U.S. Cultural Studies Minor

Program Overview

This program explores the factors shaping lives and experiences in the contemporary United States, focusing on understanding different identity groups. It offers a range of courses in cultural studies, race and ethnicity, and intergroup dialogue, with elective options in areas such as film, literature, and history. The program emphasizes active learning through research projects and interdisciplinary collaboration, preparing students for careers in fields related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Program Outline

Outline:

• Objective:
To explore the various factors that shape lives and experiences in the contemporary United States, particularly focusing on understanding different identity groups.
• Curriculum:
Consists of a total of 18 credits, which includes required and elective courses.
• Required Courses:
• USCS 120: Introduction to U.S.
Cultural Studies
• USCS 220/SO 220: Race and Ethnicity
• USCS 410/SO 410: Intergroup Dialogue
• Elective Courses:
Students can choose from a range of elective courses, including:
• USCS 201: Genealogy in Cultural Context
• USCS 231: U.S. Latino/a Film
• USCS 232: Native American Film
• USCS 233: African American Film
• USCS 276: Applied Anthropology
• USCS 310: U.S.
Cultural Studies: Community-Based Research
• USCS 311: U.S.
Cultural Studies: Campus-Based Research
• USCS 313: Identity Formation in US Cultural Context
• AR 266: History of Art of the United States
• EDE 368: Intercultural Immersion Experience
• EDU 326: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
• EIS 109: American Studies for International Students
• EL 124: African American Literature
• EL 127/WGS 127: African American Women Writers
• EL 128: Multicultural American Literature
• EL 131: Native American Literature
• EL 132: American Immigrant Literature
• EL 136: Asian American Literature
• HI 212: American Popular Culture
• HI 228: Identity, Race, and Power in American Life
• HI 229: African American History
• HI 240: African American History to 1877
• HI 241: African American History Since 1865
• HI 311: US Civil Rights Struggle
• HI 384: Pacific Northwest History
• HS 261: Community Health
• MU 206: Jazz in America
• PO 275: Poverty and Community Development
• SN 418: Latinos in the US
• SO 200: Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
• SO 222: U.S. Civil Rights Movements
• SO 205: Social Stratification: Power, Prestige And Wealth
• SP 398: Intercultural Communication
• SP 436: African-American Preaching
• Students may also select up to 9 credits of elective courses from USD (U.S. Diversity General Education) designated courses.

Teaching:

• The program engages students in active learning through community-based and campus-based research projects.
• The faculty members have expertise in cultural anthropology, sociology, history, and other relevant fields.
• The program emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and experiential learning opportunities.