Cultural Studies, MA

Cultural Studies situates culture as a site of power struggles between competing systems of representations and the ways of life that they support. Our methods of study are critical: not only exposing the ideological dimension of culture but also exploring its radical political potential.

Our faculty members specialize in feminist and queer studies, critical race theory, film and media studies, museum studies, Latino/a studies, Africana studies, Asian Pacific Islander studies, and more. The CGU Cultural Studies Department is distinguished by offering both an MA and PhD in Cultural Studies. Because many students enter the program from other disciplines, the department offers a variety of introductory courses in addition to advanced-level courses. Additionally, students may also pursue a concentration in: American Studies, Early Modern Studies, Hemispheric and Transnational Studies, Media Studies, or Museum Studies.

This program is offered in-person and can be completed in two years of full-time attendance.

Program Outcomes

[Required]

Degree Requirements

A minimum of 40 units are required for the degree. A maximum of eight units of independent studies and/or upper division undergraduate level courses completed at the 5Cs may be applied toward the degree. Students may refer to the SAH Student Handbook for the year in which they begin the program for additional information.

Coursework

Required Courses (20 units)

Three 300-level CLST foundations courses (12 units)
One writing course (4 units)
- CLST 470 /HUM 348: Advanced Writing Workshop: MA Thesis, Dissertation Proposal, and Publishing
One research methods course (4 units). Students may select courses from the list below, or another in consultation with their academic advisor.

Electives (20 units)

Students will select five additional courses, in consultation with their academic advisor. Students may satisfy this requirement by completing one of the concentrations below:

American Studies

Hemispheric and Transnational Studies

Media Studies

Museum Studies

Research Tool

This requirement is satisfied by earning a grade of B or higher in a research methods course completed at CGU. Students who do not earn the minimum grade are required to successfully pass a language exam. Students may not satisfy this requirement by way of transfer credit.

Students pursuing a concentration may be required to complete additional research tools .

Final Project

Students must typically submit a final paper of publishable journal article quality through the writing course. However, students interested in non-textual work, such as video production or museum exhibition, may undertake a project equivalent to the final paper with the approval of a faculty advisor. The requirements for an alternative project should review the information published in the SAH Student Handbook.

School of Arts and Humanities Practical Experience Milestone

Students in all departments of the School of Arts and Humanities must meet the Practical Experience Milestone through one of the following:

A Teaching Assistantship
A Research Assistantship
An external teaching opportunity, in one or more semesters student is enrolled
A research project with CGU or Consortium Faculty (5C’s, KGI)
One or more articles prepared or prepared and submitted for publication, single or co authored
One or more academic book reviews prepared or prepared and submitted for publication
One or more exhibition proposals, prepared or prepared and implemented
A music recital
Completion of one or more semesters in Doctoral Studies that includes relevant work experience and/or progress on the doctoral dissertation
Preparing and submitting the MA thesis
Attending an Academic Conference (either to give a paper or as an attendee)
Doing an Internship (paid or unpaid, for credit or not for credit)
Additional employment or project that the department considers as providing appropriate professional training, particularly for students not considering the academic teaching track

Students must have their milestone approved by the department prior to the submission of their completed Final Approval Form. This milestone is to be completed during the time to degree at CGU (7 years for doctoral students, 5 years for masters students). Extensions of Time to Degree citing the milestone will not be approved. Students may have a maximum of 4 years of experience for the Practical Experience Milestone.