2024-2025 Academic Catalog
Global and Regional Studies
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The Global and Regional Studies (GRS) major is designed for students preparing for an increasingly global environment through the multidisciplinary study of global processes or a major world region. The course of study integrates several academic disciplines, language proficiency, cultural literacy, independent research, and residential experience abroad.
The GRS major is geared toward students who want to focus their major on international studies writ large instead of a single academic discipline. This interdisciplinary approach best facilitates the student’s gain in cultural literacy, language acquisition, and the ability to understand and analyze critically global and regional connections, processes, and development outcomes from multiple academic perspectives. The GRS major allows students to focus on a major region of the world (eg, Europe, Latin America, East Asia, etc), or broader themes and issues that cut across world regions.
Faculty Advisory Board
Helga Lénárt-Cheng, PhD, Professor of World Languages and Cultures (French and German), Director
Ronald Ahnen, PhD, Professor of Politics
Zeynep Atalay, PhD, Associate Professor of Sociology
Jennifer D. Heung, PhD, Professor of Anthropology
María Luisa Ruiz, PhD, Professor of World Languages and Cultures (Spanish), Director, Institute for Latino and Latin American Studies
E. Elena Songster, PhD, Professor of History
Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the Global and Regional Studies Program will demonstrate:
- DEFINE their place as citizens in global society.
- UNDERSTAND the political, economic, and cultural interconnectedness that constitutes our world today.
- ANALYZE specific social aspects of a geographical region employing in a competent and creative way the appropriate conceptual and theoretical tools of the following disciplines: anthropology, economics, history, literature and art, and politics.
- INVESTIGATE the increasing interdependent nature and complexity of cultural, economic, environmental, political, and social processes that constitute the global experience, and to examine those processes from a global justice perspective.
Career Opportunities
Graduates will be in a position to work for the ever- growing number of international agencies, organizations and businesses. Increasingly, language proficiency and overseas experience are requirements for jobs. Employers seek persons experienced and qualified to function in another language and culture.
Other students go on to graduate school in international business, international studies, or in their minor field. Most major universities have graduate international or area studies programs that offer a natural next step for students interested in further developing their expertise.
Beyond career advancement, many students will find that the immersion in another culture expands their understanding of the human experience and permanently enriches their lives.
Major Requirements
Major Selection
The GRS majors can be divided into two categories: Global Studies or Regional Studies. Students who choose the Regional studies majors must select a specific region of the world in which they have a particular interest and wish to focus their studies. Four choices are available: East Asia, Europe, Latin America, or student defined (eg, North Africa, Middle East, etc). Student-defined regions must receive approval from the Director of Global and Regional Studies. Regional Studies students must complete the requirements of a minor area of study chosen from Anthropology, Economics, History, World Languages and Cultures, or Politics.
Language
Students in all majors must complete the equivalent of level three proficiency in a foreign language.
Study Abroad
Study abroad is a vital component of the GRS major and provides students with an important experience that allows them to understand more directly the cultural complexities and lived experiences of their region of study. Regional studies majors are strongly encouraged to spend a minimum of one semester studying abroad in their selected region during their junior year in a country that corresponds with their foreign language study. Global studies students are also strongly encouraged to study abroad for a semester in any region of their interest, or may opt for a semester-long internship with an international focus.
Minimum GPA
Students must be mindful of meeting the minimum GPA requirements of the study abroad program of their choice, which range from 2.8 to 3.5.
Global and Reginal Studies SSTE Credential Pathway
This major has an integrated Single Subject Teacher Education (SSTE) pathway to prepare future middle and high school classroom teachers. The integrated program of study enables students to graduate with their BAs and a CA teaching credential in 4 years. See Teacher Education - Major Emphasis/SSTE Pathways for detailed information on credential courses.
ProgramsBachelor of ArtsCoursesGlobal and Regional Studies - Lower DivisionGlobal and Regional Studies - Upper Division
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