Cross-Cultural and Global Studies, M.A.

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The Master of Arts in Cross-Cultural & Global Studies program examines the relationships among culture, diversity, and power in the U.S. and in a global context. The program emphasizes the study of differences and inequalities structured by race, gender, ethnicity, class, sexuality and nationality. It develops an understanding of social and political conflict and strategies of conflict resolution. Cross-Cultural & Global Studies is an interdisciplinary program drawing from anthropology and diverse course options, such as humanities, history, literature, sociology, and business. By exploring similar questions in diverse disciplines and using a range of methodological approaches, students gain an understanding of the complexities of culture and diversity. The program emphasizes religion, gender, human rights, and immigration. Focusing on contemporary and historical issues, courses provide theoretical and practical training that may be applied in many fields, including non-profit, legal, service, religious, and educational institutions.

GRE completion is not required for all applicants to this program. Applicants with a last 60-hour GPA of 3.0 or higher and those who have completed advanced degrees will be automatically admitted. Applicants with a last 60-hour GPA below 3.0 or without prior completion of advanced degrees will undergo individual review. To complete individual review, such applicants should submit a statement of purpose, not to exceed two single-spaced pages, describing the reasons for desiring this degree and how it fits into the applicant’s career goals. Personal statements should be emailed directly to the Director of the Cross-Cultural & Global Studies program, Dr. Maria Curtis, at Curtis@uhcl.edu.

Degree Requirements

Core Requirements (9 hours)

CRCL 5031 - Theories of Cultural Diversity Credit Hours: 3
or ANTH 5931: Theories of Cultural Diversity
CRCL 5037 - Theories and Practices of Mediation Credit Hours: 3
CRCL 5631 - Qualitative Research Methods Credit Hours: 3

Foundation Courses (6 hours)

For CRCL 5033 , the following course may be substituted: SOCI 5236 .

CRCL 5033 - Religion and Community Credit Hours: 3
CRCL 5035 - Health and Human Rights Credit Hours: 3
CRCL 5131 - Gender, Culture, and Power Credit Hours: 3
CRCL 5533 - Community Health in Cross-Cultural Perspective Credit Hours: 3
CRCL 5733 - Program Seminar: Contemporary Issues in Cross-Cultural Studies Credit Hours: 3

Area Studies (3 hours)

These courses address cultural and historic aspects of populations in specific geographic regions as well as immigrants and refugees living in Houston and throughout U.S. For CRCL 5537, the following course may be substituted: ANTH 5537 .

CRCL 5232 - Cultures of Mexico and Central America Credit Hours: 3
*ANTH 5333 may be substituted for CRCL 5232
CRCL 5535 - Cultures of Asia Credit Hours: 3
*ANTH 5333 may be substituted for CRCL 5535
CRCL 5538 - Cultures of the Middle East Credit Hours: 3
*ANTH 5538 may be substituted for CRCL 5538
CRCL 5330 - Cultural Study Abroad Credit Hours: 3
(Prior approval from ANTH faculty is required)

Program Courses (6 hours)

For SOCI 5333 , PSYC 5533 may be substituted. Area Studies or Foundation courses may also satisfy this requirement.

CRCL 5132 - Women of Color Credit Hours: 3
CRCL 5531 - Families, Communities, and Diversity Credit Hours: 3
*ANTH 5531 may be substituted for CRCL 5531
GEOG 5134 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems Credit Hours: 3
HIST 5232 - U.S. Social Movements Credit Hours: 3
HIST 5434 - Studies in Latin American History Credit Hours: 3
LITR 5831 - World/Multicultural Literature Credit Hours: 3
PSYC 5533 - Psychology of Gender, Race, and Sexuality Credit Hours: 3
SOCI 5333 - Minorities and Majorities Credit Hours: 3
SOCI 5537 - Urban Problems Credit Hours: 3
SOCI 5633 - American Immigration Studies Credit Hours: 3

Master’s Option

Select ONE (6 hours)

Students will begin planning their Master’s option when they have successfully completed 21 credit hours (i.e. 7 courses). Students must contact the internship coordinator or thesis/project faculty adviser the long semester before beginning an internship, project, or thesis for approval and registration. Discussion, planning, and a written proposal is required no later than week 8 of the previous long semester for approval to move forward with either an internship, thesis, or project. Contact your faculty adviser for more details.

CRCL 6939 - Master’s Thesis Research Credit Hours: 3
CRCL 6839 - Master’s Project Research Credit Hours: 3
CRCL 6739 - Graduate Internship Credit Hours: 3

Coursework Option

Courses

Students selecting the coursework option instead of the master’s thesis, project, or internship will complete 30 hours of courses plus the zero-credit course below:

CRCL 6909 - Cross-Cultural Studies Comprehensive Exam Credit Hours: 0

Electives (6 hours)

To complete the additional 6 hours of coursework, students may take additional CRCL program, foundation, or area studies courses, or select other elective courses within or outside of HSH with prior approval of their faculty advisor.

Concentrations

In order to organize their studies and, explore a specific topic and prepare for careers, students may select one of the following concentrations.

Religions, Ethics, Values

Select three of the following courses: For CRCL 5033 , the following course may be substituted: SOCI 5236 . CRCL 5931 may be selected when the course is linked to the study of religion.

CRCL 5033 - Religion and Community Credit Hours: 3
CRCL 5931 - Research Topics in Cross-Cultural Studies Credit Hours: 3
OR
ANTH 5931 - Research Topics in Anthropology Credit Hours: 3
HUMN 5034 - Global Humanities I Credit Hours: 3
HUMN 5036 - Global Humanities II Credit Hours: 3
HUMN 5336 - Philosophy in Religion Credit Hours: 3
HUMN 5430 - Issues in Art History I: Ancient to Modern Credit Hours: 3

Women, Gender, and Sexuality

Select three of the following courses: HIST 5232 may be selected only when the topic is American Feminisms”

CRCL 5131 - Gender, Culture, and Power Credit Hours: 3
CRCL 5132 - Women of Color Credit Hours: 3
CRCL 5531 - Families, Communities, and Diversity Credit Hours: 3
OR
ANTH 5531 - Families, Communities, and Globalization Credit Hours: 3
CRCL 5538 - Cultures of the Middle East Credit Hours: 3
OR
ANTH 5538 - Cultures of the Middle East Credit Hours: 3
HIST 5232 - U.S. Social Movements Credit Hours: 3
PSYC 5533 - Psychology of Gender, Race, and Sexuality Credit Hours: 3

Latin American Studies

Select three of the following courses. Only one of the following courses may count for credit in this concentration: ANTH 5333 or CRCL 5232 . WGST 5931 may be selected only when the topic is Latina and Latin American Feminisms.

ANTH 5333 - Cultures of Mexico and Central America Credit Hours: 3
CRCL 5232 - Cultures of Mexico and Central America Credit Hours: 3
HIST 5434 - Studies in Latin American History Credit Hours: 3
WGST 5931 - Research Topics in Women’s and Gender Studies Credit Hours: 3
ANTH 5939 - Independent Study in Anthropology Credit Hours: 3

Culture, Health, and Inequality

Select three of the following courses:

CRCL 5035 - Health and Human Rights Credit Hours: 3
CRCL 5131 - Gender, Culture, and Power Credit Hours: 3
CRCL 5533 - Community Health in Cross-Cultural Perspective Credit Hours: 3
SOCI 6737 - Medical Sociology Credit Hours: 3

Immigration and Refugees

Select three of the following courses:

CRCL 5232 - Cultures of Mexico and Central America Credit Hours: 3
*ANTH 5538 may be substituted for CRCL 5232
CRCL 5535 - Cultures of Asia Credit Hours: 3
*ANTH 5535 may be substituted for CRCL 5535
CRCL 5538 - Cultures of the Middle East Credit Hours: 3
*ANTH 5538 may be substituted for CRCL 5538
SOCI 5633 - American Immigration Studies Credit Hours: 3