Bachelor of Arts [B.A] [Comparative Cultures and Politics] From Michigan State University

The CCP major provides students with tools to better understand diverse cultural perspectives around the world, explore how culture shapes power relations, and how political and economic dynamics impact culture. The comparative and transnational focus encourages students to learn about other cultures and political systems, to reflect back on their own societies, and to discover how they want to position themselves as globally engaged citizens.

CCP is housed in James Madison College, MSU's residential college for international and public affairs, which is a limited enrollment program.

CCP’s courses are anchored in contemporary issues relevant to global public affairs. Our courses examine such issues as racial and gender politics; media, power, and politics; nationalism, ethnicity, and ethnic conflict; literature, film, performance, and politics; globalization, international development, and community mobilization; human trafficking; global public health; and diaspora, migration, and displacement.

The major’s related area requirement gives students the opportunity to gain expertise in areas or peoples outside of the United States and allows them to develop comparative and international perspectives valued by public and private employers. Knowledge gained in CCP is critical for understanding the impact of politics and policies on people’s lives, for envisioning new possibilities for global interactions, and for developing practical responses to social injustice, inequality, and conflict.

CCP graduates have acquired a wide variety of jobs, ranging from U.S. government positions to social and popular media, to private business ventures, cultural organizations, and non-profit organizations. They also pursue a wide range of graduate and professional degrees, including law, education, non-profit administration, public policy, public health, communication, cultural studies, environmental studies, media studies, anthropology, social work, and business.