Interdisciplinary Liberal Arts Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Interdisciplinary Liberal Arts

Grow your knowledge and focus on a topic that interests you. A degree minor can help you discover new passions and talents, and further specialize your education so you become more marketable to employers. Relevant courses often apply to both major and minor requirements, so a minor can be added without greatly changing your degree plan.

Courses already taken can apply to a minor regardless of when the minor is added to your student record. All minor requirements must be completed prior to graduation. Once you have decided on a degree minor, learn how to add a minor to your transcript.

• Agricultural Business
• Anthropology
• Business Administration
• Creative Writing
• Economics
• Gerontology
• Global and Environmental Sustainability
• History
• Interdisciplinary Global Studies
• Media Studies
• Political Science
• Science Communications
• Seed Science and Technology
• Sociology

Agricultural Business

Build knowledge of production management, financial management, marketing management, international development, and trade through an agricultural lens. To earn the minor, you must complete 21 credits from the following courses:

Required Courses

• AREC 202 – Agricultural and Resource Economics (3 cr.)
• AREC 305 – Agricultural and Resource Enterprise Analysis (3 cr.)

Select any 15 credits from the following

• AREC 310 – Agricultural Marketing (3 cr.)
• AREC 325 – Personnel Management in Agriculture (3 cr.)
• AREC 375 – Agricultural Law (3 cr.)
• AREC 412 – Agricultural Commodities Marketing (3 cr.)
• AREC 428 – Agricultural Business Management (3 cr.)
• AREC 478 – Agricultural Policy (3 cr.)

Anthropology

Get a cross-cultural view of humanity and the broadly conceived dimensions of human behavior. You have the option to focus your anthropology studies on one or more sub-disciplinary divisions, including physical anthropology, archaeology, ethnology, or applied anthropology. To earn the minor, you must complete 22 credits from the following courses:

• ANTH 100 – Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (3 cr.)
  OR
  ANTH 200 – Cultures and the Global System (3 cr.)
• ANTH 120 – Human Origins and Variation (3 cr.)
• ANTH 121 – Human Origins and Variation Laboratory (1 cr.)
• ANTH 140 – Introduction to Prehistory (3 cr.)
• 12 credits of any upper division (300 level or above) anthropology courses

Business Administration

Learn the fundamentals of business and apply them to any career. Study topics including accounting, finance, marketing and management. To earn this minor, complete 24 credits from the following courses:

• ACT 205 – Fundamentals of Accounting (3 cr.)
• BUS 205 – Legal and Ethical Issues in Business (3 cr.)
• BUS 405A – Contemporary Business Topics: Entrepreneurship (3 cr.)
• ECON 202 – Principles of Microeconomics (3 cr.)
• ECON 204 – Principles of Macroeconomics (3 cr.)
• FIN 305 – Fundamentals of Finance (3 cr.)
• MGT 305 – Fundamentals of Management (3 cr.)
• MKT 305 – Fundamentals of Marketing (3 cr.)

Creative Writing

Explore creative writing in one or more of the following genres: poetry, fiction, or creative nonfiction. In addition to broadening your writing repertoire, gain workshop experience at an advanced level. To earn this minor, you must complete a minimum of 21 credits in courses with E or CO subject codes, with at least 15 upper-division credits.

Required Courses

• E 210 – Beginning Creative Writing (3 cr.)
• E 238 – 20^th Century Fiction (3 cr.)

Select one group from the following

Fiction

• E 311A – Intermediate Creative Writing: Fiction (3 cr.)
• E 412A – Creative Writing Workshop: Fiction (3 cr.)

Poetry

• E 311B – Intermediate Creative Writing: Poetry (3 cr.)
• E 412B – Creative Writing Workshop: Poetry (3 cr.)

Nonfiction

• E 311C – Intermediate Creative Writing: Nonfiction (3 cr.)
• E 412C – Creative Writing Workshop: Nonfiction (3 cr.)

Upper-Division Electives

• Composition courses (you must choose 300- or 400- level courses)
• English courses (you must choose 300- or 400- level courses)

Economics

Gain insight into current socioeconomic problems in the areas of resource allocation, inflation, unemployment, income distribution, environmental degradation, international trade, and monopoly power. This minor prepares you for careers in business management, teaching, government, banking, and public policy. To earn the minor, you must complete 21 credits from the following courses:

• ECON 202 – Principles of Microeconomics (3 cr.)
• ECON 204 – Principles of Macroeconomics (3 cr.)
• ECON 304 – Intermediate Macroeconomics (3 cr.)
• ECON 306 – Intermediate Microeconomics (3 cr.)
• ECON 3XX or ECON 4XX (9 cr.)

Gerontology

Prepare for a variety of careers in gerontology and develop an understanding of the biological, psychological, and social aspects of adult development and aging. This interdisciplinary minor prepares you to fill the need for well-trained professionals to support aging adults, and can be paired with any CSU major.

Required Courses

• AHS 487 – Internship in Human Science (1-16 cr.)
• FSHN 444 – Nutrition and Aging (1 cr.)
• HDFS 201 – Perspectives in Gerontology (3 cr.)
• HDFS 312 – Adult Development: Middle Age and Aging (3 cr.)
• SOWK 371E – Social Gerontology (3 cr.)

Global and Environmental Sustainability

Prepare to meet today's pressing environmental challenges with this interdisciplinary minor offered by The School of Global Environmental Sustainability (SoGES). Explore innovative research to understand how to solve problems that arise between humans and the environment. To earn your minor, you must complete 21 credits (12 upper-division credits) from the following courses:

Required Courses

• GES 101 – Foundations of Environmental Sustainability (3 cr.)
• GES 470 – Applications of Environmental Sustainability (3 cr.)

Select one course from each group (A-D)

At least 3 credits must be upper-division (300-400 level). Courses may not satisfy two groups.

Group A: Society and Social Processes (select one)

• ANTH 200 – Cultures and the Global System (3 cr.)
• ANTH 330 – Human Ecology (3 cr.)
• ANTH 415 – Indigenous Ecologies and the Modern World (3 cr.)
• GR 100 – Introduction to Geography (3 cr.)
• GR 320 – Cultural Geography (3 cr.)
• POLS 361 – U.S. Environmental Politics and Policy (3 cr.)
• SOC 320 – Population - Natural Resources and Environment (3 cr.)
• SOC 463 – Sociology of Disaster (3 cr.)

Group B: Biological and Physical Processes (select one)

• GR 100 – Introduction to Geography (3 cr.)
• LIFE 220 – Fundamentals of Ecology (3 cr.)

Group C: Economy and Profitability (select one)

• AREC 202 – Agricultural and Resource Economics (3 cr.)
• AREC 340 – Introduction: Economics of Natural Resources (3 cr.)
• AREC 415 – International Agricultural Trade (3 cr.)
• ECON 240 – Issues in Environmental Economics (3 cr.)

Group D: Skills (select one)

• NR 320 – Natural Resources History and Policy (3 cr.)
• SOC 320 – Population - Natural Resources and Environment (3 cr.)
• SOC 463 – Sociology of Disaster (3 cr.)

Upper-Division Elective – select 3 upper-division credits from categories A-D with a subject code not previously taken (3 cr.)

Media Studies

Understand the role and influence of mass media in American society and other cultures by studying media and film history, criticism, law, ethics, social effects, cultural consequences, and multicultural and international media issues. To earn the minor, you must complete 21 credits from the following courses:

Required Courses

• SPCM 100 - Communication and Popular Culture (3 cr.)
• SPCM 349 – Freedom of Speech (3 cr.)

Select any 15 credits from the following

• SPCM 341 – Evaluating Contemporary Television (3 cr.)
• SPCM 342 – Critical Media Studies (3 cr.)
• SPCM 350 – Evaluating Contemporary Film (3 cr.)
• SPCM 357 – Film and Social Change (3 cr.)
• JTC 316 – Multiculturalism and the Media (3 cr.)
• JTC 350 – Public Relations (3 cr.)
• JTC 355 – Advertising (3 cr.
• JTC 411 – Media Ethics and Issues (3 cr.)
• JTC 413 – New Communication Technologies and Society (3 cr.)

History

Expand the breadth of your knowledge by earning an undergraduate minor in history. Choose from a range of courses based on your interests. This minor may be particularly useful for students who plan to pursue careers in education, public service, government, museums and archives, law, and other professions that require skills in research, writing, and the analysis of information. To earn the history minor, you must complete 21 credits from the following courses. (Note: You must complete at least 12 upper-division credits and 9 lower-division credits).

Select any 9 credits from the following

• HIST 100 – Western Civilization, Pre-Modern (3 cr.)
• HIST 101 – Western Civilization, Modern (3 cr.)
• HIST 150 – U.S. History to 1876 (3 cr.)
• HIST 151 – U.S. History since 1876 (3 cr.)

Select any 12 credits from the following

• HIST 302 – Roman Empire (3 cr.)
• HIST 345 – Civil War Era (3 cr.)
• HIST 349 – United States since 1945 (3 cr.)
• HIST 355 – American Environmental History (3 cr.)
• HIST 440 – Modern South Asia: Colonialism and Nationalism (3 cr.)

Interdisciplinary Global Studies

Develop an understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures and peoples with courses in international and global history, politics, languages and cultures, economics, and environmental issues. To earn this minor, you must complete 21 credits from the following courses:

Required Courses

• GR 100 – Introduction to Geography (3 cr.)
• INST 200 – Interdisciplinary Approaches to International Studies (3 cr.)
• INST 301 – International Studies Research Methods (3 cr.)

Select four courses below

One course from each category, 12 credits total with at least 9 credits in upper-division (300-400) coursework.

History, Politics, and Society

• HIST 100 – Western Civilization I (3 cr.)
• HIST 101 – Western Civilization II (3 cr.)
• HIST 440 – Modern South Asia (3 cr.)
• POLS 232 – International Relations (3 cr.)
• POLS 241 – Comparative Government and Politics (3 cr.)
• POLS 420 – History of Political Thought (3 cr.)
• POLS 437 – International Security (3 cr.)
• SOC 333 – Gender and Society (3 cr.)
• IE 471 – Children and Youth in Global Context (3 cr.)

Languages and Cultures

• ANTH 100 – Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (3 cr.)
• ANTH 200 – Cultures and the Global System (3 cr.)
• ANTH 313 – Modernization and Development (3 cr.)
• ANTH 330 – Human Ecology (3 cr.)
• ANTH 336 – Art and Culture (3 cr.)
• ANTH 338 – Gender and Anthropology (3 cr.)
• ANTH 415 – Indigenous Ecologies and the Modern World (3 cr.)
• ANTH 416 – Gender, Culture, and Health (3 cr.)
• E 238 – 20^th Century Fiction (3 cr.)
• ETST 100 – Introduction to Ethnic Studies (3 cr.)
• ETST 205 – Ethnicity and the Media (3 cr.)
• ETST 332 – Contemporary Chicanx Issues (3 cr.)
• GR 320 – Cultural Geography (3 cr.)
• JTC 316 – Multiculturalism and the Media (3 cr.)
• LSPA 300 – Reading and Writing for Communication – Spanish (3 cr.)
• LSPA 345 – Business Spanish (3 cr.)
• INST 380A1 – Narratives of Globalization (3 cr.)

Economy and Environment

• CON 450 – Travel Abroad-Sustainable Building-Sustainable Design and Construction (3 cr.)
• ECON 202 – Principles of Microeconomics (3 cr.)
• ECON 204 – Principles of Macroeconomics (3 cr.)
• ECON 211 – Gender in the Economy (3 cr.)
• ECON 240 – Issues in Environmental Economics (3 cr.)
• ECON 440 – International Economics I (3 cr.)
• ECON 460 – Economic Development (3 cr.)
• GES 101 – Foundations of Environmental Sustainability (3 cr.)
• SOC 320 – Population – Natural Resources and Environment (3 cr.)

Political Science

Gain a foundation in political theory and prepare for careers in law, teaching in the social sciences, journalism, and public service. To earn the minor, you must complete 21 credits from the following courses:

Required Courses

• POLS 101 – American Government and Politics (3 cr.)
• POLS 420 – History of Political Thought (3 cr.)

Select six credits from the following

• POLS 103 – State and Local Government and Politics (3 cr.)
• POLS 232 – International Relations (3 cr.)
• POLS 241 – Comparative Government and Politics (3 cr.)

Select nine credits of upper division classes from the following

• POLS 302 – U.S. Political Parties and Elections (3 cr.)
• POLS 345 – Russian, Central, and East European Politics (3 cr.)
• POLS 361 – U.S. Environmental Politics and Policy (3 cr.)
• POLS 420 – History of Political Thought (3 cr.)
• POLS 437 – American Security Policy (3 cr.)
• POLS 460 – Public Policy Process (3 cr.)
• POLS 465 – Public Policy Analysis (3 cr.)

Science Communications

The minor in Science Communication is designed to educate highly qualified communicators who have interests in specialized academic disciplines and career fields. Because science often involves complicated research and processes, communicating the results of that work requires special skills. This program is designed to prepare students for a wide range of niche career opportunities in media, corporate communication, science-related industries, and scientific environments.

Required Courses

• JTC 210 – Newswriting (3 cr.)
• JTC 211 – Visual Communication (3 cr.)
• JTC 319 – Science and Environmental Communication (3 cr.)
• JTC 350 – Public Relations (3 cr.)
• JTC 419 – Food and Natural Resources Communication (3 cr.)

Select two courses from the following:

• JTC 320A – Reporting: General News (3 cr.)
• JTC 326 – Online Storytelling and Audience Engagement (3 cr.)
• JTC 328 – Feature Writing (3 cr.)
• JTC 335 – Photography (3 cr.)
• JTC 351 – Publicity and Media Relations (3 cr.)
• JTC 354 – Crisis Communication (3 cr.)
• JTC 355 – Advertising (3 cr.)
• JTC 356 – Advertising Creativity and Copywriting (3 cr.)
• JTC 359 – Audience Insights (3 cr.)
• JTC 361 – Writing for Specialized Magazines (3 cr.)
• JTC 363 – Data Journalism (3 cr.)
• JTC 371 – Publications Design and Production (3 cr.)
• JTC 372 – Web Design and Development (3 cr.)
• JTC 417 – Data Visualization Design (3 cr.)
• JTC 451 – Integrated Communication Campaigns (3 cr.)

Sociology

Develop technical skills and knowledge to study human societies. To earn this minor, complete 21 credits from the following courses:

Required Courses

• SOC 100 – General Sociology (3 cr.)
  OR
  SOC 105 – Social Problems (3 cr.)
• SOC 301 – Development of Sociological Thought (3 cr.)
• SOC 311 – Methods of Sociological Inquiry (3 cr.)

Select any 12 credits from the following

• SOC 205 – Contemporary Race-Ethnic Relations (3 cr.)
• SOC 313 – Computer Methods in Sociology (1 cr.)
• SOC 330 – Social Stratification (3 cr.)
• SOC 352 – Criminology (3 cr.)
• SOC 372 – Sociology of Deviance (3 cr.)

How to Add a Minor

You must apply and be admitted to the University for a bachelor's degree program before you can add a minor to your student record. Once you are admitted, one or more minors may be added to your student record.

To add a minor, fill out this form and submit it to your student success coach. Include your name, CSU eID, and the minor or minors you are requesting. Your request must receive approval from the academic department of your degree major, which will be coordinated by CSU Online staff. Upon approval, you will be notified the minor has been added to your student record. If you have any questions, contact the Student Success Team at csu_online_questions@mail.colostate.edu or call (970) 492-4898.

Undergraduate Certificate in Spanish for Animal Health and Care

For students interested in working in animal science, veterinary medicine, or related fields, this certificate program teaches intermediate-level Spanish for use in agricultural and animal care settings. Learn to communicate in Spanish about livestock, equine, and small animal breeds, give directions for animal care and handling, issue instructions for safety and drug administration, and more.

Courses

• LSPA 340 – Spanish for Animal Health and Care Fields (3 cr.)
• LSPA 342 – Spanish for Animal Health and Care Fields II (3 cr.)
• LSPA 343 – Spanish Terminology-Animal Health/Agriculture (3 cr.)
• LSPA 444 – The Intercultural Workplace-Animal Health/Ag (3 cr.)