Student Initiated Interdepartmental Major

    The SIIM program exists to meet the needs of undergraduate students whose intellectual curiosity and career aspirations will not be best served simply by completing existing major and minor offerings. The SIIM provides enhanced curricular flexibility and enables students to creatively examine their academic interests from a wider yet focused perspective - across disciplines - and without being constrained by requirements inappropriate to their needs.

    Recently approved SIIM's include plans in Arabic Studies, Arts Management and Women's Studies (combining literature and modern language study).

    The SIIM is administered by the Interdepartmental Programs Committee. Faculty membership varies from year to year. During the 2006-2007 academic year the following individuals are serving:

    • Professor Donald Borsh, Department of Theatre & Drama, 110 Dunn Hall, 315.267.2233, borshdp@potsdam.edu, (Chair)

    • Dr. Thomas Gerstenberger, Department of Psychology, 114 Flagg Hall, 315.267.2608, gerstetj@potsdam.edu

    • Dr. Susan Haller, Department of Computer Science, 303 Dunn Hall, 315.267.2876, hallersm@potsdam.edu

    • Dr. Shiho Imai, Department of History, 317-2 Satterlee Hall, 315.267.2876, imais@potsdam.edu

    • Dr. Meilee Lin, Department of Economics & Employment Relations, 221 Dunn Hall, 315.267.2220, linmw@potsdam.edu

    • Mr. Jeff Reeder, Department of Theatre & Dance, 121 Satteelee Hall, 315.267.2262, reederdj@potsdam.edu

    • Dr. Kevin Smith, Department of History, 310-B Satterlee Hall, 315.267.2560, smithkd@potsdam.edu

    • Dr. Jaimin Weets, Department of Anthropology, 129A MacVicar Hall, 315.267.2714, weetsjd@potsdam.edu

    • Dr. John Youngblood, Department of English & Communication, 121 Morey Hall, 315.267.2989, youngbjd@potsdam.edu

    Admission to the SIIM requires:

    1. Completion of the SIIM Proposal Form, submitted to the chair of the Interdepartmental Programs Committee. Forms are available from the Dean's Office in Dunn 106.

    2. Additional documentation, including a current transcript.

    3. Approval of the proposed plan of study by the committee, based upon the plan's quality and the student's ability to carry it out.

    4. Timely submission of all materials by the end of the sophomore year.

    The proposed plan of study will contain:

    1. A statement of objectives.

    2. A detailed outline describing anticipated interdisciplinary areas of study.

    3. A list of courses involved, including prerequisites and cognate requirements as relevant.

    4. Evidence of support from a faculty advisor who will supervise the student's progress.

    Standard ingredients of any approved plan:

    1. A minimum of 30 but not more than 42 credit hours.

    2. At least 15 credit hours of upper division work.

    3. 75% of the courses will have a liberal arts designation.

    4. Any cognate requirements will not total more than 16 credit hours.

    5. A seminar or tutorial reflecting interdepartmental interests.

    Other important considerations:

    1. Although additional coursework need not be specified in submission of the final plan, documentation of such will be helpful to the student and sincerely appreciated by the Interdepartmental Programs Commitee.

    2. Approved plans will be the product of careful planning and consultation between the student, the advisor and the committee.

    3. Nota bene - All courses in the approved plan of study must be completed with a grade of 2.0 or better.