Global Studies
Understanding global issues across cultures, economies, and politics.
Global studies examines global issues, migration, trade, development, human rights, through an interdisciplinary lens combining political science, economics, sociology, and area studies. Unlike international relations, which focuses more on states and diplomacy, global studies often centers on transnational forces and lived experience across cultures.
Most programs require regional specialization and a foreign language, along with study abroad, since understanding global issues is treated as inseparable from direct cultural and linguistic engagement.
Typical courses you might take
- ✓Introduction to Global Studies
- ✓Global Political Economy
- ✓Global Migration & Development
- ✓Regional Studies Concentration
- ✓Foreign Language (required)
- ✓Global Ethics & Human Rights
- ✓Research Methods
- ✓Study Abroad / Senior Capstone
Sample four-year plan
Illustrative, not a registration planOne possible way these courses could be sequenced alongside general education and elective credit. Real programs vary in order, pacing, and prerequisites by school, use this to get a rough sense of the arc, not to plan actual registration.
- ✓Introduction to Global Studies
- +General education requirement
- ✓Global Political Economy
- +General education requirement
- ✓Global Migration & Development
- +General education requirement
- ✓Regional Studies Concentration
- +Free elective
- ✓Foreign Language (required)
- +Free elective
- ✓Global Ethics & Human Rights
- +Elective in the major (or minor coursework)
- ✓Research Methods
- +Elective in the major (or minor coursework)
- ✓Study Abroad / Senior Capstone
- +Capstone, thesis, or culminating project (common in many programs)
Skills you'll build
This major might be a good fit if you...
- ★Curious about global issues beyond a single country's politics
- ★Interested in culture, language, and lived experience abroad
- ★Comfortable with interdisciplinary, less narrowly defined study
- ★Considering international NGOs, development, or global careers
Common minors & double-major pairings
Foreign Language · Economics · Anthropology
Frequently asked questions
What is a Global Studies major?
Understanding global issues across cultures, economies, and politics.
What courses do Global Studies majors take?
Typical coursework includes classes like Introduction to Global Studies, Global Political Economy, Global Migration & Development, among others, see the full course list above for this major's typical lineup.
What skills do you build in a Global Studies program?
Global Studies coursework typically builds skills like Cross-cultural and comparative analysis, Understanding global economic and political systems, Foreign language proficiency, Research and analytical writing.
Is Global Studies a good major for me?
It tends to be a good fit if signals like "Curious about global issues beyond a single country's politics" or "Interested in culture, language, and lived experience abroad" describe you. See the full "good fit if you..." list above for more.
What other majors pair well with Global Studies?
Common minor or double-major pairings include Foreign Language, Economics, Anthropology.
How is Global Studies different from International Relations?
They're related but distinct. Global Studies: Understanding global issues across cultures, economies, and politics. International Relations: How countries, institutions, and global forces interact. Use the compare tool to see courses and skills side by side.
How long does it take to earn a Global Studies degree?
Most bachelor's degrees, including this one, are designed to be completed in about four years of full-time study. Exact timing depends on your school, course load, transfer credit, and any changes of major along the way.
Printed from majoratlas.com/majors/global-studies