2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]


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Global Studies (B.A.)



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Program Coordinator/Contact

Molly Enz, Professor of French & Global Studies Program Coordinator
School of American and Global Studies
Wagner Hall 109, Box 2275
605-688-6590

Program Information

The Global Studies program allows students to investigate and evaluate critical global issues, hone verbal and written communication skills, and develop intercultural competence necessary essential in a global marketplace and society. The interdisciplinary global studies major combines a set of required core courses, a modern language series, an international study abroad or internship experience, and a flexible series of electives from disciplines such as economics, geography, history, modern languages, philosophy, political science, religion, and sociology.  These components are designed to educate students in the complexity of the diverse cultural, environmental, political, religious and social interactions that comprise our modern world and to help them find solutions to the complex global challenges of the 21st century.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the global studies major, students will:

  • Demonstrate a broad understanding of global issues, societies, civilizations, economies, and cultures through an interdisciplinary approach. (Cross-curricular Skills: Intercultural Knowledge; Critical & Creative Thinking; Inquiry & Analysis; Information Literacy)
  • Gain verbal and written communication skills essential in a global marketplace and society. (Cross-curricular Skills: Critical & Creative Thinking; Inquiry & Analysis; Information Literacy)
  • Speak, read, understand, and write a foreign language at the intermediate-high level with solid narrative skills in the past, present, and future tenses. (Cross-curricular Skills: Intercultural Knowledge; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
  • Demonstrate knowledge of intercultural competence and effectively bridge cultural differences and commonalities. (Cross-curricular Skills: Intercultural Knowledge; Critical & Creative Thinking; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
  • Articulate the value of their global, cultural, and language studies and apply these skills to future employment. (Cross-curricular Skills: Intercultural Knowledge; Critical & Creative Thinking; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)

Course Delivery Format

GLST 201  is offered at least once a year via the internet and other courses required for the major may also be available online.

Requirements for Global Studies Major: 120 Credits


Bachelor of Arts in Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Requirements


Bachelor of Arts Requirements: 9+

  • Modern Foreign Language Including the 202-Level Credits: 6+
  • AHSS 111 - Introduction to Global Citizenship and Diversity Credits: 3  
  • One declared minor outside of the major prefix OR a second major OR a teaching specialization. The minor may be a traditional minor within one department or it may be interdisciplinary involving more than one department. The minor can be in a different college. The minor must be declared no later than the student’s third semester of enrollment.
  • Capstone course in the major discipline
  • Upper division coursework Credits: 33

System General Education and/or major coursework may satisfy some or all of the above requirements. Consult program advisor for details. See the College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences  for additional information about Bachelor of Arts specifications.

Modern Languages Requirement


Select Option 1, Option 2, or Option 3. Credits: 21

  • Option 1 - 7 Credits in one language above the 202 level
  • Option 2 - Qualified Waiver
    May be waived if examination shows the student has achieved a level of language learning equivalent to that of students who have completed 21 credit hours in a language and are able to use the language at an intermediate level (Intermediate Low according to the ACTFL scale). The Department will evaluate the documentation. A student may be exempt from examination at SDSU if he or she has successfully completed one or more of the nationally administered tests showing an equivalent level of proficiency.
  • Option 3 - Two Languages
    Global Studies students may, with the approval of the Coordinator of Global Studies and the Department Head, design a Modern Language program that combines two languages. Students have the option of completing coursework in two languages offered at SDSU through the intermediate level (101, 102, 201, and 202) or combining one of the languages offered at SDSU through the 202 level with a less commonly taught language (e.g. Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, etc.). This option, including an assessment plan, must be approved in advance by the Department.

Global Studies Electives


In consultation with an Academic Advisor, students develop a plan of study using courses listed below for a total of 12 credits with at least:

  • 2 different prefixes minimum
  • No more than 6 credits per prefix
  • No more than 3 credits of lower division (100- and 200-level) coursework

Other courses not listed below that have a significant global emphasis may also qualify but must be approved in advance. Credits: 12

Cross Cultural Experience


Credits: 3

  • Students may use a variety of travel experience courses in the catalog to fulfill this requirement for a cross-cultural experience outside of the United States that includes at least three credits of academic coursework and lasts at least 4 weeks.
  • Students may select several shorter experiences that add up to four weeks total with approval from the department head.  However, a semester or academic year abroad is highly recommended.
  • Exceptions to the cross cultural experience must be pre-approved by the department head.
  • International students may petition for an exemption from the cross-cultural experience.
  • Credits may be applied to another requirement when appropriate.
  • Academic credit will be considered only from an accredited institution or through an international exchange program approved by SDSU.
  • All students must have the approval before beginning the cross cultural experience.

Electives


Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Total Required Credits: 120


Summary of Program Requirements


Bachelor of Arts in Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

System General Education Requirements 30 Credit Hours
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Requirements* 9+ Credit Hours
Major Requirements 48 Credit Hours
Electives** 39 Credit Hours

*System General Education Requirements, Major Requirements, and Supporting Coursework may satisfy some or all of the above requirements.  
**Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Academic Advising Guide Sheet


The goal of the academic advising guide sheets and sample plans of study is to promote undergraduate student success by guiding all students to timely completion of an undergraduate degree. Students are not limited to the course sequence provided for their academic program. Instead, the sample plan of study is one possible path to completing your degree and is meant to be used as a guide for planning purposes in consultation with an academic advisor. The plans also help students prepare for meetings with their academic advisor and track their progress in their selected academic program.

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