In order to complete a CIS independent major at St. Olaf College a student must create an web portfolio. If you are reading this right now, then you have found your way to John Osborne's CIS web portfolio. John's major is simply titled: Chinese Language.

Beginning in the early 1980's, China instituted many reforms aptly named "open door" policies. The last two decades have seen unpresedented growth in China's economy and international political influence. While St. Olaf does not currently provide for a major in Chinese Language, it will soon realise through increased enrolment in language class that a Chinese major is in the best interest of the college. Fortunately St. Olaf offers students the opportunity, through the Center for Integrated Studies (CIS), to develop, proprose, and carry out an independent major. Even one readily available at other institutions.

Below is a description of the pages available on this website.

Proposal
The CIS major proposal is used by the CIS staff to weed out students who are slightly interested from those who are burning with passion. On this page you will find the full expalination of the proposal process as well as the proposal, digitized, and broken down into its various sections. The sections include a justification and list of courses.

Senior Project
Every major at St. Olaf consists of about 10 courses focused on a particular area of study. The big difference with a CIS major is that each student must complete a senior project (and a web portfolio). On this page is a description of the project and the various project components, digitized.

Major Courses
Here you will find the most up to date list of courses which are going towards my major.

Coursework Portfolio
Here is a selection of coursework from courses that were listed in the major as well as special projects and research papers relevant to the major but completed in courses outside the major.

Student Profile
In order to complete a CIS major a student must designate a page for narcissism.