Vanderbilt’s College of Arts and Science introduces new major
In Fall 2024, the Program in American Studies will transition to the Program in Culture, Advocacy, and Leadership (CAL).
CAL will provide students with the knowledge and skillsets to shape people, communities, and society for the better. Centered around dialogue, critical thinking, democracy, and civic engagement, CAL gives students the tools to make a positive impact in a wide range of areas while also exploring broad career opportunities.
Paul Stob, director of CAL and professor of communication studies, said the new major was born from students’ increased interest in academic offerings that teach them to affect change in the world.
“We chose the name culture, advocacy, and leadership because of its relevance and importance to the world today and because of our existing areas of strength,” Stob said. “We’re interested in civil society and civic spaces—in engaging people, groups, and communities worldwide. Students in the program will have the opportunity to undertake a hands-on community research project or internship in an area they’re interested in. The program helps students to harness their passions into effective change that will improve our society.”
CAL is an interdisciplinary program, incorporating courses from anthropology, public policy studies, communication studies, gender and sexuality studies, and history, among other areas. Students take six core courses, where they will learn academic skills, theories, and frameworks, and then apply those skills to an area of their choosing, such as environmental or civic issues.
Other course offerings will include Speaking, Leading, Engaging, where students learn about public speaking both by delivering speeches themselves and studying historical examples of how people have articulated their own visions for social change. Responsible Advocacy in a Complicated World teaches students about the ethics of community engagement and being a responsible citizen when working on common projects with others who have differing backgrounds and values.
To complete the major, students will take part in Practicum & Internship Experience, where they will apply their classroom learning to a real, hands-on experience in their area of focus.
“The potential career outcomes are as broad as students’ interests are,” said Gabriel Torres Colón, director of undergraduate studies for CAL and assistant professor of anthropology. “Students in the major will be fully prepared to pursue careers in a wide range of areas, including education, business, marketing, consulting, journalism, health care, and athletic coaching, among countless others. It’s not just that the major covers culture, advocacy, and leadership—it’s that every student will have a story to tell about culture, advocacy, and leadership that is specific to their practicum, their research, their internship, and their passion.”
Current American Studies majors will have the option to complete the existing degree or switch over to CAL.
Isabella Montero, a senior American Studies major who plans to switch to CAL, is most excited about the practicum and internship experience course.
“This summer I applied for an internship with the Plant Based Products Council and Corn Refiners Association in Washington, D.C., and the word ‘advocacy’ stood out to my prospective employer. I believe it was the inclusion of this word in my major that gave me a competitive advantage in the application process,” Montero said. “I am confident that I will be able to apply the skills and knowledge I have gained as a CAL major throughout my future career in the communications and business fields.”
On Friday, August 30, at 4:30 p.m., CAL will be hosting its first community-center event: a performance by the Afro-Puerto Rican Bomba group Magestad Negra. Taking place on the Vanderbilt Alumni Lawn, this event is free and open to the public. However, tickets are required and may be claimed online.