Bachelor of Arts World Languages and Cultures with a Major in World Cultural Studies (BA)
Requirements
Lower-Division General Education
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Written Communication | 6 | |
| Oral Communication | 3 | |
| Mathematics | 3 | |
| Language and Culture | 0-6 | |
| Information Literacy and Research | 3 | |
| Human Behavior | 3 | |
| Human Creativity | 3 | |
| Interpreting the Past | 3 | |
| Literature | 3 | |
| Philosophy and Ethics | 3 | |
| The Nature of Science | 8 | |
| Impact of Technology | 3 | |
Written Communication: Grade of C or better required in both courses and in ENGL 110C before declaring major.
Oral Communication (satisfied in the major for French, German, Japanese, and Spanish by one of the following: FR 311, GER 311, JAPN 311, SPAN 311. Students in the World Cultural Studies major must complete a general education oral communication course.)
Language and Culture: satisfied by the major for French, German, Japanese, and Spanish. Students in the World Cultural Studies major must demonstrate foreign language proficiency at the fourth-semester level.
Interpreting the Past: HIST 104H may not be used to satisfy the requirement.
Literature: WCS 100L is required
Impact of Technology requirement is satisfied by TLED 430W for teacher licensure students.
Human Behavior: GEOG 100S is required
Upper-Division General Education
- Option A. Approved Minor, 12-24 hours; also second degree or second major
- Option B. Interdisciplinary Minor, 12 hours specified by the department, 3 of which may be in the major area of study
- Option C. An approved certification program, such as teaching licensure
- Option D. Two Upper-Division Courses from outside the College of Arts and Letters or from the Social Science Component within the College of Arts and Letters that are not required by the major (6 hours).
Requirements for Graduation
Requirements for graduation include the following:
- Minimum of 120 credit hours.
- Minimum of 30 credit hours overall and 12 credit hours of upper-level courses in the major program from Old Dominion University.
- Minimum overall cumulative grade point average of C (2.00) in all courses taken.
- Minimum overall cumulative grade point average of C (2.00) in all courses taken toward the major.
- Minimum overall cumulative grade point average of C (2.00) in all courses taken toward a minor.
- Completion of ENGL 110C, ENGL 211C or ENGL 231C, and the writing intensive (W) course in the major with a grade of C or better. The W course must be taken at Old Dominion University.
- Completion of Senior Assessment.
World Languages and Cultures Core
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following: | 6 | |
Option A: Another foreign language at any level or | ||
Option B: Area Studies. Consult the department for a list of approved courses each semester. | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 6 | |
World Cultural Studies Major
The World Cultural Studies major provides students the critical skills necessary to understand, identify, and approach global challenges and to critically evaluate and provide effective solutions for open-ended problems depending on varying cultural perspectives, values, and resources. Courses in this major are taught in English.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education | ||
| Complete lower-division requirements | 41-47 | |
| Complete upper-division requirements (minimum of 6 credit hours) | 6 | |
| Complete foreign language coursework through the 202 level | 0-12 | |
| World Languages and Cultures Core | ||
| Complete world languages and cultures core requirements | 6 | |
| World Cultural Studies | ||
| WCS 311 | Global Conversations | 3 |
| WCS 312W | Writing Around the World | 3 |
| WCS 323 | World Cultures and Contexts | 3 |
| WCS 400 | Global Cultural Studies | 3 |
| WCS 407 | Global Communication in Practice | 3 |
| 300/400-level elective * | 3 | |
| 300/400-level elective * | 3 | |
| 300/400-level elective * | 3 | |
| 300/400-level elective * | 3 | |
| 400-level elective * | 3 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 83-101 | |
- *
Electives may be chosen from WCS 300/400-level courses, 300/400-level courses in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese and Spanish offered by the World Languages and Cultures Department (if the student is proficient), or approved courses from the Business, Engineering, and Global Citizenship focus areas listed below.
300/400-Level Electives
Business Focus Area
The business focus area provides a critical advantage in understanding the global nexus of cultural influences in international business today.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ECON 450 | International Economics | 3 |
| FIN 435 | International Financial Management | 3 |
| INBU 431 | Doing Business in Europe | 3 |
| INBU 432 | Doing Business in Latin America | 3 |
| INBU 433 | Doing Business in Asia | 3 |
| MGMT 462 | Comparative International Management | 3 |
| MGMT 463 | Management Seminar Abroad | 3 |
| MKTG 411 | Multi-National Marketing | 3 |
| PHIL 303E | Business Ethics | 3 |
| PHIL 344E | Environmental Ethics | 3 |
| WCS 307 | Understanding European Culture through Film | 3 |
| WCS 310 | Japan: A Cultural Odyssey | 3 |
| WCS 330 | Contemporary Cultures and Media | 3 |
| WCS 410 | Berlin-Paris: Crucibles of European Ideas | 3 |
| WCS 445 | German Cinema I | 3 |
| WCS 471 | Hispanic Women Authors | 3 |
| WCS 476 | German-Jewish Literature and Culture | 3 |
Engineering Focus Area
The Engineering focus area bridges gaps between science and culture, incorporating skills in transcultural communication and understanding that will serve students interested in working for international corporations or in development sectors.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CEE 402 | Professional Practice of Engineering | 1 |
| CEE 458 | Sustainable Development | 3 |
| CEE 459 | Biofuels Engineering | 3 |
| ECE 407 | Introduction to Game Development | 3 |
| GEOG 305 | World Resources | 3 |
| GEOG 306T | Hazards: Natural and Technological | 3 |
| IT 425 | Information Systems for International Business | 3 |
| PHIL 355E | Cybersecurity Ethics | 3 |
| PHIL 383T | Philosophy of Technology & Innovation | 3 |
| POLS 324 | International Relations Theory | 3 |
| WCS 307 | Understanding European Culture through Film | 3 |
| WCS 310 | Japan: A Cultural Odyssey | 3 |
| WCS 330 | Contemporary Cultures and Media | 3 |
| WCS 410 | Berlin-Paris: Crucibles of European Ideas | 3 |
| WCS 445 | German Cinema I | 3 |
| WCS 471 | Hispanic Women Authors | 3 |
| WCS 476 | German-Jewish Literature and Culture | 3 |
Global Citizenship Focus Area
In the global citizenship focus area, students learn skills necessary to approach global problems through in-depth analysis, inquiry into global challenges and cultural perspectives, and innovative paths to solutions.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CEE 458 | Sustainable Development | 3 |
| COMM 400W | Intercultural Communication | 3 |
| COMM 471W | International Film History | 3 |
| ECE 407 | Introduction to Game Development | 3 |
| ENGL 371W | Language and Culture | 3 |
| GEOG 451 | Europe | 3 |
| GEOG 452 | Africa | 3 |
| GEOG 453 | Asia | 3 |
| GEOG 455 | The Middle East | 3 |
| HIST 371 | Modern Mexico | 3 |
| HIST 372 | Central America and the Caribbean Since 1800 | 3 |
| HIST 373 | U.S.-Latin American Relations | 3 |
| HIST 470 | Struggle for Democracy and Development in Latin America | 3 |
| PHIL 250E | World Religions: Beliefs and Values | 3 |
| PHIL 290G | Philosophy of Digital Culture | 3 |
| PHIL 353 | Asian Religions | 3 |
| PHIL 485 | Japanese Religion and Philosophy | 3 |
| POLS 324 | International Relations Theory | 3 |
| POLS 325W | World Politics | 3 |
| POLS 436 | Japanese Politics | 3 |
| POLS 445 | Globalization: Dynamics and Implications | 3 |
| POLS 462 | Ethnic Conflict in the New Global Order | 3 |
| PSYC 420 | Cross-Cultural Psychology | 3 |
| WCS 307 | Understanding European Culture through Film | 3 |
| WCS 310 | Japan: A Cultural Odyssey | 3 |
| WCS 330 | Contemporary Cultures and Media | 3 |
| WCS 410 | Berlin-Paris: Crucibles of European Ideas | 3 |
| WCS 445 | German Cinema I | 3 |
| WCS 471 | Hispanic Women Authors | 3 |
| WCS 476 | German-Jewish Literature and Culture | 3 |
| WGS 390T | Women, Gender, and Technology Worldwide | 3 |
| WGS 401W | Women: A Global Perspective | 3 |
Elective Credit
Elective credit will be needed to meet the minimum requirement of 120 credit hours.
Additional Requirements
Transfer Credits
Students who have received an AA, AS or AA and S from a Virginia community college, Richard Bland College or an equivalent associate degree approved by Transfer Evaluation Services have met all lower-division general education requirements. However, completion of ENGL 211C and either six hours of a second foreign language or six hours of area studies (which may include WCS 100L) are major requirements and are not automatically met by completion of an associate degree. Transfer students who have taken a different general education course in the same perspective area should consult the chief departmental advisor to determine if substitutions are possible.
All majors must complete the Lower-Division General Education requirements and the core requirements and select one of the following majors. A cumulative grade point average of 2.00 is required for the 30 hours of upper-division courses in French, German, Japanese, or Spanish. No more than two FR/GER/JAPN/SPAN courses taught in English can be counted for the major. At least 12 hours in the major must be taken at Old Dominion University.
Degree Program Guide
The Degree Program Guide is a suggested curriculum to complete this degree program in four years. It is just one of several plans that will work and is presented only as broad guidance to students. Each student is strongly encouraged to develop a customized plan in consultation with their academic advisor. Additional information can also be found in Degree Works.
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| ENGL 110C | English Composition (Grade of C or better required) | 3 |
| Mathematical Skills | 3 | |
| Human Creativity | 3 | |
| Interpreting the Past (HIST 104H may not be used to meet the requirement) | 3 | |
| Elective or Language and Culture I (May be waived; See requirement details) | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Literature: | ||
| WCS 100L | Introduction to World Literatures and Cultures (required) | 3 |
| Human Behavior: | ||
| GEOG 100S | Human Geography (required) | 3 |
| Impact of Technology | 3 | |
| Information Literacy and Research | 3 | |
| Elective or Language and Culture II (May be waived; See requirement details) | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Fall | ||
| ENGL 211C or ENGL 231C |
Writing, Rhetoric, and Research (Grade of C or better required) or Writing, Rhetoric, and Research: Special Topics |
3 |
| Nature of Science I | 4 | |
| Language and Culture III | 3 | |
| Elective course | 3 | |
| Elective course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| Philosophy and Ethics | 3 | |
| Nature of Science II | 4 | |
| Language and Culture IV | 3 | |
| Oral Communication | 3 | |
| Elective course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Junior | ||
| Fall | ||
| WCS 311 | Global Conversations | 3 |
| WCS 312W | Writing Around the World (Grade of C or better required) | 3 |
| 300/400-level approved course | 3 | |
| 300/400-level approved course | 3 | |
| Upper-Division General Education Course or Minor | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| WCS 323 | World Cultures and Contexts | 3 |
| 300/400-level approved course | 3 | |
| 300/400-level approved course | 3 | |
| Elective course | 3 | |
| Upper-Division General Education Course or Minor | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Senior | ||
| Fall | ||
| WCS 407 | Global Communication in Practice | 3 |
| 400-level approved course | 3 | |
| Elective course | 3 | |
| Elective course | 3 | |
| Minor or Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| WCS 400 | Global Cultural Studies | 3 |
| Elective course | 3 | |
| Elective course | 3 | |
| Elective course | 1 | |
| Minor or Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 13 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |
BA or BS to MBA (Master of Business Administration) Linked Program
The linked BA/MBA or BS/MBA program is an early entry to the MBA program of study. The early-entry program is designed for well qualified non-business undergraduate ODU students to start their MBA program prior to completing their undergraduate degree. Well qualified non-business undergraduate students may take MBA-level courses as early as three semesters prior to graduation and count up to 12 graduate credits toward their undergraduate degree. Students participating in the early-entry program must earn a minimum of 150 credit hours (120 discrete credit hours for the undergraduate degree and 30 discrete credit hours for the graduate degree). Early-entry program students should carefully consider their undergraduate degree program requirements when planning their course of study. Students in the early-entry program work in close consultation with the MBA Program Office and should refer to information in the Strome College of Business section in the graduate catalog to develop an individualized plan of study based on the required coursework.
BA or BS to MPA (Master of Public Administration) Linked Program
The linked BA/MPA or BS/MPA program provides qualified Old Dominion University undergraduate students with the opportunity to earn a master's degree in public administration while taking credits in the MPA program as an undergraduate student. The program is designed for highly motivated students with the desire to immediately continue their education after the bachelor's degree. The program is especially relevant to individuals seeking to work (or currently working) in the public or non-profit sectors, but is suitable for students from any undergraduate major. Graduate courses may be taken during the fall and spring semester of the student's senior undergraduate year. Up to 12 graduate credits can count toward both the undergraduate and graduate degree and can meet upper-level General Education requirements. After receiving the undergraduate degree, a student will continue with the MPA program, taking MPA courses until completing the required 39 credit hours. Students in the linked program must earn a minimum of 150 credit hours (120 discrete credit hours for the undergraduate degree and 30 discrete credit hours for the graduate degree).
Requirements for admission to the graduate program can be found in the School of Public Service section of the Graduate Catalog. For additional information, please contact the School of Public Service in the Strome College of Business.