The Major

The oldest of Wooster’s interdisciplinary programs, cultural area studies enables students to question, make decisions, and take action in an international framework. Achieving proficiency in at least one of a region’s languages is central to knowing that region and to interacting with its people. Thus a student will pursue as much language training as possible, both on campus and while studying in the region.

A major in cultural area studies consists of twelve courses plus Independent Study. Six of the twelve courses must be selected from one core department, enabling students to approach their chosen cultural area from the perspective of an academic discipline such as anthropology, history, political science, or religious studies. Students must also choose a cultural area focus for their program, such as Africa, East Asia, South Asia, Russia and East Central Europe, or Modern Western Europe. To develop a program, the student, in consultation with the CAS chair, selects six courses from the department or departments that relate to the chosen cultural area. A CAS minor, consisting of six courses focusing on a single cultural area, also is available.