Course Descriptions

Area II - Cultural-Social Foundations

8 Hours Minimum
Select one course from each category:
Area II requirements help students develop a historical perspective on their own culture, an understanding of cultures beyond their own and an awareness of the realities of global interdependence.

History (RS)

CLS 150-4 Introduction to Greek and Roman Culture
Survey of the development of classical culture from prehistoric Greece to the fall of the Roman Empire. A broad view of the interrelated political, economic, and social conditions, and philosophy, religion, mythology, literature, art, and architecture.
HST 101-4 Ancient and Medieval Europe
An examination of the character of the premodern world from prehistory through the 14th century, with special attention to those aspects of ancient and medieval life that had the greatest effect on the development of Western society, politics, and culture.
HST 102-4 Early Modern Europe: The 14th through 18th Centuries
An examination of the roots of the modern Western world emphasizing the revolution in economic, political, religious, and demographic realities that occurred between the 14th and the 18th centuries.
HST 103-4 Modern Europe: The 19th-20th Centuries
An examination of the nature and consequences of modernization—its failures, accomplishments, and problems, with special attention to the phenomena that shaped the Western world of the 19th and 20th centuries.

The Non-Western World (WI)

CSE 250-4 Comparative Non-Western Economic Systems
A comparison of the economic systems in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East with the Western system with which most students are familiar; emphasis on developing and socialistic economies and on contemporary problems, including technological change and resource development.
CST 221-4 Comparative Non-Western Environments
An examination of distinctive environments of Asia and Africa through analysis of the geographic patterns of land use, population, settlements, economic activities, languages, religions, and political systems.
CST 231-4 Comparative Non-Western Literature
An examination of the world views of selected non-Western peoples and their varied expressions in literature and religion, emphasizing examples from Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East.
CST 232-4 Comparative Non-Western Religions
An introduction to academic study of some of the major non-Western religious traditions of the world, examining their historical development, fundamental doctrines and beliefs, practices, institutions, and cultural expressions.
CST 241-4 Comparative Non-Western Cultures
Examines diversity from an anthropological perspective, utilizing concepts and methods of cultural anthropology. Students will use a holistic approach to analyzing non-Western cultures while gaining understanding of the distinctive research methods of cultural anthropology.
CST 242-4 Comparative Non-Western Cultures: Music
Introduction to the music and cultural diversity and uniqueness of selected areas of the globe. This course includes the study of indigenous folk music and instruments of Asia, India, Africa, North America, Central and Southeast Europe.
CST 243-4 Comparative Non-Western Cultures: Art
An introduction to the cultural diversity and uniqueness of selected areas of Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East as reflected in art.
CST 251-4 Comparative Non-Western Social Systems
An examination of political processes and economic systems in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East with special attention to contemporary issues.
HLT 202-4 Eastern Influences on Western Health
An explanation of the cultures of the Eastern world and their influence on health care practices in the west.
RSE 260-4 Regional Economic Studies: Pacific Rim
Intoduction to the economic and political development of East Asia and the Pacific Islands and their role in the global economy.
RST 261-4 Regional Studies: Japan
Examines the development of Japanese civilization, covering such topics as the cultural and physical geography, the economic and political institutions, traditions and their effects on behavior, appreciation of nature as well as the visual and performing arts.
RST 262-4 Regional Studies: China
Introduction to the historical, cultural, economic, and political reality of the world’s most populous country, highlighting the cultural contributions of China’s rich history, not only in the creation of modern Chinese culture but its impact on other cultures.
RST 271-4 Regional Studies: Africa
An introduction to African environments, diversity of cultural heritages, changes due to modernization, colonialism, slavery, and independence with a brief survey of the relations of Africa to other non-Western regions and the contributions of Africa to world civilization.
RST 281-4 Regional Studies: Latin America
A survey of non-Western societies, including Indians, mestizos, blacks, and the peasantry, from pre-Columbian and African origins to the present, in terms of ideology, organization, social structure, culture, and economic activities.
RST 291-4 Regional Studies: The Middle East
An introduction to the history, peoples, cultures, and geography of the Middle East, from Mauritania to Pakistan, from the seventh century to the present.
URS 200-4 Growth and Change in Urban Society
An interdisciplinary view of growth and change in urban societies around the globe. Case studies illustrate how urbanization, technology development and the administrative state intertwine and affect economic and population growth and change.