Arts and Contemporary Studies Core Elective Table I

This option examines the study of anthropology in its attempts to understand the human experience, past and present, using holistic, comparative, and field based evolutionary perspectives and practices. Students will earn a strong base in anthropological history, theory and methods as well as acquire important skills allowing them to conduct research and analysis in the mode of an anthropologist, examining and interpreting the immediate world around them.

Thirteen (13) courses are required as grouped and noted below.

REQUIRED (6 courses):

Four (4) of the following:

A maximum of two (2) courses marked with a dagger (†) may be selected from this group.

Three (3) of the following:

Many of these courses have prerequisites.

Students examine the forms of cultural expression that have become a measure of who we are and who we dream of becoming. They explore cultural identity through both high culture and popular entertainment.

Thirteen (13) courses are required as grouped and noted below†.

REQUIRED:

Twelve (12) from the following:

* All students must complete a minimum of one of: ACS 800 or ACS 900.

† Students must successfully complete one of ACS 800 or ACS 900 before enrolling in ACS 950.

Our diverse and politically charged social space is the focus of this interdisciplinary option. It explores the encounters of language, perspective and value that shape contemporary politics, culture and society.

Thirteen (13) courses are required as grouped and noted below.

REQUIRED:

Twelve (12) from the following:

* All students must complete a minimum of one of: ACS 800 or ACS 900.

† Students must successfully complete one of ACS 800 or ACS 900 before enrolling in ACS 950.

This option provides students with a course of study that focuses on how to read critically—that is, analyze, historicize, and politicize—a wide range of literary and cultural texts. Students examine how such things as genre, form, method, historical period, geography and nation inform narrative media, including works of literature, film, television, digital culture, and the visual arts. Through an engagement with narratives of the past and the present, students develop a critical understanding of contemporary cultural production.

Thirteen (13) courses are required, grouped as follows:

REQUIRED:

One course from the following:

Two courses from the following:

For students admitted Fall 2021 and after:
One course from the following:

For students admitted Fall 2021 and after: Four courses from the following are required.

For students admitted Fall 2020 and before: Five course from the following are required.

Students may opt for depth by selecting courses within thematic categories, or may opt for breadth by sampling broadly across those categories.

Media + Cultural Studies:

World Views + Experiences:

Literary Histories + Movements:

Creative Writing  

Rhetoric, Writing + Culture:

Genre Studies:

Independent Study:

NOTE: English courses cannot be used toward the liberal studies requirement if the English Option is chosen. Students in the English Option cannot complete the English Minor.

This option provides students with the opportunity to gain a specialization in this important linguistic and cultural field. It allows students to develop a better understanding of the culturally diverse populations of the Francophone world in Africa, Asia, Europe and North America, while acquiring critical insights into the important role that French and Francophone culture play both at a national level in this country and in the broader international context.

Thirteen (13) courses are required as grouped and noted below.

REQUIRED:

A minimum of four (4) courses from the following:

A minimum of two (2) courses from the following:

NOTE: French courses cannot be used toward the liberal studies requirement if the French Option is chosen. Students in the French Option cannot complete The French Minor.

This option explores the often volatile mix of global issues and perspectives, environmental concerns and corporate interests that drive contemporary society and culture at a time when global transformations are transcending political boundaries.

Thirteen (13) courses are required as grouped and noted below.

REQUIRED:

Twelve (12) courses from the following:

* All students must complete a minimum of one of: ACS 800 or ACS 900.

† Students must successfully complete one of ACS 800 or ACS 900 before enrolling in ACS 950.

This option offers not only a study of the past, as a way to understand the present, but also a range of skills applicable to many jobs – those which require an understanding of research techniques, analysis, and logic. Each of these is a requirement of historical studies, as students must understand how to collect data, how to analyze it as to accuracy and sufficiency, and how to construct a logical argument from the evidence, if it is judged that there is sufficient evidence to support an argument.

(13) courses, grouped as follows: REQUIRED:

One (1) Senior Seminar from the following*:

Four (4) courses from the following:

One (1) course from the following:

Five (5) courses from the following:

Students in the History Option cannot complete the History Minor.

NOTE: History courses cannot be used toward the liberal studies requirement if the History Option is chosen.

This option explores the institutions and ideas that generate – and depend on – scientific discovery and technological innovation. The focus is on ways in which science and technology influence our lives, individually and as a society, in the 21st century.

Thirteen (13) courses are required as grouped and noted below.

REQUIRED:

Twelve (12) courses from the following:

* All students must complete a minimum of one of: ACS 800 or ACS 900.

† Students must successfully complete one of ACS 800 or ACS 900 before enrolling in ACS 950.

This option provides students with a broad understanding of the main historical trends and contemporary developments within the discipline of philosophy. With its sustained and systematic plan of study in Philosophy, the option has two general objectives. First, it encourages students to read and think about philosophical issues and problems in an active and critical manner. Second, it provides students with an understanding of, and appreciation for, the contributions made by some of the greatest thinkers of the past and present.

Last offered 2025-2026 for students admitted Fall 2022 (or Winter 2023) and earlier. Students admitted Fall 2023 and after see revised curriculum below.

Thirteen (13) courses, grouped as noted below:

REQUIRED:

One (1) course from the following:

Revised curriculum begins Fall 2023 for students admitted in Fall 2023 and after.

Thirteen (13) courses, grouped as noted below:

REQUIRED:

One (1) course from the following:

CORE ELECTIVE: One (1) course from the following:

CORE ELECTIVE: One (1) course from the following:

CORE ELECTIVE: One (1) course from the following:

CORE ELECTIVE: One (1) course from the following:

For all students in the Philosophy Option.

Courses completed to satisfy another degree requirement cannot also count towards the Core Elective Table I requirement.

Students admitted Fall 2022 and before must complete seven (7) additional Philosophy courses from Table I.

Students admitted Fall 2023 and after must complete five (5) additional Philosophy courses from Table I.

For all students, a minimum of three (3) courses must be advanced as grouped below.

Non-advanced courses:

NOTE: *Course can be used as an advanced course for students admitted Fall 2022 and before.

Advanced courses: