Global Studies

Global Studies students learn essential competences needed in the age of global mobility and interconnectedness. They acquire broad knowledge in subject matter related to contemporary issues confronting us (i.e., global migration, artificial intelligence, mental health) and professional skills they can apply across industries and cultures. Students are trained in intercultural collaboration, learn to identify and solve problems, and engage with the world as global citizens – applying diverse worldviews and disciplinary perspectives.

Global Studies is ideal for anyone interested in world cultures and cultural diversity, global history and politics, social change and global action, the role of arts in global society, or global education in preparation for the global workforce, more broadly.

The program is also ideal for students uncertain about their major or who are interested in exploring more than one subject. Students dip into different majors, learn to appreciate diverse worldviews, and explore topics from varying traditions that cross time and space.

Approaches from a single field of study or culture are no longer sufficient to navigate the complicated, interconnected world we now live in. An increasingly global workforce requires graduates with dynamic multidisciplinary and intercultural competency.

Students synthesize and apply knowledge and skills in preparation for the global knowledge economy and a multicultural workforce. They are exposed to intercultural leadership and management principles, information literacy, research and development (R&D), and global competence and collaboration. The broad knowledge base and skill set students acquire prepare them for professional work or advanced study in a wide range of industries.

Internship experience is highly recommended but not required. Global Studies students have access to a range of internship opportunities through the Career Development Center, including internship opportunities on campus through our sustainability internship program. On-campus internships enable students to identify intersections between local life and global forces, linking local-global theory and practice.

Students develop a signature e-Portfolio Capstone prior to graduating, consolidating the skills acquired throughout course curricula. Using select research methods, they explore cross-disciplinary theoretical connections and complete a research project on a 21 ^st century topic of their choice. Your work and accomplishments are assembled into a carefully curated showcase portfolio, to have in hand as you embark on your future career aspirations.

Capstone Proseminar is a prerequisite for the e-Portfolio Capstone, when students complete a signature research project that examines a challenging social problem using skills acquired throughout the program. Students are introduced to select research methods, learn how to conduct and writeup bibliographic literature reviews, explore cross-disciplinary theoretical connections, draft a project proposal, and learn how to assemble their work in an e-portfolio.

Global Studies is very transfer friendly. The program requires 31-33 credits, and aims to maintain flexibility by offering a mix of daytime and evening enabled courses, as well as online offerings. Students can easily double-major or combine the program with a minor.