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Majors & Minors
Study of Culture and Society
PROGRAM OVERVIEW The Study of Culture and Society (SCS) is an interdisciplinary major that blends courses in the humanities and social sciences. The major focuses on contemporary critical social and cultural theories, as well as modes of cultural research and criticism, including textual and discourse analysis, ethnography, interviewing, media critique and other practices. The orientation of the major is reflexive, and places strong emphasis on students developing a sense of themselves as knowers. Courses in the major stress the recognition of the contested and changing character of cultural categories, the relationship between knowledge and power and the influence of social location and identity on the creation of knowledge.
FACULTY All ten faculty members have PhDs. Their research specialties include globalization, social inequality, popular culture, visual rhetoric, gender and feminist studies, film studies, race/ethnicity, science studies. Faculty have taught and conducted research in various capacities in Russia, China, and India, while also participating actively in local communities. They publish regularly, and are active professionally.
ACADEMIC PREPARATION While no special high school courses are required, an interest and curiosity about culture and society and how to study them is an important quality in students considering this major.
REQUIREMENTS FOR MAJOR The major requires two core courses: SCS 110 Culture, Knowledge, Power and SCS 120 Modes of Cultural Inquiry, which will introduce students to current questions, debates, theories and methodological practices in cultural research. Students will also take 21 credits in each of three topic areas: Cultural Difference and Diversity, Public Culture and Gender and Sexuality. Students will then specialize in one of these topic areas, taking an additional two courses in their chosen area. The major is designed to require students to gain breadth in each of these areas as well as focusing more intensively on one area in their studies.
REQUIREMENTS FOR MINOR The minor in the Study of Culture and Society (SCS) focuses on the interdisciplinary study of cultural practices, social institutions, and knowledge. Core courses focus on contemporary critical social and cultural theories, analysis, ethnography, interviewing, media critique, and other practices. Course in each area focus more closely on specific themes of cultural difference, public culture and media, and studies of gender and sexuality. The minor stresses the recognition of the contested and changing character of cultural categories, the relationship between knowledge and power, and the influence of social location and identify on the creation of knowledge. Courses in the minor will help students develop a greater understanding of how cultural knowledge is produced, and of their own role as knowers.
DRAKE CURRICULUM The Drake Curriculum, required of all undergraduates, is designed to help students meet personal and professional goals as they acquire fundamental knowledge and abilities in ten Areas of Inquiry, including communication, critical thinking, artistic experience, historical consciousness, information and technology literacy, international and multicultural experiences, scientific and quantitative literacy, values and ethics and engaged citizenship. Students work closely with their academic advisers to craft a program of study in general education that prepares students for civic and professional leadership.
The Drake Curriculum also requires first-year seminars, which foster development of critical thinking and written and oral communication skills through a topical focus; and a Senior Capstone, in which students demonstrate the capacity to bring information, skills and ideas to bear on one project.
INTERNSHIPS & OPPORTUNITIES Experiential learning includes documentary film projects, and field research projects. A digital film editing lab is available in Howard Hall for student digital video projects. The lab makes digital video cameras available to students and includes several Macintosh editing stations.
CAREER OPTIONS The major would be excellent preparation for advanced graduate study in a range of fields in the social sciences and humanities, well as for jobs or professional training in community social services, social and public policy, government, research, law, journalism, or social work. SCS may also be a particularly good major to pair with other majors such as journalism, politics, or psychology.