Southwestern University

Anthropology

At the heart of sociology and anthropology lies an interest in understanding the ways in which group membership, cultural context and social hierarchies affect people's lived experiences and world views. The Department's offerings combine sociology's focus on contemporary social issues and the ways that power impacts social dynamics with anthropology's interests in culture and human diversity.

Applied Physics (Pre-Engineering)

Physics is the study of the fundamental principles and laws that govern the physical universe. The scope of physics is broad and can be understood at many different levels. The Physics Department serves students planning careers in or related to physics, in engineering, in other science fields, and those seeking a broad liberal arts education.

Art History

Art history is a humanistic discipline that investigates objects and images through stylistic analysis, study of cultural and historical contexts, and theoretical models of interpretation. The Art History major enables the student to develop visual literacy and critically to assess the complex meanings of material culture within diverse settings. Art History courses take a broadly contextual approach, situating art objects in relation to their contemporary political and historical events.

Art History and Business

Combines the study of art history with business, integrating visual and material culture analysis with disciplinary literacy in business theory and practice.

Art History and History

Combines art history with the study of history, integrating visual and material culture analysis with historical methods and global perspective.

Art History and International Studies

Combines art history with international studies, integrating visual and material culture analysis with the study of other societies, cultures, and states.

Art History and Studio Art

Combines art history with studio art, integrating critical study of visual and material culture with creative practice across media.

Biochemistry

The Chemistry and Biochemistry Department seeks to provide a variety of educational experiences for students who desire a better understanding of the chemical, physical and biological world around them. Courses are offered in a flexible program designed to provide a strong understanding and knowledge of chemistry for a wide variety of students, with research opportunities available to students.

Biology (B.A.)

The Biology Department presents students with the challenge and excitement of learning about living organisms and their relationships to their environment. The courses offered by the department include a focus on molecular and cell biology and ecology and evolutionary biology as well as the connections between these areas that includes integration of organismal biology.

Biology (B.S.)

The Biology Department presents students with the challenge and excitement of learning about living organisms and their relationships to their environment. The courses offered by the department include a focus on molecular and cell biology and ecology and evolutionary biology as well as the connections between these areas that includes integration of organismal biology.

Business

Students elect to work toward a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Business. Business students develop disciplinary literacy by understanding business theory and concepts, develop business domain research and writing skills, understand business as a set of interdependent sub-disciplines within society, and apply disciplinary theory and analysis to business situations.

Business and Economics

Combines business and economics, integrating disciplinary literacy in business theory and practice with an understanding of economic theory and analysis.

Chemistry (B.A.)

The Chemistry and Biochemistry Department seeks to provide a variety of educational experiences for students who desire a better understanding of the chemical, physical and biological world around them. Courses are offered in a flexible program designed to provide a strong understanding and knowledge of chemistry for a wide variety of students, with research opportunities available to students.

Chemistry (B.S.)

The Chemistry and Biochemistry Department seeks to provide a variety of educational experiences for students who desire a better understanding of the chemical, physical and biological world around them. Courses are offered in a flexible program designed to provide a strong understanding and knowledge of chemistry for a wide variety of students, with research opportunities available to students.

Classical Civilizations

Within the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, students explore aspects of film, culture and literature through an integrated, interdisciplinary curriculum that contextualizes language study in historical, geographical, cross-cultural and transnational frames. The curriculum enhances critical inquiry skills and promotes responsible global citizenship.

Classical Languages

Within the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, students explore aspects of film, culture and literature through an integrated, interdisciplinary curriculum that contextualizes language study in historical, geographical, cross-cultural and transnational frames. The curriculum enhances critical inquiry skills and promotes responsible global citizenship.

Communication Studies

The Communication Studies Department focuses on critical inquiry into the functions of language and media. The department offers a range of courses bound together by an interest in investigating the complex relationships among communication, culture and identity. Students learn a variety of critical and cultural methodologies for the qualitative analysis of communication.

Computational Mathematics (B.A.)

Mathematics and Computer Science courses help students develop concise and logical patterns of analytical and algorithmic reasoning and encourage independent and creative work. The department seeks to develop in students an understanding of the fundamental principles, operations and applications of the core content in the mathematical and computational sciences.

Computational Mathematics (B.S.)

Mathematics and Computer Science courses help students develop concise and logical patterns of analytical and algorithmic reasoning and encourage independent and creative work. The department seeks to develop in students an understanding of the fundamental principles, operations and applications of the core content in the mathematical and computational sciences.

Computer-Aided Design & 3D Printing

The Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and 3D Printing certificate program helps students gain the technical skills increasingly sought after in many industries. This certificate would allow students to demonstrate a strong working knowledge of CAD and 3D Printing software and its applications to potential employers or summer research programs.

Computer Science (B.A.)

Mathematics and Computer Science courses help students develop concise and logical patterns of analytical and algorithmic reasoning and encourage independent and creative work. The department seeks to develop in students an understanding of the fundamental principles, operations and applications of the core content in the mathematical and computational sciences.

Computer Science (B.S.)

Mathematics and Computer Science courses help students develop concise and logical patterns of analytical and algorithmic reasoning and encourage independent and creative work. The department seeks to develop in students an understanding of the fundamental principles, operations and applications of the core content in the mathematical and computational sciences.

Economics

Students elect to work toward a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Economics. Economics students obtain an understanding of economic theory and develop their skills of analysis, applying disciplinary theory to real-world situations.

Education (B.A.)

The BA degree with an Education major provides a foundation in educational theory, research and practice, and is appropriate for students with a wide range of interests. These include pursuing graduate or professional school, careers in policy, non-profit (education-related) and non-government organizations. It is designed for students who do not plan to be classroom teachers.

Education with Teacher Certification (B.S.Ed.)

The BSEd degree provides the philosophical and theoretical bases for students planning to obtain teacher certification. Courses develop knowledge of teaching methodology grounded in current research, emphasizing the developmental characteristics of the learner. The program prepares certifying students who are highly qualified and prepared to begin their teaching careers.

English

Studying English at Southwestern means approaching storytelling as both art and action through a broadly conceived program of continued reading and reflection, with the deepened understanding of human experience that this makes possible. It develops skills of interpretation, analysis, research and writing that are useful in a broad range of professional activities.

English and Feminist Studies

Combines English with feminist studies, integrating the study of literature and storytelling with critical exploration of gender and other categories of difference.

English and History

Combines English with history, integrating the study of literature and storytelling with historical methods and global perspective.

Environmental Studies

The Environmental Studies program provides an exploration of the interactions and connections between humans and nature from a wide variety of perspectives. Environmental studies considers the physical and biological properties of the environment, concepts of the environment from a range of social, religious, artistic and philosophical perspectives, and public policy approaches to understanding and grappling with environmental problems.

Environmental Studies and Religion and Culture

Combines environmental studies with religion and culture, integrating the study of human-nature interactions with the comparative study of religious traditions.

Feminist Studies

The Feminist Studies program provides an interdisciplinary, critical exploration of how salient categories of difference—such as gender, race, class, sexuality, disability, age, religion, indigeneity, and nation—are constituted, challenged and altered across time and place. The program exposes students to the growing body of knowledge that falls under the broad rubric of feminism.

Feminist Studies and Religion and Culture

Combines feminist studies with religion and culture, integrating critical exploration of gender and difference with the comparative study of religious traditions.

French

Within the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, students explore aspects of film, culture and literature through an integrated, interdisciplinary curriculum that contextualizes language study in historical, geographical, cross-cultural and transnational frames. The curriculum enhances critical inquiry skills and promotes responsible global citizenship.

French and International Studies

Combines French with international studies, integrating language and cultural study with the study of other societies, cultures, and states.

German

Within the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, students explore aspects of film, culture and literature through an integrated, interdisciplinary curriculum that contextualizes language study in historical, geographical, cross-cultural and transnational frames. The curriculum enhances critical inquiry skills and promotes responsible global citizenship.

German and International Studies

Combines German with international studies, integrating language and cultural study with the study of other societies, cultures, and states.

History

The History Department provides students with a global perspective and a solid grounding in the methods and fields of history, while also encouraging interdisciplinary connections. The History major provides a mode of thinking that enables students to identify trends and relations of human existence and to appreciate both the limits and the possibilities of the human condition.

History and Feminist Studies

Combines history with feminist studies, integrating historical methods and global perspective with critical exploration of gender and difference.

History and International Studies

Combines history with international studies, integrating historical methods and global perspective with the study of other societies, cultures, and states.

International Studies

The International Studies program is designed for students interested in understanding other societies, cultures, and states. Majors take an introductory course to become familiar with global, international, and/or comparative topics and methods, and select one of three thematic global tracks to best suit their goals and interests.

International Studies and Spanish

Combines international studies with Spanish, integrating the study of other societies, cultures, and states with language and cultural study.

Kinesiology (B.A.)

The Department of Kinesiology engages in the learning, generation, dissemination, integration, and application of knowledge to human movement. Students are encouraged to integrate scientific and humanistic perspectives, analyze movement within a health sciences context and apply this knowledge using diverse perspectives.

Kinesiology (B.S.)

The Department of Kinesiology engages in the learning, generation, dissemination, integration, and application of knowledge to human movement. Students are encouraged to integrate scientific and humanistic perspectives, analyze movement within a health sciences context and apply this knowledge using diverse perspectives.

Latin American and Border Studies

Latin American and Border Studies (LABS) at Southwestern University is an interdisciplinary program designed to increase understanding and analysis of Latin American and Latina/o and Chicana/o histories, identities, cultural expressions, languages, economies, and political forms. A central part of the program is the critical evaluation of the ideological borders that constitute the region.

Latin American and Border Studies and Spanish

Combines Latin American and Border Studies with Spanish, integrating interdisciplinary study of the region with language and cultural study.

Legal Studies

The Legal Studies certificate program equips students with the knowledge and skills to explore the applications, contexts, and consequences of the law. Through courses focused on critical reading, problem-solving, and the promotion of justice, students will develop the expertise necessary to engage in the legal field. Completing the certificate provides a deep understanding of how law shapes and is shaped by society.

Mathematics (B.A.)

Mathematics and Computer Science courses help students develop concise and logical patterns of analytical and algorithmic reasoning and encourage independent and creative work. The department seeks to develop in students an understanding of the fundamental principles, operations and applications of the core content in the mathematical and computational sciences.

Mathematics (B.S.)

Mathematics and Computer Science courses help students develop concise and logical patterns of analytical and algorithmic reasoning and encourage independent and creative work. The department seeks to develop in students an understanding of the fundamental principles, operations and applications of the core content in the mathematical and computational sciences.

Music (B.A.)

The Music Department in The Sarofim School of Fine Arts at Southwestern University is an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). The Department provides a Bachelor of Arts in Music degree program with a diverse and balanced music curriculum for students with a broad interest in music within a liberal arts context.

Music Composition (B.M.)

The Music Department in The Sarofim School of Fine Arts at Southwestern University is an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). The Bachelor of Music degree offers focused, professional preparation through concentrations in composition, education, literature, and performance for students pursuing specialized careers in music.

Music Education (B.M.)

The Music Department in The Sarofim School of Fine Arts at Southwestern University is an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). The Bachelor of Music degree offers focused, professional preparation through concentrations in composition, education, literature, and performance for students pursuing specialized careers in music.

Music Literature (B.M.)

The Music Department in The Sarofim School of Fine Arts at Southwestern University is an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). The Bachelor of Music degree offers focused, professional preparation through concentrations in composition, education, literature, and performance for students pursuing specialized careers in music.

Music Performance (B.M.)

The Music Department in The Sarofim School of Fine Arts at Southwestern University is an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). The Bachelor of Music degree offers focused, professional preparation through concentrations in composition, education, literature, and performance for students pursuing specialized careers in music.

Philosophy

Philosophy is a mode of engaging thoughtfully and critically with the grounding ideas, structures and motivations of human practices. Such thinking includes reflection on the relationship between different forms of knowledge—scientific, ethical, political, historical, cultural and aesthetic—and the material and social worlds.

Physics (B.A.)

Physics is the study of the fundamental principles and laws that govern the physical universe. The scope of physics is broad and can be understood at many different levels. The Physics Department serves students planning careers in or related to physics, in engineering, in other science fields, and those seeking a broad liberal arts education.

Physics (B.S.)

Physics is the study of the fundamental principles and laws that govern the physical universe. The scope of physics is broad and can be understood at many different levels. The Physics Department serves students planning careers in or related to physics, in engineering, in other science fields, and those seeking a broad liberal arts education.

Political Science

The political science major is at the core of the liberal arts curriculum, seeking to cultivate skills of political analysis and practice. The major cultivates these skills by helping students understand the cultural, theoretical and institutional dimensions of politics through a social scientific approach, demonstrated across the discipline in their writing and research.

Psychology (B.A.)

The Psychology Department is committed to providing rigorous educational experiences in the classroom, laboratory, internships, and in mentoring relationships with faculty so that students gain a rich knowledge of and enthusiasm for psychology. The department provides opportunities to develop advanced skills in oral and written communication, critical thinking, and creative problem solving.

Psychology (B.S.)

The Psychology Department is committed to providing rigorous educational experiences in the classroom, laboratory, internships, and in mentoring relationships with faculty so that students gain a rich knowledge of and enthusiasm for psychology. The department provides opportunities to develop advanced skills in oral and written communication, critical thinking, and creative problem solving.

Religion and Culture

The Religion and Culture program introduces students to a variety of global religious traditions, experiences and expressions, and invites an empathetic understanding of difference. The program provides students with tools to critically engage religious texts—including written, oral, performative, and symbolic ones—in the comparative study of themes across traditions.

Sociology

At the heart of sociology and anthropology lies an interest in understanding the ways in which group membership, cultural context and social hierarchies affect people's lived experiences and world views. The Department's offerings combine sociology's focus on contemporary social issues and the ways that power impacts social dynamics with anthropology's interests in culture and human diversity.

Spanish

The Spanish department facilitates critical inquiry in the interrelated disciplines of language and culture. Studying language in cultural contexts encourages students to explore multiple perspectives, to develop informed views, and to acquire the skills to build communities and act as agents of change. The department seeks to empower life-long learners.

Spanish for Healthcare Professions

The Spanish for Healthcare Professions certificate prepares students to communicate effectively in Spanish within healthcare and related fields. Through coursework in language, culture, and interdisciplinary perspectives on health, students develop linguistic proficiency, cultural competence, and professional knowledge to engage with Spanish-speaking patients and communities.

Studio Art (B.A.)

The Studio Art Department at Southwestern University offers a dynamic and comprehensive experience for students interested in creative expression within a liberal arts context. The curriculum addresses the diverse and evolving landscape of contemporary art, with exploration across drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics, and printmaking, and a strong emphasis on critical thinking and creative problem-solving.

Studio Art (B.F.A.)

The Studio Art Department at Southwestern University offers a dynamic and comprehensive experience for students interested in creative expression within a liberal arts context. The curriculum addresses the diverse and evolving landscape of contemporary art, with exploration across drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics, and printmaking, and a strong emphasis on critical thinking and creative problem-solving.

Theatre Arts

The Department of Theatre is dedicated to the education of theatre advocates, educators, and practitioners through training and study in history, literature, performance, and production. As a multi-disciplinary art, training in theatre represents an academic and artistic exploration within a liberal arts context, requiring students to develop skills in collaborative work.

Theatre Design and Production

The Department of Theatre is dedicated to the education of theatre advocates, educators, and practitioners through training and study in history, literature, performance, and production. As a multi-disciplinary art, training in theatre represents an academic and artistic exploration within a liberal arts context, requiring students to develop skills in collaborative work.