Unique Minors at USC
By: Talia Walters ‘20
USC has hundreds of minors in almost every single school, and so sometimes it’s hard to find the right minor for you. There’s so many that it’s overwhelming to try to sift through all of the programs, and often, minors that are really interesting, cool, and unique get thrown to the wayside only because students don’t know about them. To try and combat this, I’ve curated a list of 16 unique and interesting minors (by my standards) below that I’ve never heard someone declare.
As always, if you have any questions about if you have room for a minor or how you declare a minor, it’s best to stop by your major adviser’s office so they can…well…advise you in the right direction.
Cinema-Television for the Health Professionals
Which School Is The Minor In: School of Cinematic Arts
Description: “This minor introduces pre-health students to the theory and techniques of the cinematic arts and to a set of media practices useful for the implementation of health promotion strategies. This minor is designed for students who plan to enter careers or professional programs in medicine after graduation and are interested in working with film and television producers to disseminate accurate health information to the public. It complements major programs such as biological sciences, chemistry, kinesiology, health promotion, and disease prevention studies, and environmental studies.”
Who Should Add This Minor: Anyone who is aspiring to go to medical school and wants to become a doctor, but you really love the idea of working in the film industry. Anyone who is frustrated by inaccurate medical stories in movies or on TV.
How Many Total Units Do I Have to Take: 24 units
Required Courses:
CTCS 190g Introduction to Cinema Units: 4
HP 345 Health Issues in Entertainment Media Units: 4
For more information on what classes you’d have to take, Click HERE!
Climate Change, Stewardship and Resiliency
Which School Is The Minor In: Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences
Description: “This minor is intended to provide background for students who plan careers in business with companies who recognize the necessity to respond to environmental change as scientists understand it. Students who complete the minor will gain the insight that will facilitate discussions with both scientists in the field and professionals in the public, private and non-profit sectors.”
Who Should Add This Minor: Anyone who wants to work for a major business but doesn’t want to contribute to the climate crisis. Anyone who is interested in ways to prevent the climate from getting worse or want to understand the science behind the climate problems.
How Many Total Units Do I Have to Take: 28 units
Pre-Requisite Courses:
MATH 125g Calculus I Units: 4 and
CHEM 103Lgx General Chemistry for the Environment and Life Units: 4 OR CHEM 105aLg General Chemistry Units: 4 OR CHEM 115aLg Advanced General Chemistry Units: 4
Required Courses:
GEOL 150Lg Climate Change Units: 4
GEOL 160Lg Introduction to Geosystems Units: 4
GEOL 241Lg Energy Systems Units: 4
GEOL 351L Climate Systems Units: 4 *
Note: Most courses in this minor have pre-requisites that are NOT satisfied by lower-division courses within the minor. While the minor is technically only 28 units, it would likely take more units in order to complete everything.
For more information on what classes you’d have to take, Click HERE!
Cultural Diplomacy
Which School Is The Minor In: Annenberg School of Communications
Description: “This 20-unit minor focuses on cultural diplomacy and the ways in which consideration of cultural issues and engagement in the cultural sphere can enhance foreign affairs and international interactions. It links existing classes and faculty expertise to expose students to a range of international issues while introducing culturally focused approaches to addressing and rectifying such issues. This minor builds a coherent picture of the power of culture as an essential dimension of foreign policy either as a barrier or a medium for engagement and common ground.”
Who Should Add This Minor: Anyone who is interested in international policy-making or international business and who want to be more sympathetic to world cultures. Anyone who wants to find ways to build bridges and solve issues in culturally different situations.
How Many Total Units Do I Have to Take: 20 units
Pre-Requisites: “Requirements for admission are a minimum 3.0 GPA and completion of a minimum of 32 units (sophomore standing). The 3.0 GPA is a minimum standard and does not guarantee admission.”
Required Courses:
PUBD 369w – Public Diplomacy and Global Citizenship (4 units)
PUBD 417 – Global Engagement: Designing Public Diplomacy Strategies (4 units)
For more information on what classes you’d have to take, Click HERE!
Disruptive Innovation
Which School Is The Minor In: Iovine and Young Academy
Description: “Disruptive innovation results from an invention or discovery that radically changes an existing eco or social system. Invariably, that change requires new learning and new, sustaining innovations in response. Lasting innovation, then, requires both creativity in generating fresh, bold new ideas and an understanding of the constant interplay of economic, technological, cultural and social forces that drive the use and consumption of products, goods, and services. Innovators who maintain success and momentum over long periods have learned to anticipate and adapt to trends by focusing on the needs and opportunities presented by the customer, the citizen, the community and the user. The Iovine and Young Academy utilizes the techniques of human-centered design and a uniquely interdisciplinary, hands-on approach to provide students with the knowledge and skills to understand, nurture and drive innovation. The course work in this minor delivers a range of fundamental theories, frameworks, and experiences to augment and enhance the knowledge students are gaining in their majors with an understanding of the techniques, methods and methodologies of the world’s greatest innovators.”
Who Should Add This Minor: Anyone who is constantly pitching new apps, products, or designs to their friends. Anyone who thinks that they can make the current way of doing things better and easier.
How Many Total Units Do I Have to Take: 24 units
Required Courses:
ACAD 176 Rapid Visualization Units: 4
ACAD 181g Disruptive Innovation Units: 4
ACAD 182 Case Studies in Innovation Units: 4
ACAD 302 The Hacker Imagination: from Ancient Greece to Cupertino Units: 4
ACAD 324g The Practice of Design: Ideation to Innovation Units: 4
Note: Those interested in any of the Academy minors must apply EARLY during the summer in order to be eligible to pick up the minor. Most classes are closed to non-major and non-minor students. For more information about applying, click HERE.
For more information on what classes you’d have to take, Click HERE!
Documentary
Which School Is The Minor In: School of Cinematic Arts
Description: “The minor in documentary is designed to train students in the preparation and production of documentary media. Courses are designed to give students insight into both the history of documentary as well as access to new and emerging forms of the media.”
Who Should Add This Minor: Anyone who knows of important stories that haven’t been told yet. Anyone who’s favorite genre of movie is documentary.
How Many Total Units Do I Have to Take: 16 units
Required Courses:
CTCS 400 Non-Fiction Film and Television Units: 4
Note: To be eligible for the documentary minor, a student must be in good academic standing and have a declared major. To declare the cinematic arts minor a student must submit a Change of Major/Minor form to Cinematic Arts Office of Student Services, SCB 105.
For more information on what classes you’d have to take, Click HERE!
Folklore and Popular Culture
Which School Is The Minor In: Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences
Description: “This minor provides an academic foundation for students interested in the many genres in the field including folktales, myths, legends, proverbs, jokes, games, folk medicine, and folk and indigenous musical traditions from around the world. Through interdisciplinary course work, students will learn techniques of collecting, analyzing, and interpreting the traditional expressive culture of diverse groups. Students will analyze the interrelationships of folklore and national, regional, and ethnic identities.”
Who Should Add This Minor: Anyone who loves telling stories around the campfire. Anyone who thinks old, cultural stories from different groups of people tell you a lot of that group of people.
How Many Total Units Do I Have to Take: 20 units
Required Courses:
ANTH 333- Forms of Folklore
For more information on what classes you’d have to take, Click HERE!
Forensics and Criminality
Which School Is The Minor In: Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences
Description: “The interdisciplinary minor in Forensics and Criminality was designed for students interested in the study of law, deviant behavior, or careers in the criminal justice system. In this program, students study psychological and/or ethical issues related to criminal behavior, consider criminality in the context of social class analysis, and learn about the American system of criminal justice. Twenty units are required, four at the lower division and sixteen at the upper-division level. ”
Who Should Add This Minor: Anyone who loves watching crime shows, like CSI or Forensic Files. Anyone who is interested in law and want to better understand different types of criminal behavior.
How Many Total Units Do I Have to Take: 20 units
Required Courses: All requirements in this minor are customizable. There isn’t one class that everyone in the minor has to take.
For more information on what classes you’d have to take, Click HERE!
Hip-Hop, Street and Social Dance Forms
Which School Is The Minor In: Kaufman School of Dance
Description: “The Hip-Hop, Street and Social Dance Forms Minor delves into the historical, social and aesthetic issues of dance in contemporary settings. It explores the foundations and structures of hip-hop, street and social dances, and addresses issues of art, race, and politics within the parameters of dance as an art form, entertainment, and personal expression. The minor is 16 units.”
Who Should Add This Minor: Anyone who thinks the history of hip-hop is interesting. Anyone who is interested in the intersection of dance and the arts with race and politics.
How Many Total Units Do I Have to Take: 16 units
Required Courses:
DANC 280g Introduction to Dance as an Art Form (GE-A) – 4 units
DANC 302g Hip-Hop Don’t Stop: Exploring Black Vernacular Dance (GE-A) – 4 units
Note: The minor is open to all undergraduates in good academic standing. No previous dance experience or audition is required.
For more information on what classes you’d have to take, Click HERE!
Human Rights
Which School Is The Minor In: Dornsife College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences
Description: “The protection of human rights has become a significant international issue. The minor in human rights examines the theoretical foundations of human rights, historical and current developments, case studies and policies. This interdisciplinary minor encourages students to take courses in political science and in other Dornsife departments, as well as in other USC colleges. Students also take their learning outside the classroom in a course-required internship and teaching human rights to the community. Students are encouraged to join relevant student organizations. This minor is open to both political science and non-political science majors.”
Who Should Add This Minor: Anyone who’s interesting in changing the world for the better. Anyone who is learning about the theory behind human rights and how to better protect your own rights.
How Many Total Units Do I Have to Take:
18 units for non-political science majors
22 units for political science majors
Required Courses:
POSC 448a: The Politics of Peace - Human Rights
For more information on what classes you’d have to take, Click HERE!
Justice, Voice, and Advocacy
Which School Is The Minor In: Annenberg School of Communication
Description: “The 20-unit minor offers courses that prompt students to explore the central role communication, media, news, and public relations play in a multicultural society. As a cross-school minor, students will examine questions and perspectives on identity and community through an interdisciplinary lens that centers on theory and praxis, impact and change. The courses in this minor are grouped in order to give students a foundational understanding of the cultural roots and representations of identity, the practice of storytelling in the context of local and disenfranchised communities, as well as various institutional structures and policies that create barriers or avenues of social justice. Familiarity with these important issues serves students on a practical level by improving their ability to understand, anticipate and appreciate diverse viewpoints and audiences. The minor also helps students develop as more engaged, informed and empathetic citizens who are empowered to bring resolution and shared understanding to areas of conflict and difference in their own lives, the broader community and the workplace.”
Who Should Add This Minor: Anyone who believes there are marginalized communities without a voice in modern policymaking or in modern media. Anyone interested in changing the representation of different cultures.
How Many Total Units Do I Have to Take: 20 units
Required Courses:
ASCJ 210 Contours of Change in Media and Communication Units: 4
COMM 366 Designing Media and Communication Projects for Social Change Units: 4
Note: Requirements for admission are a minimum 3.0 GPA and completion of a minimum of 32 units (sophomore standing). The 3.0 GPA is a minimum standard and does not guarantee admission.
For more information on what classes you’d have to take, Click HERE!
Nonprofits, Philanthropy, and Volunteerism
Which School Is The Minor In: Price School of Public Policy
Description: “This four-course minor focuses on the nonprofit sector – its organizations, philanthropy and voluntary action. The three-course core provides: (1) an overview of the nonprofit sector and philanthropy, including historical and theoretical foundations; (2) the study of voluntary action and service as a means for social change; and (3) insight into the management of nonprofit organizations.”
Who Should Add This Minor: Anyone who is interested in working for non-profits in the future or has a large background in volunteer work. Anyone who is interested in working for the greater good.
How Many Total Units Do I Have to Take: 16 units
Required Courses:
PPD 371 The Nonprofit Sector and the Public Interest Gateway course, 4 units
PPD 402 Management of Public and Nonprofit Organizations, 4 units
PPD 478 Social Innovation, 4 units
For more information on what classes you’d have to take, Click HERE!
Photography and Social Change
Which School Is The Minor In: Dornsife College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences
Description: “This minor explores the potential of photography as an instrument of social change that allows individuals to document their circumstances, share their stories and change their lives. Students have the opportunity to examine the impact of images and the power of storytelling both in the classroom and in the field and study the issues raised by this kind of social exploration and commentary. Students learn techniques of digital photography and theories of culture to help them understand diverse cultural phenomena and navigate their own cultural biases. In the field, students apply these techniques and theories by developing their own body of work. In addition, students can mentor individuals in the community to use photography and digital media to share their personal narratives, thus empowering community members to reflect critically upon their circumstances and to participate in their visual representation.”
Who Should Add This Minor: Anyone who believes photography is more than just a form of art. Anyone who has a passion for both fine arts and also social justice and activism.
How Many Total Units Do I Have to Take: 20 units
Required Courses: All requirements in this minor are customizable. There isn’t one class that everyone in the minor has to take.
For more information on what classes you’d have to take, Click HERE!
Political Organizing in the Digital Age
Which School Is The Minor In: Dornsife College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences
Description: “The digital environment is changing the face of political organization, both in domestic American electoral politics and in the methods used by transnational social movements to call attention to problems around the globe. Howard Dean’s use of the Internet to fund his 2004 presidential campaign has made other candidates aware of the political power of the Web in fundraising and grass-roots orchestration of local (and “glocal”) events. This minor is intended to help students engage in domestic and international political organizing by creating websites, using podcasting and other new technologies. It should help students secure internships and jobs with political and international organizations, and generally improve their abilities to change the world.”
Who Should Add This Minor: Anyone who wants to use social media as a method of enacting political change. Anyone who believes that policymaking and political issues are changed by the existence of the internet.
How Many Total Units Do I Have to Take: 19 units
Required Courses:
ITP 304 Creating an On-line Campaign – 3 units
For more information on what classes you’d have to take, Click HERE!
Sports Media Industries
Which School Is The Minor In: Annenberg School of Communication
Description: “Organized sports are one of the most popular forms of live and participatory entertainment, and produce vast quantities of mediated content. Virtually all professional sport, and increasingly much of amateur competition, is influenced by the importance of having the competitions shared with a wide range of audiences and utilizing diverse platforms to engage these fans. This content-rich environment highlights how leagues, teams, players and coaches are each independent and interdependent brands, as well as creators and distributors of multimedia content. This volume of sports content creates new challenges for journalistic norms and storytelling techniques as well as new opportunities for the business of sports media management. The Sports Media Industries minor introduces students to a range of professional settings, activities and challenges related to the growth of sports media.”
Who Should Add This Minor: Anyone who watches sports like their life depends upon it. Anyone who thinks that sports media has the ability to greatly influence both the games and the fans.
How Many Total Units Do I Have to Take: 20 units
Required Courses:
JOUR 350 Introduction to Sports Media Units: 4
For more information on what classes you’d have to take, Click HERE!
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
Which School Is The Minor In: Rossier School of Education
Description: “The TESOL minor is targeted to undergraduates who wish to gain expertise in the field of English as a Second Language (ESL) or English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teaching. The minor in TESOL also prepares students for short and long-term careers in ESL and EFL teaching in both the US and international contexts. While students can combine the TESOL courses with any major, the curriculum will particularly benefit students in Linguistics, English, Foreign Languages, communication, international studies, and other related fields. However, with its emphasis on language and culture, as well as its focus on effective teaching and inquiry, minor in TESOL will complement almost any field of study.”
Who Should Add This Minor: Anyone who wants to teach English abroad at some point in their future. Anyone who is interested in how speakers of other languages learn English.
How Many Total Units Do I Have to Take: 16 units
Required Courses:
EDUC 411: Foundation of TESOL (4 units)
EDUC 412: Instructional Methods in TESOL (4 units)
EDUC 426: Educational Inquiry (4 units)
For more information on what classes you’d have to take, Click HERE!
Themed Entertainment
Which School Is The Minor In: School of Cinematic Arts
Description: “Who designs theme parks, museums, fireworks shows, water fountain spectaculars, and parades? Themed entertainment designers do. From cruise ships to casinos to immersive educational retreats, they design almost anything that involves submerging a real, live human being into a story in a truly robust, physical way. As new tools for entertainment and education develop, they continually push toward one, common goal: a single place where movies, games, theme parks and museums converge. It is a non-dystopian kind of Westworld where we truly and completely become the heroes and heroines of our own stories. And it is the ultimate adventure because there is nothing (at least nothing that we notice) between our full, physical selves and the stories we want to live.”
Who Should Add This Minor: Anyone who’s ideal world is living in a video game or an amusement park. Anyone who wants to know how designers of entertainment services plan and execute their work.
How Many Total Units Do I Have to Take: 24 units
Required Courses:
CTIN 191 Survey of Themed Entertainment Units: 4
CTIN 452L Themed Entertainment Design Units: 4
CTIN 488 Game Design Workshop Units: 4
CTPR 456 Introduction to Art Direction Units: 2
CTWR 410L Character Development and Storytelling for Games Units: 4
For more information on what classes you’d have to take, Click HERE!
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