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Overview of the Pilot Curriculum General Education Requirement
Current Pilot Curriculum General Requirement Course Descriptions

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An introduction to the diversity of cultures on the planet, this course is divided into two parts. The first examines different models of human diversity: population, languages and language families, religions, migration patterns, peoples and nations, cultural areas, and subsistence patterns. Students will learn to think about the world as a whole, and to reason about the significance of culture on a global scale. The second part is an introduction to area studies, in which we undertake a survey of the different regions of the world: Europe, the Middle East/Near East, Africa, South and Central Asia, East Asia and Southeast Asia, the New World, and Oceania and the Circum-polar region.

A main goal of the course is to deepen understanding of the modern world by looking at it not just in terms of greed (and economics) or power (and politics), but also in terms of differing belief systems and values and norms of acceptable conduct. The student will acquire a greater appreciation and understanding not only of cultural differences, but also of the strands of culture that unite us together into one world.

The course takes a dynamic approach to the culture concept, looking at how culture moves through time and space. While constantly using the modern world as our point of reference, we also delve far back in time.

The course is appropriate for all students interested in endeavoring to conceptualize the world as a whole. The background would be useful to those interested in international relations, in the broad context of area studies, and in international business or law, as well as to those pursuing careers in the social sciences or comparative humanities.

Grades will be calculated on the basis of examinations, written assignments, and participation in discussion section. There will be a midterm and a final examination and students will be asked to produce a research proposal linked to one of the theoretical topics from the first half of the semester, and related to at least one of the areas from the second half. Finally, each student will be expected to actively participate in discussion section, which will review materials from the lectures and readings and also examine differing global perspectives on social issues.

Students must register for both the lecture and a recitation.

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