Cultural & Regional Studies
Developing a critical consciousness to interpret human behavior and culture
The Cultural and Regional Studies Program explores the many ways – political, economic, social, and cultural – that human communities relate to each other and to their environmental surroundings.
Students in Cultural and Regional Studies develop critical thinking skills and empathetic understanding across racial, gender, class, regional, international, and non-human structures and practices. They learn to interpret human behavior and culture, criticize written texts, synthesize ideas from various academic and real-life situations, and develop their own conclusions regarding social change.
Along with a lively critical consciousness, an ethical concern inhabits all areas of Cultural and Regional Studies, encouraging students to examine their own and others' deepest-held beliefs and practices in a responsible manner.
Students learn the research and writing skills appropriate to their areas of knowledge. In some cases, proficiency in a language other than English is recommended.
Cultural and Regional Studies Program Competences
- Cultural and Regional Studies
- Religion and Philosophy
- Peace Studies
- Spanish Language and Literature/Latin American Studies
- Geography
- Sustainable Community Development (SCD)
Cultural and Regional Studies
This competence area takes an innovative approach to the College's ... Learn more >
Critical Geography
This competence examines the social construction of space. Students ... Learn more >
Student-Directed Competence Examples
Many students design and build individualized competences around their own questions about culture, power, and social systems, drawing from a wide array of cultural and Regional studies courses as well as related interdisciplinary courses across the entire curriculum
Agroecology, Ethnobiology, and Sustainable Food Systems
Students explore the conservation of traditional sustainable economies, the environment, the development of more sustainable economies within areas of natural resource depletion, and the application of traditional knowledge to agriculture to achieve more sustainable and non-exploitative practices.
Border Studies
Cultural and economic conflicts resulting from land and resource battles throughout the world are explored through independent studies and on-site visits. The history of conflict, revolution, environment, and independence create a context through which students can examine present-day conflicts and explore options for resolution and diplomacy.
Community and Social Change
Students integrate research and practical study, learning to use the essential tools for the creation of healthy community structures. They develop and understanding of social and physical cultural borders, ideologies and diversity within communities, and issues such as generational differences, gender studies, race relations, nonviolence, social action education, and community development.
Community Development
Students investigate numerous areas to understand community development, including the infusion of ecology, social relations, health and wellness, food production, building design and implementation, consumption dynamics, resource management, and local, regional, and global connections. Students may apply skill they gain to developing a plan for creating social movement toward holistic living.
Global and Local Food Systems
Study includes the ties among food, people, politics, land, culture, and power. Students explore the farm-to-food chain and consider socioeconomics, energy efficiency, land degradation, and cultural customs tied to growth methods and food preparation using concepts of agroecology, ecodesign, and permaculture to gain practical skills of food growth and production.
History and Culture Studies
Students examine how culture changes over time and how this impacts the modern worlds, gaining perspective on trends and cause-and-effect relationships between internal and external pressures and cultural reform. Topics include comparative religion, political systems, world history, anthropology, conflict history, race and gender issues, and human rights.
International Relations
Students look at an array of cultures and religions of the world, along with historic, environmental, and political factors that shape populations. This includes the exploration of societal structures within various contexts through understanding of psychology and group behavior, and travel to examine a specific culture and its responses to governmental, environmental, and societal pressure. Students have opportunities to gain understanding of cultural dynamics and community existence within a larger social context
Political Ecology
This competence focuses on the disciplines of ecology and cultural studies in an effort to gain a holistic understanding of the interrelation and effects of humans with the environment, using science as a base for thoughtful, constructive action. Students learn basic social science research methods, while exploring historical and ongoing cultural attempts to quell environmental and societal discord. Topics covered include capitalist globalization, poverty reduction, social inequality, resource monopolization, and human and environmental rights abuses.
Politics and Social Thought
Students develop knowledge, skills, and experiences necessary for analyzing and resolving social conflict and for promoting the principles of peace, freedom, justice, respect, cooperation, and personal and global harmony. They gain holistic, historical, and political understanding of societal constructs including gender, race, and government.
Sustainability and Social Justice
Study covers the history and current status of the interacting issues of sustainability and social justice in such areas as food production, resource distribution, human rights, wilderness protection, and reproductive health and education. Students explore the tools to address these partnerships and predicaments.
