Southwest Studies Major and Minor Requirements
Photo by Jackson Solway '08
Southwest Studies examines the region of the greater Southwest through a variety of lenses, encouraging students to see the complexity that diverse people have created in a specific place. This blend of peoples and histories living in a distinctive landscape provides a model for study applicable to any region. Using the tools of traditional disciplines in combination with interdisciplinary techniques, students will learn to observe and analyze places and people and to use these skills to solve real problems.
Director and Major Advisor: Professor Sally Meyer (Chemistry)
Faculty Advisors: Drossman (Environmental Science), Hecox (Environmental Science), Hilberry (English), Hilt (Physics), Kannan (Environmental Science), Kelso (Biology), Leonard (Geology), Linkhart (Biology), Lomas (Romance Languages), Montaño (Anthropology), Perramond (Southwest Studies and Environmental Science), Tucker (Art). Wilshusen (Anthropology, Visiting Faculty), Southwest Studies Visiting Faculty (2009-10): Martinez, Varela, Zwinger
Major in Southwest Studies
A major in Southwest Studies requires a minimum of 12.5 units and a maximum of 15.5 units:
- Geography “core” course: SW272 -1 unit
- Interdisciplinary study “core” course: SW273 – 1 unit
- Language Requirement: Spanish 201 or equivalent
- Appropriate Methods/Theory Course: 1 unit (many of these have prerequisites), AN215, CO300; CO391; EN250; EV222; EV228; FG311; HY399; MU393; PS321; SO229; SW301
- Six Units of Electives from Approved List: a major must include one course from each of the three major concentrations. (See Program Advisors for Current List)
- Senior Capstone Project: SW400-401 Prerequisite: COI; 6 units in the major and approved methods course - 2 units (1 unit for SW400 and 1 unit for SW401)
- Senior Seminar: SW 395 Prerequisite: COI -.5 unit
- Six (6) units of electives chosen from list of approved courses
Minor in Southwest Studies
A minor in Southwest Studies requires 5.5 units including:
- FYE/SW175 or SW102 and SW272 or 273; OR SW272 and 273
- SW395 Prerequisite: COI – ½ unit (Integrative Experience for minors to be completed in this course)
- Three (3) units of electives from Approved List. (See Program Advisors for Current List)
Southwest Studies Senior Courses for Major
SW 400-401 – Senior Project (2 units: 1 unit for SW400 and 1 unit for SW401) (Prerequisites: 5 units from approved SWS course list and COI) Independent research to be done in consultation with two faculty members who serve as advisors to the Program. The Faculty Advisory Committee must approve a proposal for the project by the end of the junior year. The final project takes one of three forms:
(a) Field and archival research: This is supervised empirical research leading to an article length, publication-quality paper. Students design a project, collect and analyze data, provide context for the data in an appropriate way, and then craft an essay that presents their research and results in a manner suitable for a peer-reviewed journal.
(b) Literature review: This is a critical review of the literature that addresses a particular subject of importance to the region and the disciplines involved. Students carefully outline the topic they will address, and use classic and recent texts and journal articles to support a thesis. Such a review is not a mere summary of the literature; instead, it analyzes existing literature to assess the field critically and to identify further research needs.
(c) Directed field study: This is a project completed in the field under the direct supervision of a Colorado College faculty member. In addition to the service component, the project results in a final paper (e.g., grant/program application, critical summary) that is negotiated between the supervising CC faculty, the student, and the agency/organization director.
7. SW 395 Senior Seminar, taught in an extended format and designed to bring majors and minors together to assess issues in the Southwest, theoretical approaches to regional studies, and works in progress. A significant portion of the course will be devoted to assisting students in developing topics, proposals, and research designs in support of senior projects and capstone experiences - .5 units - Hyde