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Courses Offered by Global Studies « Academics « LAS Global Studies « College of Liberal Arts & Sciences « University of Illinois

Courses Offered by Global Studies

Program courses include required core courses, as well as topics-based seminars and seminars abroad offered by our Global Studies faculty and faculty from other departments on campus. These courses may be restricted to majors for the initial registration period.

GLBL 100 – Introduction to Global Studies
This is the foundation course for Global Studies majors, introducing students to globalization, the interconnections among people and places as a result of this phenomenon and various challenges within each thematic area.  This course is required for all Global Studies majors and must be taken in the student’s first semester in the major.

GLBL 199 – Undergraduate Open Seminar
This is a special topics designation, which includes new course offerings and independent study credits.  It also currently includes the following course offerings:

GLBL 199 JC – Field Work Preparation
This course introduces students to field experience in internships and service work. Students work through a self-assessment of goals, skills and knowledge, and research internships/service opportunities that match their goals and strengths. In addition to preparing application materials for specific opportunities, students make a plan as to how they can connect their field experience to their academic program through a research project. The course ends with a discussion on developing and applying leadership skills, such as taking initiative and teamwork, during the field experience.

GLBL 200 – Foundations of Global Studies Research
This course introduces students to the foundations of interdisciplinary, social science research. Topics include understanding the purpose for research; identifying researchable issues; finding, evaluating, and using sources effectively; recognizing methods associated with different types of data and disciplines; and writing a literature review. Prepares students for course-based research papers and advanced research methods courses. Guest faculty present their Global Studies-relevant research as students (b)log their own research interests. This course is a pre-requisite to GLBL 494.

GLBL 220 – Governance
This is the gateway course into the Governance thematic area for Global Studies majors. It focuses on the historical development of the international system, as well as contemporary controversies regarding international governance structures and institutional frameworks. Case studies are used to explore the strengths and weaknesses of current governance approaches, and students conduct independent research into existing structures.

GLBL 250 – Development
This is the gateway course into the Development thematic area for Global Studies majors. It focuses on the meanings and histories of development, examines the patterns of global inequality, and analyzes the economic, political and social facets of development. Case studies from different regions of the world are used to explore the historical and structural roots of inequality and to assess the ground-level impacts of development policy.

GLBL 296 – Global Studies Foundation Seminar
These are one-credit courses designed to provide an introductory examination of a current controversy and related ethical issues in today's global society. Topics change each semester. Past topics include: immigration, water resources, nuclear proliferation, humanitarian intervention, microfinance, environmental ethics and protection of cultural assets. Global Studies majors are required to take three of these seminars or one of these and one GLBL 298 seminar abroad.

GLBL 298 – Global Studies Seminar Abroad
These seminars introduce students to aspects of globalization through a case study of a particular location abroad. Course activities include classroom instruction, as well as a field site visit abroad, short essays, student presentation, and final research-based projects. Topics vary according to site location and instructor expertise, and will change each semester. For current offerings, see Courses Abroad.

GLBL 392 - International Diplomacy and Negotiation
This course introduces students to negotiation skills in diplomatic settings through simulation activities. The course touches on various global issues including public health, economic development, human rights, and the environment. Many students use this course in their thematic area.

GLBL 494 – Research Methods I
This is a senior capstone experience for Global Studies students. Students develop research skills, communication and presentation skills and write a proposal for a capstone project including a formal research design and timeline. The proposal includes a literature review and methods section for their final project. Course topics include: social science-based research approaches, design and implementation, as well as methods, analysis and ethics of data collection. This course is optional to complete the major, but is a requirement to graduate with Distinction.

GLBL 495 – Research Methods II
Research writing seminar that provides techniques and support for the completion of a final written version of student research projects. Students finalize their research project from GLBL 494 (Research Methods I) for submission to conferences, publications, and/or as a distinction project for Global Studies. This course is optional, but highly recommended for those completing a Distinction Project.

GLBL 499 – Special Topics
This is an advanced special topics designation, which includes experimental course offerings and independent study credits.

Courses Cross-listed with Other Departments

These are courses cross-listed with other departments on campus and taught by faculty from these departments.  You should refer to the home department listing for the current course description, prerequisites, and course access.