Global Studies
Embrace the complexity of our world
Increase your understanding of the complexities of our world. Our Global Studies program's goal is to not only give you insight into the variety of modern human patterns, histories, environments, and traditions of wide-ranging populations, but more importantly, it's aimed at engaging you in the study of the interactions among those groups and the consequences of their interactions.
Major
Global Studies (BA)
Double Major
Double Major option(s) offered.
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Minor
Global Studies
Requirements for Global Studies Major:
I. GLBS 101 Introduction to Global Studies - 4 Credits
II. A Global Experience (Global Studies faculty advisor must approve)
Global Experiences may include:
- ***Recommended*** Study abroad (semester, faculty-led short term, Fulbright, etc.)
- A globally-themed internship or work study on or off campus (GLBS 485: Internship in Global Studies)
- A globally-themed independent study, honors thesis, or a project that “internationalizes the campus or community” (GLBS 450: Independent Study)
III. Second Language: fourth-semester competency required (successful completion of
GRMN/FREN/SPAN/CHIN 202) or a score of 800+ on language placement exam with at least 8 credit hours of language instruction. Consult your advisor in cases where your preferred language is offered to second semester at AU.
IV: 3 out of 4 of the following:
• ANTH 110 Cultural Anthropology - 4 Credits
• ECON 202 Principles of Macroeconomics - 3 Credits
• HIST 107 The World in the 20th Century - 4 Credits
• POLS 150 World Politics - 4 Credits
V. Electives
Choose 16 elective credits from at least two of the Categories 1-6, including at least 2 courses at the 300 or 400 level. Note: If a Topics course in any discipline has a GP designation, it will likely qualify as a Global Studies elective (consult with your advisor).Categories of Electives
- Off Campus Study (taken before semester of academic year study abroad)
- OCST 301 Cultural Orientation, Reflection and Engagement - 2 Credits
- History
- HIST 111 Modern Western History - 4 Credits
- HIST 120 The Ancient Mediterranean - 4 Credits
- HIST 130 Aztecs, Incas, and Conquistadors: Colonialism in the Americas
- HIST 153 Modern Latin American History
- HIST 232 African Kingdoms-Egypt-Kongo - 4 Credits
- HIST 233 German History into the 21st Century
- HIST 300 Topics in History (upon approval) - 1 to 4 Credits
- HIST 310 The Ancient Greeks - 4 Credits
- HIST 311 The Roman World - 4 Credits
- HIST 320 Southern Africa: Between Mandela and Mugabe - 2 Credits
- HIST 321 The History of Fascism - 4 Credits
- HIST 340 Ukraine: Between Putin and the West - 2 Credits
- HIST 358 Modern China - 4 Credits
- HIST 363 Goths, Saxons, and Vikings
- HIST 388 Empire and Nation in Eastern Europe
- Political Science
- POLS 253 Dictatorship and Democracy - 4 Credits
- POLS 351 European Politics - 4 Credits
- POLS 373 Terrorism and International Security - 4 Credits
- POLS 382 Latin American Politics - 4 Credits
- POLS 200/300/400 Special Topics (upon approval) - 1 to 4 Credits
- Economics and Business
- BUSI 305 German Auto Industry - 4 Credits
- *BUSI 457 International Business - 3 Credits
- ECON 202 Principles of Macroeconomics - 3 Credits
- ECON 412 International Economics - 3 Credits
- ECON/BUSI/FIN 200/300/400 Topics (upon approval) - 3 Credits
- *FIN 458 International Financial Management - 3 Credits*MKTG 489 International Marketing - 3 Credits
*These courses have prerequisites; see course descriptions
- Cultural Anthropology/Interdisciplinary Studies
- *ANTH 303 Health and Culture - 4 Credits
- *ANTH 304 Language and Culture - 4 Credits
- *ANTH 470 Field Work - 2 to 4 Credits
- ANTH 200/300/400 Special Topics in Anthropology - 1 to 4 Credits
- *FREN 316 Contemporary French Culture - 4 Credits
- WGST 200/300/400 Special Topics (upon approval) - 1 to 4 Credits
*These courses have prerequisites; see course descriptions
- Art/Literature/Communications/Language
- ARTH 126 Buddhist Arts of Asia - 2 Credits
- ARTH 127 Arts of Ancient India - 2 Credits
- ARTH 300/400 Topics in Art History (upon approval) 2-4
- ARTH 304 Global Arts: Contemporary Asia - 4 Credits
- ARTH 305 South Asian Arts 15-20c: Mughals to Modern - 4 Credits
- ARTH 306 Arts of Japan - 4 Credits
- ARTH 307 East Asian Design and Material Culture - 4 Credits
- ARTH 354 Recent Sculptural Practices - 4 Credits
- ARTH/WGST 382 Gender and Art History 4
- ARTH 466 Histories of Photography in the Non-Western World - 4 Credits
- COMM 200/300/400 Topics in Communication 1-4
- COMM 221 Pop Culture Goes Global - 4 Credits
- COMM 315 Understanding Global Media and Cultural Change - 4 Credits
- COMM 325 Global Communication - 4 Credits
- ENGL 226 The Holocaust and Literature - 4 Credits
- ENGL/WGST 481 International Women Writers 4
- *FREN 312 French Literature II 4
- MUSC 211 World Music - 4 Credits
- SPAN 217 Exiled from Justice: Equatorial Guinean Writers in Africa and Spain - 4
Credits - SPAN 218 The Bombs and Ballots of Basque Literature in Spain - 4 Credits
- SPAN 220 Literatura Infantil y Juvenil - 4 Credits
- SPAN/WGST 215 Framing Gender: Latin Amer Film 4
- SPAN/WGST 216 Cuba Close Up: Film since Revolution 4
- *SPAN 311 Peninsular Culture and Literature I 4
- *SPAN 312 Peninsular Culture and Literature II 4
- *SPAN 315 Latin American Culture and Literature I 4
- *SPAN 316 Latin American Culture and Literature II 4
- *SPAN 400 Topics in Hispanic Literature 1-4
*These courses have prerequisites; see course descriptions
- Philosophy and Religion
- RLGS 105 Introduction to Religions of the World - 4 Credits
Total credit hours 48-50
*All Global Studies double majors must complete the Major Requirements in the tab above. All courses taken as part of the Global Studies major must be passed with a grade of C or better; transferred courses must have approval from the Director of Global Studies to receive major credit.
Requirements for Global Studies minor:
I. Foundation Courses (required)
- Modern Languages: competency equivalent to two 4-credit courses required
- GLBS 101 Intro to Global Studies
II. Electives
After consultation with the Global Studies advisor/program director, choose 2 of these Global Studies core courses:
- ANTH 110 Cultural Anthropology
- HIST 107 The World in the 20th Century
- POLS 271 World Politics
- Eight additional credits at the 300 or 400 level from the Global Studies electives
The Global Studies Passport Grant may be used to pay for passport application or renewal fees for any Global Studies major or minor. The recipient must agree to “pay it forward” by helping others navigate the passport application process. The grant is contingent on the program’s yearly budget.
Studying abroad is strongly encouraged for Global Studies majors and minors. Options include semester-long, summer, winter, or short-term faculty-led study programs in more than 100 countries. Consult your advisor and be sure to contact AU Director of Education Abroad Laura Johnson at [email protected] and visit our Study Abroad page.
Global Studies major Zulaikha Yusuff reflected on her Fall 2023 semester abroad in the UK and said "My time studying abroad at the University of Essex in the UK was truly incredible. I forged lifelong friendships and immersed myself in a new culture that has left me eager to repeat the experience. Choosing to study abroad was undoubtedly one of the best decisions I've ever made, especially as it taught me the invaluable skill of self-study.
Here I am in front of Big Ben during one of my regular trips to London. Every few weeks, my friends and I would take a train ride to explore the city, creating unforgettable memories together."
Upon completion of this program a student is able to:
- Demonstrate the ability to identify, delineate and critically analyze the principal concepts and intellectual frameworks of Global Studies.
- Recognize and evaluate the varied ways in which global cultural, social, economic, political and technological forces shape the trajectories of collective groups and individuals.
- Establish informed positions on a wide range of contemporary global challenges – such as economic development, clashing cultures, environmental degradation, violence, international terrorism – and defend their positions with logic and evidence.
- Recognize cultural differences that mark the world’s varied linguistic groups, nationalities, religions, and other distinct group identities.
- Evaluate the quality of arguments and evidence proffered by scholars, peers, public media, and themselves.
- Demonstrate improved oral and written communication skills.
Student Stories
Communication & Global Studies Applied to a Military Career
"Alfred is what you make it. If you want to be adventurous and try new things, there is always someone willing to share their experiences at every corner."
Matthew Barnhart, 2017
Find out more about Matthew
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