On Friday, March 4, 2016, students and faculty from departments in DePaul’s College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences gathered to present, discuss, and admire a variety of student research projects at the Third Annual LAS Interdisciplinary Graduate Student Conference. This year’s theme of “Crossing Boundaries” could be seen throughout the day in students’ diverse presentation topics and in the faculty and professional panel that wrapped up the day.
Students presented in sessions ranging from “Gender Identity in Literature” and “Mythical Personas” to “Imperialism & Globalism” and “Human Interaction and Resources.” Each session’s unique theme created connections between disciplines, truly showcasing the theme of “Crossing Boundaries.”
The day ended with a faculty and professional panel discussion titled “Scholarship Outside the Box.” Consisting of Paisly Kauth from the Sustainable Urban Development program, visiting professor Laith Saud from Religious Studies, Constance Sheehan from the Social Work program, and Nan Zabriskie from the Theatre School, the panel focused on bridging academic and real-world concerns. Each panel member described how academic training had helped them to connect with others to creatively solve problems in real-world situations.
The LAS Graduate Student Conference is an annual event, with presentation and panel proposals typically due in January. It’s a great opportunity for MA-level students to network with students from other programs in DePaul’s College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. MA in WRD and MA in NMS students are encouraged to apply in 2017!