Modern Languages and Cultures Department
Global Studies
Housed in the School of Liberal Arts, Global Studies is an interdisciplinary program intended to prepare students to live, work, and make sense of an increasingly interdependent and multicultural world. The program offers a Core Pathway, an academic minor, on-campus internships, and customized interdisciplinary advising to create a globally informed academic plan. The Global Studies Program also organizes the biannual "From the Field" Lecture series and works closely with the Center for Multicultural Affairs to support all global activities across the curriculum, on campus, and in the community.
Students with an interest in international studies, as well as in careers in business, communications, education, global health, environmental science, history, and politics are encouraged to consider the minor as a supplement to their major. Courses in the minor focus on the critical study of cultures and systems outside of the United States, as well as on the political, economic, social, and cultural interrelationships within the contemporary global system.
In addition to the required academic coursework and experience in world languages and cultures, the program actively encourages students to expand their global interests with a regional specialization in their Core and major courses, and with participation in the Marist International Club, Model UN Club, and in community or international organizations. Advanced students have the opportunity to give formal lectures on campus about their global projects or commitments and can link non-classroom international experiences with their chosen field of study.
The Global Studies program also works closely with the Department of Modern Languages to offer customized support for language study, with Marist Abroad to integrate new destinations, with the Office of Graduate School and Fellowships to prepare for post-graduation work in international fields and for Fulbright applications, and with the Center for Multicultural Affairs to engage the community of international students on campus.
Requirements for a Minor in Global Studies
Coursework
- GBST 103L - Introduction to Global Issues 3 credits
- Five qualifying electives chosen from at least three different disciplines (e.g. Business, Foreign Language, Political Science) 15 credits
Total Credits 18 credits
Other Requirements
- Foreign Language requirement: Students must demonstrate the equivalent of one year of successful college-level study in a foreign language. They can do this by either (i) taking two college-level foreign language courses at the elementary level, or one course at the intermediate level or above, which would count as electives for the minor, or (ii) getting approval by the Department of Modern Languages to waive the requirement by demonstrating the equivalent of one-year college-level study in a foreign language. Note: In Arabic, Chinese and Japanese, one semester at the Elementary level II will fulfill the requirement.
- An approved international experience: In this component of the minor, students must take part in an experiential project which is international in scope and will normally include foreign travel. The Marist Abroad experience is strongly recommended, but not required. Other options for the international experience requirement must be approved by the Program Coordinator. These may include independent work abroad with a humanitarian organization; study abroad during a leave of absence; or fluency in a culture other than North American from extended living abroad. Participation in the experience must be certified by appropriate documentation.