Interdisciplinary Studies
European Studies Major
Description of the Major. The European studies major is designed to allow students to combine an interest in modern languages with an interdisciplinary exploration of culture and history. Using demonstrated competence in French, German or Spanish as a foundation, students will undertake coursework in the humanities and social sciences in order to develop an understanding of and appreciation for the complexities of a given European (culture/nation/region) and its place on the world stage.
The major will be supervised by faculty drawn from the departments of Art History, French, Economics, German, Spanish, History, and Political Science.
Distinctive Features of the Major. The European studies major is intentionally interdisciplinary. To complete this course of study, students will engage faculty and peers in several departments: modern languages, history, art, anthropology, philosophy, economics, and political science. This major is also attentive to both individual interests and disciplinary concerns. Students are encouraged not only to pursue their unique interest in each of these fields, but to become conscious of the methods and assumptions that differ from discipline to discipline. Finally, the European studies major integrates an off-campus semester into the student’s experience, affording opportunities to hone language skills, take courses within a European educational context, and benefit from immersion in a foreign culture.
Career Choices. Students pursuing a major in European studies develop a range of skills and sensibilities that are valuable assets in the worlds of business, arts, civil service, ministry, and education. Linguistic facility, historical understanding, and cultural sensitivity are invaluable, whether one’s interests lie in the field of international business, mission work, politics, or teaching.
Course Template. Students will complete one semester of 14-16 units in an overseas program determined by their foreign language proficiency and approved by their major advisor in consultation with the off-campus program office. This semester should include at least three courses that would count toward their major.
Requirements for a Major: 46-48 units
Students will select courses appropriate to their geographic area of study in consultation with their academic advisor.
8 units of appropriate foreign language, at least 4 of which must be in literature. This may assume additional prerequisite language study.
8 units of upper division history: two appropriate upper-division history courses from among the following:
HIS 133 European States and Peoples 1350-1750 (4)
HIS 134 European Intellectual and Cultural 1350-1650 (4)
HIS 140 European Politics and Diplomacy Since 1789 (4)
HIS 141 European Society and Culture Since 1789 (4)
HIS 142 European Intellectual History 1650-present (4)
HIS 156 France 1500-present (4)
HIS 195 Topics in History, if appropriate (4)
SP 110 Spanish Cultures (4)
4 units of politics: One of the following
EB 189 Economics of the European Union (4)
HIS 140 European Politics and Diplomacy Since 1789 (4)
POL 122 Comparative Politics: Europe (4)
4 units of appropriate art history
ART 122 Medieval Europe (France/Germany) (4)
ART 124 Italian Renaissance (4)
ART 125 Northern Renaissance Art (Germany) (4)
ART 126 Art of Early Modern Europe (All) (4)
ART 127 Nineteenth Century Art (France) (4)
ART 128 Twentieth Century (France/Germany) (4)
ART 129 Special Topics, when relevant (4)
4 units of interdisciplinary seminar
8 units of cognates
Any upper-division art listed above
Any upper-division history listed above
Any appropriate upper-division foreign language or literature course
EB 189 Economics of the European Union (4)
POL 122 Comparative Politics: Europe (4)
PHI 101 History of Ancient and Medieval Philosophy (4)
PHI 102 History of Modern and Contemporary Philosophy (4)
14-16 units in one semester off campus. The 14-16 units include 4 of the 8 units of cognates listed above.
Appropriate courses are courses selected in consultation with the student’s academic advisor and relevant for the student’s geographic area of emphasis (Spain, Germany, France).
Ethnic Studies Minor
Description of the Minor. The ethnic studies minor is designed to provide students with the opportunity to study the cultural, historical, political, and social dimensions of a variety of national racial and ethnic groups. The minor is interdisciplinary in nature and draws upon various departments for its course offerings.
Requirements for a Minor: 24 units
Required Courses: 8 units
IS 196 Ethnic and Gender Studies Seminar (4)
SOC 189 Ethnic Groups (4)
Electives: 16 units
ED 105 Perspectives on Cultural Diversity and Education (4)
ENG 134 Ethnicity and Race in American Literature (4)
ENG 136 Jewish-American Literature (4)
HIS 175 Recent America (4)
HIS 178 California Experience (4)
RS 143 North American Religions (4)
Gender Studies Minor
Description of the Minor. The gender studies minor is designed to be an interdisciplinary exploration of gender in contemporary and international life. Students will study gender and its importance to politics, culture, history, philosophy, psychology, theology, communication, language and religion.
Requirements for a Minor: 24 units
Required Courses: 24 units
AN 135 Gender and Sex Roles in Cross-Cultural Perspective (4)
ENG 160 Women Writers (4)
HIS 91 Topics in Women’s History (4)
IS 196 Ethnic and Gender Studies Seminar (4)
POL 126 Gender and Politics in Comparative Perspective (4)
One of the following: (4)
PHI 113 Contemporary Moral Problems (4)
RS 129 Doctrine of Reconciliation (4)
Upper-Division Course Descriptions
IS 105 History of Science (4) An overview of the origins, nature and development of Western scientific knowledge and thought from antiquity tothe present. Particular attention will be given to how scientists and their discoveries have influenced, and been influenced by, culture, religion, technology and public policy throughout history. (GE - Social Science or Natural Science)
IS 121 - IS 129 European Culture and Society, Past and Present (4,4,4) Studies various aspects of European history, thought, arts, society, culture, science, economy and politics while resident in Europe. Special effort is made to understand Europe’s heritage and contemporary society in relation to larger world contexts. Emphasizes thoughtful consideration of Christian and cultural concerns through preparatory readings, lectures, extensive discussion, and essay writing. Three courses may fulfill up to four Common Inquiries requirements: Thinking Globally, Understanding Society, Performing and Interpreting the Arts and Thinking Historically. Although not guaranteed, some years a single qualified course may satisfy two of these Common Inquiries GE requirements, making it possible to satisfy all four of these GE requirements.
IS 190 SF Urban Practicum (8 units from an Internship in a vocationally-related area) Students learn resume-building and interviewing skills, complete three full interview sessions and accept placement in a supervised internship in a highly regarded business or non-profit organization. Close relationships with SF Urban personnel and on-site supervisors create a world-class learning opportunity in which vocational calling, social justice and faith issues are integrated. In most cases, this internship will fulfill GE requirement: Competent and Compassionate Action.
IS 194 Independent Study (2-4 units, by request) In collaboration with San Francisco based faculty and with relevant departmental colleagues, a student may self-design a course which integrates the unique environment of San Francisco into the study of their discipline (example: SF social services and the effect on poverty and homelessness in the city; cultural impact on international trade relations; Chinatown’s familial structures and the effect on social capital; a survey of church positions on homosexuality, etc.)
IS 195 SF Urban Studies (4 units) Study San Francisco and you get a glimpse at the future of American thoughts and trends. Many issues, such as poverty, homelessness and ethnic diversity are more accessible in this urban environment along with broader issues of racism, sexual orientation and diversity of faith community commitments to human needs. Interaction with local guest speakers supplement significant text readings, reflective writing and guided discussions.
Note: These courses are taught in San Francisco. Admission to these courses is contingent on admission to the full San Francisco Urban Program. Applications can be found on line at http://urban.westmont.edu, or secured from the Off-Campus Programs Office.
IS 196 Ethnic and Gender Studies Seminar (4) The seminar course is designed to synthesize the course work of the minor under an interdisciplinary rubric. Main objectives include learning interdisciplinary theoretical perspectives and research methods, further compounding the variables of race and gender with other variables, such as social class and religion, and placing interdisciplinary perspectives and course themes within a Christian context. Students will also learn about the value and practical application of this kind of research within academia and for society.