Global Studies | College of Humanities and Social Sciences

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The global studies degree program at Webster puts the world at your fingertips. With this major, you can personalize your degree with a regional and a thematic concentration, learn a foreign language, and explore another part of the globe through study abroad — all within a four-year undergraduate program. The broad scope of coursework instills a deep understanding of contemporary global issues.

You'll receive language instruction from expert faculty from the Department of International Languages and Cultures, including many native speakers. Classes are small and discussion-oriented. You will benefit from mentoring while being part of a close-knit group of students and instructors.

Global Opportunities

Globally connected, locally committed.

Webster is a strong global network of passionate faculty, staff, students and alumni who forge powerful bonds with each other and within communities around the world. As a truly international university, we provide uniquely global experiences to prepare for local and global leadership.

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Get an American-style degree with unforgettable international experiences.

Find opportunities to explore the world while you earn your degree in the U.S.

Details of Webster's Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies program

The 37 credit hours required for the global studies major include the following:

ISTL 1000 Introduction to Global Studies (3 hours)
ANSO 1095 Introduction to Geography: World and Regional (3 hours)
ISTL 2150 Global Exposures: Study Abroad and Global Engagement (1-3 hours)
HRTS 2800 Methods of Inquiry (3 hours)
or ANSO 2850 Introduction to Research Methods (3 hours)
or ENGL 1900 Introductory Seminar in Literary Analysis (3 hours)
or HIST 2090 Encounters with History (3 hours)
or POLT 2600 Research Methods and Approaches in Political Science (3 hours)
ANSO 4175 Globalization (3 hours)
ISTL 4500 Capstone Seminar in Global Studies (3 hours)
19-21 credit hours in a thematic concentration (at least 12 hours above the 3000-level)

Thematic Concentration

For the thematic concentration, students may choose from the following:

This concentration examines the global dynamics of power and politics through the transnational mobility of people and things, especially as part of international development. It focuses on understanding how developmental processes shape, and are shaped by, the circulation of people, ideas, practices, capital and institutions, recognizing that borders are at best, artificial and fluid, rather than fixed and permanent.

ANSO 1050 Global Social Problems (3 hours)
ANSO 3340 NGOs in a Global Arena (3 hours)
ANSO 2460 Good Intentions: Aid and Development (3 hours)
ECON 3720 International Trade and Finance (3 hours)
EDUC 4250 Economics and Geography for Global Sustainability (3 hours)
MNGT 4330 International Marketing (3 hours)
MNGT 4100 International Management (3 hours)
HIST 1000 World Systems since 1500 (3 hours)
HRTS 1100 Introduction to Human Rights (3 hours)
HRTS 2500 Current Problems in Human Rights (3 hours)
HRTS 3500 International Human Rights Law (3 hours)
HRTS 3590 Theories of Human Rights (3 hours)
INTL 2030 International Law (3 hours)
INTL 3700 International Organizations: Structure and Political Conflict (3 hours)
INTL 3800 International Security (3 hours)
ISTL 1550 Topics in Global Studies (3 hours)
ISTL 2550 Topics in Global Studies (3 hours)
ISTL 3550 Advanced Topics in Global Studies (3 hours)
ISTL 4550 Topics Seminar in Global Studies (3 hours)
LEGL 2080 Topics in Law: International Human Rights Law (3 hours)
PHIL 3340 Global Ethics (3 hours)
PHIL 3400 Human Rights and the Environment (3 hours)
POLT 1080 Introduction to Comparative Politics (3 hours)
POLT 3400 Comparative Politics (subtitled Refugee and Migration) (3 hours)
PSYC 2850 Peace Psychology (3 hours)
PSYC 3275 Genocide (3 hours)

This concentration offers a deeper understanding of and appreciation for the dynamic and shifting ways in which social and cultural identities are forged around the world. The global migration of peoples everywhere demands new ways of thinking about ourselves, as individuals and as part of greater collectivities, that are no longer bound to a people or place, but rather inspire new cultural practices, social interactions, communication and language, arts and literature, and spirituality. This concentration examines how globalization has affected socio-cultural identities and practices across an ever-increasing diasporic world.

AFCS 1000 Introduction to Africana Studies (3 hours)
AFCS 2500 African Diaspora Experiences (3 hours)
ANSO 1060 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (3 hours)
ANSO 2200 Peoples and Cultures (3 hours)
ANSO 2530 World Musics (3 hours)
ANSO 2790 Asians in America (3 hours)
ANSO 3130 Race and Ethnicity (3 hours)
ANSO 4300 Global Sex, Gender and Sexuality (3 hours)
ARHS 2210 Intercultural History of Art (3 hours)
ENGL 2600 Introduction to Linguistics (3 hours)
FREN 3150 French Civilization (3 hours)
GRMN 3150 Culture and Civilization of German-Speaking Countries (3 hours)
HIST 2240 Contemporary Europe: 1945-Present (3 hours)
HIST 4200 Advanced Studies in European History (3 hours)
HIST 4400 Advanced Studies in Non-Western History (3 hours)
ILC 1000 The Power of Languages (3 hours)
ILC 2150 Topics in Culture(s) (3 hours)
ILC 2250 Food, Language and Identity (3 hours)
INTL 3200 Comparative Politics: Western Europe and the United States (3 hours)
ISTL 1550 Topics in Global Studies (3 hours)
ISTL 2550 Topics in Global Studies (3 hours)
ISTL 3550 Advanced Topics in Global Studies (3 hours)
ISTL 4550 Topics Seminar in Global Studies (3 hours)
PHIL 1200 The Meaning of Life (3 hours)
PHIL 2520 Philosophic Classics: Early Modern Europe (3 hours)
RELG 1060 World Religions (3 hours)
RELG 1080 Thinking Through Religions (3 hours)
RELG 2070 Introduction to Eastern Religions (3 hours)
RELG 2080 Introduction to Western Religions (3 hours)
SPAN 3150 Culture and Civilization of the Spanish Speaking World: Latin America (3 hours)
WGST 1010 Women, Gender and Sexuality around the World (3 hours)

For a self-directed study whereby students may design their own thematic concentration:

This concentration allows students to develop their own individualized course of study around a particular topic and/or issue of interest to them, in close collaboration with their advisor. This individualized study must meet the learning outcomes for the major and is subject to the approval of the advisor and of the GLCS department. For this option, students must submit an application form describing the rationale for this concentration, a detailed program/plan of study including the list of courses to be taken, and how these courses meet the particular theme chosen. This individualized study must be approved by the student's junior year in order to ensure all the requirements for the major can be fulfilled in a timely manner.

*All courses coded with ISTL automatically can be used to fulfill any of the above concentrations, even if they are not specifically listed under a thematic concentration.

This 18-credit hour minor in Multicultural Studies provides a complement to a student’s overall educational experience by encompassing a wide range of perspectives on the cultural experience in the United States. By exploring the varying identities and communities that form the United States, students will gain a better understanding of both other cultures and their own. Coursework in multicultural studies will provide students with the background and tools necessary for effective and responsible citizenship in our multicultural society.

Learning Outcomes

Describe the diversity of people who make up the United States, focusing particularly on the dynamics, problems and rewards resulting from interactions among diverse groups.
Evaluate the impact of categories of identity (gender, sexuality, nationality, race, ethnicity, ability, etc.) have on both individual attitudes and the social systems of the U.S., including institutional prejudice and other social problems.
Demonstrate increased intercultural competence skills, including both cultural self awareness and awareness of the complexity of elements important to members of other groups within the United States.

Required Courses

MULC 1100 Introduction to Multicultural Studies (3 hours)
MULC 4900 Independent Research Project (3 hours)

12 credit hours from the following qualifying courses (6 or more must be at or above 3000-level):

MULC 2000 Topics in Multicultural Studies (3 hours)
MULC 4650 Seminar in Multicultural Studies (3 hours)
ANSO 1000 Introduction to Sociology (3 hours
ANSO 1050 Global Social Problems (3 hours)
ANSO 1060 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (3 hours)
ANSO 1085 Human Origins (3 hours)
ANSO 2060 Culture and Communication (3 hours)
ANSO 2220 People and Cultures (with appropriate subtitle) (3 hours)
ANSO 2070 Introduction to Sex, Gender and Sexuality (3 hours)
or PSYC 2475 Topics in Sex and Gender (3 hours)
ANSO 2300 Social Movements (3 hours)
ANSO 3130 Race and Ethnicity (3 hours)
ANSO 4250 Class, Status and Power (3 hours)
ANSO 4300 Global Sex, Gender and Sexuality (3 hours)
ARHS 2400 Indigenous Arts of the World (3 hours)
EDUC 2900 The Education of Students with Exceptionalities (3 hours)
EDUC 3140 Introduction to Global Education (3 hours)
EDUC 3150 Education in a Diverse Society (3 hours)
ENGL 1060 Protest Literature (3 hours)
ENGL 2086 U.S. Literature of Diversity (3 hours)
HIST 1500 American Studies: Native Americans (3 hours)
HIST 2320 African-American History (3 hours)
HIST 3060 History Roundtable: The Life and Legacy of Malcolm X (3 hours)
MDST 2800 Media, Diversity and Society (3 hours)
MUSC 3170 Jazz History I (3 hours)
MUSC 3180 Jazz History II (3 hours)
PHIL 2540 American Transcendentalism Pragmatism(3 hours)
PHIL 3370 Feminist Philosophy (3 hours)
POLT 2070 Politics of Race and Ethnicity (3 hours)
PSYC 3650 Prejudice and Discrimination (3 hours)
RELG 1060 World Religions (3 hours)
RELG 2420 Religion and Culture (3 hours)
RELG 2500 Gender, Culture, and Religion (3 hours)
WGST 1010 Women, Gender, and Sexuality Around the World (3 hours)

The multicultural studies program offers a 21-credit hour certificate titled Diversity and Identity in the U.S., which provides students from all academic backgrounds the opportunity to identify multicultural studies as a particular area of interest. Students will gain a solid foundation in issues of diversity and identity across the many subcultures of the United States as well as in their particular area of interest with the discipline. Students will complete six credits hours of coursework that broadly explores multicultural issues and six credit hours of courses that address more specific topics in the field. Finally, students will present a self-selected project to the Multicultural Studies Committee. Classes taken as part of a student’s undergraduate major may be used toward completion of the certificate.

Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate understanding of the social-cultural formation of categories of identity in the U.S.
Compare and contrast the experiences and challenges of different categories of people in the U.S.
Explain how different categories of people have struggled to improve their political and economic circumstances and empower their communities.

Requirements

The 21 credit hours required for this certificate include the following courses:

Core Courses (6 hours and a research project)

MULC 1100 Introduction to Multicultural Studies (3 hours)
MULC 4650 Seminar in Multicultural Studies (3 hours)
MULC 4900 Independent Research Project (0 hours)

Category One: Broad Study in Multiculturalism (6 credit hours)

ANSO 3130 Race and Ethnicity (3 hours)
ANSO 4250 Class, Status and Power (3 hours)
EDUC 3150 Education in a Diverse Society (3 hours)
ENGL 2086 U.S. Literature of Diversity (3 hours)
MDST 2800 Media, Diversity and Society (3 hours)
POLT 2070 Politics of Race and Ethnicity (3 hours)
PSYC 3650 Prejudice and Discrimination (3 hours)
RELG 2420 Religion and Culture (3 hours)

Category Two: Analysis of Particular Subcultures (6 credit hours)

ANSO 2200 Peoples and Cultures (with appropriate subtitle) (3 hours)
ANSO 4300 Global Sex, Gender and Sexuality (3 hours)
EDUC 2900 The Education of Students with Exceptionalities (3 hours)
HIST 2320 African American History (3 hours)
HIST 3060 History Roundtable: The Life and Legacy of Malcolm X (3 hours)
MUSC 3170 Jazz History I (3 hours)
MUSC 3180 Jazz History II (3 hours)
PHIL 3370 Feminist Philosophy (3 hours)
RELG 2500 Gender, Culture, and Religion (3 hours)
WGST 1010 Women, Gender, and Sexuality Around the World (3 hours)

Earn a Degree, Explore the World

Understanding how cultures and customs are integrated into business, politics and society creates a great foundation for many professionals and students. Choose from locations on three continents, including Geneva, Switzerland; Athens, Greece; Accra, Ghana; and Tashkent, Uzbekistan.