|
Interdisciplinary Studies IST Advising |
|||
|
Sample Rationale Community Services: Emphasis in Urban Studies |
|||
|
|
|||
|
This past summer I became aware of the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies at the University of South Alabama and decided that it was time for me to get back into school. I had been enrolled in the University from the fall of 1993 to the fall of 1996, and in that time I had changed my major from education to geography, but still felt I was not really moving toward a degree I could use. I left school to seek employment without a college degree. By the fall of 1997, I realized that this was not feasible, so I returned to school as an IST major. My field of study is Community Services with an emphasis in urban studies. This seemed like a practical choice since most of my previous credits in geography, political science and history could be used as my three disciplines. My hope is to get a job in city planning and urban development or in the civil service area of local government. I think that a job related to the growth of a city would be fascinating and rewarding. My long term plan is to remain in the greater Mobile area as this part of the state is certainly moving in the direction of further development. I would like to play a part in this development , either in the area of physical construction or in planned social expansion in terms of population needs and requirements. Of special interest to me with regard to future development of Mobile are the wetlands found in the river delta and the coastal areas of Dauphin Island and Gulf Shores. Without adequate planning, considerable damage could be done to these areas. My interest in urban development is focused on protecting river front and barrier island areas of public land while fostering the growth of Mobile and Baldwin Counties. My three disciplines, geography, political science and history, will give me a foundation for a career in urban development. One aspect of geography that I have found very interesting is the study of civilizations and their relationship to their environment. Geography is a useful discipline for analyzing environmental effects of urban development and predicting outcomes from various kinds of land use activities. Political science studies governmental institutions and the roles people play in these bodies. It measures opinions and attitudes on public issues and helps decision makers become aware of the impact these attitudes may have on government activities and policies. Politics has been defined as “the art of the possible.” If I want to be an effective advocate for sane development, I will need to understand all the possibilities that government provides. History allows us to study the past to determine causes of events and identify historical trends. The historical consequences of events can be a useful indicator of how present or proposed courses of action may affect communities or regions. The South is particularly aware and protective of its past. Understanding the history of a community and its inhabitants will enable me to be more sensitive to local attitudes and issues and thus more likely to succeed in advocating change. These three disciplines can provide the background knowledge that will enable me to understand and act on urban issues from a governmental perspective. My goal of working in an agency having urban land use and development responsibilities or oversight should be facilitated through this curriculum. I will make use of the disciplines to promote urban development that is sensitive to environmental consequences, as well as public access to and utilization of our natural resources. |
|||
|
|
|||
|
Current
IST Newsletter |
|||
|
|
|||
[Getting Started][IST Courses][Degree Programs][Faculty/Staff][Advising][Admissions] |
|||
|
|
