Interdisciplinary Studies

On this page you will find information about the following minors:

• Asian Studies Minor

• U.S. Cultural Studies Minor

• Women and Gender Studies Minor

Asian Studies Minor

The Asian studies minor was created out of recognition that the vast region labeled “Asia” has greatly influenced, and continues to influence, human experience throughout the world. Whether Asia is viewed as a source of world religions, half the earth’s population, much of the economic growth of the last few decades, or a microcosm of the diversity of political and economic policies, it is clear that gaining a better understanding of Asia requires an interdisciplinary approach. The Asian studies minor builds upon the strengths of courses in the social sciences and humanities that focus on Asia or particular Asian countries. The confluence of these courses allows students to develop an integrated understanding of the region, read difficult texts, understand and formulate abstract ideas and make informed judgments about a world of many cultures. This focus on the “other” is fundamental to understanding the student’s own culture and the values that shape his or her worldview. From this understanding, it is hoped that students can begin to construct bridges across cultures.

The learning outcomes of the Asian studies minor prepare the student to do the following:

• Use an interdisciplinary framework to understand a foreign culture.
• Understand and reflect on the cultures of Asia in relation to the student’s own culture.
• Read and speak Japanese or Chinese at a level sufficient to begin study in either country.
• Augment a student’s major coursework with a concentration in Asia.
• Understand the role that Asia plays in shaping the contemporary world, as well as how outside forces have shaped Asia.

U.S. Cultural Studies Minor

Whitworth’s U.S. Cultural Studies Program acknowledges that many factors, such as race, ethnicity, national origin, socio-economics, gender, sexual orientation and type of disability influence, our lives and experiences in the United States. In one way or another, others’ perceptions of us, or even our self-perceptions, have been formed by these personal characteristics and by the groups that are identified by these characteristics. Our goal is to study these groups so that we can better understand these groups and our own lives in the contemporary U.S.

Through this program of study, our goals are:

1. To study the foundations and interactions of diverse groups living in the U.S.
2. To develop intercultural competencies for graduate or professional schools and eventual vocations.

Women's & Gender Studies Program

At Whitworth, we affirm that all people are created in God’s image and share a common humanity. At the same time, the Whitworth Women’s and Gender Studies Program acknowledges that many factors, such as gender, race, class, sexual orientation and religious upbringing, influence our learning and our lives. These personal characteristics, including gender, may influence how women and men pursue scholarship, how women and men are represented in scholarship, in history and in society, and, ultimately, how women and men may come to honor God, follow Christ, and serve humanity.

The learning outcomes of this major prepare the student to do the following:

• Use an interdisciplinary framework to engage with the pluralistic culture.
• Identify and investigate the intersections of gender, race, class and religion with gender experiences.
• Seek an increased understanding of gender issues from various Christian perspectives.
• Explore, develop, articulate and critique feminist views.