Undergraduate Catalog 2017-18 
    
    Mar 19, 2024  
Undergraduate Catalog 2017-18 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Global Studies (BA.GLB)


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Majors & Minors

The Global Studies major provides an opportunity to acquire information, knowledge, and interpretive paradigms that enhance students' understanding of the changing world order and enable them to live more fulfilling and useful lives. This multidisciplinary major requires coursework that trains students to analyze the world in a variety of contexts—geographic, historical, economic, environmental, political, cultural, social, religious, philosophical, and aesthetic. Through their courses and study abroad, students develop the critical skills they will need to achieve their goals in our increasingly integrated local, national, and world communities. Upon completion of the Global Studies major, students will be able to demonstrate:

  1. The ability to identify and analyze patterns of human interdependence, including
  • the contested notion of globalization, and the multiple and cumulative impacts of the powerful forces driving this process;
  • the global variety of organizational structures, institutions, and processes;
  • the ways in which cultures and peoples structure and frame common and competing interests in—and understandings of—the world;
  • interrelationships among cultures, environments, places, and technologies;
  • global environmental problems and mitigation strategies.
  1. In-depth knowledge and analysis of concepts, theories and information gained through a concentrated exploration of one particular global theme. 
  2. In-depth knowledge and analysis of one particular region and its relationship to the rest of the world.
  3. Understanding of multiple worldviews derived from academic study, proficiency in a modern foreign language, and cultural immersion abroad.

All majors must complete 51 credits: 18 credits in required core courses, 9 credits in one thematic concentration, 9 credits in one regional concentration, 12 credits in a foreign language, 0-2 credits in GLB 3810 - Cultural Immersion Experience , and 3 credits in GLB 4610 - Global Studies Capstone Seminar .

II. Thematic Concentration (9 cr)


Select ONE concentration (A, B, or C) and complete three courses within that concentration. No course fulfilling the Thematic Concentration may be counted for the Regional Concentration or vice versa.

A. International Political Economy, Governance and Human Rights


This thematic concentration is designed for students interested in global institutions, power dynamics, and political processes, and who aspire to careers in the diplomatic service, the UN, peace work, or other international non-governmental organizations.

B. Environment/Sustainability


This thematic concentration is designed for students interested in the social science of environmental issues, and who aspire to careers devoted to solving environmental threats on a global scale.

C. Global Dynamics of Culture


This thematic concentration is designed for students interested in the cultural dimensions of our world, and who aspire to careers that could take them abroad and that require well-developed cultural sensitivities. Students should keep their career goals in mind as they select from this broad array of culture-related courses. No more than 6 credits may be taken in any one of four world regions (Africa & Middle East, Asia, Europe, the Americas).

III. Regional Concentration (9 cr)


Select ONE region (A, B, C, or D) and complete three courses within that region. No course fulfilling the Thematic Concentration may be counted for the Regional Concentration or vice versa.

IV. Cultural Immersion (12 cr)


(Credits required for the major: 51 cr)


And complete the University's Gen Ed requirements


Review  the Gen Ed requirements.

Law Degree (CU/VLS 3+2)


This major participates in the 3+2 program with Vermont Law School, in which highly-focused students can earn a Bachelor's degree in just three years at CU and a Juris Doctor (JD) degree in just two years at VLS. 

For details, see the Law Degree page .

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Majors & Minors