Global Studies

The Department of Global Studies offers a range of programs exploring globalization and cross-cultural connections. Students in the department pursue majors and minors in Global Studies, French, Italian, and Comparative Literature, developing international experiences and perspectives as well as advanced language skills that prepare them to build careers in a wide range of social and professional setting in the United States and abroad.

The Global Studies program offers students a unique blend of courses across disciplines, in preparation for a career abroad or within the U.S. that crosses borders and cultures. Majors choose one of five tracks for the interdisciplinary program, specializing in Global Communications, Global Health, Global Management, Global Security, or Global Sustainability. Each track emphasizes the acquisition of leadership, management, and communication skills with an in-depth understanding of a particular set of global issues.

French is the official language of twenty-nine countries and spoken by more than 300 million people around the globe, the second-most used official language after English. Students in the French program examine French language and culture in a global context. Majors and minors develop advanced linguistic competency while developing the cultural training necessary to work or travel in the Francophone world and explore culture and society in a language that is central to art, business, and international relations.

Italian is a beautiful language of global communication, business, technology, and the arts. More than 1,000 Italian companies operate in the United States and more than 7,000 American companies operate in Italy; countless artistic masterpieces have also been produced in Italian, so speaking and understanding Italian can be a valuable asset for both your career and for pleasure and enrichment. Majors and minors learn to speak, read, and write Italian while becoming familiar with Italy's cultural history and Italian influence across the globe.

Comparative Literature is the study of literature and other art forms across national and linguistic borders. Students of Comparative Literature not only explore and analyze writing across history and around the globe, but they develop a global and cross-cultural perspective on human expression and the critical thinking and interpretive skills necessary for the kind of intercultural and transnational work vital to the 21st century workplace.