Global Studies - Major

For information, contact Professor John Cigliano, Professor Chris Duelfer, or Professor Allen Richardson

Global Studies is an inter-disciplinary major based in the social sciences. The major informs students about the nature of globalization and the modern world system from a political, economic, religious, and cultural point of view.

The intellectual and applied objectives of the Global Studies major are to promote global competence and global engagement in the sense of transnational understanding, communication and action. The major arises in response to major historic changes in the world – the rise and decline of nation states in the 19th and 20th centuries and the emergence of a modern world system in the 21st century. This major is not only helpful for general education, but can prepare students for graduate programs, as well as careers in government, international health, environmental, or development agencies, NGO’s, tourism agencies, or international business.

Program Description

Global Studies consists of a core of courses in several disciplines. Language facility is required to an intermediate level (two consecutive courses), and study abroad is encouraged. Following completion of the core, students take a minimum of six courses in one of three concentration areas: I. Religion, Culture & Society; II. International Business and Economics; III. Global Stewardship. The program is integrated with the new Living-Learning Community called Global Social Justice.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Global Studies major is to provide students with the ability to explain the major concepts and ideas in the interdisciplinary field of Global Studies: the history of globalization, world geography, global capitalism, the nation state, and the cultural, religious, environmental, and political dimensions of globalization. Students majoring in Global Studies will acquire a framework for analyzing the forces, agents, and effects of globalization, and be prepared to engage an increasingly interdependent world.

The program will prepare students for graduate programs, as well as for careers in government; international business; NGO’s; and international health, environmental, tourism, or development agencies.

Required Core Courses (24 credits)

GST 100 The Globalizing World 3 credits
6 credits of the same language
ECO 222 Economic Geography 3 credits
REL 100 Introduction to Religion and Culture 3 credits
ANT 100 Cultural Anthropology 3 credits
GST 333 Capstone thesis

Choose one of the following:
PSC 206 Topics in Comparative Politics - 3 credits
PSC 211 The New Global Economy - 3 credits
PSC 250 Political –“isms”- 3 credits
Strongly recommended: HIS 211, 224, 270, or 278
HLT 103 Introduction to Global Health

Study Abroad/Internship (1 to 12 credits)

Students are strongly encouraged to do a Study Abroad semester or experience. Credits vary according to the kind of Study Abroad, from a short trip to a semester experience. Contact a Global Studies Program Director or the Director of Global Initiatives and International Programs for more information.

As an alternative to Study Abroad, students are encouraged to do a 3 to 12 credit internship with an international business or NGO. Contact a Global Studies Program Director or the Director of Career Planning for more information.

Program Requirements

GST 100 and GST 333 must be taken at Cedar Crest.

A minimum of 10 courses (30 credits) must be taken at Cedar Crest to fulfill the Global Studies major unless faculty approval is given for additional transfer credit.

All courses within the major must be passed with a grade of C- or better. A minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.00 and a minimum average in the major of 2.00 must be achieved.

All students must complete the required core courses and a minimum of six courses from one of the concentrations.

Three Concentration Areas:

Choose one area of concentration.

Concentration I: Religion, Culture, and Society

These courses largely stress the cultural, social, and religious aspects of globalization. Minimum of 6 courses, 18 credits

Choose courses from:
Religious Studies:
REL 101 Ancient Egyptian Religion 3 credits
REL 120 Religions of South & East Asia 3 credits
REL 220 Death and Dying 3 credits
REL 225 Buddhism in America 3 credits
REL 226 Hinduism in America 3 credits
REL 227 Islam in America 3 credits

Social Work/Sociology/Psych:
SOC 222 Social Justice: A Global Perspective 3 credits
SOC 245 Intro to Peace Studies 3 credits
SWK 300 Community Organizing 3 credits
PSY 335 Cross-cultural Psychology 3 credits

English/Philosophy/Spanish:
ENG 205 Survey of World Literature I 3 credits
ENG 145 Topics in World Literature 3 credits
PHI 105 World Philosophies 3 credits
SPA 311 Hispanic Culture and Civilization - 3 credits
SPA 315 Topics in Hispanic Literature and Culture 3 credits

Concentration II: International Business and Economics

The courses of this area combine international business and international economics. The business courses cover global business structure, theories of trade and investment, international marketing strategies and policies. The economics courses explore the theory, policy, and markets for international trade and finance.

Minimum of 6 courses, 18 credits

Choose courses from:
ECO 101 Principles of Economics: Macro 3 credits
ECO 102 Principles of Economics: Micro 3 credits
ECO 315 International Economics 3 credits
ECO 333 Economic Sociology 3 credits
BUA 240 International Business 3 credits
MRK 336 Global Marketing 3 credits

Concentration III: Global Stewardship

These courses address environmental issues, ecology, and conservation. Students explore marine ecology, biodiversity, environmental science, as well as the role of disease.

Minimum of 6 courses, 18 credits

Choose courses from:
BIO 111 Concepts in Ecology and Environmental Issues 4 credits
BIO 228 Marine Ecology 3 or 4 credits
BIO 261 Amazon Basin: Natural History, Culture, and Conservation 3 credits
BIO 301 Ecology and Natural History of the American Southwest 3 credits
BIO 309 Conservation Biology and GIS 3 or 4 credits
BIO 315 Case Studies in Biodiversity and Conservation Biology 2-3 credits
CHE 320 Environmental Chemistry 4 credits
SOC/SWK 271 Sociology: Contemporary Environmental Issues 3 credits
LLC 200 Social Justice: A Global Perspective 3 credits
LLC 201/201 Environmental Stewardship Seminar I and II 3 credits

College-wide Requirements

Students fulfill the Technology and Information Literacy requirements with the satisfactory completion (C or better) of GST 333.

Students fulfill the Oral Presentation requirement with the satisfactory completion (C or better) of COM 100, COM 278, or THS 105.

Global Studies Student Learning Outcomes

Major:

1. Demonstrate understanding of the historical, religious, social, cultural, or economic systems involved in globalization.
2. Show geographical literacy and demonstrate knowledge of theoretical approaches to the study of globalization including the role of the nation state, capitalism, and Development Theory.
3. Demonstrate an ability to think critically about the dynamics of transplanted religions and cultures.

Concentrations:

Culture, society, and religion concentration:

1. Explain the dynamics of people flow, immigration, and transnational forms of religion.

International business and economics concentration:

1. Explain the causes and effects of international trade and investment, policies used to influence international trade and investment, and the use of foreign exchange markets for international business activity and government policy.

Global stewardship concentration:

Describe the global pattern of biodiversity and discuss how biodiversity is threatened by anthropogenic factors, including global climate change.