Campuses:
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Twin Cities Campus
Cultural Studies and Comparative Literature B.A.Cultural Studies & Comparative Literature
College of Liberal Arts
The major in Cultural Studies and Comparative Literature (CSCL) is a flexible and multidisciplinary BA program in the Liberal Arts. Our courses examine the ways global cultural and artistic practices reflect and transform modes of knowing, of feeling, of acting politically, and underpin conceptions of both individual and collective social identity. The CSCL curriculum covers a wide range of media and art forms, from literature, to cinema, popular culture, music, and the visual arts. The department places a particular focus on the power of ideas; we like to think about how abstract questions in philosophy and theory address concrete problems in our material world.
CSCL strives for a broad, international scope, and ranges widely across history and geography. We aim to produce critical, thoughtful, and well-rounded citizens prepared to work in a wide range of careers from media and journalism to academia, law, politics, medicine, non-profit work in schools, libraries, archives, museums, and community organizations, to advertising, business, entertainment, and other creative fields. Many of our graduates are path-breaking intellectuals, artistic innovators, and committed participants in social struggles that will shape our collective future.
Program Delivery
This program is available:
Admission Requirements
For information about University of Minnesota admission requirements, visit the
Office of Admissions
website.
General Requirements
All students in baccalaureate degree programs are required to complete general University and college requirements including writing and liberal education courses. For more information about University-wide requirements, see the
liberal education requirements.
Required courses for the major, minor or certificate in which a student receives a D grade (with or without plus or minus) do not count toward the major, minor or certificate (including transfer courses).
Program Requirements
Students are required to complete 4 semester(s) of
any second language.
with a grade of C-, or better, or S, or demonstrate proficiency in the language(s) as defined by the department
or college.
CLA BA degrees require 18 upper-division (3xxx-level or higher) credits outside the major designator. These credits must be taken in designators different from the major designator and cannot include courses that are cross-listed with the major designator. The major designator for the Cultural Studies and Comparative Literature BA is CSCL.
In exceptional cases, courses from other units may be substituted for department major courses if approved by the undergraduate adviser or the director of undergraduate studies.
At least 10 upper-division credits in the major must be taken at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities campus.
Students may earn a BA or a minor in cultural studies and comparative literature, but not both.
All incoming CLA freshmen must complete the First-Year Experience course sequence.
Introductory Courses (1xxx-Level)
Take 2 - 3 course(s) totaling 6 - 11 credit(s) from the following:
Lecture Courses
Lecture Courses have larger enrollments (50-200 students) and give students a broad introduction to general topics studied in CSCL.
Take 0 or more course(s) from the following:
·
CSCL 1001W - Introduction to Cultural Studies
[AH, DSJ, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCL 1101W - Literature
[LITR, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCL 1201W - Cinema
[AH, WI]
(4.0 cr)
or
SCMC 1201W - Cinema
[AH, WI]
(4.0 cr)
·
CSCL 1202W - Media: Word, Image, Sound
[AH, TS, WI]
(4.0 cr)
or
SCMC 1202W - Media: Word, Image, Sound
[AH, TS, WI]
(4.0 cr)
·
Introductory Seminars
Introductory Seminars are smaller courses (20-25 students) that provide students more one-on-one interaction with instructors and more detailed feedback on their thinking and writing. Lecturing is minimal and active class participation is expected.
Take 0 or more course(s) from the following:
·
CSCL 1301W - Reading Culture: Theory and Practice
[AH, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCL 1401W - Reading Literature: Theory and Practice
[LITR, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCL 1501W - Reading History: Theory and Practice
[HIS, WI]
(3.0 cr)
Intermediate Courses (3xxx-Level)
Intermediate Courses are more advanced courses on specialized topics. Class size ranges from smaller seminars (10-15 students) with increased one-on-one instruction to a some larger lecture courses (50-100 students). Students can take their 5-6 Intermediate Courses from any combination of the subfields below. The number of Intermediate Course credits required will depend on the amount of credits taken towards the Introductory Courses and the Capstone.
Take 5 - 6 course(s) from the following:
Gateway Course
All CSCL majors are encouraged to enroll in the Gateway Course soon after declaring the major, which provides an intellectual foundation for more advanced coursework.
Take 0 or more course(s) from the following:
·
CSCL 3005 - Seminar in Critical Thought
(3.0 cr)
·
Literature
Take 0 or more course(s) from the following:
·
CSCL 3117 - Concepts of Literary Study
[LITR]
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCL 3111W - Close Reading
[LITR, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCL 3120 - Poetry as Cultural Critique
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCL 3122 - Movements and Manifestos
[LITR]
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCL 3130W - Colonial and Postcolonial Literatures and Theory: 1700 to the Present
[LITR, GP, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
Cinema, Media, and Sound
Take 0 or more course(s) from the following:
·
CSCL 3231 - Comedy: Media, Politics & Society
[AH]
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCL 3211 - Global and Transnational Cinemas
[GP]
(4.0 cr)
·
CSCL 3212W - Documentary Cinema: History and Politics
[AH, CIV, WI]
(4.0 cr)
·
CSCL 3221 - On Television
[CIV]
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCL 3251 - Popular Music and Mass Culture
[AH]
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCL 3220W - Screen Cultures
[AH, TS, WI]
(3.0 cr)
or
SCMC 3220W - Screen Cultures
[AH, TS, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
Culture
Take 0 or more course(s) from the following:
·
CSCL 3310W - The Rhetoric of Everyday Life
[CIV, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCL 3322 - Visions of Nature: The Natural World and Political Thought
[ENV]
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCL 3323 - Science and Culture
[AH]
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCL 3334 - Monsters, Robots, Cyborgs
[LITR]
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCL 3335 - Aliens: Science Fiction to Social Theory
[DSJ]
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCL 3351W - The Body and the Politics of Representation
[HIS, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCL 3352W - Queer Aesthetics & Queer Critique
[LITR, DSJ, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCL 3350W - Sexuality and Culture
[DSJ, WI]
(3.0 cr)
or
GLBT 3456W - Sexuality and Culture
[DSJ, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
Theory
Take 0 or more course(s) from the following:
·
CSCL 3425W - Critical Theory and Social Change
[AH, DSJ, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCL 3405 - Marx for Today
[AH, DSJ]
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCL 3412W - Psychoanalysis
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCL 3413W {Inactive}
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCL 3281 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
or
HIST 3281 - European Intellectual History: The Early Modern Period, Antiquity to 1750
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCL 3282 - European Intellectual History: The Modern Period, 1750-Present
(3.0 cr)
or
HIST 3281 - European Intellectual History: The Early Modern Period, Antiquity to 1750
(3.0 cr)
·
Directed Study, Internships, and Topics Courses
Students may count a maximum of 3 directed studies courses, internships, and topics courses toward the major. No more than 2 topics courses may count, and no more than 2 directed studies/internships may count.
Take 0 - 3 course(s) from the following:
Directed Study/Internship
For both internships and directed studies, students work with a faculty member of their choice to complete and submit a Faculty/Student Contract outlining the goals and scope of coursework.
Take 0 - 2 course(s) from the following:
·
CSCL 3993 - Directed Study
(1.0-3.0 cr)
·
Topics Courses
Take 0 - 2 course(s) from the following:
·
CSCL 3910 - Topics in Cultural Studies and Comparative Literature
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCL 3910H {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
Capstone (5xxx-Level)
CSCL majors will complete their capstone by taking two CSCL 5xxx-level courses. These courses are focused seminars with a mix of graduate and undergraduate students. Some seminars invite students to investigate a particular medium, while others explore a specific topic in depth. Capstone courses foster critical independence while offering students an intellectual synthesis of the coursework in their major. In order for CSCL 5993 to count, it must be taken for 3 credits.
Students who double major and choose to complete the capstone requirement in their other major are still required to take the Cultural Studies and Comparative Literature BA capstone.
Take exactly 2 course(s) totaling 6 - 8 credit(s) from the following:
·
CSCL 5302 - Aesthetics and the Valuation of Art
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCL 5305 - Vision and Visuality: An Intellectual History
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCL 5331 - Discourse of the Novel
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCL 5401 - Origins of Cultural Studies
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCL 5411 - Avant-Garde Cinema
(4.0 cr)
·
CSCL 5555 - Introduction to Semiotics
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCL 5666 - Film Music: Theory, History, Practice
(4.0 cr)
·
CSCL 5833 - Marx, Freud, Nietzsche: Intellectual Foundations
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCL 5910 - Topics in Cultural Studies and Comparative Literature
(3.0-4.0 cr)
·
CSCL 5993 - Directed Study
(1.0-3.0 cr)
·
CSCL 5281 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
or
HIST 5281 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCL 5282 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
or
HIST 5282 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
Honors Thesis
Honors students completing their thesis in Cultural Studies and Comparative Literature should take the Honors Thesis as one of their two CSCL 5xxx courses. The Honors Thesis should be taken one term prior to graduation.
·
CSCL 5944H {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
Upper Division Writing Intensive within the major
Students are required to take one upper division writing intensive course within the major. If that requirement has not been satisfied within the core major requirements, students must choose one course from the following list. Some of these courses may also fulfill other major requirements.
Take 0 - 1 course(s) from the following:
·
CSCL 3130W - Colonial and Postcolonial Literatures and Theory: 1700 to the Present
[LITR, GP, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCL 3310W - The Rhetoric of Everyday Life
[CIV, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCL 3212W - Documentary Cinema: History and Politics
[AH, CIV, WI]
(4.0 cr)
·
CSCL 3425W - Critical Theory and Social Change
[AH, DSJ, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCL 3412W - Psychoanalysis
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCL 3413W {Inactive}
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCL 3351W - The Body and the Politics of Representation
[HIS, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCL 3111W - Close Reading
[LITR, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCL 3350W - Sexuality and Culture
[DSJ, WI]
(3.0 cr)
or
GLBT 3456W - Sexuality and Culture
[DSJ, WI]
(3.0 cr)
|
|
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ArtH 1921W/CSCL 1201W/SCMC 120 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ArtH 1921W/CSCL 1201W/SCMC 120 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CSCL 1202W/SCMC 1202W |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CSCL 1202W/SCMC 1202W |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | EngL 3012/CSCL 3174 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Fall Odd, Spring Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CSCL 3211/SCMC 3211 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CSCL 3212W/SCMC 3212W |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CSCL 3221/SCMC 3221 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CSCL 3210/SCMC 3210 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CSCL 3210/SCMC 3210 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CSCL 3220W/SCMC 3220W |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CSCL 3220W/SCMC 3220W |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CSCL 3350W/GLBT 3456W |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CSCL 3350W/GLBT 3456W |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CSCL 3281/CSCL 528/1Hist 3281/ |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CSCL 3282/CSCL 5282/Hist 3282/ |
Typically offered: | Spring Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CSCL 3281/CSCL 528/1Hist 3281/ |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 1.0 -3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 24.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CL 5302/CSCL 5302/CSDS 5302 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CL 5305/CSCL 5305/CSDS 5305 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CLit 5331/CSCL 5331 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CL 5401/CSDS 5401/CSCL 5401/En |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CL 5555/CSCL 5555/CSDS 5555 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 -4.0 [max 32.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 1.0 -3.0 [max 9.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CSCL 5993/CSDS 5993 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Fall Odd, Spring Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CSCL 3212W/SCMC 3212W |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CSCL 3350W/GLBT 3456W |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CSCL 3350W/GLBT 3456W |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |