Northeastern Offers Cherokee Cultural Studies program

By Sean Rowley, NSU News Coordinator

The Oklahoma Regents for Higher Education recently approved a bachelors degree program in Cherokee Cultural Studies at Northeastern.

The degree is the second offered by NSU in Cherokee studies, in addition to the bachelor of arts in Cherokee Language Education.

Dr. Paul Westbrook, dean of the College of Liberal Arts, said the program offers an alternate direction to those studying Cherokee traditions.

We created the curriculum for this at the request of the Cherokee Nation and interested students, Westbrook said. There are many who are very interested in the study of the rich Cherokee Culture who did not want to work toward a teaching degree. This new degree should meet their needs.

NSU President Don Betz said the degree program was a perfect fit for the university.

This course of study will prove to be quite useful for those interested in Cherokee history and contemporary life, but not pursuing fluency in the Cherokee language, he said. This program is unique and should serve interested persons in this region.

9/16/2009

Published: 2009-09-16 00:00:00