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Initiative for Elevating Humanities and Social Sciences at Boise State

Purpose

The importance of the humanities and social sciences (H/SS) scholarship has been well-documented; however, traditional structures within institutions of higher education can limit the capacity of H/SS scholars. The Humanities and Social Sciences Initiative (HSSI) supports the work of faculty and students to address evolving problems and themes from an integrative H/SS approach in order to elevate and advance vital pedagogical approaches and scholarly contributions that can be overlooked or undermined. Integrative here refers to integration both within the humanities and social sciences, as well as between H/SS and broader disciplines.

The HSSI centers the humanities and social sciences by:

  • Recognizing the essential role that H/SS methods, theories, and practices play in interdisciplinary academic programming and scholarship.
  • Facilitating exploration of individual interests in a collective setting.
  • Creating an environment where integration of key issues important for understanding human and social experiences can occur.
  • Adapting to changing interests and conditions, both at Boise State, and beyond.

Goals and Strategies

The goals of the Humanities and Social Sciences Initiative (HSSI) are to build visibility, community, and support to elevate the Humanities and Social Sciences at Boise State.

  • Visibility: The HSSI advocates for scholarship, teaching, and service in the humanities and social sciences and promotes existing and new projects/programs developed by H/SS faculty. Example strategies:
    • Podcast
    • Newsletter
    • Reports from collaboratives
  • Community: The HSSI brings together humanities and social science faculty around shared research, scholarship, and pedagogical interests to foster collaboration and professional learning. Example strategies:
    • Collaboratives
    • Workshops
    • Summer School
  • Support: The HSSI provides structural and financial support for new and existing projects/programs within the humanities and social sciences. Example strategies:
    • Seed grants
    • Course buy-outs

Contact Information

Lisa Brady (lisabrady@boisestate.edu)
Rebecca Som Castellano (RsomCastellano@boisestate.edu)
Amber Warrington (amberwarrington@boisestate.edu)