In order to engage in national development that is both creative and ethical, it is necessary to have a strong foundation in the past. Unfortunately, in Cambodia, much of history and culture was lost to the years of conflict in the 1960s to 1990s. An essential part of nation re-building has been to reconnect, preserve, and advance Khmer identity.

The B.A. in Khmer Studies provides students a clear understanding of Khmer history; arts and archeology; ethical and cultural diversity; and rituals, ceremonies, customs, and traditions. Students improve their skills in critical thinking and research, become preservers of the Khmer identity, and are well prepared to lead future development efforts that our consistent with the Khmer way of life.

Major:  Khmer Studies

Course Description

POL 101         Introduction to Political Science

This course has been designed to give students general knowledge in politics and a basic introduction to the academic discipline known as political science. The instructor has decided to take a very quick approach to the topic: the material covered in the class will be very broad but not very deep in the hope that it will create an understanding of the most basic issues of political science. This course is also intended to demonstrate some of the reasons why people study political science outside the classroom and help the students understand their society better.

ANTH 102      Cultural Anthropology

This course is designed to investigate the impact of culture on everyday living and decision-making, both locally and globally.  It presents basic concepts in cultural anthropology and applies them to various expressions of culture, such as languages, family structures, livelihoods, political systems, belief systems, and art.

NATS 102      Environmental Science

Significant increases in the world population along with technology advances in the manufacture of products corresponding to people’s demand, led to the over-exploration of nature resources. This brought environmental and other impacts, such as natural resources depletion, solid waste generation increment, ecosystem unbalancing, health and safety problems on human beings, etc. Similarly, Cambodia is also facing such problems. Hence, awareness in environmental issues contributing to environmental protection is in need to address. This course is designed to provide some fundamental concepts of environmental science in order to make students environmentally aware about vital issues like natural resources conservation, sustainable use of resources, environmental degradation, and rapid growth of human population coupled with technology causing major environmental problems. Emphasis is given to promote sustainable concepts and to enable students to make informed choices regarding their environment. Additionally, this course is introduced to make students understand theories and integrate them into practical applications through real world situation observations, consequentially allowing them to establish cause and effect relationship via impact assessment projects.

COMP 110     Introduction to Computers

This course is one of the general courses in the FY program required by PUC to familiarize students with the use of computer as an efficient tool for their study and work. It is designed to provide non-IT students an overview of how computer system has been developed the fundamental concepts and terminologies of computer systems, knowledge of basic computer hardware and software, and the teach students how to assemble computer, install software, and computer troubleshooting. There are 2 Lab-sessions, which equal to 3 hours for students to practice computer assembling and software installation. Students will learn what computer components are, implication of information technology, and basic troubleshooting knowledge.

ENGL 110      English I: Reading and Composition

The course, a foundation level of English as a foreign language course, is intended to guide students through models and writing practice, and to sharpen composition and analytical skills needed for good academic writing. Students will be guided through a variety of writing strategies and techniques with emphasis on sentence structure, including correct use of grammar, mechanics and sentence combining. Students will learn paragraph organization, and research and organization methods required for writing paragraphs.

KHMR 110    Khmer Studies

Khmer Studies observes the evolution of Khmer culture from pre-history through the Angkorean period to contemporary society.  It examines the arts, languages, literature, customs, traditions, and creations of the Khmer people.  Students gain a sense of appreciation and love for the Khmer culture and a sense of pride, integrity, and national identity.

SOC 110         Gender Studies

This course is the introduction to Gender Studies/Women’s Studies. Given the comprehensiveness and diversity of the overall subject area, this course will provide an introduction to and critical engagement with several specific areas of inquiry that make up Gender Studies/Women’s studies.

ENGL 120      English II: Reading and Composition

The course, an intermediate level of English as a foreign language course, is intended to guide students through models and writing practice – particularly the essay, and to sharpen composition and analytical skills needed for good academic writing. Students will utilize a variety of writing strategies and techniques with emphasis on sentence structure, including correct use of grammar, mechanics and sentence combining. Students will learn paragraph organization, documentation and organization methods required for writing term papers.

HUM 110       Introduction to Humanities

This course will familiarize students with various aspects of the humanities, in particular, the history, literature, and philosophies of the ancient East and West, as well as contemporary aesthetic forms.  Students will gain an appreciation for the plastic and performing arts.

ENBC 110      Practical English Language Development

This course focuses on students’ listening and speaking skills, while continuing to support reading and writing practice. The reading level of students will be assessed and a customized progression of graded readers assigned to each student. Students will read, summarize in writing, present, and discuss readings. In addition, students will view and discuss video clips to improve comprehension of English as spoken by different speakers.

MGT 110        Management Principles

This is an introductory course in management. Students will learn basic principles of organizational structure, behavior, and operations, including resource acquisition and management and supervision techniques to achieve organizational goals.

HFT 201         Health Education and Fitness

Health Education course will introduce students to basic knowledge on health education, health behavior, reproductive health, tropical diseases, sexual transmitted diseases, chronic disease, alcohol, tobacco, and domestic violence will be imparted. With this knowledge, students will have opportunity to explore the concept of health education / health promotion and health determinant factors affecting to public health.

ARIL 210       Academic Research: Information Literacy

Information Literacy (IL) is important to support learning in the 21st century. Students will learn effective tool to proactively engage in academic performance and nurture life-long learning. Without IL skills, students will get lost in a world of abundant information resources. IL skills will help students to identify where to find the right resources to meet their specific educational needs, present research findings, and avoid plagiarism.

ENBC 210      English Grammar for Business

This course provides a comprehensive review of English grammar rules and skills. Students develop their ability to identify and correct both written and spoken grammatical errors with teacher feedback and consistent grammar review. Forms of writing and verbal communication that are typically used in business, such as emails, memos, letters, written and verbal reports, and giving verbal instructions will be utilized for grammar practice.

COM 210       Introduction to Communications and Mass Media

This course is designed to introduce students to Communications: the ability to give and receive information quickly and effectively. The art of getting your message across effectively is a vital part of being a successful manager. It is also wise to note that communication is the foundation of leadership. This course provides foundations to improve communication skills.

PHIL 210       Logic and Critical Thinking

Students will be introduced to basic principles of logic. Students will study standards of critical thinking, benefits and barriers to critical thinking, and characteristics of critical thinkers.  They will learn to analyze arguments and how to recognize logical fallacies.

ENBC 211      Interactive English Language Skills

This course aims to further improve students’ listening comprehension and language production skills through viewing and discussing a variety of audio-visual media, interactive exercises, and conversational practice. Emphasis will be placed on pronunciation and the development of vocabulary for general and business purposes. Prerequisite: ENBC 110.

PHIL 212       Introduction to Ethics

This course examines the basic concepts and principles of ethical thought, including issues of morality and self-interest, right and wrong, actions, character, consequences, motive, and their relationship to issues of law, religion, and society.  Students will analyze writings by well-known philosophers regarding ethics and the “good society.”

PSYC 212       Personal Growth and Development

This course is designed to teach discipline, good behavior, positive attitude, self-respect, and self-confidence, as a member of the university and society.  The course also teaches study skills and time management to help ensure students’ success in college and in life.  Buddhist as well as Western philosophies and thought are both essential to this course.  Students can learn to value life and develop virtue, shaping themselves after exemplary heroes.

POL 202         ASEAN Governments, Politics and Economics

With the current trend and spirit of globalization, in which every citizen is a citizen of the world as one, joining partnership is critical.  In this light, ASEAN has been formed.  This course will examine the various systems, standards, and behaviors of both humans and institutions they create.

HIST 230        History of Cambodia

This course considers civil wars and their consequences, especially the dark period of 1975-1979 in Cambodia. Changes in Khmer culture, society, and economics will be discussed, as well as political structure, foreign policy, gender issues, human rights, rural development, and education. This course includes a community service-learning component, providing a chance for students to work and provide community service.

RESR 300      Fundamentals of Research and Academic Writing

This course is an introduction to research methods.  It will examine both qualitative and quantitative approaches to research.  Topics will include scientific method in the social sciences, models of designing research, the comparative approach, content analysis of secondary data sources, and case study approaches.

ART 301         World History of Art

This course seeks to understand art, its philosophies, styles, functions, and meanings throughout the ages.  It is designed with usable accounts of the entire history of art from the earliest times to the present.

HIST 301        World Civilizations

This course seeks to understand the evolution of humankind and to have a glimpse at a broad view of the world as humans struggle for civilization from early times to the present.  Students will study a selection of the world’s great civilizations.

INTS 301        International Studies                                                                       

Examines historical and contemporary issues, facing the international community and its citizens, that help shape both the individuals and institutions they create.  Area foci include immigration, interracial relations, politics, education, health, family gender, youth as well as other related contemporary topics.

LANG 301      Modern Language I                                                             

A proficiency level of successful completion of French, German, Spanish, Thai, Korean, or Japanese.  Students with substantial previous language experience may meet their language requirement by taking only one LANG101 or LANG102.  Other students will need to complete all of the language course requirements.

SOC 301         Socio-Cultural Ecology

This course presents a socio-cultural approach to humans and their environment.  It focuses on the ways in which human societies both adapt to the environment and adapt the environment to their needs.  It surveys environmentally based studies and the basic principle of ecology.

ART 302         Khmer Art History

This course seeks to understand Khmer art, its philosophy, style, functions, and meanings from the early time of Khmer history to the present.  The purpose of this course is to provide students with a firm knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of Khmer culture and civilization.  The course is designed with emphases on critical observation and thinking on exemplary models of masterpieces of Khmer art history and artifacts.

LANG 302      Modern Language II           

Continuation of LANG301 Modern Language I.

PHIL 310       World Philosophy

This course will familiarize students with the major disciplines in world philosophy, in particular political philosophy, moral philosophy, philosophy of religion, aesthetics, and Eastern and Continental European philosophy.

PHIL 313       Introduction to Buddhism and Oriental Philosophy

It is an introduction to the historical development of Buddhism in relation to other East Asian religions.  The Theravada and Mahayana controversy over Buddhist practices as well as the development of Buddhist thoughts throughout Asia is investigated.  The course also includes other practices under influence of Brahmanism and Chinese philosophy.

PHIL 314       Comparative Religions

Societies in their various levels of development in whatever places and time have some set of religious beliefs and practices. Together with the other fundamental features of social life such as language, art, science, and technology, religion affects a large area of the individual person as well as the collective of persons that we call 'society'. The course of studies is designed to acquaint students with the understanding of the importance and role of major religions as practiced today.

ARCH 401     Khmer Archeology

This course will seek to interpret the ways of living of the ancient Khmer people through the analysis and interpretation of material culture, including artifacts, architecture, and cultural landscapes.

CULT 401      Customs and Traditions of Cambodia

This course will survey traditional and contemporary customs in Cambodia, including family and community life and etiquette.  It will follow the evolution of customs and traditions from ancient to modern times and consider the impacts of civil conflict, development, and regionalization.

ETHN 401      Ethnic and Cultural Diversity

This course will compare and contrast the majority, rural Khmer culture with sub-cultures in Cambodia, including indigenous people, Sino-Khmer, Cham Muslims, and urban populations.  It considers the social dynamics of multi-ethnic countries.

LAW 401        Indigenous Law and Society

This course examines the customary laws of indigenous peoples and how they apply to such issues as human rights; family law; criminal law; environmental law; land, resource, and cultural heritage; and traditional knowledge.

SOC 401         Gender, Race, and Society

This course will examine the dynamics of gender, race, and socio-economic status in the workplace, at home, in school, and in private lives.  It will consider social changes in Cambodia related to these dynamics in the context of rapid development.

ARCH 402     Khmer Architecture

This course will survey the various periods of ancient Khmer religious architecture, such as Preah Ko, Baphuon, Angkor Wat, and Bayon.  It will examine the ecology of traditional home styles, as well as traditional Khmer architecture and the New Khmer architecture exemplified by Vann Molyvann.

CULT 402      Rituals and Ceremonies

Students in this course will examine the important rites of passage and intensification in Khmer life, including birth, wedding, and funeral ceremonies and important celebrations including Khmer New Year, Pchum Ben and the Water Festival.  It will interpret these rituals and ceremonies to create a deepened understanding and appreciation of Khmer culture and history.

LANG 402      Modern Language III                      

Continuation of LANG 302, Modern Language II.

HIST 410        Prehistory of Cambodia                                                                  

This course surveys Cambodian prehistory dating back to evidence of inhabitation of the Laang Spean cave in 7000 BC through the Funan, Chenla, and Angkor Kingdoms. It focuses on important aspects of social evolution, such as the development of agriculture around 2000 BC, the development of iron tools circa 600 BC, and economic and cultural interactions with India beginning around 100 BC.

ENGL 413      Critical Reading of Literature

Students in this course will learn different approaches to the interpretation of selected literary works and conduct both oral and written literary analyses.

KHMR 489    Senior Project or Exit Exam

Student will carry out a written group project (individual project allowed if student has GPA of 3.5 or higher) that offers an evidence-based study of a topic relevant to the major subject.