Global Studies

Global Studies Program    
Office: MOR 278P
Telephone: 256.824.6288

Global Studies Minor

The Global Studies Minor provides students a multi- and interdisciplinary minor that helps them prepare for global-oriented careers in business, government, non-governmental organizations, international development organizations, and philanthropic agencies.

For information about the Certificate in Foreign Language and Global Engagement or the Global Professional Pathways Certificate, please go to the Department of World Languages and Cultures. 

Mission

The Global Studies Program fosters an interdisciplinary environment of investigation of global issues that enables students to discover, create, and communicate knowledge, develop critical thinking and intercultural competencies, and cultivate civic responsibility in preparation for opportunities in a wide array of globally-oriented fields. 

Coursework in Global Studies includes two core courses in Global Studies (GS 200, "Global Systems and Cultures," and GS 400, "Capstone and Portfolio Course in Global Studies"), and 18 credits based on courses from five "Core Competencies" that each correspond to a learning outcome for the minor. 

• Core Competency: Foreign Language (6 credits)

  • Learning Outcome: Students will obtain a solid foundation in a foreign language and be ready to proceed to intermediate competency. Student will complete two courses in one foreign language.

• Core Competency: Global Economics, Markets, and Development (3 credits):

  • Learning Outcome: Students will acquire a foundational literacy in economics and economic development.

• Core Competency: Global Politics and Security (3 credits):

  • Learning Outcome: Students will examine and reflect on the complexities involved in global politics and security.

• Core Competency: Global Environment, Technology, and Health (3 credits):

  • Learning Outcome: Students will explore the impact of the global processes of business, industry, and technological developments on the environment and public health.

• Core Competency: Cultures in Exchange and Contact (3 credits):

  • Learning Outcome: Students will investigate the challenges and opportunities in a world of continual migration and interaction of cultures, ideas, and ways of life.

Please click on the minor tab above to see which courses are eligible for satisfying the core competencies. 

The minor must include a minimum of 24 hours:

• At least nine hours must be in courses numbered 300 or above.
• Up to six hours may also count toward major program. 
• Up to six hours may count toward GERs. 

Global Studies Core:

Course List

Code	Title	Semester Hours
Core Coursework		6
GS 200	GLOBAL SYSTEMS AND CULTURES
GS 400	GLOBAL STUDIES CAPSTONE

Foreign Language and Thematic Core:

Course List

Code	Title	Semester Hours
Foreign Languages		6
Choose from: WLC 101, 102, 201, 202, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, or 404
The 6 Hours of foreign language must be taken in the same language
Thematic Core Competencies		12
Students must complete courses in at least three of the four thematic core competencies listed below
Global Economics, Markets, and Development
Students will acquire a foundational literacy in economics and economic development. Choose one course:
ECN 142	PRINC OF MACROECONOMICS
ECN 143	PRINC OF MICROECONOMICS
MGT 450	INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS
ECN 454	INTERNATIONAL ECONOMICS
FIN 454	INTERNATIONAL FINANCE
OR course approved by Global Studies Program Director
Global Politics and Security
Students will examine and reflect on the complexities involved in global politics and security. Choose one course:
HY 440	FOREIGN REL U.S. SINCE 1920
PSC 102	INTRO TO COMPARATIVE POLITICS
PSC 260	INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
PSC 440	REGIONAL STUDIES
PSC 464	AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY
PSC 466	NATL SECURITY STRATEGY & PLCY
PSC 470	ISSUES IN SECURITY POLICY
OR course approved by Global Studies Program Director
Global Environment, Technology, and Health
Students will explore the impact of the global processes of business, industry, and technological developments on the environment and public health. Choose one course:
ESS 111	WEATHER, CLIMATE & GLOBAL CHNG
ESS 210	COLLAPSE OF CIVILIZATIONS
ESS 407	ENV THRTS, PUB POLY, & DEC MKG
SOC 369	ENVIRONMENTAL SOCIOLOGY
HY 383	FOOD AND WORLD HISTORY
PHL 150	TECH, SCIENCE & HUMAN VALUES
OR course approved by Global Studies Program Director
Cultures in Exchange and Contact
Students will investigate the challenges and opportunities in a world of continual migration and interaction of cultures, ideas, and ways of life. Choose one course:
ARH 103	ARH SUR: WORLD ART
EH 208	READINGS LITERATURE/CULTURE 2
EH 415	ANGLOPHONE/POSTCOLONIAL LIT
WLC 204	INTERNATIONAL CINEMA
ESS 105	WORLD REGIONAL GEOGRAPHY
HY 382	MODERN LATIN AMERICAN
HY 385	MODERN MIDDLE EAST
HY 424	THE ATLANTIC WORLD
HY 481	EMPIRES AND NATIONS
HY 482	COMPTV SLAVERY & ABOLITION
PHL 314	ASIAN PHILOSOPHY
SOC 330	RACE AND ETHNICITY
OR course approved by Global Studies Program Director
Total Hours Required		24

The Global Studies Program features on-campus courses associated with the Global Studies Minor (GS 200 and GS 400), the Certificate in Foreign Language and Global Engagement (GS 200), the Global Professional Pathways Certificate (GS 450), as well as credit options (GS 199, GS 299, and GS 399) for courses completed abroad. Students may also receive credit for GS 499 for a course completed abroad or as an independent study on campus.