BA in Global Studies

Why pursue a global studies degree program at North Central College?

Your global studies major or minor will equip you to have an impact on the world scene. As a global studies student, you’ll acquire the knowledge, perspective, experiential learning, and research skills from your degree program you need to tackle issues from a global perspective, thanks to courses ranging from political science, economics, business, and history. You’ll master your choice of modern languages and study abroad for a term or more. When international study experience is required, you’ll be ready. Students pursuing a bachelor's degree in global studies will engage in thinking critically about global issues that matter most to people and themselves.

A student with a global studies major at North Central can also:

• Take core and advanced electives within the bachelor's degree program’s three thematic areas: global power and security, culture and globalization, and markets and development.
• Engage with international study students from all over the world at the National Model United Nations conference in New York.
• Visit with guest speakers on campus like consuls general from the People’s Republic of China, South Africa, and India.
• Join the International Club, Asian Student Konnection, Korean Club, Japan Club, Chinese Club, Ecce, German Club, Le Cercle Français, Fusion Española or Raza Unida.

North Central College's global studies program operates on the premise that participation in a globalized world demands an understanding of the various issues that confront all the earth's citizens. In order to achieve this objective, the global studies program brings together courses from a variety of disciplines so that students come to understand the diversity of our world, the problems that face us, and the possible solutions from which we can choose. Students who major in global studies accept the idea that boundaries, both physical and intellectual, must be crossed. Upon completion of this major, graduates are prepared to serve in the public, private, and non-profit sectors, whether at the international or national level, in the world of business, or in the world of global politics.

Major Requirements

Core Courses

Global Power and Security

• POLS 102 - Introduction to International Relations

Culture and Globalization

• HIST 150 - Global History and Geography

Markets and Development

• SBEN 100 - Globalization and Society

Research Methods

One of the following:

• BUSN 265 - Business and Economics Statistics
• HIST 200 - Historical Methods
• POLS 200 - Scope and Practice of Political Science
• SOCI 200 - Social Inquiry I: Quantitative

Study Abroad

Twelve credits through an approved study abroad program

Language Requirement

College-level proficiency in a language through 102.

Advanced Electives

Twelve credit hours, with one course from each area and at least two courses at or above the 300-level.

Global Power and Security

• GLST 366 - Global Power and the British Empire
• HIST 267 - Twentieth-Century East Asia: Industry, Empire and War
• HIST 285 - Twentieth-Century Europe: Hitler Versus Stalin
• HIST 385 - World Wars of the 20th Century
• LEAD 350 - Ethnic and Religious Conflict Resolution
• POLS 222 - American Foreign Policy
• POLS 300 - Great Decisions in International Politics
• POLS 333 - International Law

Culture and Globalization

• ANTH 325 - Indigenous Peoples, State, and Order
• BUSN 301 - Leading in a Global World
• COMM 317 - Intercultural Communication
• HIST 265 - Japanese History
• HIST 270 - India Since 1750
• HIST 330 - East Asian Thought
• PHIL 225 - Environmental Ethics
• PSYC 310 - Cultural Psychology

Markets and Development

• BUSN 201 - Global Business, Ethics, and Politics
• ECON 240 - Introduction to Environmental Economics
• ECON 340 - International Economics
• ECON 375 - International Political Economy
• ECON 380 - Economic Development
• HIST 260 - Chinese History
• HIST 370 - Asia's Rapid Industrialization
• POLS 221 - Comparative Politics

Note:

*ECON 375 and ECON 380 need to both be taken to meet the Markets and Development elective requirement as both courses are two credit hours each.

Capstone Seminar

GLST 492 - Seminar in Global Studies

Additional Requirements for the BA Degree

Students must demonstrate elementary competence in a foreign language.

A North Central education integrates career preparation with rich academic study. Our faculty encourages you to refine and apply your knowledge in an interconnected world. Here you'll learn to think independently and work internationally to solve global challenges and lead.

Internships

• Coleman Group, consulting firm, Chicago
• Non-government organizations (NGOs)
• International business
• Service and ministry work
• Government
• International relations
• Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme

Careers

Career opportunities in global studies include:

• International businesses
• Non-profit organizations
• Non-governmental organizations
• Global health
• Global marketing agencies
• Human justice organizations
• International governing agencies
• Mass communication
• Travel and tourism
• U.S. government offices and agencies