Comparative Cultural Studies

General Information

The program in Comparative Cultural Studies is dedicated to the interdisciplinary study of cultures and cultural forms in a cross-cultural perspective.  Students learn about culture(s) and arts across time and geographic origin, in a range of contexts and expressions, through practical and theoretical perspectives.  Along with the study of a second language, students will pursue courses in a diverse range of disciplines including popular culture, cultural theory, literature, music, and film, all primarily from a cross-cultural perspective.  It is through critical comparative analysis and study that we can truly begin to understand ourselves and our own traditions, identities, and realities alongside those of others. With an international and comparative focus, this program will allow students to view their world in new and exciting ways.  We also encourage students to participate in travel study and exchange programs whenever possible.

Programs of Study

Honours, Majors, and Minors

Students interested in Comparative Cultural Studies have the following options:

• Honours in Comparative Cultural Studies
• Honours in Comparative Cultural Studies (German or Spanish option)
• Major in Comparative Cultural Studies
• Major in Comparative Cultural Studies (German or Spanish option)
• Minor in Comparative Cultural Studies

Honours programs are intended for students who are interested in a concentrated course of study.

The German and Spanish options are designed to allow students with an interest in one of these areas to concentrate their 15 ch of CCS elective courses and have this recognized on their transcript. All students electing the German or Spanish option still complete all of the core courses for the general Comparative Cultural Studies program.

The Minor, which consists of 24 ch of CCS courses, is for students majoring in other disciplines.

Joint Honours and Double Majors with Comparative Cultural Studies are also possible.

NOTE:  Students may take up to 6ch of their program electives outside the department with permission of the program director.

Honours Program

Admission to the Honours Program in Comparative Cultural Studies is open to qualified students who have completed 45 ch of courses toward the BA degree. Normally students will have completed (or be in process of completing) 12 ch in lower-level CCS courses and 12 ch in a second language. Students should normally apply for admission to the Comparative Cultural Studies Honours Program in their fourth term and will enter the program during their third year, if they qualify.

To be admitted to Honours, students must have achieved an average of 3.3 (B+) in their Comparative Cultural Studies courses. Students must maintain an average of 3.3 in CCS courses and of 2.5 in non-CCS courses in order to maintain Honours standing

The Honours in Comparative Cultural Studies requires the completion of 48 ch of CCS courses, Specific requirements are as follows:

 Each student’s program of study must be approved by the director of the program.

Honours (48 ch plus 12 ch in an additional language)

Lower Level

• CCS 1021 and CCS 2021
• 6 ch of additional 1000- or 2000-level CCS courses
• 12 ch in an additional language

 Upper Level

• CCS 3021 and CCS 3023
• 9 ch chosen from CCS 3011, CCS 3065, CCS 3794, CCS 3795, CCS 3909
• 15 ch of upper-level additional CCS electives
• CCS 5000

 [To complete an Honours program in CCS with a concentration in German or a concentration in Spanish, students must complete 12 ch of courses in the relevant language and 15 ch of upper-level electives in the chosen concentration. See the lists below under "Optional Concentrations".]

 Joint Honours (42 ch plus 12 ch in an additional language)

Lower Level

• CCS 1021 and CCS 2021
• 6 ch of additional 1000- or 2000-level CCS courses
• 12 ch in an additional language

 Upper Level

• CCS 3021 and CCS 3023
• 6 ch chosen from CCS 3011, CCS 3065, CCS 3794, CCS 3795, CCS 3909
• 12 ch of additional upper-level CCS electives
• CCS 5000

 Majors Program

A Major in Comparative Cultural Studies requires the completion of 42 ch of CCS courses, with a grade of C or better in each. The specific requirements are as follows:

Major (42 ch plus 12 ch in an additional language)

Lower Level

• CCS 1021 and CCS 2021
• 6 ch of additional 1000- or 2000-level CCS courses
• 12 ch in an additional language

 Upper Level

• CCS 3021 and CCS 3023
• 9 ch chosen from CCS 3011, CCS 3065, CCS 3794, CCS 3795, CCS 3909
• 15 ch of additional upper-level CCS electives

 Double Major (36 ch plus 12 ch in an additional language)

Lower Level

• CCS 1021 and CCS 2021
• 6 ch of additional 1000- or 2000-level CCS courses
• 12 ch in an additional language

 Upper Level

• CCS 3021 and CCS 3023
• 6 ch chosen from CCS 3011, CCS 3065, CCS 3794, CCS 3795, CCS 3909
• 12 ch of additional upper-level CCS electives

 Optional Concentrations

Students completing a Major or Honours in Comparative Cultural Studies can receive an additional concentration by meeting all of the criteria for Majors or Honours listed above plus the criteria listed below:

CCS: German

• Complete 12 ch of German language courses

 For their 15 ch of elective courses:

• Complete CCS 3061 or CCS 3071
• Complete the remaining 12 ch of additional courses selected from the following list: 

German Concentration Electives*

*With prior permission, students may take up to two courses from outside the department to satisfy the requirements for the concentration.

CCS: Spanish

• Complete 12 ch of Spanish language courses

For their 15 ch of elective courses:

• Complete CCS 3903 or CCS 3904
• Complete the remaining 12 ch of additional courses selected from the following list:

 Spanish Concentration Electives*

*With prior permission, students may take up to two courses from outside the department to satisfy the requirements for the concentration.

Combined CCS/MAAC programs

In addition to pursuing joint study with other programs, students have the opportunity to complete a Double Major or Joint Honours in the Department of Culture and Media Studies’ two interdisciplinary programs: Comparative Cultural Studies and Media Arts & Cultures. Because the two programs already share a set of core courses, the unique guidelines for combining the two are outlined below.

Double Major in CCS and MAAC

Lower Level

• CCS 2021
• 9 ch of additional 1000- or 2000-level CCS courses
• 9 ch of additional 1000- or 2000-level MAAC courses
• 12 ch in an additional language
•  

Upper Level

• CCS 3021, CCS 3023, MAAC 3401, MAAC 3101, MAAC 3102
• 6 ch chosen from CCS 3011, CCS 3065, CCS 3794, CCS 3795, CCS 3909
• 15 ch of additional upper-level CCS electives
• 15 ch of additional upper-level MAAC electives

Students should be careful not to double-count any courses cross-listed as both CCS and MAAC.

Joint Honours in CCS and MAAC

Lower Level

• CCS/MAAC 2021
• 9 ch of additional 1000- or 2000-level CCS courses
• 6 ch of additional 1000- or 2000-level MAAC courses
• 12 ch in an additional language

 Upper Level

• CCS 3021, CCS 3023, MAAC 3401, MAAC 3101, MAAC 3102
• 6 ch chosen from CCS 3011, CCS 3065, CCS 3794, CCS 3795, CCS 3909
• 15 ch of additional upper-level CCS electives
• 15 ch of additional upper-level MAAC electives
• CCS 5000 or MAAC 5000 or MAAC 5980

Students should be careful not to double-count any courses cross-listed as both CCS and MAAC.

Minor Program 

A Minor in Comparative Cultural Studies requires the completion of 24 ch of CCS courses with a grade of C or better. CCS 2021, CCS 3021, and CCS 3023 are required. 6 of the remaining 15 ch must be upper-level courses. The program must be approved by the Director.