Major in Intercultural Studies

This major is not enrolling new students.

By examining culture, race, ethnicity, religion and other social components of various regions and nations, graduates gain an understanding of how these various cultures and societies interact with each other.

Intercultural studies majors have the opportunity to work to promote pathways, and remove the barriers that foster peaceful and fruitful relationships throughout the world. Careers in social work, education, not-for-profit and health and human services are just a few of the career options this major can provide.

Major Requirements (9.5 credits)

To develop an understanding of cultural and thematic issues as guided by program objectives, students take three one-half-credit and two full-credit intercultural studies courses, as follows:

Required Courses (3.5 credits)

  • ICS 270 Introduction to Intercultural Studies (.50 credit)
  • ICS 271 Intermediate Intercultural Studies (.50 credit)
  • ICS 275 Introduction to International Studies
  • ICS 370 Intercultural Capstone
  • ICS 380 Intercultural Experiential

Core Conceptual Courses (3.0 credits)

To develop a conceptual base for intercultural understanding, students must take at least three courses from among the following:

  • BUS 350 Cultural Diversity in Organizations
  • COM 315 Intercultural Communication
  • ENG 372 Multicultural/Postcolonial Literature
  • GEO 350 Geography of Sexual and Gender Identities
  • ICS 375 Critical Issues in Women’s Studies
  • ICS 385 LGBTQ Identity: Individual and Communal Journeys
  • ICS 390 Special Topics in Intercultural Studies
  • ICS 492 Independent Study (.50 or 1.00 credit)
  • PSY 325 Psychology and Culture
  • SOC 212 Sociology of Culture
  • SOC 304 Race and Ethnic Relations
  • URB 210 Cities

Students must earn a C or better in the required courses and core conceptual courses to count toward an ICS major.

Elective Courses (3.00 credits)

Working with the ICS chair or an ICS advisor, students select three area elective courses from various options to complete their specific cultural or thematic focus work. These options include:

  • Regular and adapted Elmhurst University courses (e.g., foreign language courses)
  • Special January Term courses
  • Portfolio documentation of workshops, training sessions, lectures, retreats, etc., undertaken with an intercultural studies focus

Connect with #elmhurstu