Popular Culture Studies Minor

Location: Griffin Hall 400
Telephone: 859-572-5291
Fax: 859-572-5435
Email Address: communication@nku.edu
Program Director: Yasue Kuwahara, Department of Communication

Available in both traditional and fully-online formats (see “Note” below for online option).

The minor in popular culture studies offers students an opportunity to explore their cultural environment by examining aspects of cultural artifacts and events and relating them to their specific interests. The program is designed to equip the student with tools to analyze the world from the standpoint of popular culture by introducing such concepts as cultural beliefs and values, icons, heroes, rituals, stereotypes, and popular art. The interdisciplinary program seeks to broaden the base of a student’s college education by using the courses of several disciplines to provide a wide, comprehensive approach to knowledge. In consultation with an advisor, students will identify a particular topic of concentration or theme and then select courses from a variety of course offerings. It is the policy of the Communication Department that the courses offered by the department (CMST, COM, EMB, HCOM, JOU, MIN, POP, PRE courses) cannot be double counted toward the majors and minors in the department unless the required course is the only option. Due to the unusual nature of the program, students interested in the minor must meet with the program director prior to declaring the minor in order to establish their individual programs.

Special graduation requirements: All majors and minors must earn a letter grade of C- or better and a 2.0 GPA in their major or minor courses.

♦ Indicates prerequisite.

Requirements for Minor (21 credits)

Core Requirements

Select three courses from the following (9 credits)

The courses must be taken from at least two different categories and must have at least two different course designators. At least 6 credit hours must be taken at the 300 level or above.

American Culture and Society

Subgroups (Regional Cultures/Diversity/Ethnic Groups) in America

International Perspective

Traditional Arts and Humanities

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Note:

Topics courses (for example, “POP 394 Topics: Popular Culture (3 credits) ”) may be taken and applied toward the minor upon approval of the program director. Students who wish to substitute a course not listed above for an elective course must obtain prior approval from the program director.

Students wishing to complete the Popular Culture minor online should plan to take the POP 369 option to complete the Core Requirements. They should also plan to take EMB 105 , POP 305 or POP 345 , POP 494 or an additional POP elective at the 300 level or above. Students are advised to contact the program director for other options that may become available online.

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