Global Studies in Humanities

Bachelor of Arts 

Students interested in worldwide societies and cultures, international markets, and governments will find in the global studies major leading to a bachelor of arts degree an inspiring course of study for exploring and understanding our multifaceted and rapidly changing world.

The global studies major offers students an interdisciplinary global perspective on social, economic, and political issues, and prepares them to become responsible citizens, critical thinkers, and sensitive individuals with an ability to resist personal and social prejudice.

The global studies major draws on concepts from disciplines across the humanities, political science, and economics to allow students to learn more about how societies around the world are converging and challenging geographic and political frontiers, while at the same time celebrating individuality. The program examines the interconnectedness among individuals, communities, governments, and organizations across the world, and offers students theoretical and applied frameworks to understand the pillars of a globalized planet.

Required Courses

Introductory Course: GST 101 Introduction to Global Studies is required for all majors. The course will expose students to key issues of globalization through the use of a critical-thinking learning approach.

Foundation Courses:

Students will be required to take five foundation courses providing them with a basic understanding of global religions, business, and politics as well as the responsibilities of leadership in a global community. The five courses required of all majors are:

1. PSC 101 - Politics  (Social Science Core) 
2. PSC 205 - Comparative Politics  (Social Science Core)
   OR
   PSC 207 - International Relations  (Social Science Core)
3. MGT 360 - International Business 
4. PHL 301 - Ethics, Moral Leadership, and the Common Good 
5. THL 354 - Church in Today’s World 
   OR
   THL 358 - The Church and the Major World Religions 
   OR
   THL 376 - Catholic Social Thought 

Global Studies Concentrations:

Students will select a concentration within the Global Studies Program from one of the following interdisciplinary areas:

1. Global Studies in the Humanities
2. Global Studies in Business and Economics

The Global Studies major in the humanities requires four (4) concentration courses relevant to one of the following areas: Africa, Asia, Europe, or Latin America, and six (6) Global Studies humanities elective courses drawn from a variety of academic disciplines and designated by the director. Please visit www.providence.edu/Global+Studies for further information.

Language component:

Living in a global community calls for an appreciation and understanding of foreign languages and cultures. Thus:

1. Students will demonstrate language proficiency by successful completion of two courses at the advanced level. Students may have to take more courses if their proficiency in arriving at the college does not permit them to take advanced courses immediately. An early determination of proficiency is thus vital to the major.
   
   Courses taken in a less commonly taught language, such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Swahili, at the beginning and/or intermediate levels would be applied toward the Global Studies humanities concentration requirements for up to six credits. It is important to note, however, this does not change the language proficiency requirement for the major.
2. Language study includes the study of related cultures. Therefore, the language component of the Global Studies Program is a vital link to the study of culture, which in turn is emphasized in all concentrations.

International Experience:

To learn effectively about global issues and to foster international cooperation, the major requires a structured international experience—semester, summer or year-long study abroad, international internships, or service-learning immersion programs. Unaffiliated tourism or travel is not acceptable.

Capstone Seminar and Senior Thesis:

The goal of the two-semester sequence Capstone Seminar and Senior Thesis is to bring all students back together after their diverse experiences and deepen what they have learned during the previous three years. In the first semester, students will synthesize the work of earlier courses and develop a research proposal, including a literature review. The second semester will be devoted to writing the senior thesis.

For more information, please refer to www.providence.edu/Global+Studies.