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School of Languages, Cultures, and Race College of Arts and Sciences

Majors

The school offers undergraduate degrees in the following areas:

Comparative Ethnic Studies

We live in a globalized village where knowledge and understandings of diverse peoples, ways of life, and value systems are necessary for everyday life.

Increasing numbers of transnational corporations, local businesses, law firms, graduate schools, and service organizations now require prospective employees to be comfortable with, and critically conscious of, the challenges of a culturally diverse environment.

In addition, employers are increasingly aware that they need to address race and diversity issues within the workplace. CES majors stand out as applicants who are trained to address these issues.

Skills you can market with a degree in comparative ethnic studies:

  • Analysis of race within the context of social systems
  • Ability to think and plan locally, nationally, and globally
  • Time management and efficient organization of ideas
  • Effective written and oral communication
  • Cultural awareness, understanding, and sensitivity
  • Critical thinking reflected in innovative problem solving
  • Ability to work solo or as a team member
  • Sophisticated research skills
  • Ability to anticipate and/or diffuse language/behavior anchored in prejudice in the workplace and other social contexts

Learn more about the major in comparative ethnic studies >>

Foreign Languages and Cultures

In an increasingly interconnected world, the program in Foreign Languages and Cultures educates students to become communicatively competent and informed global citizens who are proficient in multiple languages and who offer critical insights into world cultures. Students benefit from learning from scholars who pursue research of culture, film, language, and literature, contributing to a greater understanding of the human experience around the globe.

Specializations available in Spanish, French, Japanese, Chinese, and International Studies

A second major, language-only option is available in Spanish, French, German, and Japanese.

Skills you can market with a degree in foreign languages and cultures:

  • Language competency grounded in cultural understanding
  • Understanding linguistic and cultural differences
  • Translation of both texts and social interactions
  • Ability to anticipate difficulties in social/marketing interactions and events

Learn more about majors in languages and cultures >>

Humanities

This degree enables students whose broad interest in the arts and culture encompasses a range of disciplines and courses documenting the human condition and experience not typically found within a single academic unit or program.

Students can devise a program of study with courses analyzing art, history literature, music, philosophy, and religion, which meets their academic or career goals as well as WSU degree standards. The courses used help students in understanding and recording our world (present and past).

Learn more about the humanities degree >>

Social Sciences

This degree enables students whose broad interest in the social sciences encompasses a range of disciplines (such as anthropology, political sciences, psychology, and sociology) and courses not typically found within a single academic unit or program.

Students can devise a program of study analyzing the interplay between human behavior and social structures and institutions, which meets their academic or career goals as well as WSU degree standards.

Learn more about the social sciences degree >>

Career Options with a degree in Humanities or Social Sciences

  • Human Resources at for-profit companies and big corporations
  • Business, including small, startup companies
  • Politics and government
  • Social services and other government organizations
  • Teaching
  • Journalism
  • Activism and NGO work
  • Marketing and public relations
  • Publishing, editing, and technical and creative writing
  • Banking and Insurance

 

Thompson Hall