Comparative Studies

Program Overview

The Comparative Studies program offers an interdisciplinary exploration of cultural traditions, fostering critical thinking, analytical skills, and communication abilities. Students delve into diverse fields such as anthropology, literature, and science, examining cultural intersections of gender, ethnicity, and class. The program prepares graduates for careers in government, international organizations, education, and other fields requiring an understanding of cultural diversity.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

• Overview:
The cross-cultural and interdisciplinary field of comparative studies provides students the opportunity for critical analysis of social and cultural processes and their expression in religion, literature, media, the arts, science, and technology. Students in the comparative studies program develop strong skills in analytical and critical thinking and in written and spoken communication. Students broaden their understanding of cultural differences as they attend to the intersections of gender, ethnicity, race, and class.
• Objectives:
The objectives of the comparative studies program are to:
• Provide students with a broad understanding of the major cultural traditions of the world
• Develop students' critical thinking and analytical skills
• Enhance students' communication skills
• Prepare students for careers in a variety of fields that require an understanding of cultural diversity

Outline:

• Program Content:
The comparative studies program is interdisciplinary and draws on a variety of fields, including anthropology, communication, history, literature, philosophy, political science, religion, and sociology. Students will take courses in a variety of areas, including:
• Cultural theory
• Critical theory
• Ethnography
• Gender studies
• History of science
• Intercultural communication
• Literature
• Media studies
• Race and ethnicity studies
• Religious studies
• Science and technology studies
• Program Structure:
The comparative studies program is a four-year, full-time program. Students will take a total of 120 credit hours, including 36 credit hours in comparative studies and in fields related to the student's area of concentration.
• Course Schedule:
The comparative studies program offers a variety of courses, including:
• Introduction to Comparative Studies
• Cultural Theory
• Critical Theory
• Ethnography
• Gender Studies
• History of Science
• Intercultural Communication
• Literature
• Media Studies
• Race and Ethnicity Studies
• Religious Studies
• Science and Technology Studies
• Individual Modules with Descriptions:
The comparative studies program offers a variety of individual modules, including:
• Comparative Cultural Studies:
This module focuses on the comparative study of cultural production in different contexts. Students will focus their work in particular areas (e.g., visual culture, popular culture, social and critical theory).
• Comparative Ethnic and American Studies:
This module focuses on the study of ethnicity and race in the Americas. Students will analyze how the intersections of race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and class have shaped American culture.
• Comparative Literature:
This module focuses on the study of world literary traditions in cultural context. Students will study the literature of different historical periods and geographical areas, including some foreign language study.
• Folklore:
This module focuses on the study of everyday forms of cultural expression. Students will analyze the expressive cultures of groups—music, dance, story, food, architecture, craft, festival, custom—and how groups and the scholars who study them deploy these forms to affect relations of power.
• Religious Studies:
This module focuses on the study of different religious traditions in cultural context. Students will focus their work on relationships between religion and such areas as politics, science and technology, gender and sexuality, and race and ethnicity.
• Science and Technology Studies:
This module focuses on the study of science and technology as forms of cultural expression. Students will analyze cultural, political, and economic factors in relation to directions of scientific research and technological development.

Assessment:

• Assessment Methods:
Students in the comparative studies program will be assessed through a variety of methods, including:
• Exams
• Essays
• Presentations
• Research projects
• Assessment Criteria:
Students will be assessed on their:
• Knowledge of the subject matter
• Critical thinking skills
• Analytical skills
• Communication skills

Teaching:

• Teaching Methods:
The comparative studies program uses a variety of teaching methods, including:
• Lectures
• Discussions
• Seminars
• Independent study
• Faculty:
The comparative studies program has a faculty of experienced and dedicated scholars. The faculty are committed to teaching and research, and they are passionate about helping students learn.
• Unique Approaches:
The comparative studies program offers a unique approach to learning that emphasizes critical thinking, analytical skills, and communication skills. The program also provides students with the opportunity to conduct research and to work with faculty on a variety of projects.

Careers:

• Potential Career Paths:
Graduates of the comparative studies program are prepared for a variety of careers in both the public and private sector. Some potential career paths include:
• Government
• International service organizations
• Business and industry
• Education
• Nonprofit organizations
• Career Opportunities:
Graduates of the comparative studies program have gone on to work in a variety of fields, including:
• Government
• International service organizations
• Business and industry
• Education
• Nonprofit organizations
• Research
• Journalism
• Consulting
• Public relations
• Career Outcomes:
Graduates of the comparative studies program are well-prepared for a variety of careers that require an understanding of cultural diversity. The program provides students with the skills they need to be successful in a globalized world.