The Critical Social Thought Major and Minor

The Critical Social Thought Major

Students who wish to major in critical social thought will meet with the program chair to discuss their major interest and to select two advisors from the program faculty. To declare the major, students must submit a 2-3 page proposal that identifies the focus of their course of study, explains its genesis and significance, and includes an annotated list of the courses they have and intend to take for credit in their major. Students will submit the proposal to their two advisors for approval before submitting it to the chair.

Learning Goals

  • to interrogate pressing social and cultural issues outside of traditional disciplinary boundaries
  • to analyze the relations of power in knowledge production and social life
  • to apply interdisciplinary methodology informed by an array of critical traditions
  • to conduct independent research on a self-designed course of study 

Requirements

A minimum of 40 credits in the program.
No more than a total of 8 credits of independent study (295, 395) may be counted toward the major in addition to 8 credits of 395 senior thesis work.

  • 200 level Foundations in CST
    • This is a collaboratively taught course that will be offered yearly.  The lead professor will rotate among CST faculty, but the course will feature a series of guest lectures from different CST faculty.
  • 2 CST courses at the 200 level
  • 2 CST courses at the 300 level
  • 1 300-level CST capstone seminar to complete a senior capstone project. In the event that there are insufficient numbers of graduating seniors to fill this class, students will complete their capstone projects through independent study or in another 300 level seminar.
    • Capstone Project: A thesis, research paper, performance, or multimedia project that serves as a culminating intellectual experience of a self-designed course of study. Normally this project will be completed in the capstone seminar.
  • 4 electives that will contribute to the student’s course of study. A minimum of 2 electives shall be at the 300 level and divided between two or more departments or programs.
  • Proposal: submitted after completion of Intro to CST and prior to declaring the major. The proposal identifies the main questions driving a self-designed course of study.

The Critical Social Thought Minor

Students who wish to minor in critical social thought shall meet with the program chair to discuss their minor interest and to select an advisor from the program faculty. To declare the minor, students must submit a 2-3 page proposal that identifies the focus of their course of study, explains its genesis and significance, and includes an annotated list of the courses they have and intend to take for credit in their minor. Students will submit the proposal to their advisor for approval before submitting it to the chair.

A minimum of 20 credits.
No more than a total of 4 credits of independent study (295, 395) may be counted toward the minor.

  • 200 level Foundations in CST
  • 1 CST course at the 200 level
  • 1 CST course at the 300 level
  • 2 electives at the 200 or 300 level that will contribute to the student’s course of study. One should be at the 300 level.
  • Proposal submitted after completion of Introduction to CST and prior to declaring the major. The proposal identifies the main questions driving a self-designed course of study.