The different emphases in CCS prepare you for a successful career in a culturally diverse global society and economy. Interdisciplinary skills of analysis, interpretation, and communication will provide you with a comparative approach to the study of human culture in its diversity and interconnections. In the Art History emphasis, you will uncover the "what" behind a work of art, "how" that work imparts meaning visually, and the cultural context—the “why”—from which it derives. The Asian Studies and the Asian and North African Studies - IGP emphases will give you a global edge as you learn about how traditional cultures across the Asian continent and North Africa inform present-day decision-making. In the Public Humanities emphasis, you will be prepared to contribute practical, well-reasoned, historically aware, and culturally sensitive methods and theories to building and sustaining the common good. Through interdisciplinary academic coursework, experiential learning, and professional development, you will gain global cultural knowledge and skills enabling you to apply public humanities principles to a wide array of career fields and personal endeavors. The Comparative Study of Religions emphasis will provide you with the framework for understanding the religious motives and differing beliefs, practices, and values of people that shape their decisions and actions, their history, social structure, and psychology.
This degree provides valuable preparation for graduate work or professional study in the arts, humanities, and social sciences.
To receive a bachelor's degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete at least 120 units of credit that minimally includes a major, the liberal studies requirements, and university requirements as listed below.
The full policy can be viewed here.
In addition to University Requirements:
Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.
Minimum Units for Completion | 120 |
Major GPA | 2.0 |
Highest Mathematics Required | MAT 114 |
Emphasis, Minor, or Certificate Required | Required |
Foreign Language | Required |
Fieldwork Experience/Internship | Required |
Study Abroad | Recommended |
University Honors Program | Optional |
AZ Transfer Students complete AGEC-A | Recommended |
Progression Plan Link | View Progression Plan |
Purpose Statement
The B.A. in Comparative Cultural Studies is a 49-58 credit degree whose aim is to provide students with a comparative, integrative and global approach to the study of human culture in its diversity and interconnections. The different emphases in the CCS B.A. degree introduce students to the complexities of diverse human cultures, both past and present; in the process, they develop the skills of analysis, interpretation and communication crucial to both their academic and professional development.
Student Learning Outcomes
All Comparative Cultural Studies Degrees
Take the following 49 - 58 units including 24-33 units of emphasis, and 16 units of language requirements.
At least 24 units must be taken at NAU including CCS 250, CCS 350W, CCS 490C and at least 12 units of upper-division courses in the emphasis.
In order to complete one of our emphases, you must be a declared CCS major. It is also possible to declare two or more emphases as a CCS major (for example Art History and Comparative Study of Religions, or Public Humanities, Art History and Comparative Study of Religions).
Complete the following with a grade of "C" or better (9 units):
Emphasis Requirements:
Select one emphasis with a Grade of "C" or better in each course.
Asian Studies Emphasis (33 units)
You may only complete the Interdisciplinary Global Programs (IGP) Emphasis if you are concurrently enrolled in an eligible degree offered through the College of the Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences (CEFNS), the College of Engineering, Informatics and Applied Sciences (CEIAS), or the W. A. Franke College of Business. For a listing of eligible degrees, please contact an advisor in CEFNS, CEIAS, or the W. A. Franke College of Business.
Asian and North African Studies Interdisciplinary Global Programs Emphasis (24 units)
In this emphasis, you will select a specialization that corresponds to your language of study: Arabic, Chinese, or Japanese (ARB, CHI or JPN). You must select this same language (ARB, CHI, or JPN) to satisfy the 16-unit foreign language requirement.
Select 24 units in one of the following specialization, based on your language of study (ARB, CHI, or JPN).
Chinese Studies Specialization:
Select 9 units (at least 3 units at the 300-level or higher) from:Japanese Studies Specialization:
Select 9 units (at least 3 units at the 300-level or higher) from: *Topics course: students must select a topic corresponding to their specialized track.A minor is not required for the CCS B.A. degree. However, we strongly encourage you to consult with an advisor about a minor and/or elective coursework that is appropriate for your career aspirations and educational needs. We recommend minors in Anthropology, Art History, Asian Studies, English, Ethnic Studies, French, History, Humanities, German, Latin American Studies, Museum Studies, Philosophy, Comparative Study of Religions, Theatre, Studio Art, or Women's and Gender Studies.
You must demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English that is equivalent to four terms of university coursework in the same language. You may satisfy this requirement by taking language courses or through credit by exam.
Additional coursework is required if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 120 units of credit.
You may take these remaining courses from any of the academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. You may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren't used to meet major, minor, or liberal studies requirements.
We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you.
Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.
Study Abroad
We strongly encourage you to participate in a Study Abroad program. Requirements include a 2.5 GPA and sophomore standing or higher. Programs with English-language instruction in CCS's emphases and minors are available in: