Global Studies is an interdisciplinary program providing students the opportunity to develop their knowledge of the world and the major contemporary issues confronting humanity. Students in this major obtain a deep understanding of global issues, processes, and systems and the various implications of globalization.
The Global Studies program provides a well-rounded curriculum that will help prepare students for a variety of careers in the international arena. For example, Global Studies majors could qualify to work for the federal government (such as the Foreign Service, the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Department of Homeland Security, etc.); international service agencies (such as CARE, UNICEF, Direct Relief International), international NGOs (e.g. Peace Corps, Red Cross, Amnesty International, etc.); and many overseas careers. It will also help prepare students for further graduate study in international affairs, international business, peace and world order studies, area studies, and the emergent global civil society.
The B.A. in Global Studies is 33-49 units, providing students the opportunity to pursue a minor in another discipline or even a second major. The Global Studies minor is 19 to 37 units. Both the minor and the major in Global Studies require two co-requisites: 1) Language requirement to achieve an intermediate level in a language other than English (e.g., the equivalent of the first four semesters or two years in a language other than English or by demonstrating equivalent proficiency as approved by the CI languages faculty), and 2) Study Abroad requirement to complete a minimum of one international experience course.
Students graduating from the Global Studies program will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of contemporary global issues, processes, and systems (e.g., issues such as environmental justice, immigration or poverty, processes such as the economic and political interdependency among nations, and systems such as global governance bodies).
- Analyze global issues from multiple viewpoints.
- Acquire the communication skills needed to work effectively in a global and multicultural context.
- Engage in communicative activities in a second language (other than English) at an intermediate level (following ACTFL language proficiency guidelines).
- Engage as active citizens in a global society.