Global and Cultural Studies, B.A.

Requirements

The Global and Cultural Studies major requires a maximum of 39 credits leaving opportunity for a complementary second major. Many of the courses within the GCS major also meet the requirements of a second major a well as satisfy requirements of the Liberal Education Program.

GCS 100 - Introduction to Globalization 3 credits
ANTH 210 - Cultural Anthropology 3 credits

One of the following:

PLSC 140 - Comparative Politics 3 credits
PLSC 220 - International Relations 3 credits
ECON 200 - Principles of Economics: Macro 3 credits

Methods Course

Methods course determined with advisor and chosen as appropriate to the area of concentration, select at least 3 credits from among:

ANTH 311 - Field Research: Crossing Cultural Boundaries 3 or 4 credits
HIST 380 - Historical Methods 3 credits
PLSC 280 - Political Methodology 3 credits
SOC 310 - Approaches to Social Research 4 credits
SOC 311 - Field Research: Crossing Cultural Boundaries 3 or 4 credits
SOWK 310 - Approaches to Social Research 4 credits

Electives in area of concentration

Electives in area of concentration (12 credits total; 6 credits may be taken when studying abroad; and at least 9 credits must be at the 300-level). The four areas of concentrations are:

1. National/Transnational Institutions:

Examines the role and function of powerful global organizations and institutions. In this concentration students could focus of any of the following: nation states, corporations, NGOs, international organizations, or other non-state actors as well as major international organizations such as the UN and economic institutions such as the World Bank and IMF.

PLSC 220 - International Relations 3 credits
Three courses chosen from among the following departments: business, economics, political science, religion, or history. No more than two should be taken in any one department.

2. Culture:

Enables students to explore the changing face of cultural and social institutions in the 21^st century. It could include a focus on gender, kinship, marriage, demographics, or other cultural patterning.

One course from the Peoples of the World Series:

ANTH 211 - Peoples and Cultures of Asia 3 credits
ANTH 212 - Peoples and Cultures of Africa 3 credits
ANTH 213 - Peoples & Cultures of Native America 3 credits
ANTH 214 - Peoples & Cultures of Latin America 3 credits

Electives:

Three courses from among: the arts, philosophy, religion, politics, economics, and comparative studies. No more than two should be taken from any one department.

3. Geographical Area:

Allows students to explore the impact of multiple forces of globalization within a specific geographical region: Latin America, Asia, Africa, or Europe. The focus of this concentration is to allow for in-depth study of particular topics within a regional context. Students will study abroad in that geographical area and also take three electives courses pertaining to the region chosen from different disciplinary perspectives: history, political science, philosophy, or the arts.

4. Issues:

Encourages students to pursue in-depth exploration of a particular global issue. Examples include: human rights, terrorism, AIDS/health, environment, population, refugees, sustainability, genocide, etc. Students should take four classes relevant to their particular interest, no more than two in any given department.

Cultural Immersion, 6 to 12 credits

Cultural immersion (6 to 12 credits). This may be study abroad, an internship in a community or a combination of both, developed in conjunction with an advisor. Ideally students in the major will study off-campus during the junior year, either abroad in their region of concentration or in some other location, foreign or domestic, that would allow them to develop their area of concentration more deeply. GCS majors are encouraged to study an appropriate language through the intermediate level (221 or above). Coursework in a language not taught at Whittier College should be approved by the GCS Faculty Council in consultation with the Chair of the Department of Modern Languages.

Global & Cultural Studies Senior Seminar, 3 credits

Senior capstone course during which students complete a major research paper in the area of concentration and do an oral presentation.

GCS 499 - Global & Cultural Studies Senior Seminar 3 credits