, giving it a 360-degree view of the subject matter.

Faculty were also eager to demonstrate their interdisciplinary work, which made it natural to launch the courses. Students enrolled quickly and spoke highly of their experiences, which also prompted growth, Rosenbaum shares.

Most Popular

“It’s certainly had a kind of momentum that sometimes we don’t see as much because things are remaining within their disciplines. But this one had a contagious momentum that was really unique,” Rosenbaum explains.

What it is: The 360 seminar is an interdisciplinary course focused on a single theme, featuring guest lectures and atypical assessments.

One faculty member serves as the “faculty of record” and establishes the syllabus for a 360 course, selecting which other topics will be evaluated under the singular theme. During the term, faculty members will invite between seven and 10 guest lecturers, who speak once or twice each to provide a different lens on the subject. Many guests are other Adelphi faculty members, but they can also be from outside the university, Rosenbaum explains.

The program launched in fall 2019, and the initial course focused on food. The concept quickly became a hit among students and faculty and has continued since, with two courses being offered in spring 2022.

Past courses have ranged from the study of parties (Party 360: Why We Party) to disabilities (Disability 360: Embodied Politics) to race (360 Race) and cities (The Global Metropolis: Inventing Human Life).

Why it works: The courses fulfill general education course requirements and are an asset to undeclared students, who are particularly encouraged to take a 360 course.