Undergraduate Extended Accelerator Pathway (3-Term) - Bachelor of Arts International Studies - Identity, Race, Gender, and Culture

at Shorelight Group - American University USA

The Foreign Policy and National Security Thematic Area features course offerings on US foreign policy, war and diplomacy, and both national and global security concerns. The gateway course for this Thematic Area is Analysis of US Foreign Policy SISU 230, which aims to provide students with an understanding of broad historical trends and traditions in US foreign policy; the ability to assess the main theoretical perspectives relevant to the field of US foreign policy; the ability to identify the key actors, institutions, and political processes involved in the making of US foreign policy; the capacity to analyze selected contemporary policy issues; and an opportunity to demonstrate research, analytical, writing, and presentation skills.

To study physics is to study the universe and all of its parts. As a fundamental science, a background in physics prepares you for diverse fields like astronomy, medicine, engineering, consulting, science policy, and more. The BS prepares you for graduate school and careers in science and technology. It features three tracks: traditional physics, chemical physics, and computational physics.

The Master’s in Statistics program features:

• One track for students who plan to pursue a PhD in statistics, and one track for those who want a professional master’s degree with a goal of finding a job right after graduation.
• The chance to learn from faculty who are researching a wide range of statistical methods, from evolutionary biology to computational statistics.
• Access to departmental relationships with the National Science Foundation, the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Institutes of Health, and more.

Spanish is the second-most popular language in the world, and in an increasingly interconnected global society, the study of languages and culture is of vital importance. With a major in Spanish studies, you’ll develop translingual fluency and social awareness through courses on literature, language, and more. AU Abroad programs will help enhance your language skills and immerse you in culture. 

Many of the most profound challenges facing humanity relate to the environment, health, or the intersection of the two. Climate change and species extinction currently undermine the quality of life for many and threaten to compromise the fundamental, organic infrastructure that supports all life on earth. Infectious diseases like HIV and malaria remain a major cause of death in poorer countries, while chronic diseases, once most apparent in richer countries, are becoming increasingly prevalent around the world. Meanwhile, environmental toxins, air and water pollution, and soil degradation compromise the health and well-being of peoples everywhere. Not only do ecological issues have the potential to impact public health, but decisions made by communities and the private and public sectors—from transportation to agriculture—markedly influence ecosystem functions. The Environmental Sustainability and Global Health Thematic Area introduces students to the socio-political dynamics of global health and environmental affairs. Students explore the multiple causes and consequences of environmental harm and ill health and work to understand the mechanisms of governance best able to respond. Cutting across both issues are the fundamental inequalities between people, as well as between countries, that exacerbate the impacts of environmental and health problems and hamper identification and implementation of solutions. Ultimately, students develop the intellectual and applied tools needed to simultaneously work towards a safer, saner planetary condition and healthier populations.

AU’s production studios are constantly buzzing with creative activity. They’re the cornerstone of one of the best audio tech and production programs in the US. Here, students work alongside professionals and experienced faculty in state-of-the-art editing bays and recording studios. Washington, DC, offers a variety of top-notch internship opportunities and a vibrant music scene. 

The American University School of Communication Bachelor of Arts in Film and Media Arts provides you with a professional skill set in photography, film, video, and digital media.

Our undergraduates take advantage of the broad opportunities that Washington, DC offers with internships at national media organizations including USA Today, National Geographic Television, and PBS.

You'll be positioned on the forefront of social purpose filmmaking at nonprofits, NGOs, and government agencies such as the World Wildlife Fund, Smithsonian Institution, and the National Park Service. Graduates of our program go on to have successful careers in the media industry.

This program balances the practical and theoretical aspects of computer science and provides students with a solid background for professional careers or further study. You’ll master technologies, receive personalized attention in small classes, conduct research and independent studies with faculty members, obtain internships, and utilize the resources at various high-tech companies and government agencies in Washington, DC, region.

Issues of identity, whether avowed or ascribed and socially constructed or naturally derived, fundamentally shape people's lives and society. In particular, race, gender, class, religion, sexual orientation, and nationality are determinate identities for many, though in reality, everyone holds multiple identities at the same time. Although these identities often appear to be static and fixed from the outside, they are dynamic and ever-changing, driven by the broader cultural and social influences in which they arise and exist. Courses in this Thematic Area examine the nature of these identities in a world in transition. Our courses, embodying both theoretical and grounded approaches, explore each of these identities in their own right, as well as in a historical and an intersectional manner that explores the relationship between them.

If you're seeking a broad, intellectually challenging course of study that will allow you to expand and deepen your understanding of the political, social, cultural, global, and historical dimensions of communication disciplines, the Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies is for you.

The Communication Studies degree is research-focused, and culminates in a capstone research project, mentored by PhD faculty. It offers students in-depth exposure to the development of scholarship and intellectual trends in communication. We empower you with the fundamental concepts that cut across the field, including journalism, public communication, and film. The breadth and rigor of this major will prepare you for graduate studies or a professional career in the field of communication.