Global Studies
Embrace the complexity of our world
Increase your understanding of the complexities of our world. Our Global Studies program's goal is to not only give you insight into the variety of modern human patterns, histories, environments, and traditions of wide-ranging populations, but more importantly, it's aimed at engaging you in the study of the interactions among those groups and the consequences of their interactions.
Major
Global Studies (BA)
Minor
Global Studies
Requirements for Global Studies Major:
- GLBS 101 Introduction to Global Studies - 4 Credits
- A Global Experience (Global Studies faculty advisor must approve)
Global Experiences may include- (Recommended) Study abroad (semester, faculty led short term, Fulbright or equivalent)
- A globally-themed internship (GLBS 485: Internship in Global Studies)
- A work study in an office on campus that has an international function (ex. the Education Abroad or International Enrollment offices)
- A non-credit project that some way “internationalizes the campus or community”
- A globally-themed independent study or senior thesis (GLBS 450: Independent Study)
- Second Language: fourth-semester competency required (successful completion of FREN/SPAN/CHIN 202) or a score of 800+ on language placement exam with at least 8 credit hours of language instruction
- 3 out of 4 of the following:
ANTH 110 Cultural Anthropology - 4 Credits
ECON 202 Principles of Macroeconomics - 3 Credits
HIST 107 The World in the 20th Century - 4 Credits
POLS 271 World Politics - 4 Credits - Electives
Choose 16 elective credits from at least two of the Categories 1-6, including at least 2 courses at the 300 or 400 level. Note: If a Topics course in any discipline has a GP designation, it will likely qualify as a Global Studies elective (consult with your advisor).
Categories of Electives
- Off Campus Study (taken before semester of academic year study abroad)
- OCST 301 Cultural Orientation, Reflection and Engagement - 2 Credits
- History
-
• HIST 111 Modern Western History - 4 Credits
• HIST 120 The Ancient Mediterranean - 4 Credits
• HIST 130 Aztecs, Incas, and Conquistadors: Colonialism in the Americas - 4
Credits
• HIST 153 Modern Latin American History - 4 Credits
• HIST 223 German History into the 21st Century - 4 Credits
• HIST 232 African Kingdoms-Egypt-Kongo - 4 Credits
• HIST 300 Topics in History (upon approval) - 1 to 4 Credits
• HIST 310 The Ancient Greeks - 4 Credits
• HIST 311 The Roman World - 4 Credits
• HIST 321 The History of Fascism - 4 Credits
• HIST 330 Southern Africa: Between Mandela and Mugabe - 2 Credits
• HIST 340 Ukraine: Between Putin and the West - 2 Credits
• HIST 358 Modern China - 4 Credits
• HIST 363 Goths, Saxons, and Vikings: The Germanic Tribes from Roman Times to
the Norman Conquest - 4 Credits
• HIST 388 Empire and Nation in Eastern Europe - 4 Credits
-
- Political Science
- POLS 253 Dictatorship and Democracy - 4 Credits
- POLS 351 European Politics - 4 Credits
- POLS 373 Terrorism and International Security - 4 Credits
- POLS 382 Latin American Politics - 4 Credits
- POLS 200/300/400 Special Topics (upon approval) - 1 to 4 Credits
- Economics and Business
- BUSI 305 German Auto Industry - 4 Credits
- *BUSI 457 International Business - 3 Credits
- ECON 202 Principles of Macroeconomics - 3 Credits
- ECON 412 International Economics - 3 Credits
- ECON/BUSI/FIN 200/300/400 Topics (upon approval) - 3 Credits
- *FIN 458 International Financial Management - 3 Credits*MKTG 489 International Marketing - 3 Credits
*These courses have prerequisites; see course descriptions
- Cultural Anthropology/Interdisciplinary Studies
- *ANTH 303 Health and Culture - 4 Credits
- *ANTH 304 Language and Culture - 4 Credits
- *ANTH 470 Field Work - 2 to 4 Credits
- ANTH 200/300/400 Special Topics in Anthropology - 1 to 4 Credits
- FREN 210 Global Perspectives: Paris - 2 Credits
- *FREN 316 Contemporary French Culture - 4 Credits
- WGST 200/300/400 Special Topics (upon approval) - 1 to 4 Credits
*These courses have prerequisites; see course descriptions
- Art/Literature/Communications/Language
- ARTH 126 Buddhist Arts of Asia - 2 Credits
- ARTH 127 Arts of Ancient India - 2 Credits
- ARTH 300/400 Topics in Art History (upon approval) 2-4
- ARTH 304 Global Arts: Contemporary Asia - 4 Credits
- ARTH 305 South Asian Arts 15-20c: Mughals to Modern - 4 Credits
- ARTH 306 Arts of Japan - 4 Credits
- ARTH 307 East Asian Design and Material Culture - 4 Credits
- ARTH 354 Recent Sculptural Practices - 4 Credits
- ARTH/WGST 382 Gender and Art History 4
- ARTH 466 Histories of Photography in the Non-Western World - 4 Credits
- COMM 200/300/400 Topics in Communication 1-4
- COMM 221 Pop Culture Goes Global - 4 Credits
- COMM 315 Understanding Global Media and Cultural Change - 4 Credits
- COMM 325 Global Communication - 4 Credits
- ENGL 226 The Holocaust and Literature - 4 Credits
- ENGL/WGST 481 International Women Writers 4
- *FREN 312 French Literature II 4
- MUSC 211 World Music - 4 Credits
- SPAN 217 Exiled from Justice: Equatorial Guinean Writers in Africa and Spain - 4
Credits - SPAN 218 The Bombs and Ballots of Basque Literature in Spain - 4 Credits
- SPAN 220 Literatura Infantil y Juvenil - 4 Credits
- SPAN/WGST 215 Framing Gender: Latin Amer Film 4
- SPAN/WGST 216 Cuba Close Up: Film since Revolution 4
- *SPAN 311 Peninsular Culture and Literature I 4
- *SPAN 312 Peninsular Culture and Literature II 4
- *SPAN 315 Latin American Culture and Literature I 4
- *SPAN 316 Latin American Culture and Literature II 4
- *SPAN 400 Topics in Hispanic Literature 1-4
*These courses have prerequisites; see course descriptions
- Philosophy and Religion
- RLGS 105 Introduction to Religions of the World - 4 Credits
Upon completion of this program a student is able to:
- Demonstrate the ability to identify, delineate and critically analyze the principal concepts and intellectual frameworks of Global Studies.
- Recognize and evaluate the varied ways in which global cultural, social, economic, political and technological forces shape the trajectories of collective groups and individuals.
- Establish informed positions on a wide range of contemporary global challenges – such as economic development, clashing cultures, environmental degradation, violence, international terrorism – and defend their positions with logic and evidence.
- Recognize cultural differences that mark the world’s varied linguistic groups, nationalities, religions, and other distinct group identities.
- Evaluate the quality of arguments and evidence proffered by scholars, peers, public media, and themselves.
- Demonstrate improved oral and written communication skills.
Requirements for Global Studies minor:
I. Foundation Courses (required)
- Modern Languages: competency equivalent to two 4-credit courses required
- GLBS 101 Intro to Global Studies
II. Electives
After consultation with the Global Studies advisor/program director, choose 2 of these Global Studies core courses:
- ANTH 110 Cultural Anthropology
- HIST 107 The World in the 20th Century
- POLS 271 World Politics
- Eight additional credits at the 300 or 400 level from the Global Studies electives
Suzy Hansen: Seeing America From A Distance
Contributing writer for The New York Times Magazine; Author of Notes on a Foreign Country Pulitzer Prize Finalist
Wednesday, November 6th, 2019
Nevins Theater, Powell Campus Center
Free and open to the public and followed by a book signing and reception, a panel discussion with Global Studies faculty took place on November 7th, 2019 at Alfred University's Scholes Library. Support was provided by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Provost and Chief Operating Officer Office, and Divisions of Social Sciences, Human Studies, and Psychology and Communication.
Global Studies fosters global awareness, proficiencies in modern languages and provides the opportunity for a variety of careers in areas like journalism, international relations, government services and many more.
Recent examples include:
- African Studies
- African-American Studies
- Middle Eastern Studies
- Latin American Studies
- Linguistics
- Asian Studies
- International Business
- International and Comparative Education
- Teaching English as a Second Language/Foreign Language
- International Relations & Affairs
- Demography/Population Studies Language Interpretation & Translation
Student Stories
Communication & Global Studies Applied to a Military Career
"Alfred is what you make it. If you want to be adventurous and try new things, there is always someone willing to share their experiences at every corner."
Matthew Barnhart, 2017
Find out more about Matthew
News
Similar Programs
As a Global Studies major, you might be interested in supplementing your education with facets from the following programs either by adding a minor to your program or by double-majoring.