Academic Services

Rebecca Lantner '16

Major: IIM in Applied Math and Data Science

Minor: Business

What is your IIM about?

My IIM combines courses in math, statistics, computer science and other departments to get to the heart of a relatively new field of study: data science. There is an exorbitant amount of data in the world today — from marketing to science to government, we're constantly tracking, collecting and accumulating information in mass volume. My major seeks to answer the following questions: how can we make sense of data? And how can data help us make sense of our world?

When and how did you begin the IIM process?

I first heard about the IIM during the fall of my sophomore year. By that point I had considered just about every major at Brandeis and come to the realization that what I really wanted to study was missing: statistics. I had taken statistics classes in high school and during my freshman year at Brandeis, and I loved how the subject combined the precision and logic of mathematics with the interpretive nature of English, two seemingly disparate subjects that I enjoyed. Through discussions with professors and academic advisors, I learned that statistics alone was too narrow a topic for an IIM, but if I broadened my field to incorporate mathematics and computer science, I could create an interdisciplinary major. Once I began research, I was surprised to find a slew of undergraduate institutions that offered applied math and data science programs. From there, I scoured Brandeis' course listings to piece together a similar curriculum. With the support of faculty mentors and the IIM coordinator, my major was born!

How are you pursuing the IIM outside of the classroom?

The courses I'm taking for my IIM provide me with the technical skills I need to manipulate and analyze data, such as statistical methods and computer programming techniques. But to me, the most interesting part of grappling with data is the human piece: interpreting what the data is telling us, conveying its message and using this insight to inform future decisions that better our world.

Outside of the classroom, I've tried to gain some hands-on experience with this "human side" of data. I spent the summer after my sophomore year working as a data intern for Popular Science magazine, where I helped to render trends creatively through data visualization. I enjoy creating data graphics, as they not only serve as a medium for making complex data accessible, but they also combine my major with my passion for design. I continue to pursue data design by creating infographics for The Justice, Brandeis' independent study newspaper, of which I was layout editor my sophomore and junior years. I also work part-time as a data analyst for Brandeis International Business School.

What advice would you give to students interested in pursuing an IIM?

Don't be afraid to forge your own path. Creating your own major takes a lot of hard work, but if you are driven and passionate about your field of study, it is a very rewarding experience. The IIM gives you the unique opportunity to craft your own education, and you learn a ton about yourself in the process.

Makayla Richards '20

Major: IIM in Black Women’s Studies

Minor: Social Justice and Social Policy

What is your IIM about?

The Black Women’s studies major is a radically feminist and political field of study that analyzes the systems of oppression and modes of liberation for women across the African diaspora by utilizing the analytical framework of intersectionality as its basis (Williams Crenshaw, 1994). A developed and robust field of inquiry, Black Women’s studies has been present both in and outside of academia, particularly within the United States, since the Nadir era. It is both historical and contemporary, and is interdisciplinary in its very foundation, as it centers lived experiences of Black women, which calls for theoretical and analytical modes from various schools of thought, such as Black Feminist epistemologies, queer theory, critical race theory, etc. Here at Brandeis, my IIM has been made possible through a composition of coursework and relationships with Afro and African American studies, Women’s, Gender and Sexuality studies, and sociology.

When and how did you begin the IIM process?

I technically began the IIM process spring of my sophomore year by attending an event for interested students. I had taken courses across the departments mentioned above, and saw a clear connection between the things I was learning, but didn’t feel as though all of them were being tied together to discuss what felt most intriguing or important to me, besides a unit in a course here, or an individual class there. It took some time to sort through all of my interests and to narrow down what exactly was the pattern I was recognizing in what I wanted to pursue. I did some research and found out a bit more about the history and reality that is Black Women’s studies and felt encouraged to move forward and pursue establishing my own major in this.

How are you pursuing the IIM outside of the classroom?

My coursework throughout completing my IIM has provided me with ample opportunities to refine both my professional and personal interests and goals. Through this experience, I recognized that I have a passion for reproductive and sexual health and education, particularly relating to the sexual healthcare experiences of individuals from marginalized backgrounds. This semester, I was able to become a trained birth doula, which is a physical, emotional and informational support person for people who are expecting. Pursuing an IIM made the opportunity to take advantage of this professional opportunity seem possible.

What advice would you give to students interested in pursuing the IIM?

GO FOR IT! It may seem a little daunting, but that is why we are here to help. Moreover, nothing feels as good as being autonomous over your educational experience. If this is something you are really passionate about and believe in, we are willing to help you turn it into a major that works for you and your academic, personal and professional goals.

Ethan Levy '16

Majors: IIM in Communication and Media Studies; Business

What is your IIM about?

My IIM is about discovering the liberal arts side of communication and media, which are two interrelated yet different areas of study. After looking at a few alternative options such as journalism and TV, film and interactive media, I decided that my best option was to pursue an IIM. I hope that the combination of these two majors will allow me new insight into the profession that interests me the most: marketing. Marketing is an incredibly fascinating area for me mostly because it is so broad. You can be on the consumer side, the production side, or even on the research side: all of which interest me. So far all my experience has come on the product side of business. If I had to choose a type of company to work at, it would be a medium-sized marketing firm that dealt with sports in any way, shape or form, as some kind of project manager.

How did you begin the IIM process?

I began the IIM process at the beginning of my sophomore year and finally submitted the proposal for the spring IIM deadline. I met with all three of my advisors multiple times until we all agreed on a final proposal. I began by doing some research online and then talking to a few current and old professors who I knew had experience in helping students pursue their IIMs.

How are you pursuing the IIM outside of the classroom?

Outside of the classroom, I have pursued a couple of internships in the marketing and media marketing areas. After my freshman year, I interned with a startup media marketing company in New York City, and after my sophomore year I was a marketing intern at a bigger firm in New York City called KCSA. The kind of work I did at KCSA involved tracking leads, managing the CRM (customer relations management program) and contributing to marketing meetings. I have also been on the Brandeis Men's Fencing since my freshman year.

Dillon Harvey ‘14

Major: IIM in Critical Race and Sexuality Studies

Minor: Legal Studies

What is your IIM about?

The goal of pursuing a major in Critical Race and Sexuality Studies is to study race and sexuality on a critical level where nothing is taken for granted as a given, but instead heavily scrutinized and analyzed to see how such constructions came to exist and to whose benefit. Using intersectionality as an analytical framework, I seek to understand processes which craft individual and group identities that determine political and legal rights, freedoms and privileges in our society.

When and how did you begin the IIM process?

Prior to coming to Brandeis, I was convinced that I would be a politics major and legal studies minor. My ideal plan was to study the law, particularly with a focus on fields that represent groups which are often disenfranchised and marginalized, such as civil rights or employment law. After a decent legal career, I would transition to politics and run for an office. To be expected, that vision has changed a bit after coming to Brandeis and learning that there are more options out there which allow me to represent and help the communities I care about beyond a traditional public servant role.

I have always had the desire to understand and defend persons who may not be capable of advocating for themselves. Not everyone enjoys being vocal and facing issues in a confrontational manner, but from a young age I have enjoyed playing “lawyer” for my friends or myself if the opportunity presented itself. Taking a firm stance and proving a point is an amazing feeling, as well as necessary when someone challenges you. Unfortunately, groups that are not normative within society have the burden of challenging the system in hopes of achieving equal and equitable access and security.

As for the IIM process, I first considered it my freshman year, initially with the intention of pursuing politics, philosophy and law (PPL). After taking courses that honed in specifically on my interests — race and sexuality — I decided that I wanted to focus critically on those topics instead of PPL. Through conversations with numerous professors, I learned that I could turn my passions into a field of study here at Brandeis by doing some research and careful planning. Combining my professors’ knowledge, the counseling of academic advisors and the support of IIM UDRs, I was able to design the perfect major for me.

How are you pursuing the IIM outside of the classroom?

My IIM is constantly affecting how I navigate the world around me. I have learned to be more critical of the way people and the media use certain societal norms and stereotypes in various ways to appeal to certain audiences for gain and good favor. It has been fascinating discovering how race, class, gender and sexuality permeate fields such as politics, music and capitalism in the most furtive ways.

In addition, my IIM greatly complements my activist pursuits. I enjoy working on racial and LGBTQ social justice initiatives and projects that aim to make society more equal and equitable for these marginalized identities. Acquiring the historical and analytical knowledge offered by this university is a privilege many members of this society do not have access to, and I find using what I learn imperative to creating positive change in the world. Some avenues I have taken to be a part of creating change include serving as the Triskelion General Coordinator for the year of 2012-2013 and participating in the Roosevelt Institute Campus Network Progressive Policy Fellowship during the summer of 2012.

Kate Farrell '16

Major: IIM in Human Development, Creativity, and Media

Minor: Health: Science, Society, and Policy

What is your IIM about?

I am driven by the powerful role that people, their stories and the media can play in bringing about empathy, understanding and compassion. In my work and life, I strive to inspire individual strength and growth while evoking positive social change through the creation of communities and the promotion of dialogue.

When and how did you begin the IIM process?

My sophomore year I was loving all of my classes, but I was loving them a little bit too much. I was taking classes based on interest, but I didn’t see how I could possibly take everything that I wanted to take in my four years here. My passions and interests in books, films, communication and social change all went hand-in-hand; even as a sophomore, some of my readings for different disciplines of classes overlapped. I knew that I wanted to pursue these interests further, but didn’t see how that was possible with the current majors offered at Brandeis. I looked into transferring, purely for academic reasons, but just didn’t want to leave my friends and the extracurriculars and lovingly weird vibes here. Thank goodness that I stumbled upon the IIM description on the academic services site! I immediately started putting my proposal together.

How are you pursuing the IIM outside of the classroom?

For me, the IIM is so extremely personal. It’s everything that I’ve cared about my entire life: the power to inspire, to connect, to motivate people through stories. Every activity I’ve participated in, from work experiences on fansites and for book publishers, even working in media relations for a conservation organization, and volunteering for hospitals and even acting, have all been related to this feeling of community that I’ve seen the sharing of stories create. I think connection between people is so beautiful. I know it’s a bit idealistic, but I think that media is such a great platform to create dialogue and allow for some connections in a world that can seem isolating if we don’t listen to and try to relate to one another, while appreciating each other’s differences. We all have shared experiences and emotions and basic hopes that can and should bring us together. I was lucky to explore this in my senior thesis/capstone film about the power of stories to shape people’s lives, and I hope that my work in the future allows me to continue to work with media and storytelling!

What advice would you give to students interested in pursuing an IIM?

The IIM is incredible. I’m lucky to have had this opportunity for a multitude of reasons. The proposal process was particularly valuable in helping me refine my thoughts regarding how all of my passions connected. I was able to complete two independent study courses and work with phenomenal professors and people. I kept a notebook next to my bed senior year so when I woke up in the middle of the night, I could write down my ideas for my thesis film. Know that this process will change your life will allow you to make the most of college and take classes that you will use after college, but classes that also help you define your goals. I was so nervous that my IIM would be rejected, and there were certainly tough times in the drafting and editing process, but I’m so glad I stuck with it. I find that I’m still the same person that I was when I first stumbled upon the academic services IIM page, but this major did for me what I wanted from college: it allowed my quirks to become stronger and gave me awareness of the reasoning behind my passions. It gave me hope and faith that there is a basis to what I love and have learned about, and now I’m ready to use that in the “real world.” My biggest advice would be to use your resources: the UDRs, any past IIM majors, the department and your own support system. It can be a daunting process, but it is beyond worth it!

Michael Kahn '15

Major: IIM in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE)

What is your IIM about?

My IIM focuses on the intersection of politics, economics and philosophy (PPE). I concentrate primarily on the various ethical questions posed by philosophy, yet by broadening my inquiries to include politics and economics, I am able to focus more thoroughly on addressing practical ethical questions that arise in a complex political environment. To this end, I have designed a course of study that provides the matrix for a robust philosophy-driven education that is at the same time thoroughly grounded and contextualized in the social sciences.

In my philosophy coursework at Brandeis, I have passionately invoked the principles of idealism, becoming a staunch defender of human rights and a vigorous proponent of the need to both study and live a morally justifiable life. In these investigations, I seek to understand the origins of morality as well as the practical difficulties of actualizing various ethical theories. At the same time, my inquiries into economics have deeply motivated and significantly impacted my vocational aspirations by providing a practical contextualization for any meaningful political philosophy. Through the synthesis of all of these studies, I have learned the value of critical thinking, writing and rhetorical skills, all of which are necessary to becoming an effective leader in modern society.

When and how did you begin the IIM process?

I began the IIM process in my sophomore year when I was almost finished with the requirements for a major in philosophy. At that point I knew that I had not accomplished the goals I had set for myself—principally the ability to apply the conceptual framework of philosophy to the practical problems of the world in which we live. Further research revealed that many universities offer an IIM concentration of PPE; I then set out, with the full support and guidance of each department, to construct my own IIM.

How are you pursuing the IIM outside of the classroom?

As a junior, I am now well into the coursework covered by my IIM, which continues to be a highly rewarding experience. These studies have encouraged me to reflect upon my own place in society and my plan for a future career embodying the ideals and morals I have gleaned from my coursework. Indeed, from an early age, I have been fascinated by and attracted to the world of business—not simply as a means of earning a living but also as an instrument of realizing these high moral standards of conduct. While the study of philosophy alone would continue to have engaged me, I knew that a joint program, encompassing the study of politics and economics, would provide me with an even wider grounding in the disciplines that ultimately would guide me in the future.

Increasingly, the world of business is intertwined with that of governmental policy, much of which is driven by economic theory and necessity. A program of study that spans all three of these essential disciplines has been extraordinarily valuable in my summer opportunities, for instance as an intern for a real estate firm specializing in low-income housing, I was able to approach my work not simply from an economic perspective but also from the ethical vantage point of running a profitable business while trying to provide housing opportunities for those in underserved communities. Surely, these same skills will also greatly assist me in providing a solid foundation for my career aspirations.

What advice would you give to students interested in pursuing an IIM?

As a UDR, I would eagerly encourage those who seek my advice to proactively steer the content of their education towards those majors that best suit their interests and future career objectives. I am a vigorous proponent of inspiring students to take ownership over their course of study; indeed, by allowing creativity in crafting new majors in tune with those areas of interest about which students are most passionate, students can realize a more highly rigorous conception of who they are.

Michelle Wexler '15

Majors: IIM in Social Justice, Social Change; American Studies

What is your IIM about?

My Independent Interdisciplinary Major entitled Social Justice, Social Change (SJSC) combines academic study and real world experience with the intention of providing a clear understanding of how to create social justice. There are four main objectives of the Social Justice, Social Change curriculum. First, the major addresses the concept of social justice and the limitations of a single definition. This objective involves understanding that social justice does not look the same in all communities, and exploring the differing ways in which the concept has been invoked and acted upon. Second, SJSC explores the culture and history of social change in the United States and abroad. The purpose of this objective is to gather background information on Social Justice and Social Change. This knowledge serves as a basis for future plans of action. Third, this curriculum explores and analyzes methods of change, and how challenges and possibilities associated with these methods vary across contexts. An integral part of my major is learning how to implement these methods of change. The last objective of this major stresses an understanding of the injustices in the world. Injustices cannot be eliminated unless there is a deep understanding of the issue and why it exists. Furthermore, my SJSC curriculum places a large emphasis on experiential learning with the belief that one cannot impact one’s community without a familiarity of that community and its needs.

When and how did you begin the IIM Process?

I did preliminary research on the IIM process in the second semester of my sophomore year but I really began the IIM process during the first semester of my junior year. I decided to pursue this major once I realized there was an inherent pattern in the classes that I had been choosing to take. I wanted to create a framework through which these classes could be organized so that I could demonstrate how they interact with one another. My first steps included reaching out to the IIM coordinator, Julia Moffitt Mani, in the Office of Academic Services as well as securing my primary advisor. With support from both of these individuals, I was able to secure two more advisors, complete my application, and develop my curriculum.

How are you pursuing the IIM outside of the classroom?

My extracurricular, study abroad and summer experiences have acted as incredible supplements to my Social Justice, Social Change major. On campus, I serve as a coordinator for Brandeis Buddies, a Waltham Group organization dedicated to bridging the gap between adults with developmental disabilities and Brandeis students. I am also the vice president of Boris' Kitchen Sketch Comedy Troupe, which has allowed me to explore theatre as a method of social change. Studying abroad in Denmark provided me with an amazing opportunity to engage with international issues first hand including human trafficking and immigration as well as experience an alternative method of government. My summer internships allowed me to explore the child welfare system as both a social work intern in New York City and a policy intern in Washington, D.C. I am looking forward to pursuing a career that will create change for the better.

What advice would you give to students interested in pursuing an IIM?

As a UDR (Undergraduate Departmental Representative) for the IIM Program, I cannot stress enough just how many support systems are in place for those pursuing an IIM. IIM Advisors, Academic Advisors and UDRs are available to help develop majors that are well rounded, academically challenging and personally interesting. These individuals can provide those pursuing an IIM with alternative opinions and suggestions. My IIM advisors suggested classes that I would not have included in my major otherwise and which have very much enhanced my curriculum. The Academic Advisor for the IIM program helped me compile my thoughts and ideas and the UDRs walked me through the application process.

Michael Heldman '20

Major: IIM in Urban Studies; Economics

What is your IIM about?

My IIM allows me to study real-world urban issues and case studies that bring or address challenges in urban life. I examine the history and growth of global cities as well as explore characteristics that define a city including site developments, city growth, density, efficiency, equitable and environmental challenges, and socioeconomics. Additionally, my interest in the real estate industry has allowed me to specialize the curriculum towards developing strong real estate and architectural fundamentals that require me to think critically about urban planning and development.

When and how did you begin the IIM process?

I learned about the IIM during my first semester at Brandeis, but decided to pursue the program as a Sophomore, when I noticed Brandeis offered many urban courses that aligned with my passions and professional goals. Over the course of the next couple of semesters, I met with professors that had backgrounds in urban research and development through very unique and different lenses. They helped me form my interests into a well-rounded education.

The week before I proposed, I met three of my professors for lunch at the Faculty Club (during my Junior Year). Their confidence in my ability to create a special major that would address a field that is constantly changing, innovating, and growing fueled my own. I am thrilled to be a part of this opportunity.

How are you pursuing the IIM outside of the classroom?

Last semester I consulted with a Boston-based real estate firm to propose a “healthy hub” development that would improve the quality of life for an underserved community in Hartford, CT. One main goal of the project was to find a grocery tenant that would offer affordable fresh food options as well as educate the community by offering resources such as a nutritionist on site.

Another large part of the project was to design transportation routes to improve store access for residents who commute from miles away and live with limited financial resources. Finally, I presented a solution for the community to still have a field for kids to play on, as the grocery store was supposed to be constructed on an empty parcel used as a playing field.

All of these ideas involved discussion around urban planning and urban life. I am very grateful my IIM Faculty Advisor, Professor Stoller, was able to connect me with this amazing opportunity. The IIM curriculum has allowed me to develop real world skills that I never would have had as an undergraduate student if I continued to only pursue my other academic obligations.