U.S. Cultural Studies (Interdisciplinary Minor)
http://www.whitworth.edu/us-cultural-studies
Directed by Robert Francis, Assistant Professor of Sociology
The Whitworth United States Cultural Studies Program acknowledges that many factors, such as race, ethnicity, national origin, socioeconomics, gender, sexual orientation and type of disability, influence our lives and experiences in the U.S. 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 understand their lives and our own in the contemporary United States. Students of all identities and backgrounds are welcomed and encouraged to pursue this minor.
Through this program of study, our goals are:
- To study the foundations and interactions of diverse groups living in the U.S. from an interdisciplinary framework.
- To develop intercultural competencies for other coursework, graduate or professional schools, and eventual vocations.
- To increase willingness and capacity to serve campus and communities by advancing social justice and reconciliation.
Students must take 18 credits to fulfill the minor, including the required USCS 120 or USCS 120H, Introduction to Cultural Studies. Students take an additional five courses that have a designated "United States Diversity" (U) tag in the shared curriculum courses as electives. Two of these courses (6 credits) must be at the 300 or 400 level. Students may take courses that celebrate multiple cultures, or students may specialize by taking courses focusing on a particular cultural group (e.g., African American studies, Latino studies, etc.).
Requirements for a U.S. Cultural Studies Minor (18) | ||
|---|---|---|
| USCS 120 | Introduction to U.S. Cultural Studies | 3 |
| or USCS 120H | Honors Introduction to Cultural Studies | |
| or USCS 118H & USCS 119H | Introduction to USCS: Field Study Preparation and Introduction to USCS: Field Study | |
| 15 credits of electives (6 credits must be upper division) | 15 | |
| Genealogy in Cultural Context | ||
| Race and Ethnicity | ||
| U.S. Latino/a Film | ||
| Multicultural Film | ||
| Applied Anthropology | ||
| Intergroup Dialogue | ||
| *Any other class in Culture with a "U" tag | ||
Courses
| USCS 120 | Introduction to U.S. Cultural Studies | 3 |
| USCS 201H | Genealogy in Cultural Context | 3 |
| USCS 220 | Race and Ethnicity | 3 |
| USCS 234 | Multicultural Film (Multicultural Film) | 3 |
| USCS 231 | U.S. Latino/a Film | 3 |
| USCS 276 | Applied Anthropology | 3 |
| USCS 410 | Intergroup Dialogue | 3 |
Students must select 9 credits of electives courses from the list above AND/OR the current list of USD designated courses. Additional elective courses may count toward the minor, with the submission of a course syllabus and preapproval from the program director.
Program Contact - Director
ROBERT FRANCIS
Dean of Arts and Sciences
JOHN PELL
Affiliated Faculty
NANCY BUNKERSTACY KEOGH GEORGEBERT EMERSONJACOB RAPPJOE VIGILJASON WOLLSCHLEGER
Adjunct professors
KENDRA MARONEYSHAWN WASHINGTON