Core Program

First-year Cultural Studies seminars and colloquia are the centerpiece of the Core Program. They are designed to ask large liberal arts questions – questions like “How have different societies defined justice, the sacred, and the truth?” You may choose from a variety of seminars and colloquia, to satisfy the first-year writing requirement.

The Core Program’s emphasis on global literacy requires you to take a minimum of three courses that touch on at least three of the following geographical areas: Africa and the Middle East; Asia and the Pacific; Europe; Latin America; the United States; and Intercultural. We also require you to demonstrate proficiency in writing and in a foreign language and take courses in the fine arts and in the sciences, mathematics, or other courses that address formal methods of reasoning.

To graduate you must complete at least 128 semester units and maintain a 2.0 GPA. You must also pass a senior comprehensive examination in your chosen field. “Comps” may include seminars, creative projects, fieldwork, oral exams, theses, or field research projects.