Interdisciplinary Programs, Bachelor of Science (BS) - Concentration in Cultural Area Studies
CULTURAL AREA STUDIES AT SRU
The curriculum in this program will provide students the opportunity to connect with other cultures, understand global issues, and correlate what they learn in the classroom to global and local settings. Among the fields studied: history, politics, languages, anthropology, philosophy, the arts and literature. Students will have diverse experiences, and through internships, take part in international travel and study to apply what they’ve learned to real-world situations. Students can choose to study American studies, Asian studies, European studies, Latin-American studies and Middle East studies. This program is designed to take a multi-disciplinary and integrative approach to learning. Students will learn how societies and cultures develop, grow, change and interact within and between other societies. Cultural sensitivity and literacy, including language skills, are important areas that will be developed through an interdisciplinary curriculum that emphasizes theoretical classroom knowledge that is applied through student faculty research, internships, and practicums, and international travel and study. An integrative research project is a capstone experience required of all students. This project will build upon experiences inside and outside the classroom and integrate classroom theory and application.
WHAT CAN I DO WITH A CULTURAL AREA STUDIES DEGREE?
With a degree in cultural area studies, students will be well-positioned to embark on a wide variety of careers, including international non-governmental organizations and international nonprofit agencies, airline and travel, teacher/professor, international law, environmental agencies, business, health and education, diplomatic positions and more.
Related Links
Interdisciplinary Programs - Cultural Area Studies, BS Program Page
Curriculum Guide
GPA Requirement
Major GPA: 2.0 or higher
Overall GPA: 2.0 or higher
Summary*
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Rock Studies 2 Requirements | 42 | |
| Other Basic Requirments | 0-3 | |
| Computer Competency | 0-3 | |
| Major/Concentration Requirements | 42 | |
| Electives | 36 | |
* All undergraduate degree programs require a minimum of 120 credits. Some courses meet multiple requirements, but are only counted once toward the 120 credit total required to graduate.
Rock Studies 2 Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| The Rock | ||
| SUBJ 139 | Foundations of Academic Discovery 1 | 3 |
| ENGL 102 | Critical Writing | 3 |
| ENGL 104 | Critical Reading | 3 |
| MATH 117 | Quantitative Reasoning | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice | ||
| Ethics and Civil Discourse | ||
| Civil Discourse and Democracy | ||
| Subtotal | 15 | |
| Integrated Inquiry | ||
| Creative and Aesthetic Inquiry | ||
| Select 3 Credits | 3 | |
| Humanities Inquiry | ||
| Select 3 Credits | 3 | |
| Social Science Inquiry | ||
| Select 3 Credits | 3 | |
| Natural Science Inquiry | ||
| SCI 101 | Science of Life | 3 |
| Physical Science Inquiry | ||
| SCI 102 | Understanding the Physical World | 3 |
| Subtotal | 15 | |
| Thematic Thread | ||
| Select 12 Credits 2 | 12 | |
| Subtotal | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 42 | |
- 1
Course offered in multiple subjects; cannot take course in first major subject.
- 2
One course from each category; six credits must be 300-level or above; no more than 4 credits from one subject area; specific courses required in first major, regardless of prefix of course, cannot be used to satisfy thread requirements; any course with same prefix as first major cannot be used to satisfy thread requirements, even if it is not a course in the first major.
Basic Math Requirement
Check with your adviser or a current degree audit report to see if you have been exempted from this course. The credit earned in this course will not be counted toward the 120 credit hour minimum needed to earn a degree.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Complete one of the following: | 0-3 | |
Meet required minimum SAT or ACT math score OR | ||
| Beginning Algebra | ||
| Total Hours | 0-3 | |
Computer Competency
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Demonstrate "computer competency" by one of the following: | 0-3 | |
Pass Computer Competency Exam OR | ||
Select one of the following at SRU or another post-secondary institution: | ||
| Introduction to Computing for Liberal Arts | ||
| Computer Concepts | ||
| Introduction to Computing and Programming | ||
| Technology for Wellness | ||
| Total Hours | 0-3 | |
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION REQUIREMENT
Students must take and pass a course with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) designation prior to graduation. Students can meet this requirement by taking any DEI - designated course in any program at any time during their undergraduate career.
major Requirements
- 21 major credits must be taken at SRU or PASSHE
- 21 major credits must be taken at the 300 level or above (Adviser approved courses)
- Courses used in this major may not be used to satisfy ROCK Studies 2, a minor, or another major’s requirements.
- AP, Credit by Exam, CLEP, and institutional credit by exam may count towards the degree to a maximum of 45 credits. Pass/Fail and non-credit courses will not be counted in the major.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| Oral and Written Communication | ||
| INDP 499 | Capstone: Applied Interdisciplinary Studies | 3 |
| Select one the following: | 3 | |
| Intercultural Communication 1 | ||
| World Regional Geography 1 | ||
| International Relations 1 | ||
| Subtotal | 6 | |
| Interpersonal Skills and Civic Responsibility 2 | ||
| Select one of the following: 3 | 3 | |
Modern Language Course | ||
Hist & Dev Eng Lang (Amer. St. only) | ||
| Select one of the following: 4 | 3 | |
Modern Language Course | ||
By advisement (American Studies only) | ||
| Subtotal | 6 | |
| Analytical, Quantitative & Critical Thinking Skills | ||
| Select one of the following courses approved for your cultural area: | 3 | |
| Ancient World to the Age of Global Encounters 1 | ||
| Early Modern to Contemporary World 1 | ||
| Race and Ethnic Diversity in the USA 1 | ||
| Cultural Area Studies 1 | ||
| Archaeology of the Americas 1 | ||
| Introduction to Asian Civilizations 1 | ||
| Subtotal | 3 | |
| Required | ||
| INDP 102 | Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies | 3 |
| INDP 318 | Research Methods in Interdisciplinary Studies 1 | 3 |
| Subtotal | 6 | |
| Emphasis Area | ||
| Courses selected by advisement | ||
| Cultural Area - America, Asia, Europe, Latin America or Middle East | ||
| Select 21 credits from the following categories: Foundations, Culture and Society, History, Current Issues | 21 | |
| Subtotal | 21 | |
| Experiential Learning Activities | ||
| Must complete 40 hours of experiential learning activities which are approved by the Academic Adviser. Please consult with your Adviser for details of the options available. | ||
| Total Hours | 42 | |
- 1
Course counts for 50% of Major requirements and Major GPA.
- 2
Take Modern Language courses at the 102 and 103, approved for your cultural area. American studies students must take ENGL 331 and another course by advisement.
- 3
- 4
ARAB, CHIN, FREN, JAPN, KORN, SPAN 103 or Approved course.
- *
Some courses may require pre-requisites. Please see course descriptions to determine if there are any pre-requisites for that specific course.
Co-curricular and Experiential Learning
Students are encouraged to explore additional curricular and co-curricular opportunities. There is a strong correlation between long-term student success and participation in the following types of programs and activities:
- International study programs (short-term, semester)
- High-Impact Practice (HIP) designated classes
- Student-faculty creative projects
- Internships
- Experiential Learning (Practice experience outside the classroom)
Important Curriculum Guide Notes
This Curriculum Guide is provided to help SRU students and prospective students better understand their intended major curriculum. Enrolled SRU students should note that the My Rock Audit may place already-earned and/or in progress courses in different, yet valid, curriculum categories. Enrolled SRU students should use the My Rock Audit Report and materials and information provided by their faculty advisers to ensure accurate progress towards degree completion. The information on this guide is current as of the date listed. Students are responsible for curriculum requirements at the time of enrollment at the University.
PASSHE - Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Institutions
INTERDISCIPLINARY PROGRAMS - BS (5198)
Concentration in Cultural Area Studies (CULT)
This program is effective as of Fall 2020
Revised 06.29.2022
UCC 03.05.20