Literature, Culture and Tradition, BAAS
The humanities and social sciences help us to understand cultures through historical and contemporary lenses. In the Literature, Culture, and Tradition concentration, offered by Penn LPS Online, you study and analyze the worldviews of different cultures, exploring cultural change and continuity over time and place. Through historical, literary, and cultural analysis of sources and artifacts, you develop research skills and learn to evaluate complex cultures and scenarios. You also apply the same analytical approaches to gain critical insights into current world challenges.
For more information: https://lpsonline.sas.upenn.edu/academics/bachelors-degree/baas-concentrations/literature-culture-and-tradition
The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2026 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.
Curriculum
The Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (BAAS) recognizes the power of an applied liberal arts education to provide students with strong communication skills, understanding of different cultures and perspectives, and the ability to apply their knowledge to nuanced, complex scenarios with insight, perspective, and empathy.
Overview of degree requirements
30 course units are required for the Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences degree.
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| Requirements | ||
| Foundational Requirements | 8 | |
| Concentrations | 12 | |
| Electives | 8 | |
| Penn Elective (Must be a Penn course) | 1 | |
| BAAS 4000 | The Art of Work (Senior Portfolio Requirement) | 1 |
| Total Course Units | 30 | |
In addition to course requirements, BAAS students must complete BAAS 4000: The Art of Work course.
Foundational requirements
The foundational requirements of the BAAS degree reflect the core competencies and values of Penn LPS Online: the skills and knowledge needed to understand and solve complex problems, the ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of audiences and an appreciation for diverse cultures and traditions. Students can transfer a maximum of 4 course units of foundational courses from a regionally accredited institution. Our program team can also give a preliminary evaluation of transfer credits before students officially apply. Visit the Transfer Preparation & Policies page for more details.
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| Foundational Requirements | ||
| Ethical Reasoning | ||
| Select 1 Ethical Reasoning course | 1 | |
| Applications of Digital Culture | ||
| Ethics & Society | ||
| Qualitative Analysis | ||
| Select 2 Qualitative Analysis courses | 2 | |
| Modern and Contemporary US Poetry | ||
| Digital Literacy & Cultural Change | ||
| Greek and Roman Mythology | ||
or DIGC 1600 | A History of Digital Culture | |
or RELC 2000 | Gods, Ghosts, Monsters | |
| Quantitative Analysis | ||
| Select 2 Quantitative Analysis courses | 2 | |
| Mathematical Foundations for Data Analytics | ||
or MTHS 2000 | Mathematics All Around You | |
| Introduction to Data Analytics | ||
or MTHS 2200 | Introduction to Applied Statistics | |
| Scientific Process | ||
| Select 1 Scientific Process course | 1 | |
| Oceans and Climate | ||
| Introduction to Neuroscience | ||
| Foundations of Life Sciences | ||
or PHYL 1600 | Foundations of Physical & Chemical Sciences | |
| Scientific Reasoning | ||
| Writing | ||
| Select 1 Writing course * | 1 | |
| Fundamentals of Professional Writing | ||
| Introduction to College Writing | ||
| Cross-Cultural Interactions | ||
| Select 1 Cross-cultural Interactions course | 1 | |
| Intercultural Communication | ||
| Total Course Units | 8 | |
- *
Must be taken online at Penn
Concentrations
Just as a college major serves to focus your studies during a four-year degree, the BAAS concentrations enable students to tailor their undergraduate education to specific personal and professional goals. Concentrations progress from introductory-level courses to higher-level courses so that students develop skills and knowledge with greater complexity as they move through the curriculum. Many concentrations are interdisciplinary, to provide students with opportunities to explore their areas of interest from multiple perspectives and develop a flexible approach to solving complex problems in professional as well as academic contexts.
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| Literature, Culture, and Tradition Concentration | ||
| Select 4 courses in 2 of the 3 following course blocks: | 8 | |
Creative Writing Block | ||
Digital Strategies Block | ||
Global and Regional Studies Block | ||
| Creative Writing Block | ||
| The Craft of Creative Writing | ||
| Modern and Contemporary US Poetry | ||
| Poetry Workshop | ||
| The Art of Editing | ||
| Fiction Workshop | ||
| Narrative Collage | ||
| Writing About Place | ||
| Screenwriting | ||
| Advanced Nonfiction | ||
| Journalism Workshop | ||
| Digital Strategies Block | ||
| Digital Literacy & Cultural Change | ||
| A History of Digital Culture | ||
| Coding Foundations for Digital Strategies | ||
| Design Thinking for Digital Projects | ||
| Designing Critical Futures | ||
| Applications of Digital Culture | ||
| Virtual Collaboration | ||
| Composing a Professional Identity | ||
| Global and Regional Studies Block | ||
| Global Environmental Issues | ||
| Introduction to Global Studies | ||
| Globalization: Social, Economic, and Political Aspects | ||
| Global Human Rights | ||
| Contemporary Issues in Global Health | ||
| Latin America and the Caribbean: Themes, Trajectories and Disruptions | ||
| Portraits of Contemporary Russia: Politics, Culture, and Conflict | ||
| Applied Economics in Global Contexts | ||
| Intercultural Communication | ||
| Rlgs Trads Mid East | ||
| Contemporary African Music | ||
| Asian Religions | ||
| Select 4 additional courses with attribute BBLT or use up to 3 CU’s of advisor approved transfer courses * | 4 | |
| Total Course Units | 12 | |
- *
With input from an academic advisor
Electives (8 CUs + 1 Penn CU)
Electives are courses that do not apply toward your foundational or degree concentration requirements. You may choose to deepen your field of study by taking additional classes within your concentration, develop a new skill by completing all of the courses within a course block outside of your degree concentration, or discover new interests and abilities by taking individual courses that appeal to your interests. Students choose 8 electives from any of Penn LPS Online's areas of study. Students are required to complete 1 CU of Penn elective that must be a Penn course. Transfer students can apply a maximum of 8 course units from a regionally accredited institution toward this requirement.
BAAS 4000: The Art of Work (Senior Portfolio Requirement) (1CU)
This course is designed to expose students to a scholarly understanding of the modern world of work, examining the many ways that work shapes our identities, communities, and society. BAAS students should plan to take BAAS 4000: The Art of Work during one of their final two terms in the program. The course will be offered in spring and fall annually. Students must submit a request via Path@Penn to register for the course to ensure eligibility. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation. Email lpsonline@sas.upenn.edu if you have any questions.
Plan of Study for Less Than Full-Time Attendance
This is only a sample plan of less than full-time study. This plan will take approximately six years with no transfer credits with each year looking like the plan below. Students with transfer credits will reduce their time to degree completion. Students who are seeking financial aid should contact Student Financial Services regarding the enrollment requirements for federal aid eligibility. This example plan of study is based on course availability. Note that some requirements are only offered in Fall, Spring, Summer and registration should be planned accordingly. Visit the Penn LPS Online course guide for the latest course offerings.
| Fall | Course Units | |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Part of Term 1 - 1 course | 1 | |
| Fall Part of Term 2 - 1 course | 1 | |
| Course Units | 2.00 | |
| Spring | ||
| Spring Part of Term 1 - 1 course | 1 | |
| Spring Part of Term 2 - 1 course | 1 | |
| Course Units | 2.00 | |
| Summer | ||
| Summer - 1 course | 1 | |
| Course Units | 1.00 | |
| Total Course Units | 5.00 | |
Plan of Study for Full-Time Attendance
This is only a sample plan of full-time study. Students who are seeking financial aid should contact Student Financial Services regarding the enrollment requirements for full-time federal aid. This plan will take approximately three years with each year looking like the plan below. This example plan of study is based on course availability. Note that some requirements are only offered in Fall, Spring, Summer and registration should be planned accordingly. Visit the Penn LPS Online course guide for the latest course offerings.
| Fall | Course Units | |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Part of Term 1 - 2 courses | 2 | |
| Fall Part of Term 2 - 2 courses | 2 | |
| Course Units | 4.00 | |
| Spring | ||
| Spring Part of Term 1 - 2 courses | 2 | |
| Spring Part of Term 2 - 2 courses | 2 | |
| Course Units | 4.00 | |
| Summer | ||
| Summer - 2 courses | 2 | |
| Course Units | 2.00 | |
| Total Course Units | 10.00 | |
This plan would be repeated 3 times for each year.