Introduction

CWU offers Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Russian and Spanish language courses. Students studying a language are encouraged to have international experience in order to learn more about the cultural context of the language. Regular degree programs are offered in French, German and Spanish, and students can complete an individualized studies major in Chinese, Japanese or Russian, which may include studying at least one year in China, Japan or Russia.

Students can internationalize their undergraduate major by completing a minor in Asia/Pacific Studies and/or Latin American Studies. These programs of study are interdisciplinary and incorporate courses in anthropology, art, economics, geography, history, languages, philosophy and political science. Other area-focused courses are also available throughout the academic year.

Asia/Pacific Studies Programs

Director:

Jeffrey Dippmann in Philosophy

Faculty

• John Alwin, Geography
• James Cook, History
• William Folkestad, Art
• Michael Launius, Political Science
• Chenyang Li, Philosophy
• Joshua Nelson, Foreign Language
• Hong Xiao, Sociology
• Bang-Soon Yoon, Political Science

General Departmental Information

Asia/Pacific Studies is an interdisciplinary program focusing on a region currently undergoing a dramatic economic, political and social transformation. The program is intended to provide students with an appreciation of the region's diversity while also emphasizing the interactive nature of an overarching community of nations. Careers in international business, government service, and education all can be augmented by preparations in Asia/Pacific Studies. The program may also prove an excellent preparation for graduate study in various academic and professional fields.

Select one of the following options:

Chinese, Japanese, or another language with Director's approval (e.g. Korean, Russian) 15

Footnote: Elective courses may not be chosen from the student's major area.

Other courses may be included with advisor's approval. At least two departments must be represented among selected courses.

Latin American Studies Program

Director:

[To be named] in L&L

General Departmental Information

The minor is designed to provide a broad, interdisciplinary base of studies related to Latin America which will supplement the academic major for those students who intend to teach as well as those who plan to seek employment in government or private enterprise. Students minoring in Latin American studies can do so under on of the following options or a preapproved combination of both.

Minors in Latin American Studies:

Option I

Prerequisite: Spanish or Portuguese language proficiency equivalent to the end of second year level (253).

Required Courses Credits: LAS 102, Multi-disciplinary Introduction to Latin American Studies, 5 credits.

Two academic quarters enrolled in one of CWU exchange programs with a Latin American university taking preapproved courses related to Latin American in at least three different disciplines for 25 credits.
Total: 30 credits

Option II (on-campus)

Prerequisite: Spanish or Portuguese language proficiency equivalent to the end of second year level (253).

Required Courses Credits

LAS 102, Multi-disciplinary Introduction to Latin American Studies, 5 credits

Department Approved LAS Electives for 25 credits

Select courses with emphasis on Latin America.

Courses not requiring Spanish or Portuguese proficiency may be taken prior to completion of the language prerequisite with approval. Elective credits must be from at least three different disciplines.
Total 30 credits

Latin American Studies Courses

LAS 102. Introduction to Latin American Studies. A multi-disciplinary introduction to Latin American Studies (Pre Colombian period to contemporary Latin America). The course is presented in three main components: "People and the Land," "The Environment and the Human Condition," and "Socio-Political Spectrum," each of which will be examined from the different perspectives of geography, anthropology, history, politics, literature, ecology, the Arts, etc.