Global Studies (Minor)

Globalization is a complex web of interwoven processes that affect virtually all facets of our daily lives, from pop culture to economics, politics to climate and everything in between. Many of the pressing problems of the 21st Century – climate change, environmental sustainability, terrorism, pandemics, etc. – transcend national boundaries and will need to be solved as a global community. The Global Studies minor explores the challenges and opportunities that arise from living in an increasingly inter-connected world and also cultivates cross-cultural awareness by encouraging students to view issues from different cultural perspectives.

The Global Studies minor has four thematic pillars: culture & society, governance & conflict, economics & interdependence, and environment & health.

Governance & Conflict: explores the challenges of global governance in an increasingly inter-connected world of societies with different political and economic systems; analyzes the causes and effects of conflict and examines techniques for conflict resolution

Culture & Society: explores the values, norms, art and literature of different cultures around the world and throughout history, and their inter-relatedness

Environment & Health: explores human security issues, such as food security, health and disease, environmental sustainability and climate change

Economics & Interdependence: explores the politics, policies and practices of international trade and finance, and the development and effects of economic interdependence

Academic policies related to Minors.

All five courses applied to the Global Affairs minor must be completed with a minimum grade of C- and an overall GPA of 2.0. The five courses must span at least two different thematic pillars. Students must take at least three 500-level or above courses to complete the minor. Students wishing to use transfer credits from other universities should meet with the minor supervisor to determine eligibility toward the minor. 

Students in the accelerated master’s track in Global Conflict & Human Security may use up to three courses or nine credits of approved 800-level courses in the GCHS master’s degree toward the minor.  

Students in the accelerated master’s tracks in Public Policy or Public Administration may use up to two courses or six credits of approved 800-level PPOL and PA courses toward the minor.  

In total, students may use up to 12 credits of 800-level courses toward the global studies minor.