Global. Local. Impact.
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.


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Department News
- Black Lives Matter: A Global Comparative Study wins GoAbroad Innovation AwardThe Global Studies Program and Study Abroad, along with UK study abroad partners CEA CAPA Education Abroad, have won the 2023 Innovative Study Abroad Program … Read more
- Robin Pickering-Iazzi on the Italian Radio HourOn May 4, Prof. Robin Pickering-Iazzi participated in a video interview about her published translation of the non-fiction novel Tina, Mafia Soldier on The Italian Radio … Read more
- 2023 UWM Phi Beta Kappa Honor SocietyCongratulations to all of the 2023 inductees to Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society from UWM, including those from the Department of Global Studies: Emma … Read more
- Global Studies alum makes her Milwaukee Film Festival debutCongratulations to Amanda Platt ('18, BA Global Studies), an actor in Earlybird, a film that debuted in April 2023 at the Milwaukee Film Festival. Read … Read more