Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies

About
Requirements
Academic Plan

Learn more about the Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies.

We live in a time of ever-faster global integration. People, goods, services, and ideas now move with astonishing speed across national boundaries. Many of the major issues that shape our lives are global in scope: war and terrorism, climate change, migration, human rights, public health, economic growth and decline, religion and ideologies, fashion and music, media and technology. This interdisciplinary program invites students to reach across disciplines and learn from a wide array of knowledge and methods in order to be better prepared for a global world.

The Global Studies curriculum offers a foundation through a set of four introductory courses, as well as specialization in one of three concentrations: Global Security, Global Economy, and Global Cultures. The introductory courses will prepare students for the concentrations by studying alternative disciplinary and problem-based approaches to global studies. Within this general framework, the three concentrations will allow the students to identify a specialized program of study drawing from a structured set of concentration-specific requirements and electives, culminating in a research-based and writing-intensive capstone seminar. Each track offers many elective options and new courses are added each semester. Students are encouraged to work with their advisor to select the best options for their intended career path.

In order to develop a world perspective, students in Global Studies will take two full years (through 4th semester) of a foreign language and will either participate in an approved study abroad program or take additional area studies courses. Students will work with their advisor and the Education Abroad office to identify the best fit with their language skills, disciplinary interests, career plans, and financial capabilities.

Distinction in Major

Global Studies majors will receive Distinction in the Major if they have earned an overall GPA of 3.25 or higher and a GPA of at least 3.5 in the courses required for the major (excluding the language requirement).

Career Potential

Global Studies is not a major with a limiting, predefined career destination. Today, a large and growing number of careers can and do feature international or global components. The major in Global Studies will offer students a broad but rigorous course of study that will combine the development of a sophisticated understanding of global changes, cultures, and perspectives while building critical analytical, communication, and intellectual skills they will need in any professional career.

This major is an obvious choice for students aiming specifically for an international career in government, business, or the non-profit sector, and its interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary nature will provide an appropriate foundation for work or graduate study in any field affected by global change.

Summary of Degree Requirements

University Requirements:

MATH 0701 (4 s.h.) and/or ENG 0701 (4 s.h.), if required by placement testing.
All Temple students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive courses as part of the major. The specific courses required for this major are GBST 2197 and GBST 4096.
Students must complete requirements of the General Education (GenEd) Program. See the General Education section of the Undergraduate Bulletin for more details.

College of Liberal Arts Requirements:

Completion of a minimum of 123 credits, including:
- 90 credits in CLA/CST courses;
- 45 credits of which must be at the upper level (numbered 2000-4999).
  - For Social Science majors, 6 upper level credits (numbered 2000-4999) must be taken in Humanities Subject Areas: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Greek (Ancient), Greek and Roman Classics, Hebrew, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Philosophy, Religion, Russian, and Spanish in the College of Liberal Arts, Art History in the Tyler School of Art and Architecture, or any department in the College of Science and Technology.
- A minimum GPA of 2.0, cumulatively, in CLA/CST coursework, and in the major.
- Only courses in which a student receives a grade of at least C- can satisfy GenEd, major, minor, or CLA Foreign Language and Global Studies requirements.
- Professional Development Requirement
  - All students in the College of Liberal Arts are required to take a 1 credit seminar in professional development. CLA 1002 Professional Development for Liberal Arts Majors is the appropriate course option for this major. Other courses that fulfill this requirement are listed on the CLA College Requirements page. Only one course in this category may count towards graduation.
- Foreign Language/Global Studies Requirements:
  - Global Studies majors are required to complete the fourth level of a foreign language, which exceeds the CLA minimum requirement. No additional coursework is required. The fourth level of language is numbered 2001 in French, German, Spanish, and Portuguese and in all other foreign language subjects, it is numbered 2002.
  - Notes on Foreign Language Study
    - The third level of a foreign language as it is the minimum required for election to the prestigious honor society Phi Beta Kappa. (Taking the course does not guarantee admission but not taking it guarantees exclusion.)
    - See the College of Liberal Arts Policies section of this Bulletin for more information on the Foreign Language Placement, Regression in Coursework, and guidelines for students' other experiences with language.

General Electives are typically one-third of a student's program of study and can be focused on a second major, a minor, or towards some other personal enrichment or professional goals. See an academic advisor for assistance in developing an academic plan for these courses.

Major Requirements (36-58 credits - varies according to foreign language placement and regional enrichment options):

Course List
Code	Title	Credit Hours
Foundation courses
ANTH 2305	Introduction to Cultural Anthropology	3
ECON 1103	Global Economics	3
GBST 2001	Introduction to Global Studies	3
GBST 2197	Research Skills for Global Studies	3
POLS 1301	International Politics	3
Concentration Requirements
Select a concentration and choose 6 courses from its list (below):		18
Global Security Concentration
Global Economy Concentration
Global Cultures Concentration
Senior Capstone Seminar
GBST 4096	Capstone Seminar in Global Studies	3
Regional Enrichment
Select one of the following:		0-6
Study abroad at a TU-approved program
Two area studies courses from one region as outlined below:
Africa and the Middle East
AAAS 2201	African Civilization
ARBC 2012	Modern Arabic Literature in Translation
ARBC 2021	Contemporary Arab Society in Film (in Translation)
GUS 2073	African Development
HIST 2511	Introduction to African History
HIST 2513	Cold War Africa
HIST 2516	Modern Islamic History
HIST 2702	Imperialism, Race, and Empire
HIST 2703	African Diaspora
HIST 3511	Southern Africa: A History
HIST 3531	Modern India
HIST 3571	Israel: History, Politics and Society
HIST 3572	Modern Middle East
HIST 3751	Colonialism and Decolonization
POLS 3241	Mideast Politics
Asia
ANTH 2367	Peoples of South Asia
ASST 2001	Practical Asian Society and Culture
ASST 2367	South Asia: Peoples, Culture, Experiences
CHI 2013	Modern and Contemporary Chinese Literature in Translation
CHI 2022	Contemporary Chinese Urban Film and Fiction in Translation
GUS 2074	East and South Asia
GUS 3052	Environmental Problems in Asia
HIST 2217	Vietnam War
HIST 2501	Introduction to East Asia: China
HIST 2502	Introduction to East Asia: Japan
HIST 2503	Introduction to Southeast Asia: Insular
HIST 2504	Introduction to Southeast Asia: Mainland
HIST 2516	Modern Islamic History
HIST 2702	Imperialism, Race, and Empire
HIST 3521	The Chinese Revolution
HIST 3522	Contemporary China
HIST 3531	Modern India
HIST 3551	History of Vietnam
JPNS 2012	Modern and Contemporary Japanese Literature in Translation
JPNS 2021	Japanese Literature in Film
POLS 2351	Japan and the Changing World Order
POLS 3251	China: State and Society
POLS 3252	East Asia and the United States
REL 2101	Indian Philosophies and Religions
Europe
GER 3221	German Culture through Film
HIST 2102	History of Nazi Germany
HIST 2303	History of Central Europe, 1618-1871
HIST 2304	20th Century Europe: A Continent in Crisis
HIST 2705	Anti-Semitism/Holocaust/Racism
HIST 3331	History of England
ITAL 2221	Italian Culture through Film
POLS 2211	Contemporary Politics of Europe
POLS 3212	British Government and Politics
POLS 3331	Politics of the European Union
Latin America/Caribbean
ANTH 2361	Peoples of Latin America
HIST 2514	Introduction to Latin America
HIST 2515	Civilization and Modernity in the Caribbean
HIST 3561	History of Brazil
HIST 3562	Contemporary Mexico
LAS 1001	Perspectives on Latin America
LAS 2361	Peoples of Latin America
SOC 2163	Area Studies: Latin American Development
POLS 2231	Comparative Political Systems in Latin America
Foreign Language
Fourth-semester proficiency in one foreign language		0-16 credits
Total Credit Hours		36-58

Global Security Concentration (6 courses)

The quest for security, and the seemingly endless recurrence of interstate war are fundamental features of an anarchical world of sovereign states. Historically, this led students of security to focus on state power, military strategy, geopolitics, diplomacy and conflict in the international arena. In the 21st century, interstate wars have been joined by both increasingly destructive civil wars within countries, and by international and global terrorism perpetrated by non-state actors. In this concentration, students will draw on disciplines as diverse as history, political science, anthropology, geography and criminal justice to understand the causes of war, the security strategies of states, and the rise of new and challenging security threats in the 21st century.

Course List
Code	Title	Credit Hours
Global Security Concentration Requirements
Select three of the following:		9
CJ 3405	Terrorism, Transnational Crime and Global Security
ENST 3055	Environmental Hazards and Disasters
HIST 2304	20th Century Europe: A Continent in Crisis
POLS 2311	Post-Cold War Security
Note: Courses taken for this requirement may not count as Global Security electives below.
Global Security Electives
Select three of the following:		9
ANTH 3337	Anthropology of War and Conflict
ANTH 3366	Violence: An Anthropological Approach
CJ 3403	Organized Crime
CJ 3405	Terrorism, Transnational Crime and Global Security
GUS 3055	Environmental Hazards and Disasters
GUS 3071	Health Geography
HIST 2217	Vietnam War
HIST 2304	20th Century Europe: A Continent in Crisis
HIST 2317	Central Europe Through Wars and Revolution, 1848-1989
HIST 2513	Cold War Africa
HIST 2702	Imperialism, Race, and Empire
HIST 2804	Peace, Conflict, and Social Change
HIST 2811	World War I
HIST 2812	World War II
HIST 2817	Gender, War, and Society
HIST 3228	America's Rise to Globalism
HIST 3229	Superpower America
HIST 3433	Blood and Iron: 19th Century European Diplomacy
HIST 3572	Modern Middle East
POLS 2301	Theories of War and Peace
POLS 2311	Post-Cold War Security
POLS 2321	Politics of the Global Economy
POLS 2331	International Organization
POLS 2341	U.S. Foreign Policy
POLS 3332	Globalization: Politics and Political Economy ¹

These courses require prerequisites beyond those covered in the Global Studies Foundation courses; students wishing to take these courses should plan accordingly.

Global Economy Concentration (6 courses)

Economic globalization is one of the defining features of the contemporary world. This concentration introduces students to fundamental features of the global economy from multiple disciplinary perspectives, including in the areas of trade, finance, and development. It studies the origins and consequences of globalization for development and growth, income and poverty, literacy and health, as well as political, demographic, environmental, and cultural changes. Students examine the evolution of cooperation among states in managing the global economy, and the role of history, politics, and technology in shaping international, national, and local relations.

Course List
Code	Title	Credit Hours
Global Economy Concentration Requirements
Select three of the following:		9
ECON 2061
ECON 3062	Economics of Global Poverty
GUS 2031	Geography of the Global Economy
SOC 3221	Global Development
Note: Courses taken for this requirement may not count as Global Economy electives below.
Global Economy Electives
Select three of the following:		9
ANTH 3327	Globalization and Localization
ECON 3547	Economics of Development and Growth
ECON 3563	International Trade
ECON 3564	International Monetary Economics
GUS 2032	Urban Systems in a Global Economy
GUS 2073	African Development
GUS 3021	International Urbanization
GUS 3073	Geography of Travel and Tourism
HIST 3811	World Economy Since 1945
POLS 2201	Comparative Politics: Developing Nations
POLS 2321	Politics of the Global Economy
POLS 3332	Globalization: Politics and Political Economy
SOC 3219	Understanding Globalization

Global Cultures Concentration (6 courses)

The Global Cultures concentration studies cultural formation, cultural change, and cultural interaction among peoples across the world. "Culture" is defined as learned systems of values, beliefs, and practices that bind a group of people together and give common meaning to their lived experiences. These groups can be local, regional, national or international; they are shaped by various structures of power and are continuously migrating. Students in the Global Cultures concentration will examine the interaction of global and local cultures and study aspects of cultural circulation, transaction, and mobility through courses in Literature, Film, Religion, History, Anthropology, and Sociology.

Course List
Code	Title	Credit Hours
Global Cultures Concentration Requirements
Select three of the following:		9
ANTH 3325	Political Anthropology
HIST 2702	Imperialism, Race, and Empire
HIST 2819	Global Connections
REL 1001	Religion and Society
Note: Courses taken for this requirement may not count as Global Cultures electives below.
Global Cultures Electives
Select three of the following:		9
AAAS 2201	African Civilization
AAAS 3215	Languages and Cultures of West Africa ¹
ANTH 3325	Political Anthropology
ANTH 3327	Globalization and Localization
ANTH 3331	Anthropology and Culture Change
ANTH 3333	The Anthropology of Tourism
ARBC 2012	Modern Arabic Literature in Translation
ARBC 2021	Contemporary Arab Society in Film (in Translation)
ASST 2001	Practical Asian Society and Culture
ASST 2107	Asian American Experiences
ASST 2367	South Asia: Peoples, Culture, Experiences
ENG 2512	The Modern Novel
ENG 2601	Introduction to Postcolonial Literatures
ENG 2712	International Film
ENG 3513	Modern World Fiction ¹
ENG 3522	Contemporary World Fiction in English ¹
ENG 3610	Topics in Postcolonial Literature ¹
ENG 3611	Postcolonial Theory
GUS 3001	Images of the City in Popular Culture
GUS 3307	Transportation & Culture
HIST 2513	Cold War Africa
HIST 2515	Civilization and Modernity in the Caribbean
HIST 2516	Modern Islamic History
HIST 2611	Third World Issues through Film
HIST 2702	Imperialism, Race, and Empire
HIST 2703	African Diaspora
HIST 2705	Anti-Semitism/Holocaust/Racism
HIST 2816	Gender, Class, Nation
HIST 2817	Gender, War, and Society
HIST 2818	American Icons
HIST 3431	Women's Lives in Modern Europe
HIST 3564	Caliban's World: Cultural Politics in the 20th Century Americas
HIST 3572	Modern Middle East
HIST 3711	The City in History
LAS 1001	Perspectives on Latin America
LAS 2101	Latin America through Film and Fiction
LAS 3602	Caribbean Literature and Culture
REL 1001	Religion and Society
REL 2001	Women in Religion and Society
REL 2101	Indian Philosophies and Religions
REL 2102	Introduction to Buddhism
REL 2596	What Is Christianity?
REL 2606	Introduction to Islam
REL 2702	Religion in Contemporary Africa
REL 3011	Monks, Masters, and Magicians: Religion in Premodern Chinese Literature
REL 3101	Yoga & Tantric Mysticism
PHIL 4278	Philosophy of Culture
SOC 3209	Immigrant America: Belonging and Integration
SOC 3221	Global Development

These courses require prerequisites beyond those covered in the Global Studies Foundation courses; students wishing to take these courses should plan accordingly.

Suggested Academic Plan