Global Studies Degree Requirements (for majors starting Fall 2026 or after)

4th Semester of SECOND LANGUAGE 

UNIV 101: Intro to the Gen Ed Experience 

Exploring Perspectives (EP) Gen Eds

Artist 

Humanist 

Natural Scientist 

Social Scientist

Building Connections (BC) Gen Eds

(Take 3 Classes)

UNIV 301: The Gen Ed Portfolio

• 6 units Tier 1 Individuals & Societies
• 6 units Tier 1 Traditions & Cultures
• 6 units Tier 1 Natural Sciences
   
• 3 units Tier 2 Arts
• 3 units Tier 2 Individuals & Societies or Tier 2 Humanities
• 3 units Tier 2 Natural Science
• 3 units Diversity Emphasis Course (can be fulfilled with General Education Courses)

This course explores how processes of globalization have impacted nation-states, government institutions (both government and non-governmental), social roles and values, cultural belief systems, and economic exchange. Focused on modes of inquiry and domains of knowledge in the social sciences, the course promotes critical inquiry of globalization. The course will explore such questions as: How has globalization impacted nationalist sentiment? How has religion responded to globalizing currents? How have gender roles responded to the impact of globalization? How has economic life been affected by globalization? And how have local realities been shaped, and how do they shape, globalizing processes.

This course explores literary, artistic, philosophical, and critical approaches to major topics in Global Studies, examining questions such as: What affects the terms and outcomes of cultural encounters? How are values and beliefs defined and transformed? What do writing, translation, literature, and other areas studied in the humanities teach us about global studies? What doors open when a person can study a language deeply?

This course introduces students to some of the major social theories and debates that inspire and inform anthropological analysis. The approach considers each theoretical perspective or proposition in terms of its explanatory power for understanding human behavior and the social world, in the context of the social and historical circumstances in which the theories were produced, and as contributions to ongoing dialogues and debate.

Course introduces students to the orders of meaning and power that influence human living and working conditions, as well as the capacity of human beings to alter those conditions. A combination of lectures, readings, films, class discussions and exercises will familiarize students with approaches to global problems in applied anthropology and the solutions that the discipline has proposed.

This course examines how systems of difference provide revealing analytical categories for understanding the political and cultural geography of globalization and develops critical thinking skills that can be used effectively beyond this course.

Survey and comparison of major world regions with a focus on how global processes, regional interconnections, and local geographic conditions create distinctive regions and landscapes.

Study of the international system, its actors and their capabilities; ends and means of foreign policy; international tension, conflict, and cooperation.

Survey of the major political systems and analysis of comparative political concepts, with a view to preparation for more advanced study.

This interdisciplinary course provides an introduction to concepts of gender as understood in U.S. society, economy, politics, and culture. The course examines gender through complex relations of power such as race, class, sexuality and considers historical and transnational contexts. Engaging multiple fields, texts, and approaches, students gather a conceptual tool box with which to explore gender and make connections to the world around them.

This course provides an overview of the Qur'an, life and teachings of Muhammad, and the differences between Sunni and Shi'i Islam. Students also receive an introduction to Islamic intellectual traditions and cultures.

An introduction to human rights, especially through community engagement.  Students will be introduced to the history and theory of human rights as well as a range of current issues. Students will also complete a mini-placement within a community organization and will be introduced to ethical, political, and cultural issues in working with community groups to advance human rights.

A comparative and critical inquiry into the historical, theoretical, and social aspects of various human rights abuses currently occurring domestically and internationally. Course will delve into four or five current human rights issues examining their social, political, cultural, and historical causes.  We will also examine social movements and other means for addressing these issues.  Students will have the opportunity to explore other current issues of their interest.

JUS 301 is intended as an introductory survey and as a gateway to more specialized courses in Judaic Studies. The subject of the course is the Jewish people, one of the oldest nations of the world, whose culture has developed both among and within other cultures as a distinct and relatively continuous whole since Antiquity. Although its content and its precise borders are sometimes difficult to ascertain, "Jewish Civilization" may be defined as the evolving culture--or constellation of related cultures--that the Jews and their Israelite ancestors created and have understood as their collective heritage.

In this course, students will apply a social science perspective to the study of Latin America as a complex region. This course will examine the historical, political, economic, and social factors contributing to racism, inequality, and violence in Latin America, as well as how Latin Americans have fought for social justice and waged social revolutions to challenge systems of oppression. This course emphasizes the experiences, struggles, and contributions of marginalized populations such as women, Black and Indigenous people, economically disadvantaged, and members of LGBTQIA+ communities. Using the analytical tools and qualitative methods of social scientists, students in this course will analyze how specific case studies exemplify broader regional trends; identify the historical antecedents of current events; and propose solutions to pressing global problems. Along the way, students will reflect on their own stereotypes about Latin American countries and peoples and come to a greater understanding of the importance of learning about this dynamic region of the world.

A multi-modal interdisciplinary introduction to the US Southwest and Northwest Mexico, drawing upon Southwest Center faculty expertise in social sciences and humanities approaches to the interaction of Indigenous, Hispanic, and Euroamerican peoples of the region. The physical and cultural landscape, as a construct of the cultures it has formed and sustained, will be the primary focus. Topics may include multicultural understandings of space, place, and identity, material culture and the built environment, the cultural, culinary, and artistic imaginary, filmic representation, and human adaptation to and exploitation of the natural environment through time. Students will engage in a meaningful dialogue concerning one's position and obligation to a specific place. The class will take advantage of the rich array of primary sources available in local archaeological and historical sites, archives, and repositories.

A culminating experience for majors involving a substantive project that demonstrates a synthesis of learning accumulated in the major, including broadly comprehensive knowledge of the discipline and its methodologies. Senior standing required.