80 Cultural Studies and Area Studies Certificate Programs

Latin American and Latino/a Studies is an interdisciplinary program that combines courses from multiple academic departments to give students a broad understanding of historical, social, and cultural aspects of Latin America and Latino/a communities.

This program teaches traditional Indigenous art forms as well as introductory-level theory and skills in various other fine arts and craft media. Students will learn traditional and contemporary Indigenous art forms such as beading, carving, footwear, sewing, and hide tanning, in addition to the cultural and historical significance of these art forms.

Intercultural competence has become increasingly important in a globalized economy. It helps build bridges between different cultures, fosters mutual understanding and a proper assessment of their differences, and ultimately enables more harmonious and successful collaboration on an international level. It is of great importance in many professional, social, and interpersonal contexts. Therefore, companies value employees who are able to successfully apply their intercultural skills in global markets and thereby create a competitive advantage. This course will teach you how to communicate more effectively with people from diverse cultural backgrounds, minimize the potential for misunderstandings, and strengthen your problem-solving skills with regard to conflict management. The fields in which intercultural competence is needed are wide-ranging, from business and education to social work and international development.

Through this certificate from Lorenzo de' Medici, students will learn the traditional art of Italian cuisine, exploring the main trends in Italian cooking as well as developing skills in food photography and styling. The course will also cover food and wine pairing.

You are confident in your business administration skills, but want to expand your expertise to include cross-functional tasks in an international context? A qualification as a consultant in intercultural business communication will provide you with the necessary prerequisites.

The Department of British and American Studies is comprised of three courses: the British and American Studies Course, where students learn about the cultures, literature, societies, and other features of the English cultural area; the English Communication Course focused on improving communication skills; and the English Education Course, which cultivates comprehensive human abilities to develop specialists in English-language education. This department’s educational philosophy is a thorough dedication to world-class English-language education, liberal arts education, communication education, and human education. According to their interests, students can choose from these courses that share the department’s common goal of further improving the four language competencies (speaking, listening, reading, and writing) at an advanced level.

Indigenous studies is an interdisciplinary field of inquiry that seeks to understand the ways in which indigenous peoples worldwide, despite their incredible diversity, share a common experience of colonization. Indigenous studies is thus interested in historical contexts, political struggles, cultural expressions, and the lived ongoing effects of colonialism.

The African Studies Program supports research, teaching, and outreach at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, bringing together scholars in multiple disciplines, students, teachers, and community partners to consider all aspects of land and life in Africa. The African Studies Program is a US Department of Education Title VI National Resource Center for Africa, a unit in The International Division, and a member of the campus consortium of internationally oriented programs known as the Institute for Regional and International Studies.

The Asian Studies certificate gives students a broad overview of Asian languages, culture, politics and history. It complements majors such as business, global studies, international studies, journalism, the visual and performing arts, communication, economics, political science and other disciplines that involve interactions with the Asian world.

The Arctic Studies Certificate is designed to give students a broad understanding of the Arctic region, including its geography, climate, and human environments. The program combines coursework in geo...

The Certificate of Achievement-Advanced is an interdisciplinary program that provide both focused study of one or more ethnic groups and coursework that examines the social constructs and dynamics that govern our interactions with others. Students pursuing the Certificate of Achievement-Advanced in Intercultural Studies gain the knowledge and skills necessary for increasing their cultural sensitivity, cultural competence and social equity. This program enables them to work with confidence and increased effectiveness in a wide variety of international and multicultural settings.

The certificate in Native American and Indigenous Studies offers students a focused way to learn about Indigenous histories, cultures, and contemporary issues. The program covers a wide range of topic...

The Central and East European Studies Certificate is designed for students interested in exploring the history, culture, politics, and languages of that region. It offers a structured way to gain a de...

The Certificate of Achievement in Asian American Studies prepares students to be historically informed and equity-minded participants and leaders in the multi-ethnic and multiracial communities in which they live, work, learn, and play — especially in settings that directly impact Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Students who complete the certificate will gain the skills and knowledge to assess and affect the social conditions and institutional settings that shape the lives of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, with particular attention to the cross-cutting forces of race, gender, class and sexuality. For students with professional pursuits in mind, completion of the certificate will increase leadership capacity to research, understand, communicate and work with various Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, whether through community organizing, nonprofit organizations, public policy, public service or business. For students with transfer pursuits in mind, completion of the certificate includes transferable general education credits to universities and colleges, and also greater academic preparation for the social sciences and humanities, including an Asian American Studies or Ethnic Studies major. Colleges that offer a baccalaureate major in Asian American Studies include the University of California campuses at Berkeley, Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, Riverside and Santa Barbara, and the California State University campuses at Long Beach, Los Angeles, Northridge and San Francisco.

The certificate in African American studies introduces undergraduate students to the interdisciplinary study of African American, African diaspora and African history, society, and culture. Students may choose courses in African American history, literature, black women’s studies, art history, visual culture, music history, and sociology. The certificate offers students opportunities to engage in interdisciplinary study and practice that will complement their major and enhance their intellectual and creative participation in their chosen professions and as citizens in our global society.