Culture, People & Ideas

Culture, People & Ideas

Culture, People & Ideas programs at Cuyamaca College engage students in the study of global cultures as well as the rich cultures and experiences of African American, Asian American, Latino/a/x American, Middle Eastern American, and Native American peoples, with a focus on the Kumeyaay.

These programs also examine the connections between current events and the past; the meaning of human existence, values, and knowledge; as well as culture, religion, and human creativity.

Careers you can explore in Culture, People & Ideas Programs

Students following this career path can find employment in law and business; nonprofit and advocacy work; research; museums, archives, and historical sites; education; government service, politics, lobbying, and diplomacy; religious institutions; and journalism and publishing.

After transferring to a University and getting their B.A., some students go directly into private, nonprofit, or public sector employment, while others continue their education by pursuing advanced degrees (M.A. or PhD) or single-subject teaching credentials.

According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York's "Labor Market for Recent College Graduates" report, the mid-career median salary for History majors is $70,000 a year, for Ethnic Studies majors it is $66,000 a year, and for Philosophy majors it is $68,000 a year.

Visit the program pages below and the Career Center to learn more about the different career options available in Culture, People & Ideas programs.

Skills you will learn in Culture, People & Ideas Programs

• Interpret and evaluate evidence (i.e. primary sources, statistics, archives, existing research, etc.) by analyzing biases, patterns, trends, and relationships. 
• Evaluate and apply course content to students’ lived experiences and current events.
• Analyze how power and privilege operate in society, through the categories of race, class, gender, ethnicity, and sexuality.
• Develop and support arguments using academic and organic evidence (i.e. cultural, traditional, and experiential knowledge).
• Research and explore career options and/or obtain experience in a career field.