2023-2024 Academic Catalog

Interdisciplinary Studies

All interdisciplinary and experimental studies at the University of Dayton must involve University students and faculty, must be commensurate with University resources or resources accessible to the University, and must further the recognized goals and purposes of the University. When these studies involve disciplines within the College of Arts and Sciences or one of the Schools, they are administered by or through the offices of the respective deans. When they are University-wide, i.e., inter-school, they are usually administered by the Office of the Provost.

Interdisciplinary-A&S Courses

ASI 100. Academic Reading & Dialogue. 3 Hours

Academic Reading and Dialogue.

ASI 110. The Roots and Development of Western Culture in a Global Context. 7 Hours

An introductory two-course sequence integrating the study of English, history, philosophy and religious studies. The first course, ASI 110 (7 sem. hrs), offered in the fall semester, covers ancient civilizations through early modern civilization. (Completion of ASI 110 counts as completion of HST 103 and REL 103).

ASI 120. The Development of Western Culture in a Global Context. 8 Hours

An introductory two-course sequence integrating the study of English, history, philosophy and religious studies. The second, course, ASI 120, (8 sem. hrs), offered in the spring semester, continues from the Enlightenment to the contemporary period. Restricted to first-year students in the Core Program. (Completion of ASI 120 counts as completion of second historical study course, PHL 103, and ENG 114 and ENG 198.) Prerequisite(s): ASI 110.

ASI 150. Introduction to the University Experience. 1 Hour

Examination of the values that inform academic progress in the College; discussion of strategies for taking full advantage of academic opportunities and integrating formal and experiential learning.

ASI 160. First Year Seminar for Discovering Students. 1 Hour

Examination of academic policies and procedures in the College; discussion of strategies for sustaining student success, selecting a major and incorporating experiential learning into the academic experience for Discovering (undecided major) students.

ASI 161. First Year Seminar for Discover Science Students. 1 Hour

Examination of academic policies and procedures in the College; discussion of strategies for sustaining student success in the natural sciences, selecting a major and incorporating experiential learning into the academic experience for Discover Science students.

ASI 165. Discover Health & Medicine 1. 1 Hour

This course provides students the opportunity to develop skills related to academic success and to begin exploring vocational interests in health and medicine. It is the first in a 2-course sequence (ASI 165/ASI 166) for students in Discover Health & Medicine.

ASI 166. Discover Health & Medicine 2. 1 Hour

This course provides students the opportunity to further explore vocational interests in health and medicine while also continuing to develop skills related to academic success. It is the second in a 2-course sequence (ASI 165/ASI 166) for students in Discover Health & Medicine. Prerequisites: ASI 165.

ASI 170. Intro to the University for Transfer Students. 1 Hour

Students will explore personal strategies for academic success as a transfer student at the University of Dayton. This course is designed to help students get adjusted to the university and build skills and behaviors for success. We will also spend time thinking proactively about goals and how to accomplish them here at UD.

ASI 201. Personal Value Development. 2 Hours

Exploration of the conceptual framework of value development. Application of concepts in such personal decision making as educational and career planning, developing satisfying personal relationships, and using time productively.

ASI 203. The Dayton Community. 3 Hours

An interdisciplinary social science course describing and analyzing the nature of community issues and problems of the Dayton area; various approaches to addressing local concerns including public, private and citizens initiatives are explored.

ASI 214. Dramatic Kinesics in a Foreign Language. 1 Hour

Corrective work in foreign language sound and gesticulatory patterns accomplished by enacting scenes from a play in the language. May be repeated in one language in successive stages of difficulty up to three semester hours. Registration may be retroactive. Prerequisite(s): Basic instruction in language; permission of instructor.

ASI 228. Focus on Women. 1 Hour

Interdisciplinary seminar on the changing roles and status of women. Requirement for women's studies minors. May be repeated since topics change yearly.

ASI 301. Democracy & Deliberation. 3 Hours

Democracy & Deliberation explores competing theoretical approaches to and empirical assessments of democratic governance. Particular attention is paid to the role of deliberation and civic engagement in democracies. Students will help organize and execute a deliberative forum as part of the course.

ASI 305. Appalachian Studies. 3 Hours

Appalachian history and its influence on the present; problems of recent events; influence of local government and federal programs on the people; economic problems of underprivileged people and the future of industrial development; ecology of the region; literature, art, and music; psychology of social change and community development in the underdeveloped regions; health and mental health; problems of the Appalachian migrant.

ASI 320. Cities & Energy. 3 Hours

Interdisciplinary examination of the influence of energy on the urban environment since the Industrial Revolution, and how this relationship has affected every aspect of city life from infrastructure to culture (literature and film, in particular). Emphasis on the relationship between the development and design of cities and their impact on various forms of difference (e.g., race, class, and gender, among others),as well as the prospects for the future of cities and energy systems. Prerequisite(s): ENG 100, HST 103, or ASI 110.

ASI 322. Cities & Suburbs: The Influence of Place (Social Science). 3 Hours

This interdisciplinary course examines the changing social, political, economic, cultural, ethical, and religious factors that shape life in cities and suburbs. It examines the factors that influence where people choose to live and the conditions that both unite and divide people across urban/suburban regions. Particular consideration is given to issues of social injustice, privilege and oppression, and moral responsibility. The social science domain is emphasized. This course is cross-listed with ASI 323 and ASI 324. Students taking ASI 322 may not receive credit for ASI 323 or ASI 324.

ASI 323. Cities & Suburbs: The Influence of Place (Philosophy). 3 Hours

This interdisciplinary course examines the changing social, political, economic, cultural, ethical, and religious factors that shape life in cities and suburbs. It examines the factors that influence where people choose to live and the conditions that both unite and divide people across urban/suburban regions. Particular consideration is given to issues of social injustice, privilege and oppression, and moral responsibility. The philosophy domain is emphasized. This course is cross-listed with ASI 322 and ASI 324. Students taking ASI 323 may not receive credit for ASI 322 or ASI 324.

ASI 324. Cities & Suburbs: The Influence of Place (Religious Studies). 3 Hours

This interdisciplinary course examines the changing social, political, economic, cultural, ethical, and religious factors that shape life in cities and suburbs. It examines the factors that influence where people choose to live and the conditions that both unite and divide people across urban/suburban regions. Particular consideration is given to issues of social injustice, privilege and oppression, and moral responsibility. The religious studies domain is emphasized. This course is cross-listed with ASI 322 and ASI 323. Students taking ASI 324 may not receive credit for ASI 322 or ASI 323.

ASI 325. Cities & Institutions. 3 Hours

Examination of important urban institutions, including, but not limited to, city planning, economic development, public safety, and education.

ASI 341. Special Topics in Arts Study. 1-3 Hours

Examination of an interdisciplinary topic in arts study. Topics developed by faculty holding appointment in the Humanities Fellows Program or in an endowed chair. May be repeated as topics change.

ASI 342. Special Topics in Historical Study. 1-3 Hours

Examination of an interdisciplinary topic in historical study. Topics developed by faculty holding appointment in the Humanities Fellows Program or in an endowed chair. May be repeated as topics change.

ASI 343. Special Topics in Philosophy Study. 1-3 Hours

Examination of an interdisciplinary topic in philosophy. Topics developed by faculty holding appointment in the Humanities Fellows Program or in an endowed chair. May be repeated as topics change.

ASI 344. Topics in Religious Studies. 1-3 Hours

Examination of an interdisciplinary topic in religious studies. Topics developed by faculty holding appointment in the Humanities Fellows Program or in an endowed chair. May be repeated as topics change.

ASI 345. Special Topics in Social Science. 1-3 Hours

Examination of an interdisciplinary topic in social science. Topics developed by faculty holding appointment in the Humanities Fellows Program or in an endowed chair. May be repeated as topics change.

ASI 346. Special Topics in Physical & Life Science. 1-3 Hours

Examination of an interdisciplinary topic in physical and life sciences. Topics developed by faculty holding appointment in the Humanities Fellows Program or in an endowed chair. May be repeated as topics change.

ASI 347. Physics & Literature. 3 Hours

Examination of works of literature that are based on principles of physics. Basic physics experiments will be performed to reinforce theoretical principles. Prerequisite(s): ENG 102 or equivalent; SCI 190 or other PHY course.

ASI 350. Interdisciplinary Film Study. 1 Hour

A capstone course in the film studies minor. Interdisciplinary study of film from religious, philosophical, literary, creative, technological and institutional perspectives. Requirement for film studies minors. Prerequisite(s): Any combination of four courses (twelve semester hours): REL 372, PHL 324, ENG 331, ENG 332, CMM 345, other approved substitutes.

ASI 357. Vocation & the Arts. 3 Hours

As the culminating course of the Chaminade Scholars program--a course sequence emphasizing vocational discernment--ASI 357 explores how an understanding of, and engagement with, the arts (including literary works, photography, and other media) may deepen one’s exploration of vocational discernment. This course is for students admitted to the Chaminade Scholars program. Prerequisites: REL 256 and SSC 200 or ANT 150 or CJS 101 or ECO 203 or ECO 204 or POL 201 or POL 202 or PSY 101 or SOC 101 or SOC 204 or SWK 201.

ASI 358. Christianity, Citizenship & Society. 3 Hours

Interdisciplinary social science course, capstone for Chaminade Scholars. Presentation of historical-theological context of the church and its impact on society. Designed to help students think through their place and role in the society in which they live, work, and worship. Prerequisite(s): (ASI 357; REL 356) or permission of department chairperson.

ASI 371. Professional Ethics in a Global Community - Business Administration. 3 Hours

Virtues and responsibilities of professionals to self, clients, community, and world. Philosophical and religious approaches to ethical theory and decision-making. In-depth study of one of the following: business ethics (371), ethics and education (372), engineering ethics (373), philosophical (374) or religious (375) consideration of membership in a global community.

ASI 372. Professional Ethics in a Global Community - Education. 3 Hours

Virtues and responsibilities of professionals to self, clients, community, and world. Philosophical and religious approaches to ethical theory and decision-making. In-depth study of one of the following: business ethics (371), ethics and education (372), engineering ethics (373), philosophical (374) or religious (375) consideration of membership in a global community.

ASI 373. Professional Ethics in a Global Community - Engineering. 3 Hours

Virtues and responsibilities of professionals to self, clients, community, and world. Philosophical and religious approaches to ethical theory and decision-making. In-depth study of one of the following: business ethics (371), ethics and education (372), engineering ethics (373), philosophical (374) or religious (375) consideration of membership in a global community.

ASI 374. Professional Ethics in a Global Community - Philosophical. 3 Hours

Examination of professional responsibility (ethics) in a global community from a philosophical perspective. Designed so that students from all Schools and the College will address their particular professional responsibility to themselves, others, and the planet. Restricted to students in the Core Program. Prerequisite(s): ASI 110, ASI 120.

ASI 375. Professional Ethics in a Global Community – Religious Studies. 3 Hours

Examination of professional responsibility (ethics) in a global community from a Christian perspective. Designed so that students from all Schools and the College will address their particular professional responsibility to themselves, others, and the planet. Restricted to students in the Core Program. Prerequisite(s): ASI 110, ASI 120.

ASI 390. Social Justice in Latin America. 3 Hours

This course adopts an inter-disciplinary, highly experiential approach to the topic of social justice in Latin America by focusing on the social, theological, and ethical dimensions of justice. Taught on-site in Latin America. Prerequisite(s): SPN 201 or equivalent or permission of instructor.

ASI 395. Integrative Capstone Project, India. 3 Hours

Development and presentation of a major project which demonstrates integration of philosophical analysis and synthesis with at least two other disciplinary perspectives and which makes application of these disciplinary perspectives to an aspect of a life of ministry.

ASI 398. Special Topics in International Development. 3 Hours

Study of political, philosophical, historical, and economic questions associated with developing countries. Topics determined by an interdisciplinary team.

ASI 399. Interdisciplinary Topics. 3 Hours

Study of special topics or themes of an interdisciplinary nature. Specific subtitles announced in composite. May be repeated as topics change.

ASI 404. Applied Study in Community Issues. 3 Hours

An advanced seminar that generates applied social science research related to contemporary social problems and public policy-making in the Dayton area. Students participate in research teams to assist government agencies in defining and analyzing critical social conditions (under spervision of faculty from various disciplines). Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor.

ASI 448. Seminar in Family Development. 1 Hour

Interdisciplinary examination of issues relating to family relationships, changes in family life, and the social context of family life. Required of family development minors. Prerequisite(s): Twelve semester hours completed in the minor.

ASI 495. Integrative Capstone Project, India Program. 3 Hours

Development and presentation of a major project which demonstrates integration of philosophical analysis and synthesis with at least two other disciplinary perspectives and which makes application of these disciplinary perspectives to an aspect of a life of ministry.

Courses