Global Studies majors choose an area of concentration that corresponds to their interests and professional plans. The concentration provides students with in-depth cultural and social knowledge in a specific region of the world or a particular field in Global Studies. Students select from Asian Studies, Caribbean Studies, European Studies, International Relations, or Spanish.
Students are encouraged to be interdisciplinary and study across various cultures and global issues, which prepares them for careers in international development, health, politics, and science, as well as professions in their local communities that require interaction with people of various cultural backgrounds.
Students must earn a ‘C’ (2.0) or better in each course to be applied to the major or minor.
A major consists of 36 hours and must include the following:
Core courses (12 hours):
- GB 101 Introduction to Global Studies
- GB 105 Languages and Their Place in the World
- Choose one: EC 105, HI 112, PO 150, PO 180, or RE 190
Language (8 hours) – Students who do not have previous language experience must take beginning level language courses (FR, JP, and SP 101, 102) before completing the language requirement in the major. Students who take a language placement exam and score at a level sufficient for placement in a course above third semester intermediate level will only be required to complete one language course; they may then complete the four additional hours through another course in their concentration. Choose one of the two options below:
- Two courses in French, Japanese, or Spanish at the third semester intermediate level (FR and SP 203; JP 111) and above.
- A combination of two or more languages for a total of 8 hours beyond the BLUEprint language requirement that aligns with students’ concentration in the Global Studies major. This combination must be selected in consultation with a Global Studies advisor. For example, students concentrating in Caribbean Studies may study French and Spanish, while students concentrating in European Studies may study German and Spanish. Choose language courses from the following list:
- FR 101 – French for Global Citizens I
- FR 102 – French for Global Citizens II
- FR 203 – French for the Professions
- FR 301 – French Conversation through Cinema
- JP 101 – Japanese for Global Citizens I
- JP 102 – Japanese for Global Citizens II
- JP 111 – Japanese for Global Citizens III
- JP 112 – Japanese for Global Citizens IV
- SP 101 – Spanish for Global Citizens I
- SP 102 – Spanish for Global Citizens II
- SP 203 – Spanish for the Professions
- SP 210 – Spanish for Heritage Speakers
- SP 301 – Spanish Conversation through Cinema
- SP 302 – Conversation and Composition
Study Abroad or International Experience:
Students are required to complete an international experience that allows them to place their coursework in a practical context. A semester study abroad program is the best opportunity for developing global, intercultural, and bilingual knowledge and skills, so this option is strongly
encouraged. Other possibilities include an international BreakAway, international research, and an international internship. Some domestic intercultural experiences might fulfill the requirement with the approval of a Global Studies advisor. Any experience is selected in consultation with
an advisor. All credits earned through the experience may fulfill requirements for the major in consultation with students’ advisor.
Concentration (16 hours; may be completed at IC and/or abroad with the approval of a Global Studies advisor):
- Asian Studies Concentration: four courses from this list:
- GB 115 – Rise from Ruins: Japan and Germany after 1945
- GB 120 – Exploring Japanese Deep Culture
- GB 120 – Exploring Japan through JPOP
- HI/RE 181 – Gods, Monsters, and Sex in East Asia
- HI/RE 223 – Japan: History and Religion
- HI/RE 224 – China: History and Religion
- PO 280 – East Asian Politics
- PO 383 – Third World Politics
- Caribbean Studies Concentration: four courses from this list:
- BI 325 – Tropical Ecology
- GB 131 – Intro to Caribbean Studies
- GB 230 – Puerto Rican Culture and History
- GB 251 – Torture in Spain and Latin America
- GB 230 – The Caribbean and the African Diaspora
- GB 235 – Hispanic Caribbean Literature
- HI 313 – American Slavery
- PO 383 – Third World Politics
- European Studies Concentration: four courses from this list:
- GB 115 – Rise from Ruins: Japan and Germany after 1945
- GB 150 – The Culture and History of Spain
- GB 251 – Torture in Spain and Latin America
- GB 255 – Spain’s Textual Heritage
- GB 256 – Cervantes and Don Quixote
- HI 254 – Ordinary People and War: Germany, 1900-2019
- HI 292 – Freedom and Control: Modern Europe since 1789
- HI 358 – The Holocaust
- International Relations Concentration: four courses from this list:
- EC 344 – Development Economics
- EC 372 – Environmental Economics
- PO 280 – East Asian Politics
- PO 383 – Third World Politics
- PO 386 – International Relations
- PO 388 – International Political Economy
- Spanish Concentration: four courses from this list:
- SP 302 – Conversation and Composition
- SP 307 – Intermediate Spanish Grammar
- SP 310 – Advanced Spanish for Professions
- GB 131 – Intro to Caribbean Studies*
- GB 150 – The Culture and History of Spain*
- GB 231 – Puerto Rican Culture and History*
- GB 235 – Hispanic Caribbean Literature*
- GB 251 – in Spain and Latin America*
- GB 255 – Spain’s Textual Heritage*
- GB 256 – Cervantes and Don Quixote*
- *Students taking these courses for the Spanish concentration will be able to complete coursework in Spanish.
Spanish Teaching K-12
Students wishing to obtain a license to teach Spanish should double major in Education and in Global Studies, choosing the Spanish concentration of the Global Studies major. These students will consult closely with their advisors from both Departments to complete requirements for K-12 Licensure in Spanish. As part of fulfilling the Licensure requirements, students will participate in the Tandem Education Semester in Madrid, Spain where they will take the “Teaching Methodology for Teachers of Spanish and Bilingual Educators” course, along with appropriate Spanish language courses.
Global Studies Minors
The Department of Global Studies offers five minors: French, German, Global Studies, Japanese, and Spanish. A minor consists of 20 hours.
- French in Global Studies:
- GB 101 or GB 105
- Four courses at the second semester level or above (FR 102), including GB 230. Students may complete coursework in French in GB 230.
- German in Global Studies:
- GB 101 or GB 105
- Two courses in German language: GE101 and GE102
- Complete two: GB 115, HI 254, or HI 358. Students may complete coursework in German in these courses.
- Global Studies:
- GB 101
- GB 105
- Choose one: EC 105, HI 112, PO 150, PO 180, or RE 190
- Choose two in consultation with a Global Studies advisor: BI 325, EC 344, EC 372, GB 115, GB 120, GB 121, GB 131, GB 150, GB 230, GB 231, GB 235, GB 251, GB 255, GB 256, HI/RE 181, HI/RE 223, HI/RE 224 HI 254, HI 292, HI 313, HI 358, PO 280, PO 383, PO 386, PO 388, or SP 310
- Japanese in Global Studies:
- GB 101 or GB 105
- Four courses at the second semester level or above (JP 102), including GB 120 and GB 121. Students may complete coursework in Japanese in GB 120 and GB 121.
- Spanish in Global Studies:
- GB 101 or GB 105
- Four courses at the second semester level or above (SP 102). This includes GB 131, GB 150, GB 231, GB 235, GB 251, GB 255, GB 256. Students may complete coursework in Spanish in these courses.