Global Studies

Bachelor of Arts 

Global Studies at Providence College offers a transdisciplinary exploration of globalization and its effects upon communities, environmental sustainability, and the dignity of all living things. By emphasizing collaborative learning, participatory research, community engagement, activism, and cross-cultural competency, the major cultivates global citizens who think intentionally and are equipped to respond to the challenges of a diverse, complex, and globalized world.

Faculty in Global Studies support students in developing critical consciousness so they can question historical and social positions, and view the world through a problem-posing lens. The Freirean-inspired pedagogical approach the major adopts invites faculty and students to think of systems of power and the large-scale socioeconomic and political implications that their actions have across national and international boundaries, to recognize that societies can be transformed, and to understand the kind of agency they can exercise to enact change.

The Global Studies curriculum requires initiative on the part of each student to think carefully about what they aspire to gain from their college experience and to develop a Learning Plan for achieving it. Majors are expected to document, curate, and reflect on their work throughout their careers in an electronic portfolio platform. The goal of the ePortfolio is to demonstrate progress made over the years on the main Global Studies pillars: i) global awareness; ii) cultural competency; iii) language proficiency, and; iv) civic engagement.

Introductory Courses:

1. GST 101 Introduction to Global Studies 3 credits-
      
2. GST 202 Globalization and Social Change 3 credits-
      
3. GST 290 Global Engagement 1 credit-
      
4. GST 303 Case Studies in Globalization 3 credits-
     

Foundation Courses: Students will be required to take four 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 courses required of all majors are:

1. PSC Approved Elective (International Focus)
2. ECN 102 Principles of Economics: Macro 3 credits-
     
3. PHL 301 Ethics, Moral Leadership, and the Common Good 3 credits-
     (preferred for Ethics Core)
4. THL 354 Church in Today’s World 3 credits-
     OR 
   THL 358 The Church and the Major World Religions 3 credits-
     OR 
   THL 376 Catholic Social Thought 3 credits-
     

Advanced Courses

Thematic Concentration:
Four (4) courses focused on global topics, region, language, and/or culture tailored around individual student interests and approved by student advisor and director. At least one (1) of these courses should be a GST designated course at 300-level or above from Providence College.

Language Component:
Two (2) courses at the advanced level (200 level or above) in the same language.

Study Abroad/Study Away:
It is critical for global studies students to deepen their understanding of cultural and global issues by participating in a study abroad/study away cultural immersion experience. Majors are thus required to study abroad/study away for a full academic year or a semester with an approved program through the Center for Global Education. Because of our commitment to engaged learning, an internship, service-learning course, and/or community-based action research project is an integral component of each of the approved Global Studies Recognized Study Abroad/Study Away Programs. Some students may apply to fulfill this requirement over the summer at an approved study abroad/study away program.

Upper-Level Global Studies Courses:

• Two (2) Upper-Level Global Studies Electives at the 300-level or above.
• Capstone Seminar and Senior Thesis:
  • GST 480 - Global Studies Capstone Seminar I
      and 
    GST 481 - Global Studies Capstone Seminar II
      is an interdisciplinary, two-semester course for global studies majors focused on synthesizing and deepening learning about global citizenship and globalization over the past three years. In the first semester, students will synthesize the work of earlier courses and develop an engaged research proposal, including a literature review. The second semester will be devoted to a collaborative engagement project.

Providence College is a member of the AICU consortium and students interested in languages not taught at the College can enroll in language courses in the associated institutions (https://global-education.providence.edu/ri-language-consortium/).