May 31, 2024  
2024-2025 Graduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Graduate Catalog

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. Christine Kovic at kovic@uhcl.edu. 

Degree Requirements


Core Requirements (9 hours)


Foundation Courses (6 hours)


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

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 the U.S. For CRCL 5537, the following course may be substituted: ANTH 5537 .

Program Courses (6 hours)


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

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. 

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:

Coursework Option Electives (6 hours)


To complete the additional six 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 adviser. 

Internship Option (6 hours):

Internships are a 100-hour commitment to be completed over one long semester. Internships maybe completed via a community placement related to career goals and with approval of the CRCL Internship Coordinator or via a Teaching Internship in which the student will partner with a UHCL faculty member to gain experience teaching an undergraduate course. Students must apply for and be accepted for the Teaching Internship. In addition to the three hours of Internship (CRCL 6739), students will take one additional CRCL course with approval of the faculty adviser.

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.

Women, Gender, and Sexuality


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

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.

Culture, Health, and Inequality


Select three of the following courses:

Immigration and Refugees


Select three of the following courses:

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