School of American and Global Studies

Return to: Colleges, Departments, Schools and their Academic Programs

Christine Garst-Santos, Director
James Murphy, Associate Director
School of American and Global Studies
Lincoln Hall 132, Box 2212
605-688-5101

The School of American and Global Studies (AGS) prepares critical thinkers and proficient researchers who are culturally literate and globally engaged. The school brings together many of the core disciplines in the humanities and social sciences. AGS offers undergraduate majors and minors in American Indian and indigenous studies, French studies, German, global studies, history, political science and Spanish, along with minors in legal studies, philosophy and religion in addition to certificates in American civic traditions, basic Oceti Sakowin language proficiency, basic Spanish language proficiency, lobbying and government advocacy, public service, and workplace intercultural competence. More broadly, the school fulfills SDSU’s land-grant mission by creating an opportunity for the campus and the community to explore current and historical social, cultural and political issues in-depth. The curriculum provides students with experience in the cultural, historical, linguistic, philosophical, political, and religious systems that sustain U.S. and global societies.  

School faculty efforts support a challenging curriculum that encourages civic participation to strengthen the values and historic traditions of democracy. Its members encourage and prepare students to live in an increasingly interconnected world and to understand and appreciate the human diversity created by cultures, geography, and time. The political science faculty promote an awareness and understanding of global events, while the history faculty identify the historic background and historical trends that influence these events. The modern languages and American Indian and Indigenous Studies faculty provide critical understanding of the languages, cultures, and histories of specific geopolitical regions. The philosophy and religion faculty deal with the fundamental questions of life, the basis of knowledge and morality and practices of the world’s many religious traditions. All faculty contribute to the global studies curriculum, fostering the development of intercultural competence and global citizenship. This curriculum is presented in a manner that develops and enhances critical thinking and communication skills to prepare students for meaningful employment, further scholarship, and community engagement. These efforts facilitate the achievement of national distinction by the school’s majors as scholars and engaged citizens.

Faculty research crosses academic, disciplinary, and geographic boundaries to advance and disseminate knowledge about key domestic and global issues that are of vital importance to South Dakota and beyond. As part of our Land Grant mission, the school connects the university with the community and the world through its outreach. We serve communities at home and abroad in areas such as linguistic and cultural competency and experiential learning. Many degrees prepare you for a specific job; our degrees prepare you for life in a globalized world.

Disciplines in the School of American and Global Studies offer dual listed, topics, and independent study courses on an as needed basis. Occasional courses are offered for teachers needing in-service or continuing education credit. Graduate degrees are not available in these disciplines, but students may use these courses in an approved plan of study.

Graduate Faculty

Marie-Pierre Baggett, Professor
Molly Enz, Distinguished Professor
Jamie Folsom, Assistant Professor
Christine Garst-Santos, Associate Professor
Gregory R. Peterson, Professor
Dale Potts, Associate Professor
María Ramos-García, Professor
Eckhard Rölz, Professor
Charles Vollan, Associate Professor
Dave Wiltse, Professor
Evren Celik Wiltse, Professor
Graham Wrightson, Associate Professor

Programs

Coursework Only

Return to: Colleges, Departments, Schools and their Academic Programs