About GLIS

Global and International Studies focuses on global systems and how they play out in different world regions. Students gain knowledge of particular world regions (including foreign languages) or of global themes that are important across regions, depending on the concentration they choose.

Areas of study include:

  • World conditions and historical trends
  • Geography and geopolitics
  • Global and national interdependence 
  • Processes of continuity and change in different world regions
  • The varied and changing nature of global realities and the complexities of addressing world problems
  • Diverse ideas, practices, world views, and cultural expressions of people from different cultures

Students select a concentration of a specific region of the world or a global topical area in order to deepen their understanding of critical issues that affect the lives of many people in the world and the interrelation between the United States and the rest of the world. The major helps prepare students for jobs in the government, business, and non-governmental organizations that are engaged with the world outside the United States and for graduate study in international or area studies and other fields.

The Center for Integrative Studies offers the Global and International Studies major as a primary, additional, and secondary major. It makes a great compliment to students that might be hoping to make the most of their first degree by adding an international or global emphasis.

 

Students will select either a concentration to gain knowledge of a particular world region or a global theme that can be utilized across many world regions. Our programs encourages students to develop understanding of the processes of continuity and change in various world regions through interdisciplinary theory and practice while also incorporating methodologies, theories, and literature of various disciplines and fields.

The major requires at least second year fluency in a language other than English and a research methods course. A student's choice of language is determined by the concentration selection, with the regions of the world requiring a choice relevant to that region.

Students are strongly encouraged to have at least one international experience through study abroad, internships, or independent study.