Global and International Studies Program

Global and international studies offers a broad, integrative approach to the study of global and international issues, supported by the methods and theories of different disciplines, by language study and through regional expertise. It houses a family of interdisciplinary programs devoted to the study of global and international issues and major regions and cultures of the world. These programs include a broad, interdisciplinary major and several interdisciplinary minors. Course offerings for these programs are primarily in the College of Arts and Sciences, although other colleges may provide appropriate courses.

In addition to an interdisciplinary structure, the global and international studies major is designed to maximize opportunities for foreign study and academic experiences outside the United States. Extensive foreign language study is required in the major; and, although the minors can be completed without foreign language courses, most students include some in their programs, as appropriate. With advisor approval, courses taken at colleges and universities through study abroad, either in English or in other languages, may be used to complete program requirements.

Students completing this major often seek employment in international business, government service or work with international or relief organizations. Many students seek a second major with a language focus.

Course listings for international and area programs are very extensive and may be found on the Web at our website or at www.wmich.edu/international/academics or in printed materials available from advisors. All course work in international and area studies programs must carry a grade of “C” or better.

Global and International Studies Major (42 hours)

Laura Hastings, Interim Director, Global and International Studies Program
(269) 387-5690

This program is designed to provide a broad but integrative approach to the study of global and international issues, supported by the methods and theories of several disciplines. The major requires a minimum of 42 hours, of which at least 24 hours must be in course work at the 3000-level or above. In addition, the major must include course selections from at least four different departments or course prefixes. The Senior Capstone Seminar in Global and International Studies (INTL 4900) satisfies the University’s baccalaureate-level writing requirement:

INTL 4900 - Senior Capstone Seminar in Global and International Studies Credits: 3 hours

Required Courses

INTL 2000 - Introduction to Global and International Studies Credits: 3 hours
INTL 4900 - Senior Capstone Seminar in Global and International Studies Credits: 3 hours

Courses from Participating Departments

Course selection must include a disciplinary focus consisting of four courses from one of the following departments with at least half of the course work at the 3000-level or above; in some circumstances courses from these departments not on the approved list but required for access to advanced courses may also be counted:

Anthropology
Communications
Comparative Religion
Economics
Geography
History
Political Science
Sociology

Course selection

With prior approval, courses from departments not on the above list may be approved for “core” emphasis. Course selection must lead to a regional, comparative, or foreign language option emphasis for each student’s major or minor in global studies.

Regional Option

The regional option consists of at least three courses dealing exclusively or substantially with one of the following:

Asia-General
Asia-Japan
Asia-China
Asia-Middle East/Islamic
Africa
Europe-General/comparative
Western Europe
Russia/Eastern Europe
Latin America

Comparative Option

The comparative option consists of four advisor-approved courses extending the comparative and cross-cultural nature of the program. It may include thematic, theoretical, and area studies courses. The course work must be drawn from at least three different departments/prefixes.

Foreign Language Option

The foreign language option permits the exploration of comparative and cross-cultural issues through the study of a second foreign language in addition to the required foreign language component in the program. Up to four courses in a second foreign language beyond the 1000-level may be incorporated into the major.

Foreign Language Cognate Requirement

Proficiency in a second language is a key goal. The program requires at least two courses beyond the 2010-level in a single language other than the student’s native language and appropriate to the chosen regional focus. Intermediate proficiency is required if the chosen language is not offered at WMU beyond the 2000-2010 level. Some advanced courses in foreign languages may be included in a regional focus within the major as listed. Students whose native languages are other than English should consult the program advisor on fulfillment of the cognate requirement.

No minor is required for students choosing the major, although development of a foreign language minor is strongly recommended. Credits for the Foreign Language Cognate Requirement apply also toward a declared minor or major in a foreign language. Students should see advisors in the foreign language departments to declare their minor or major in a foreign language.

In addition to listed courses for the major, appropriate subtopic titles in topical courses may be used with advisor approval.