Bachelor of Integrative Studies: Concentrations
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About BIS Concentrations
Concentration I:
Applied Sociology
American Contemporary Experience
Environmental Studies
Family, Gender, and Society
Geographic Information Science (GIS)
Information Technology Strategy for Organizations
Organizational Leadership
Understanding Media and Visual Culture
Concentration II
Suggested Pairings of Concentrations I & II
The BIS Concentrations (I & II) contribute to a major learning outcome for the BIS degree: integrative learning.
Integrative learning occurs as learners make meaning by applying concepts across varied settings and forging greater connections. Integrative approaches move beyond the fragmented curriculum to connect learning, and learning becomes greater than the sum of its parts.
The BIS Concentrations make a major contribution to students' integrative learning. In addition, the combination of applied and liberal studies make it possible for students to build a curriculum that matches their academic and workforce advancement needs.
Applied Sociology. 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. According to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Labor Market Information web site, the Cincinnati-Middletown Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) growth projections for both Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations and Community and Social Services Occupations is 13.7percent by 2014.
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Contemporary American Experience. This concentration asks students to focus on understanding American society at the outset of the 21st century by examining its roots, as explained though its political system, its reliance on tradition, and the multiplicity of voices contending to be heard. Those voices not only include the so-called mainstream but a diversity of minorities.
The concentration demands critical thinking about the relationships between the dominant culture and minority cultures, the quest for identify on the part of minorities, and the social, political, and cultural changes of the post-World War II era. The Contemporary American Experience concentration will meet the objectives of the BIS degree by requiring students to integrate their reading of American literature with their increased understanding of our contemporary culture's roots.
This concentration should enhance students' ability to work effectively or advance in careers in social work or community services jobs, businesses whose customer base includes minorities or whose work force is diverse, sales and related occupations requiring interaction with the diverse population of SW Ohio.
According to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Labor Market Information web site, the Cincinnati-Middletown Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) growth projection for Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations is 13.7 percent; for Community and Social Services Occupations is 13.7 percent; Management occupations is 8.2 percent; and Sales and Related Occupations is 9.4 percentby 2014.
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Environmental Studies. This concentration provides students with a grounding in the fundamentals of plant and animal biology as related to ecology and conservation. The science of living organisms is related to social perspectives as students examine local, regional, and global issues and learn to critique economic, socioeconomic, and policy perspectives. Students study the distinctions between use and abuse of the environment and have a choice of focusing on environmental education or the analysis of the relationship of humans to the environment.
This concentration should enhance students' ability to work or advance in work related to the environment, either directly or indirectly, for example, positions in landscaping, public land or park policy, or with companies whose businesses affect the environment (i.e. construction, land development, housing). The Environmental Studies concentration will match up very well with students who already have an associates degree in horticulture (Cincinnati State). According to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Labor Market Information web site, the Cincinnati-Middletown Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) growth projection for Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations is 13.7 percent; for Community and Social Services Occupations is 13.7 percent; Management occupations is 8.2 percent; and Sales and Related Occupations is 9.4 percent by 2014.
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Families, Gender, and Society. This concentration is designed to provide students with an interdisciplinary view of family life in contemporary times. Courses focus on analysis and examination of familial relationships, systems, and structures in varied settings. This concentration will also work well as follow up for the pre-K AAS degree or for those previously in early childhood education who have decided to apply their skills in other career fields.
The concentration should prepare students to work or to advance in careers requiring work with families, children, teens, and/or the elderly. According to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Labor Market Information web site, the Cincinnati-Middletown Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) growth projection for Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations is 13.7 percent and for Community and Social Services Occupations is 13.7 percent by 2014.
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