Jul 07, 2024

2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Global Studies, B.A.

About the Program

Global Studies Program Director: Dr. Hilary Parsons Dick

What to expect:

Preparation for careers in international development, non-governmental and nonprofit management, social & sustainable enterprise, advocacy, education, small business development, social work, counseling, journalism, law, religion, the private sector, and government
Preparation for graduate school
Advanced study in the language and culture of another country
Semester abroad requirement
Opportunities to study abroad at some of the top universities in the world

One of the distinguishing characteristics of Arcadia University is its commitment to global social and racial justice. Arcadia believes that students who learn firsthand about the interconnections among the peoples of the world will be truly prepared for life in a rapidly changing world. Students who participate in global efforts to create a just world are poised to develop innovative solutions to global challenges such as environmental crises, migration, poverty, and war. Whether students study abroad at top universities or engage in applied, experiential learning with Glenside faculty, Global Studies majors learn to balance pragmatic and critical thinking and to situate global processes in local contexts.

Global Experiences

The Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies, is an interdisciplinary major focused on global issues, interconnections, injustices and solutions. Faculty in the program have expertise in environmental and economic justice; migration; refugees; law and human rights; and violent conflict and peace. We promote critical, pragmatic thinking through applied, experiential learning that situates global processes in local contexts.

Global Studies majors study abroad for at least one semester or engage in an immersive, global experience closer to home. All GS majors develop competence in a language other than English. Students are able to work in close contact with faculty with expertise in a number of different disciplines, including History, Philosophy, Religion, English, Sociology, Anthropology, Criminal Justice, Political Science and International Relations, Economics, Modern Languages, Education, and Public Health.

Graduates pursue a variety of career paths, having acquired highly marketable skills that are attractive to employers in an array of fields including: international development, emergency management, non-governmental and non-profit management, advocacy, education, social enterprise, social work, counseling, journalism, law, religion, business, politics, or government.

This program also prepares students for top graduate schools.

The Global Studies program also offers a minor in International Studies.

The Global Studies program also offers two different accelerated options for high-achieving students: a three-year accelerated program and a five year accelerated (B.A./M.A.) program in conjunction with the International Peace and Conflict Resolution Program.

Requirements

Global Studies majors take a total of 12 courses (typically 46-48 credits) consisting of a mix of four required major courses (IS 101; IS 201; IS 490; IS 491), three Interdisciplinary Core classes (one class each in Anthropology; Political Science (including Law and Public Policy, and International Relations and Diplomacy; and History); four Global Studies Core classes; and two electives. Three classes must be at the 300 level and one of the Global Studies Core classes must have a writing designation. In addition, Global Studies majors are required to study abroad for at least one semester. With permission, Global Studies majors may substitute a sustained, immersive global experience for study abroad. Students must acquire intermediate-level proficiency in a modern language other than English (up to four courses, 0-16 credits, depending on prior knowledge).

Requirements for the Major

Required Classes (16 credits):

IS 101 Introduction to Global Studies

IS 201 Global Studies Research Writing

IS 490 & IS 491 Global Studies Senior Thesis

3 Interdisciplinary Core Classes (12 credits)

3 Global Studies Core Classes. One of these must be a 300-level class with a W designation. (12 credits)

2 Electives (8 credits)

At least three classes in the Interdisciplinary Core, Global Studies Core, or Electives must be taken at the 300 level.

Study of a language through the 202 level

Study abroad for at least one semester or an approved immersive, global experience.

Global Studies Core (12 credits)

Students must take three classes with an IS prefix. At least one of these classes must be a 300-level class with a W designation.

Eligible courses:

IS 130 Where Continents Meet: Contact, Coexistence and Conflict in the Modern Mediterranean World (4 Credits)
IS 200 Global Environment (pending approval)
IS 225 Conflict and Inequality in Latin America (4 Credits)
HS 230 Cultural History of Modern Africa (4 Credits)
IS 246 US-Indigenous Relations (4 Credits)
IS 265 Migration Politics in the Americas (4 Credits)
IS 317 Antiracist Immigration Law and Advocacy (4 credits)
IS 318 Applied Antiracist Migrant Advocacy (4 Credits)
IS 320 Global Poverty and Inequality (4 Credits)
IS 330 Social Life of War (4 Credits)
IS 340 Law, Disorder and Globalization (4 Credits)
IS 355 Environmental Racism (4 Credits)
IS 425 Post-Conflict Reconstruction (4 Credits)
Or any course with an IS prefix

Interdisciplinary Core: (12 credits)

Global studies majors must take at least one internationally focused course from each of the following disciplines: Political Science (Politics, Government and Law), Anthropology, and History. Students may take these courses at the 100, 200, or 300 level.

Electives (8 credits):

Students must take an additional two elective classes at the 200 level or above, except in exceptional cases. These classes may come from the interdisciplinary core list, the Global Studies core list, or the classes below. With the approval of the major adviser, students may also count classes taken while studying abroad for this requirement.

CJ 275 Comparative Criminal Justice Systems (4 Credits)
EC 210 Principles of Macroeconomics (4 Credits)
EC 330 Natural Resource Economics (4 Credits)
PBH 120 Global Public Health (4 Credits)
PBH 250 Epidemiology: The Science of Public Health (4 Credits)
SO 370 Feminist Theory (4 Credits)
SO 260 Sociology of Health Care (4 Credits)
SO 286 Health and Human Rights (4 Credits)
SO 325 Women: Local & Global Connections (4 Credits)
US 234 Representations of the Spanish Civil War
Other courses as approved by the GS director. GFS courses approved by the GS director.

Related Study at Arcadia

Minor in Global Studies

The three-year accelerated B.A. in Global Studies requires that students complete all degree requirements listed above in three years. Students in the three-year accelerated program may need to complete two credit-bearing summer experiences in order to complete all Undergraduate Curriculum requirements and major requirements within three years. Students meet with their major adviser in their first semester to develop an individualized plan for completion of all requirements.

Master of Arts in International Peace and Conflict Resolution and Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies (4+2 program)

Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies and a Master of Arts in either International Peace and Conflict Resolution or International Relations and Diplomacy (3+2 program)

Arcadia University’s College of Global Studies has affiliations with numerous overseas colleges and universities. More information is available at www.arcadia.edu/abroad. Students should contact the College for information on which overseas schools offer courses best suited to their interests.