Beginning fall semester 1998, a cultural studies major will be added to the interdisciplinary studies bachelor of arts degree program in the College of Liberal Arts.

It becomes the seventh major available to students in the program, joining Asian studies, comparative literature, Latin American studies, linguistic studies, multidisciplinary studies, and social science studies.

Cultural studies addresses the phenomena of culture in a way that blends critical theory, literary theory, discourse analysis, women's studies, sociology, and political economy. The cultural studies approach leads to analysis of a wide variety of texts, ranging from Shakespeare to Chicano literature, from everyday practices in sub-Saharan societies to Hollywood movies, from popular music to the scientific discourse.

As an interdisciplinary program, cultural studies will contribute to the university's stated goal of fostering a campus environment that respects diversity, according to UNLV sociology professor Simon Gottschalk, who will direct the program. It will also help establish a core curriculum that promotes attitudes of tolerance for and appreciation of difference, he said, while also providing curricular offerings that address issues of diversity, openness, and inclusiveness.

All cultural studies majors must complete a minimum of 36 credits in approved courses in addition to university general education core requirements and College of Liberal Arts requirements. The 36 cultural studies credits will be divided among three levels of classes.

The first level includes four core classes that are required for all cultural studies students, including an introduction to the subject, as well as courses on theory and methods.

The second level includes a variety of courses that address general cultural issues. Such courses allow students to better develop the analytical and methodological skills of cultural studies. The third level includes courses that are more interest specific to the cultural studies student. A minor in cultural studies requiring 21 credits also will be available this fall.

For more information on the cultural studies major, contact Gottschalk at 895-0266.