Learning About Difference

WCU prepares students for cultural responsiveness in a diverse global business community through its undergraduate liberal studies program, and the university offers a number of Academic Programs, centers and institutes that support education around diversity.

Academic Programs

Cherokee Studies — Cherokee Studies develops and coordinates programs and courses relating to Native American and Cherokee culture, language, history, health and environment with the goal of promoting awareness and understanding of Cherokee and Indigenous issues.

International Studies Program — The International Studies program prepares students to work in today’s global marketplace in any field or to continue their studies in graduate school or law school.

Philosophy and Religion — Philosophy is critical thinking. Deciding whether an idea is worth believing takes intellectual and emotional maturity. Your study of religion will challenge as well as confirm your thoughts about religious traditions.

U.S. Latinx Studies — A U.S. Latinx Studies minor is available for WCU students to take.

World Languages — Our programs not only build and broaden language skills, but also expose you to the rich culture and history of the world’s people and places.

Social Justice Minor — The Social Justice minor is designed to help students engage in critical examinations of various forms of injustices, the power structures that maintain those injustices, and how those injustices intersect in the experiences of oppressed peoples of the world. The minor will also examine how the struggles of the oppressed create social change even as they experience the challenges and joys of working towards a just world.

Centers

Cherokee Center — established in 1975, is committed to serving tribal and non-tribal residents of Cherokee, NC (Qualla Boundary) and the surrounding communities.

Mountain Heritage Center — a museum that engages WCU and the wider community in the study, preservation and celebration of southern Appalachia’s cultural heritage and history.

Public Policy Institute — aims to empower the Western North Carolina region to effectively manage real policy problems by mobilizing students, community leaders, faculty, and citizens to discuss and develop viable policy options to create more effective policies.