Global Studies

Degree

Bachelor of Arts with a major in Global Studies
College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)
School of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Contact

James Roche, J.D.
Assistant Academic Director, School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
jroche@une.edu

 

Mission

Our mission is to provide rigorous liberal arts offerings organized in a way that demonstrates the pedagogical usefulness and theoretical power of bringing various relevant disciplines to bear upon our study of the world. Our goal is to allow students to engage with and comprehend broad global concerns and to foster specific regional expertise including proficiency in relevant languages. We aim to prepare students to change the world by understanding it more deeply and prepare them for the job market by acquiring knowledge and skills demanded of 21st-century graduates.

Major Description

Global Studies (GS) exposes students to global issues, problems, cultures, and relations through an integrated and interdisciplinary curriculum based in the liberal arts.

GS students use the lenses of the humanities, social sciences, business, international experiences, and internships to understand the world they live in. They will divide their time between SWAGÊÓƵ’s campuses in Maine and Morocco, with additional opportunities to spend semesters in Spain and/or France.

The major prepares students to assume leadership roles in the fields of government, business, tourism, law, non-profits, consulting and a variety of other professions.

Curricular Requirements

At least two (2) full semesters abroad or one (1) semester abroad plus twelve (12) credits of SWAGÊÓƵ travel courses are required for this major.

CAS Core CurriculumCredits
Total Credits42–43
Program Required CoursesCredits
GLS 100 – Introduction to Global Studies3
GLS 410 – Global Studies Capstone Seminar or PSC 491 – Integrative Essay3
GLS 490 – Center Global Humanities Seminar3
Three (3) Foreign Language courses with at least two (2) of the courses in the same foreign language and at least one (1) course above the introductory level taken during study abroad for a total of nine (9) credits.9
Four (4) Interdisciplinary Core courses with at least one (1) course at the 300-level or above12
Total Credits30
Select Regional Concentration one (1) below:Credits
One (1) regional concentration (below) with eighteen (18) credits of coursework with at least six (6) credits at the 300-level or above18
Two (2) regional concentrations (below) selecting nine (9) credits in each with at least three (3) credits at the 300-level or above for each concentration18
Open Elective Courses (as needed to reach 120 credits)Variable
Minimum Total Required Credits120

Interdisciplinary Core

Interdisciplinary CoursesCredits
ANT 102 – Cultural Anthropology*3
ENG 329 – Topics in World Literature** or ENG 405 – Topics in Postcolonial Literature*3
ENV 200 – Society, Population and the Environment: A Global Perspective*3
HIS 278 – Origins of the Contemporary World*3
PSC 201 – Introduction to International Relations*3
PSC 322 – International Political Economy*3

*These courses can count towards the core curriculum.

Regional Concentration

Europe/The MediterraneanCredits
ARH 322 – History of Spanish Art3
ENG 345 – Moroccan Theater and Social Change3
HIS 230 – From Togas to Black Rats3
HIS 231 – Reformations, Revolutions3
HIS 329 – Tangier – Crossroads of Civilization3
HIS 344 – Postwar – Europe after WWII3
SOC 212 – Society and Culture in Morocco3
Latin America/Caribbean CoursesCredits
ANT 230 – Anthropology of Latin America and the Caribbean3
ENV 376 – Caribbean Sustainable Development3
HIS 240 – Latin Amer His I: Colonial Lat3
HIS 241 – Latin Amer His II: Modern Latin3
HIS 316 – Rebellion and Revolution in 20th Century Latin America3
HIS 331 – Revolution and Social Protest in Mexico3
SOC 230 – Society in Latin America3
SOC 331 – Latin America Society and Culture through Cinema3
Africa/Middle East CoursesCredits
ANT 231 – Culture and Society in the Middle East3
ENG 345 – Moroccan Theater and Social Change3
ENV 348/348L – Environment, Health, and Community Development in East Africa w/Lab4
HIS 370 – Slave/Citizens: Africans in the New World3
SOC 212 – Society and Culture in Morocco3
PSC 110 – Politics – Culture/Inven/Trade3
PSC 304 – Middle East and North Africa through Film3
PSC 307 – R & P: Political Islam and Islamic3
PSC 408 – The Arab – Israeli Conflict3

Students in this major can participate in the pre-health graduate school preparation tracks.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates will be able to:

  • Describe, explain and analyze global issues and problems from multiple and critical disciplinary perspectives
  • Demonstrate a level of historical/cultural/economic/political knowledge necessary to engage constructively in intellectual discourse on global issues
  • Assume and draw on the perspective of individuals and cultures other than their own
  • Connect curricular and extracurricular lessons gained during study abroad to those in the global studies major and the SWAGÊÓƵ core curriculum
  • Describe and articulate the distinctive features of at least one global region's culture, history, and modem features/issues/challenges
  • Communicate at an intermediate level in oral and written forms in at least one modern language other than English
  • Conduct interdisciplinary research in international settings and on global questions
  • Develop solutions to complex global problems that are informed by knowledge, analytical reasoning, and experience
  • Identify and describe career opportunities in global studies and the skill sets required in each

Minor

A student with a major in another department may minor in Global Studies with the permission of the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences academic director. Twenty-one (21) hours of coursework is required for the Minor in Global Studies as specified below.

Program Required CoursesCredits
GLS 100 – Intro to Global Studies3
Two (2) courses from a single language (other than English)6
Two (2) global courses (each from a different disciplinary area with at least three (3) credits at the 300-level or above)6
Six (6) credits in any single Regional Concentration at the 300-level or above6
Minimum Total Required Credits21

Transfer Credit

See Undergraduate Admissions for more information.

Admissions

See Undergraduate Admissions for more information.

Financial Information

TUITION AND FEES

Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Informationsection of this catalog.

Notice and Responsibilities Regarding this Catalog

This catalog outlines the academic programs, degree criteria, policies, and events of the SWAGÊÓƵ for the 2024–2025 academic year and serves as the official guide for academic and program requirements for students enrolling at the University during the Summer of 2024, Fall 2024, and Spring 2025 semesters.

The information provided is accurate as of its publication date on April 26, 2024.
The SWAGÊÓƵ reserves the right to modify its programs, calendar, or academic schedule as deemed necessary or beneficial. This includes alterations to course content, class rescheduling, cancellations, or any other academic adjustments. Changes will be communicated as promptly as possible.

While students may receive guidance from academic advisors or program directors, they remain responsible for fulfilling the requirements outlined in the catalog relevant to their enrollment year and for staying informed about any updates to policies, provisions, or requirements.