HISTORY IN THE MAKING: the new Department of Interdisciplinary Studies
New Leaders
College of Arts and Humanities selects Amit Bein as associate dean Professor Amit Bein was selected as the new Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Affairs for the College of Arts and Humanities. Bein served as chair of the Department of History and Geography from 2020-2023 and has been a Clemson University faculty member since 2006. He is tasked with, among other duties, guiding the College toward achieving the University’s strategic goal of doubling research by 2035. Bein is a distinguished scholar in his own right, holding a Ph.D. in Near Eastern Studies from Princeton University. He is an expert on late Ottoman history and the early Turkish Republic. During his tenure as department chair, Bein oversaw increased enrollment in the undergraduate history major and the History M.A. program. He also presided over the launch of the nation’s first Ph.D. in Digital History and the development of the legal studies emphasis in the history major. Joseph Mai chosen to lead Department of Languages Professor of French Joseph Mai was appointed as chair of the Department of Languages in June 2023. He holds a Ph.D., M. Phil. and M.A. in French Literature from Yale University. Mai writes about French and Francophone Film and (visual) media studies, film philosophy and contemporary French literature. He began his career at Clemson in 2004 as an assistant professor of French. Prior to Clemson, he was a visiting assistant professor at Tulane University and a teaching fellow at Yale. The Department of Languages provides courses in American Sign Language (ASL), Chinese (Mandarin), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian, Spanish and Latin. Stephanie Barczewski moves from acting to permanent chair of Department of History and Geography Professor Stephanie Barczewski moved from serving as acting chair of the Department of History and Geography to full chair in December 2023. Since arriving at Clemson in 1996, Barczewski has been a leader in productivity in the department in publishing eight books, 19 articles and chapters and participating in more than 50 conferences. A professor of modern British history, Barczewski is Clemson University’s Carol K. Brown Scholar in the Humanities. She is currently researching the peculiarities of the British natural environment. Benjamin White named Department of Philosophy and Religion chair Associate Professor of Religion Benjamin White became the chair of the Department of Philosophy and Religion on June 15, 2024. He is a scholar of ancient and modern interpretations of the New Testament, the reconstruction of Christian origins and the development of early Christianities. He holds a Ph.D. in religious studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Th.M. from Duke University. White has taught at Clemson since 2011.
This year marked the historic launch of the new Department of Interdisciplinary Studies, uniting a diverse group of degree programs from across CAH into a single unit that celebrates academic innovation. The new department houses three Bachelor of Arts programs: Global Black Studies, Women’s Leadership and World Cinema. It is also the new home of the thriving Ph.D. in Rhetorics, Communication and Information Design. Prior to this academic year, these programs were unhoused and operated directly under the supervision of the previous College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities. The creation of the new department opens the door for faculty appointments dedicated to these programs under the supervision and guidance of a department chair. The new department was envisioned and championed by Founding Dean Nicholas Vazsonyi.
“This department not only provides a much-needed home for our existing interdisciplinary programs, but serves as an incubator for future programs, and as a platform for faculty and students from across Clemson to meet, exchange ideas and engage in meaningful study and research,” Vazsonyi said. Interim Chair Cameron Bushnell ably led the department in its inaugural year. In Summer 2024, Lisa Melançon began as the department’s founding chair. Melançon comes to Clemson from the University of South Florida, where she was a Professor of Technical Communication and Interim Chair of the Department of English. She is a leading researcher in the rhetoric of health and medicine, and brings experience and expertise concerning programmatic issues in technical and professional communication, research methodologies and user experience.
Lisa Melançon Founding Chair Department of Interdisciplinary Studies
Master of Music Education program announces 2025 start With approval of the Board of Trustees, the Department of Performing Arts is introducing a new Master of Music Education (MME) program, designed to advance the careers of working educators. The summer-only model is intended to meet the needs of music teachers, especially those working in K-12 schools. Classes are scheduled to begin in Summer 2025 under the direction of Associate Professor and Director of Music Anthony Bernarducci. B.A. Philosophy adds emphasis in Medicine, Health and Human Values The Department of Philosophy and Religion unveiled a new emphasis area for philosophy majors intended to prepare students for careers in medicine. The new medicine, health and human values emphasis combines courses in philosophy, biomedical ethics, and biological sciences to prepare students for medical school or healthcare career tracks. According to the American Association of Medical Colleges, philosophy majors have among the highest rates of acceptance to medical school in recent years.
No. 1 Student Experience
No. 1 Student Experience
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