Academics

Sections

• Overview
• Prospective Students
• Global Studies Major
  • Foundations
  • Language and Culture Studies
  • Thematic Areas
• Global Studies Minor
  • Global Studies Core
  • Language Requirement
  • Thematic Areas
• International Studies Major
  • Foundations
  • Language and Culture Studies
  • Professional, Technical or Scientific Core
• International Studies Minor
  • Global Studies
  • Language and Culture Studies
• Advising Information
  • Planning Your Schedule
  • Forms
  • Study Abroad
  • Frequently Asked Questions
• Courses
• Distinction Project
  • Students
  • Faculty

Giving to Global Studies

Global Studies Major

Thematic Areas

• Overview
• Cultures in Contact
• Human Rights
• Wealth and Poverty in a Globalized World
• Governance, Conflict and Resolution
• Environment, Sustainability, and Social Responsibility
• Knowledge, Communication and Information Systems
• Global Health

Overview

In addition to basic introductory and global studies courses, Global Studies majors choose one of seven thematic areas within which to focus their studies. Students take 18 hours of coursework (generally 6 courses) within each track, and the specific courses are chosen in consultation with their Global Studies academic advisor. Students must take courses from more than one discipline. An approved interdisciplinary minor may replace the customized curriculum. Thematic Areas are described below.

1. 18 Hours Coursework — Students choose an approved thematic area and, in consultation with a Global Studies advisor, construct a customized curriculum of 18 hours that informs the thematic area. Students cannot include more than 3 hours of 100-level coursework and must complete 9 hours of 300- or 400-level coursework. Courses must be taken from more than one department. An approved interdisciplinary minor may replace the customized curriculum.
2. Capstone Project

   The optional Capstone project is intended to assist Global Studies majors to further develop their research skills and to offer an opportunity to pursue an independent research project related to their Thematic Area in the major. A capstone is strongly recommended because it shows potential employers and graduate schools that you are able to analyze a problem and propose a new way of thinking about it. GLBL 494 is required for the Distinction Project. It is recommended, but not required, that you take at least one statistics course prior to registering for these courses.

   GLBL 494 – 3 credit hours, usually offered every semester

   • Step-by-step construction of a research proposal
   • Students will present their research design and potential results during the semester for feedback and advice
   • The end product is a research design that will guide the collection and analysis of data by the student.

   GLBL 495 – 1 credit hour, offered each spring

   • Designed to assist students to write up their research results in a formal paper format for submission to conferences, journals, or as a writing sample for future educational and career applications.

Thematic Area Descriptions

Cultures in Contact

Explores the challenges of migrating people and the consequences of divergent socio-cultural beliefs and lifestyles as a function of race, nationalism, religion, and gender.  In this area, students learn about local and global identities, evolving local and global culture through contact, cultural diversity, multiculturalism, difference and conflict, and conflict resolution through tolerance, policy, social action. Full description

Human Rights

Concentrates on identifying inequities among and within societies, understanding the bases of these inequities, considering a universal standard of human rights, as well as an individual’s rights and responsibilities in defining and working towards a just society. Students take courses to enhance their understanding of social differences and consequences of those differences, legal and ethical responses, and advocacy skills. Full description

Wealth and Poverty in a Globalized World

Focuses on the reasons for and the consequences of resource distribution and re-distribution, and the challenges it presents for peoples and governments. Students take courses to develop an understanding of international trade, development, and how they impact and are impacted by political and social factors. Full description

Governance, Conflict and Resolution

Allows students to develop an interdisciplinary perspective on international relations, world order, conflict, security, conflict resolution and diplomacy. Students take courses to build a solid understanding of society-level conflict, its origins and outcomes, as well as strategies in managing and avoiding conflict. Full description

Environment, Sustainability, and Social Responsibility

Presents topics on local-global environmental conditions, opportunities and challenges in sustaining healthy environments, as well as social responsibility for sustainability. Students take courses to familiarize themselves with environmental issues and concerns, the politics of conservation and social response to environmental concerns. Full description

Knowledge, Communication and Information Systems

Provides an understanding of communication systems and how they impact global processes, especially the development of knowledge and information systems. Students may take courses in linguistics, speech communication, journalism, media studies, communications, computer science, informatics, library science, education, tourism, and business. Full description

Global Health

Introduces students to the disparate health conditions, practices and healthcare systems across cultures. Students take courses in sociology, community health, ethics, and other disciplines to learn of global health concerns including the spread of disease, aging populations, public health and policy. Full description