#problems without passports

[uscdornsifeadmission]

Every summer, a group of Dornsife students joins IR professor Steven Lamy on an expedition through Iceland, Norway, and Finland to explore the effects of climate change in the region. Through this Problems Without Passports (PWP) trip, students discovered first-hand the impact of ecological security and global politics in the Arctic!

[uscdornsifeadmission]

How to Survive Having Multiple Majors and Minors, Part 1 - Bowen Du

 Every once in a (short) while I’ll find myself wondering why in the name of all that is good I decided to take on two majors and a minor. College is stereotypically a battleground between academics, social lives, and sleep, and having any kind of major-minor combination can often compound the struggle. But take it from someone who’s been there (and still is there)—it’s manageable, and you can have it all! And here’s how:

1. Study what you enjoy. Pick majors and minors that you are honestly and truly passionate about. Your Dornsife experience will quickly prove to you that the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences all have their respective merits, often when they intersect. Different academic and career paths can all lead to success, and so long as you’re passionate about what you do, you’ll follow your path right down to its successful end.

2. Do your research. Go online and check out the prerequisites, requirements, and potential course plans for the programs you’re interested in. Be sure to take a look at other majors or minors that are similar to or even combine the ones you’re interested in (like these awesome interdisciplinary programs). If you’re in the process of applying, don’t be afraid to email a faculty or staff member with any questions you have—they’ll often be able to put you in touch with a current student who can give you valuable insight.

3. Talk to your academic advisers. With each major and minor comes an adviser who will help you fit all of your required classes into your schedule. They’ll also make sure that you’re on track to graduate in four years. Most importantly, these are the people you will go to when you’re ready to declare an additional major or minor. All of my advisers have been amazingly helpful, and without them I would not have been able to plan out my academic experience here. They’ve readily answered all of my questions about double majoring, studying abroad, graduate school, and career options.

4. Take general education classes that also serve as required courses for your degrees. This is an easy way to kill two birds with one stone. Some GE courses may also involve experiential opportunities—Problems Without Passports and Maymesters are travel classes that will take you to any of a number of amazing places in the world. Oftentimes they’ll also fill a GE and/or major requirement.

5. Look for scholarships and grants. Dornsife has a list of scholarships for continuing students on their website, and odds are you will qualify for one of them. Another thing to keep in mind is the Academic Achievement Award, which gives students with a minor or double major extra tuition money if they take more than 18 units during a semester. Other programs, like the Summer Undergraduate Research Fund (SURF), can supply money toward things like Problems Without Passports classes.

Be sure to look for more tips in Part 2!

[uscdornsifeadmission]

17 undergrads study climate change in Iceland, Norway, and Finland.

Chilling.

[uscdornsifeadmission]

USC Dornsife students research water issues at Borrego Springs.

[uscreligion]

Uncover the ancient port of Rome this summer -- a couple spots still available for USC summer course at Ostia Antica

Extended Deadline: Tue., March 31! 

Participate in USC Summer Excavation, Ostia/Rome, Italy: June 8 – July 19, 2015 AHIS 325 (4 Units): “Roman Archaeological Excavation: Methods & Practice” 

 6 week program: 1 week of walking tours of Rome, 5 weeks of excavating at Ostia (Students housed in apartments in the center of Rome) 

No prerequisites or previous archaeological experience necessary: 

All instruction in English 

For those interested in participating, please email Dr. John Pollini, Professor of Classical Art & Archaeology, Department of Art History, USC: [email protected]