Integrative Studies

Designed for those interested in working in a number of settings related to instructing and planning programs that contribute to an active lifestyle for children, youth, and adults. These settings include recreational facilities, youth camps, social service agencies, and coaching. Coursework provides students with knowledge related to understanding, developing, and administering programs. This program offers multifaceted educational opportunities to become a well-versed professional.

Concentration Requirements

Take one (1) of the following:

• BIO 161 Principles of Human Physiology (4)
• KNH 184 and 184 L Motor Skill Learning and Performance (3, 1)

Take one (1) of the following:

• KNH 242 Personal Health (3)
• KNH 293 Fitness and Conditioning (3)
• SLM 294 Games and Sport (3)
• KNH 245 Health Issues for Children (3)

Take one (1) of the following:

• APC 336 Advanced Interpersonal Communication (3)
• APC 339 Introduction to Organizational Communication (3)
• FSW 245 Children and Families: Ages Conception - 12 (3)
• FSW 363/SOC 363 Sociology of Families (3)
• PSY 231 Developmental Psychology (3)

Take both of the following:

• SLM 392 Lifetime and Adventure Activities (3)
• SLM 473 Children and Youth in Sport (3)

This concentration provides preparation for employment in settings such as business and industry, government and non-governmental agencies, nonprofit agencies, human resources, marketing, program evaluation, social research, public policy, community development, and a variety of other applied settings that require an understanding of human culture and behavior informed by sociological concepts, methods and theories.

The internship experience is a central component of the program. Internships and volunteer community service positions offer an excellent opportunity to explore career options and gain practical experience. Some of the internships are paid positions. Students learn a variety of valuable skills through participation in settings where sociological concepts, methods and theories are applied. Data show that sociology students who complete internships find it much easier to find preferred employment later.

Concentration Course Requirements

Take one (1) of the following:

• SOC 151 Social Relations (4)
• SOC 153 Sociology in a Global Context (3)

Take one (1) of the following:

• SOC 201 Social Problems (3)/ SOC 202 Social Deviance (3)

Take one (1) of the following:

• APC 363 Advanced Methods in Applied Communication (3)
• ATH 411/511* Applied Anthropology (3)
• STC 336 Advanced Interpersonal Communication (3)
• PSY 221 Social Psychology (3)

Take this course:

• SOC 262 Research Methods (3)

Take one (1) of the following:

• STC 428 Communication in Conflict Management(3)
• STC 436 Intercultural Communication (3)
• SOC/WGS/FSW 451 Family Violence(3)

*Denotes courses that are offered primarily or only on the Oxford campus.

This concentration explores American society at the outset of the 21st century by examining the relationships between the dominant and minority cultures, the quest for identity on the part of individuals and groups, and the social, political, and cultural changes of the post-World War II era. This concentration enhances students’ ability to succeed in careers in social work or community services jobs, as well as any business whose customer base or work force is diverse.

Concentration Course Requirements

Take one (1) of the following:

• AMS 205 Introduction to American Studies (3)
• AMS 207 America: A Global Perspective (3)
• ENG 143 Life and Thought in American Literature 1945 - Present (3)
• POL 142 American Politics and Diversity (4)
• FST/IDS/MAC 206 Diversity in American Film (3)

Take three (3) of the following:

• AAA 248/ENG 248 Asian American Literature (3)
• AAA 249/ENG 249 Asian and Asian American Cinema (3)
• AMS/ENG 246 Native American Literature (3)
• AMS/ENG 247 Appalachian Literature (3)
• AMS 310 Special Topics in American Studies (3)
• AMS/HST 367 The U.S. in the 1960's (3)
• ART 283 Modern America (3)
• ATH 303 Native American Culture (3)
• ATH 304 Native North America: Anthropological Perspectives (3)
• BIS 315 Comic Books in American Culture (3)
• BWS/ENG 338 African American Writing, 1946 - present (3)
• BWS/ENG 348 Race and Ethnic Relations (3)
• ENG/WGS 232 American Woman Writers (3)
• ENG/LAS 254 Latino/a Literature and the America (3)
• ENG 293 Contemporary American Fiction (3)
• STC 332 Argumentation and Debate (3)
• WGS/HST/AMS 382 Women in American History (3)

Take one (1) of the following:

• ENG 468 Gender and Genre (3)
• EGS 410 Readings in Multicultural Perspectives (3)
• EGS 460 Issues in Literary and Cultural Studies (3)
• APC 438 Political Communication (3)

This concentration is designed for students who seek a broad, multi-disciplinary approach toward careers in organizations with cross-cultural and international activities. This concentration allows the individual to selectively combine several disciplines to develop skills needed to function effectively in cross-cultural and global environments. Students use economic analysis to examine the nature of organizations operating within a global economy, develop the skills needed to manage people in diverse environments and think from multiple perspectives, and learn to analyze similarities and differences in verbal and non-verbal communication among different cultures as they relate to norms, values, and practices.

Concentration Course Requirements

Take one (1) of the following:

• ATH 175 Peoples of the World (3)
• CMR 244 Introduction to Global Business (3)
• HST 296 World History Since 1945 (3)
• ITS 201 Introduction to International Studies (3)
• POL 102 Politics and Global Issues (3)

Take two (2) of the following:

• ATH 206/LAS 208 Introduction to Latin America (3)
• ATH 305 Latin America: Anthropological Perspectives (3)
• ATH 307 The Middle East: Anthropological Perspectives (3)
• HST 354 Modern Chinese History (3)
• SOC/BWS 348 Race and Ethnic Relations (3)
• ENG/BWS 336, 337, OR 338 (only one (1) of these can count) African American Writing (3)
• ATH 358 Travelers, Migrants, and Refugees

*Take two (2) of the following:

• APC 428 Communication in Conflict Management (3)
• STC 436 Intercultural Communication (3)
• ATH 431 Anthropology and Global History (3)

*A course from this tier is required when this concentration is used as Concentration II.

This concentration provides students with grounding in the fundamentals of plant and animal biology as related to ecology and conservation. This concentration could enhance a student’s ability to work or advance in a variety of settings, including positions in landscaping, public land or park policy, or with companies whose businesses affect the environment such as construction, land development, housing, etc. The Environmental Studies concentration will match up very well with students who already have an associate's degree in horticulture (Cincinnati State). 

Concentration Course Requirements

Take one (1) of the following:

• BIO 121 Environmental Biology (3)
• BIO 131 Plants, Humanity, and Environment (3)
• BIO 176 Ecology of North America (3)
• GLG 111 The Dynamic Earth (3)
• GLG 121 Environmental Geology (3)

Take one (1) of the following:

• BIO 204* Evolution of Plant Biodiversity: Genes to Biosphere (4)
• BIO 206 Evolutionary Biology (3)
• BIO 209 Fundamentals of Ecology (3)

Take one (1) of the following:

GEO 271 Human Dimensions of Natural Resource Conservation (3)

GLG 307 Water and Society (3)

IES 274* Environment and Sustainability (3)

IES 275* Principles of Environmental Science (3)

GLG 311 Geoenvironmental Field Methods (3)

Take two (2) of the following:

ATH 471 Ecological Anthropology (MPT) (3)

BIO 351 Environmental Education: Focus on Natural History (4)

BIO 467 Conservation Biology (3)

IES 431 Principles and Applications of Environmental Science (3)

*Denotes courses that are offered primarily or only on the Oxford campus.

This concentration is designed to provide students with an interdisciplinary view of family life in contemporary times, preparing students to work or to advance in careers requiring work with families, children, teens, and/or the elderly. Courses focus on analysis and examination of familial relationships, systems, and structures in varied settings.This concentration will work well as follow up to a Pre-K Associate degree or for those previously in early childhood education who have decided to apply their skills in other career fields.

Concentration Course Requirements

Take three (3) of the following:

• ENG 262 Children's Literature (3)
• FSW/KNH 207 Serving and Supporting Children, Youth, and Families (4)
• FSW 261 Diverse Family Systems Across the Life Cycle (3)
• FSW 245 Children and Families: Ages Conception - 12 (3)
• PSY 231 Developmental Psychology (3)
• SOC/WGS 203 Sociology of Gender Roles (3)
• SOC/WGS 221 Human Sexuality (3)
• WGS 201 Introduction to Women's Studies (3)
• WGS 202 Introduction to GLBT Studies (3)
• WGS/ENG 233 British Women Writers (3)
• Take one (1) of the following:
• FSW/SOC 363 (formerly SOC 361) Sociology of Families (3)
• PHL 312 Contemporary Moral Problems (4)
• WGS 301 Women and Difference: Intersections of Race, Class, and Sexuality (3)
• AMS/HST/WGS 382 Women in American History (3)

Take one (1) of the following:

• EDT 422 Studies in Educational Issues (3)
• FSW/SOC/WGS 451 Family Violence (3)
• FSW 481 Adolescent Development in Diverse Families (3)
• GTY/SOC/WGS 463 Gender and Aging (3)
• SLM 447 Sport Pedagogy for Coaches and Practitioners (3)

GISci teaches techniques for collecting and analyzing geographic information in our environment. The courses complement each other with some that provide a technical foundation and understanding and others introducing GISci concepts and providing a chance to apply them to various types of situations. Students learn how use technologies including satellite and aerial imaging, global positioning systems, and remote sensing. The concentration provides the training and hands-on experience to solve problems in fields such as natural resources, urban planning, military and business decision-making, architecture, archaeology, law enforcement, education, health and many others. By taking one additional course, students may also earn a GIS certificate in addition to their degree.

Concentration Course Requirements

Take one (1) of the following:

• CIT 214 Database Design and Development (3)
• ISA 245* Database Systems and Data Warehousing (3)

Take all of the following:

• GEO 441 Geographic Information Systems (3)
• GEO 442 Advanced Geographic Information Systems (3)
• GEO 443 PYTHON Programming for ArcGIS (3)
• GEO 448 Techniques and Applications of Remote Sensing (3)

In order to complete the GISci certificate program, students must also take one (1) of the following:

• GEO 340 Internship (1-20)
• GEO 444 GIS Techniques in Landscape Ecology (3)
• GEO 447 Aerial Photo Interpretation (4)

*Denotes courses that are offered primarily or only on the Oxford Campus

The concentration in Health Care Administration is designed to provide knowledge and skills to individuals who are working in technical health care occupations and desire to assume administrative, managerial, and supervisory positions. At least one NSG course is required for either Concentration I or Concentration II.

Concentration Course Requirements

Take two (2) of the following:

• ACC 222 Introduction to Managerial Accounting (3)
• CMR 301 Personal Organization Skills (3)
• CMR 302 Financial Information for Managers (3)
• ECO 201 Principles of Microeconomics (3)
• ISA 235 Information Technology and the Intelligent Enterprise (3)
• CMR 224 Medical Terminology (3)

Take two (2) of the following:

• MBI 361 Epidemiology (3)
• NSG 321 U. S. Health Care System and Culture (3)
• PHL 375 Medical Ethics (4)
• APC 201 Introduction to Health Communication (3)

Take one (1) of the following:

• CMR 401 Leadership Decision Skills (3)
• NSG 435 Challenges in Health Care Delivery (3)
• CIT 448 Global and Strategic Issues in Information Technology (3)

This concentration is designed for individuals working in any number of occupations in profit and nonprofit sectors who want a four-year degree indicative of their ability to advance within the organization and lead or supervise others. Organizations employing such individuals include business, government, health care, and not-for profit in areas such as client/customer service, fund raising, human resources, human services, manufacturing, office administration or management, public affairs, retailing, sales and training.

Concentration Course Requirements

Take two (2) of the following (including at least one STC course):

• CMR 282 Computer-Based Business Analysis (3)
• STC 239* Communication Theory (3)
• APC 336 Advanced Interpersonal Communication (3)
• STC 339* Introduction to Organizational Communication (3)
• PSY 221 Social Psychology (3)
• CMR 441 Social Media and Career Development (3)

Take all of the following, please note that ACC 222 can be substituted for CMR 302:

• CMR 301 Personal Organization Skills (3)
• CMR 302 Financial Information for Managers (3)
• CMR 401 Leadership Decision Skills (3)

*STC classes were previously known as COM

The concentration in Personal and Community Health Perspectives is designed to provide knowledge and skills to individuals who are working or intend to work in health care occupations.

Concentration Course Requirements

Take one (1) of the following:

• BIO 181 Medicinal and Therapeutic Plants (3)
• DST/ENG 169 Disability Identity (3)
• KNH 102 Fundamentals of Nutrition (3)
• KNH 188 Physical Activity and Health (3)
• MBI 111 Microorganisms and Human Disease (3)
• MBI 131 Community Health Perspectives (2) and MBI 123 Experimenting with Microbes (1)

Take three (3) of the following:

• STC 231* Small Group Communication (3)
• FSW 245 Children and Families: Ages Conception - 12 (3)
• KNH 242 Personal Health (3)
• MBI 361 Epidemiology (3)
• NSG 317 Teaching Strategies in Health Care (3)
• NSG 321 U. S. Health Care System and Culture (3)
• NSG 380S** Grief & Mourning: Global Perspectives (3)
• PHL 375 Medical Ethics (4)
• PSY/AAA/BWS 210 Psychology Across Cultures (3)
• CMR 224 Medical Terminology (3)

Take one (1) of the following:

• STC 436* Intercultural Communication (3)
• NSG 435 Challenges in Health Care Delivery (3)
• NSG 441 Health and Aging: Current Perspectives and Issues (3)

*STC classes were previously known as COM

**NSG 380 is not offered regularly.

Students may design a customized primary and/or secondary concentration tailored to their educational goals. In order to self-design their concentration, students must identify a set of courses and develop a rationale that explains how these courses will work together as a unit of study. Self-designed concentrations must involve multidisciplinary approaches and include at least one 400-level course, the same as standard concentrations. The course list and rationale must be submitted for approval to the SEO Petition and Review Committee (SPRC), the group that oversees the BIS curriculum. 

Guidelines for Self-Designed Concentrations

If a student elects to self-design their concentrations, their course selection must meet the following general requirements:

• Concentrations must include at least five classes and at least 15 credit hours.
• Across the two concentrations, no subject code (e.g., ENG, STC, WGS) may be used more than five times.
• Course level minimums: self-designed concentrations may include at most one class (3 – 4 credits) at the 100 level and must include at least one class (3 – 4 credits) at the 300-level and one class (3 – 4 credits) at the 400-level or higher.
• A Minor may be used for Concentration 2.
• The Thematic Sequence must be different from the concentrations, i.e., no subject code used in the TS may appear in Concentration 1 or Concentration 2.
• Concentrations must not replicate a degree already offered by Miami University.

Rationale for a Self-Designed Concentration

In general, Self-Designed Concentrations are held to higher expectations in terms of the rationale supporting the SEO. Because students are, in essence, creating part of their degree from Miami University, we expect that students support their proposed program of study with extensive research and clearly articulate how their choices will provide them with a BIS degree that will help them reach their personal and professional goals.

This concentration is designed for students who are interested in pursuing a career in the staffing and talent management fields. This concentration allows the individual to select and combine disciplines to develop skills needed to function effectively in this dynamic and complex area.

Concentration Requirements

Select one of the following: 3

• CMR 106 Introduction to Business and the Economy
• CMR 108 Introduction to Business Law
• CMR 111 Introduction to Management I

Select two of the following: 6

• CMR 202 Payroll Records and Accounting
• CMR 241 Management of Business Operations
• CMR 243 Management of Worker Relations
• CMR 244 Introduction to Global Business
• CMR 261 Customer Service & Satisfaction
• NCS 202 Introduction to Nonprofits and NGOs
• PSY 210 Psychology Across Cultures

Select one of the following: 3

• ENG 313 Technical Writing
• SOC 348 Race and Ethnic Relations
• SOC 363 Sociology of Families

Select one of the following: 3

• APC 428 Communication in Conflict Management
• CMR 401 Leadership Decision Skills
• CMR 441 Social Media and Career Development
• STC 436* Intercultural Communication
• STC 439* Advanced Organizational Communication
  
  

*STC classes were previously known as COM