Cultural Foundations

6 Courses to Better Understanding And Appreciation

The general education component consists of 57 credit hours spanning all four years. Within the 57 hours is an 18-hour requirement in Cultural Foundations. The purpose of these six required courses is to help students develop a balanced understanding and appreciation for their own and other cultures. The courses are multidisciplinary with CULF 1320 and CULF 2321 examining American Society from a multicultural perspective (“Why Diversity Education?). CULF 3330 investigates the development of Western Civilization. The progression is completed in CULF 3331 where non-Western societies and related global issues are explored.

St. Edward’s University is a Catholic liberal arts institution in Austin, Texas serving approximately 5000 men and women. Founded by Father Edward Sorin of the Congregation of Holy Cross in 1885, the University has a long history of encouraging a variety of cultural backgrounds. This has led to a widely diverse community, with substantial representation by international students and U.S. minorities. In addition, St. Edward’s students currently represent more than 40 foreign countries. The University’s Mission Statement affirms our “commitment to cultural diversity” and “international perspectives,” and this commitment is brought to a refreshing reality on our campus through our student body and through our general education requirement.

Curriculum

CULF 1318 – Literature and the Human Experience (pdf)
Students read, discuss, and write about an ethnically and/or culturally diverse selection of fiction, poetry, drama, and belles letters. They learn the characteristics of these major literary genres and become familiar with some of the cultural conventions that both shape and are shaped by works of literature. Students are expected to participate in class discussions, as well as write several short papers.
For more information, contact:
Dr. Catherine Rainwater – cathernr@stedwards.edu

CULF 1319 – Understanding and Appreciating the Arts
This course introduces students to a wide range of artistic expression, including the visual, performing, and cinematic arts. Through experiencing a variety of readings, lectures, and discussions, and by attending plays, exhibits, and films, students are exposed to the breadth and depth of the arts, from aesthetic principles and arts vocabulary to the role of criticism. This course explores the relationship of various art forms to each other, placing them in an historical and cultural context. Students also study one art form in depth, focusing on the immediate creative experience, while developing critical criteria for viewing and appreciating all art.
For more information, contact:
Michael Massey – michaelm@stedwards.edu

CULF 1320 – The American Experience
The American Experience has varied with the gender, race, ethnic status and social class of the participant. The purpose of this course is to examine this diversity in experience throughout the country’s history. The course places individual and group experience within the social, economic, and political context of various eras, exploring group differences in experience and perspective as well as the ideals and values that define American civic culture. The overall goal of this course is to develop an historical understanding of the problems and strengths inherent in our pluralistic society.
For more information, contact:
Dr. Michael Farrall – mikef@stedwards.edu

CULF 2321 – American Dilemmas (pdf)
This course presents the principles and methods of economics, sociology, and political science to analyze current social problems. It is complementary to “The American Experience:” in that it continues the theme of social pluralism and consideration of social and political ideals as it explores the problems and issues our society faces in the present. Class discussions and assignments are structured to encourage students to address the meaning of individual and public responsibility as well as to define the common good. The importance of conflicting values in defining social problems and their solutions is included.
For more information contact:
Dr. Robert Strong – bobs@stedwards.edu

CULF 3330 – The Identity of the West (pdf)
The course deals with major developments in the history of the West which have made Western culture influential in the world. The course prepares students to deal with problems of conflict and confluence with non-Western or third-world cultures in the 19th and 20th centuries. Special emphasis is placed on the Age of Exploration and Neo-colonialism in order to better prepare students for the next course in the sequence of Cultural Foundations courses. Anthropological perspectives are integrated where appropriate.
For more information, contact:
Dr. Mity Myhr – mitylenm@stedwards.edu

CULF 3331 – Contemporary World Issues (pdf)
The course includes an overview of crucial global issues. Each section will focus on critical issues affecting at least one non-western region (the Near East, the Far East, Africa or Latin America). Students analyze issues in cultural context and use the disciplines of history, political science, sociology and economics for an in-depth analysis.
For more information, contact:
Dr. Jann Randle – jannr@stedwards.edu