Global Studies, B.A.

The Global Studies program will guide you in the critical analysis of complex and interdependent global systems. Through interdisciplinary learning–including socio-cultural, political, economic, spiritual/religious, ecological topics–you will become an engaged global citizen who contributes solutions to the world’s most pressing issues.

The required and elective courses, spread out over five Major Learning Outcomes, will prepare you for an integrated study of global processes, forms of knowledge, and interdisciplinary methods, including and often centering voices from the ‘Global South.’ You will explore themes such as humanitarianism, migration, development, political economy, religion, conflict and peace-making, gender, and ecology. Finally, you will apply integrative knowledge and skills to address contemporary global problems through a Capstone project.

Required Courses

In order to graduate, you will also need to complete your General Education and university requirements .

Complete all of the following courses:
GS 206 - Understanding Globalization Units: 4
GS 300 - Major ProSeminar Units: 4
GS 330 - World Views Units: 4
GS 336 - Cultural Geography: Place, Power, and Positioning Units: 4
GS 351 - Global Econ: Theory & Ethics Units: 4
GS 362 - Global Literatures Units: 4
GS 390 - Global Politics Units: 4
GS 403 - Directed Reading Units: 1-2
GS 445 - Capstone Seminar Units: 4
Complete one of the following courses:
GS 339S - Sweat/Service/Solidarity SL Units: 5
GS 380S - Building an Int’l NGO Units: 5
Complete at least 10 units of coursework from the following four area focus groups. Students are strongly encouraged to complete coursework from at least two area foci.
Area Focus 1: Global Culture and Ideology
GS 316 - Approaches/ Global Histories Units: 4
GS 317 - Global Migrant Workers: Ethnic Experiences, Resistance, and Empowerment Units: 4
GS 331 - Global Social Protest Units: 4
GS 340 - Social Media and Global Communication Units: 4
GS 349 - The West and Arab and Muslim World - Soliya Connect Units: 2-4
GS 350 - Global Gender Issues Units: 4
Area Focus 2: Global Politics/Peace & Conflict
GS 321 - Negotiation Simulations Units: 3
GS 323 - International Law Units: 4
GS 327 - Politics of the Middle East Units: 3
GS 335 - Comparative Governments and Politics Units: 4
GS 360 - Relig’n/Violence/Peacemaking Units: 4
Area Focus 3: Global Political Economy
GS 318 - Quantitative Reasoning in Global Perspectives Units: 3
GS 342 - Economic Thought: History and Contemporary Interpretations Units: 3
GS 363 - Comparative Settler Colonialism: Land, the ‘Logic of Elimination,’ and Structures of Race Units: 4
GS 370 - Global Political Economy Units: 4
GS 385 - Global Ecology Units: 4
Area Focus 4: International Development/Humanitarian Issues
GS 322 - Dilemmas in Humanitarianism Units: 4
GS 325 - Geography of International Development Units: 4
GS 334 - Global Movements: Migrations, Refugees, & Diasporas Units: 4
GS 379 - Ethics of Corporate Social Responsibility Units: 3

Learning Outcomes

MLO 1: Understanding Global Systems

Analyzes elements of global systems, problems, and issues from a range of disciplinary and theoretical approaches with critical inquiry. Attention will be paid to historic and contemporary interconnections.

MLO 2: Perspective Taking

Evaluates and analyzes multiple perspectives and methods (cultural, disciplinary, and ethical/value system) of exploring subjects wihin natural and human systems in the face of multiple and even conflicting positions.

MLO 3: Global Self-awareness and Diversity

Multiple worldviews, experiences, and power structures. How one situates oneself in global contexts as informed by ones’ multiple perspectives (cultural, disciplinary, ethical/value system).

MLO 4: Personal and Social Responsibility

Analyzes ethical, social, and environmental consequences of global systems, and identifies a range of actions informed by one’s sense of personal and civic responsibility. Students should be aware of how their actions and the actions of their country exert influence globally. He/she seeks to understand the global impact of personal actions (e.g., consumerism based on company policies, consumption of energy, or recycling), and acts accordingly.

MLO 5: Application of Knowledge to Contemporary Global Contexts

Applies knowledge and skills to practical approaches and recommendations to address global problems. Students draw on multiple perspectives (cultural, disciplinary, ethical/value system).