A minor is a set of thematically related courses intended to broaden and complement a student’s learning and experience. Minors are optional.
A minor can consist of free electives and/or build on General Education courses taken in satisfaction of General Education requirements. No more than one course can be counted toward fulfillment of both minor and major requirements. Because some majors have a limited number of free electives, students who wish to pursue a minor are encouraged to plan their course choices carefully in order to complete the minor within the undergraduate degree credit allotment. Courses taken beyond the credits noted in a student’s education contract may be subject to additional tuition charges.
Currently, AUA offers the following minors:
The minor in Environmental Studies is designed to enable undergraduate students to develop and explore insights into the environmental aspects of human economic and social life. The minor will offer students practical tools and approaches for linking environmentally sustainable and equitable solutions to various fields of study and professional endeavors, such as, politics and governance, computer and data sciences, engineering, public health, law, business and finance, communications studies, and more.
More information can be found here.
The AUA’s Gender Studies minor aims to provide students with a transdisciplinary program to explore the meaning of gender and how gender intersects with ability, age, class, race, ethnicity, sexuality, and cultural practices. Students will examine how gender influences human experiences, knowledge construction, and power relations. The Gender Studies minor will help students prepare for further studies or careers in fields such as education, public relations, human resources, social work, law, journalism, business, non-profit management, public health, medicine, artificial intelligence, and politics.
More information can be found here.
The minor in Genocide Studies and Human Rights aims to develop conscientious, socially-responsible, engaged citizens by providing students with the opportunity to explore the causes, conditions and consequences of genocide and to recognize human rights as a means to promote peace and justice. Students interested in pursuing further studies in a variety of disciplines or careers in international relations, law, education, business, journalism, the public sector, and human-behavior related fields may be particularly interested in this minor.
More information can be found here.
The Philosophy Minor exposes students to fundamental problems and methods of philosophy. The minor will equip students with the ability to systematically, rigorously and independently think about fundamental aspects of reality, nature and limits of human understanding as well as human values and principles of right action. Complementing and enriching a student’s major, students will explore key philosophical concepts and theories and develop abilities to think critically and independently, reflect upon other disciplines, communicate effectively, and critically address complex problems. Skills developed through this minor will be instrumental in pursuing further education as well as a variety of career paths including in law, research in the natural and social sciences, journalism, education and government.
More information can be found here.
The Philosophy, Politics, and Economics minor offers students an interdisciplinary approach to understanding current global challenges. Students will familiarize themselves with common concepts and modes of analysis within the fields of philosophy, politics and economics. The culminating seminar will engage students in cohesively applying the common concepts and modes of analysis to a specific policy problem in Armenia, paying close attention to the normative implications that arise. The Philosophy, Politics, and Economics minor will complement a student’s studies with an understanding of how philosophy, politics, and economics can be best utilized to inform policy decisions and shape solutions. The Minor will prepare students for a variety of careers in public service, law, business and development, as well as further studies in philosophy or the social sciences.
Procedure to declare intent to pursue a minor
Students declare their intent to pursue a minor by completing a Form to Declare Intent to Pursue a Minor and submitting it to the Office of the Registrar.
Students are encouraged to declare their intent as early as possible to ensure appropriate advising. Students must also identify the minor when completing the Petition to Graduate form. A minor will be documented on a student’s transcript but will not appear on the diploma.