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| Internet studies new
offering for next fall |
Sam Calhoun
Academic Affairs Beat
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The department
of interdisciplinary studies and the College of Arts and Sciences
will offer a Bachelor of Arts degree in interdisciplinary studies
with a major concentration in Internet studies as well as a new
minor in Internet studies beginning fall 2003.
Recognized as one of the first of its kind in the nation, the new
program provides students with the opportunity to study the social,
political, technical, cultural, artistic and other aspects of the
Internet, according to an Internet studies announcement.
The goal of the program is to help students gain an understanding
of the impacts this emerging technology is having on the world,
as well as to provide practical experiences in Internet technologies,
according to a department of interdisciplinary studies pamphlet.
“In some ways, this major is aimed at letting students reflect
and study the impacts of what everyone is doing,” Director
of Internet studies Dr. Derek J. Stanovsky said Friday. “There’s
this new media that’s emerged in our lives that everyone’s
using … seems like an occasion for some thoughtful thought
and reflection.”
This will be the first registration period students can sign up
for the new major and minor, which was created originally in November
2002.
“This is a culmination of a lot of work by many folks around
campus,” Stanovsky said. “It’s really a very special
and unique kind of program, and we’re really excited to have
the opportunity to do it here.”
Stanovsky said he gives much credit to department of interdisciplinary
studies Chair Dr. Richard M. Carp for paving the way to make this
unique program possible.
There are few of these programs in the world, Stanovsky said. There
are programs in Internet studies relating to interdisciplinary studies
and/or liberal arts in Australia, South Africa, British Columbia
and at Appalachian State University.
This new program will draw from two areas of study relating to the
Internet.
“Students are asked to take half their course work from the
selection of courses focusing on technical/design aspects [of the
Internet],” Stanovsky said. Examples of this would include
computer science, art and media production.
“Half the courses are focused on the culture and politics of
the Internet,” Stanovsky said, citing examples such as globalization
and art history. “Plus [there is] an increasing number of courses
focused specifically on the Internet.”
Looking to expand with time, only one course, IDS 3250 Internet
Studies, has been created for the new program. The addition of a
new faculty member will also benefit the Internet studies program.
Martha McCaughey, Appalachian State’s new director of Women’s
Studies, will arrive in Boone in the fall to teach IDS 3534 Cyberactivism
and Cyberliberties. McCaughey has a new book out on the topic of
Cyberactivism.
If you are interested in this new major and minor or just want more
information, contact Stanovsky at 262-2441, stanovskydj@appstate.edu
or visit the Internet studies Web site at www.internetstudies.appstate.edu.
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