Minor in Comparative Cultural Studies
The Minor in Comparative Cultural Studies offers a unique opportunity to explore and examine literature, film and visual media, and popular culture produced outside of the United States in courses taught in English by the departments and programs of the School of Literatures, Cultural Studies and Linguistics. Students will be invited to critically engage and dialogue with difference, cultural and linguistic diversity, variety of expression, and distinct ways of being, knowing, and acting as expressed through these cultural products.
A hallmark of the Minor in Comparative Cultural Studies is LCSL 250: Introduction to Comparative Cultural Studies: Debates in comparative cultural studies, global arts and world literatures. LCSL 250 offers an emphasis on diverse worldviews across Europe, Latin America, Francophone cultures. Students will develop competencies in: critical thinking, equity & inclusion, intercultural communication. Prerequisite(s): Completion of the English Composition requirement. Creative Arts course, and World Cultures course.
Students in the Minor in Comparative Cultural Studies will:
- Expand their cultural competency, especially regarding cultural production outside of the geographical U.S.
- Develop the ability to think critically about cultural difference, pluralism, transnationalism, and dynamic interactions among varying and evolving world views and perspectives.
- Acknowledge the role of translation in intercultural exchanges.
- Study the formal characteristics of various cultural products—literature, film and other visual media, and popular culture—and critically examine the specific personal, social, cultural, and historical contexts within which these are created and disseminated.
- Develop the ability to critically consider and appreciate how literatures, film and visual media, and popular culture reflect, respond to, and influence shifting ideas about individuals, relationships, communities, and work in and across cultures.
- Understand how political and social trends and historical developments have influenced the ways culture is created and received.
- Bolster their critical-thinking, analytical, oral communication, and writing skills.
- Enhance their ability to equitably engage, learn from, and interact with peoples originally from countries and geographies outside of the U.S. in diverse personal, communal, and professional settings.
For the minor, students take courses on literature, film and other visual media, and popular culture from outside the geographical United States, taught in English, with texts in translation.
Minor Requirements Heading link
Students who wish to pursue the Minor in Comparative Cultural Studies must complete 15 semester hours. Courses used to complete the minor should comply with the following requirements:
- LCSL 250: Introduction to Comparative Cultural Studies (3 credit hours)
- Literature and cultural studies courses primarily taught in English, and listed by the School of Literatures, Cultural Studies and Linguistics departments and programs under the following subjects: ARAB, CEES, FR, GER, GKM, JST, ITAL, LCSL, LITH, KOR, POL, SPAN, and RUSS. (12 credit hours)
- Students must take courses in at least two subject codes with a maximum of 6 hours in any one subject code.
- At least 6 of the 12 hours must be completed at the 200 level or above.
- A maximum of 3 hours of relevant literature and/or cultural studies courses taught in the target language (not English) and housed in the School of Literatures, Cultural Studies and Linguistics may be used with the approval of the an advisor for the minor. Basic language courses (101-104) are not eligible for these hours.
- A maximum of 6 hours of relevant literature and/or cultural studies courses from areas/subjects taught by programs not housed in the School of Literatures, Cultural Studies and Linguistics may be used only with the documented approval of the acadmic advisor for the minor.
- Students can use a maximum of 6 hours toward both the Minor in Comparative Cultural Studies and any other established major, minor, or certificate.
Total credit hours required for the minor: 15
LCSL 250 Heading link
Spring 2025: TR 9:30-10:45, Professor Michał Markowski (PRLS)
One of the most essential and desirable skills in today’s divided and conflicted world is understanding how people live, work, and create in a multicultural environment. Join us as we explore how authors and artists represent and problematize the boundaries of national and cultural identities. Is culture a “biased” term or “neutral? Is it universal? Is culture a political idea, or it shies away from politics? What is the relationship between culture and civilization? Are different cultures comparable? How does globalization impact artistic individuality? What is globalization? How does translating texts and cultures allow the global circulation of ideas? The course will help students better comprehend how the specificity of national cultures is appropriated and consumed by readers and audiences across the “world.” The course will also explain the origin of categories and concepts we use when speaking about culture. Emphasis on diverse worldviews across Europe, Latin America, Asia, and Francophone cultures and their interactions. Competencies developed: analysis, critical thinking, equity & inclusion, and intercultural communication. The course format implies active participation and discussion of reading materials in English.
Advising Heading link
Meg LaLonde is the academic advisor for the Minor in Comparative Cultural Studies. Make an appointment with Meg LaLonde.
Students interested in the minor should schedule an advising session with Meg to formally declare the minor.
Continuing minors should contact Meg for:
- advice on available courses
- LAS and department requirements
- study abroad equivalencies
- other questions about the major/minor
- career development related to their program of study
All incoming and continuing Comparative Cultural Studies minors must schedule an advising session.