Interdisciplinary Studies in Early Childhood (ISEC) Minor

Welcome! About the Interdisciplinary Studies in Early Childhood (ISEC) Minor In the past generation, our knowledge base about young children and early development has become increasingly interdisciplinary in nature, with research drawn from multiple fields, and with many disciplines interfacing with young children and their families. The Undergraduate Minor in Interdisciplinary Studies in Early Childhood (ISEC) at the University of California, Berkeley, provides students interested in young children with an opportunity to become well versed in the varied contributions of such disciplines as education, public health, mental health, social welfare and public policy. The program, a joint effort of the School of Education, the School of Social Welfare, and the Department of Psychology, is housed in the School of Education. The ISEC Minor is designed to include two options: a Generalist track, or a Child Development Teacher Permit track, which will offer students a Child Development Teacher Permit approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC).* Effective education is essential for the success of efforts to create and carry out policies and programs in the broad public interest of our democratic society. The ISEC Minor offers interdisciplinary intellectual inquiry that serves to broaden and complement students' work in their major fields of study. In the process, students will encounter the wide array of professional possibilities in working with and on behalf of young children. The ISEC Minor enrolls a diverse student body and is suitable for students who are considering a career in early care and education, as well as those seeking a more general background about early childhood topics for other fields of study. The ISEC minor offers the opportunity to combine academic work with direct experience with young children in group settings such as child care centers on campus and in the community. Students who complete the Undergraduate Minor in Interdisciplinary Studies in Early Childhood will be able to address these and many other important questions: In the midst of increasing knowledge about the critical aspects of child development in the first five years of life, how have family and community expectations for young children changed over time? How do young children’s experiences within and beyond their families vary by social class, ethnicity, language, family needs and preferences, and special needs? How do the varied institutions of society influence early childhood development? What are the essential ingredients of high-quality education, care and other services for young children? What are the foremost current and past policy debates about the education and social well being of young children? * Courses for the Child Development Teacher Permit Track are pending CCTC review to meet permit requirements.