Global Studies

253.535.7633 www.plu.edu/global-studies/ glst@plu.edu

The Global Studies Program aims to encourage and enable students to achieve global literacy defined as a multidisciplinary approach to contending perspectives on global problems, their historical origins, and their possible solutions. To this end, the Global Studies program offers courses and experiences designed to equip students with the factual knowledge and analytical skills necessary to comprehend, and engage with, foundational questions of global analysis (e.g., the commonalities and variations between human cultures), identifiable global themes (e.g., war and peace, economic development, globalization and trade, environmental sustainability), and the specifics of particular contemporary global problems (e.g., regional conflicts, weapons proliferation, environmental degradation, movement for political integration and autonomy, the AIDS crisis).

COURSE OF STUDY

Students electing the Global Studies major are required to declare a primary major before they declare a Global Studies major. No more than two courses (8 semester hours) can be taken in any one discipline to fulfill the requirements for the issue concentration for the Global Studies major. In addition, students may not apply more than two courses (8 semester hours) from all other major or minors.

BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE
Major in Global Studies
32 semester hours
Global Studies Core
16 semester hours
  • GLST/ANTH/HIST 210: Global Perspectives: The World in Change (4)
  • Select two courses from the following:
    • ANTH 102: Intro to Human Cultural Diversity (4)
    • ECON 111: Principles of Microeconomics: Global and Environmental (4)
    • HIST 215: Modern World History (4)
  • GLST 499: Capstone: Research Seminar (4)
Issue Area Concentrations
16 semester hours
  • Four courses must be taken from one of the five concentrations outlined below. At least three of the four courses counted toward a concentration must be at the 300 level or higher.
Language
  • Students must demonstrate proficiency in a language relevant to their coursework and at a level consistent with Option 1 of the College of Arts and Sciences foreign language requirement. This may be accomplished through a proficiency examination or through the equivalent of 16 semester hours of coursework.
Off-Campus Study Component
  • Majors are required to participate in an off-campus study program. While off campus, students must earn eight semester hours of credit related to the global studies core or the student’s global studies concentration. At least four credits must be related directly to the student’s global studies concentration. For example, this study away requirement could be met by taking two appropriate J-term courses, or by eight semester hours of appropriate coursework taken during a semester away. Language study coursework does not necessarily count for this requirement; coursework must deal with the contemporary world and its issues. Obtaining pre-approval for credit is encouraged. Local internships related to an area concentration and involving a cross-cultural setting may be allowed. The Global Studies chair must approve exceptions.
Senior Research Project
  • The senior project is a general university requirement in all programs and majors. Students satisfy this requirement by completing a research project or paper in GLST 499.
CONCENTRATIONS*
Development and Social Justice
  • ECON 333: Economic Development: Comparative Third World Strategies (4)
  • ENGL 216: Topics in Literature: Emphasis on Cross-Cultural Perspectives (4)
  • ENGL 233: Post-Colonial Literature (4)
  • GLST 380: Global Development (4)
  • HISP 301: Hispanic Voices for Social Change (when approved by the GLST chair) (4)
  • HISP 322: Latin American Culture and Civilization (4)
  • HIST 335: History of the Caribbean (4)
  • HIST 340: Modern Japan (4)
  • RELI 227: Christian Theology (When topic is: Theology of Liberation and Democracy)
  • SOCW 325: Social, Educational and Health Services in Tobago
Responses to International Violence and Conflict
  • ANTH 376: Nation, State, and Citizen (4)
  • COMA 304: Intercultural Communication (4)
  • COMA 340: Conflict and Communication (4)
  • ENGL 216: Topics in Literature: Emphasis on Cross-Cultural Perspectives (4)
  • GLST/POLS 331: International Relations (4)
  • POLS 332: International Conflict Resolution (4)
  • GLST/POLS 431: Advanced International Relations (4)
World Health
  • ANTH 380: Sickness, Madness, and Health (4)
  • ECON 323: Health Economics (4)
  • PHED 362: Healing Arts of the Mind and Body (4)
  • PSYC 335: Cultural Psychology (4)
  • RELI 230: Religion and Culture (When the topic is “Religion, Healing, and the Body”) (4)
  • SOCW 325: Social, Educational and Health Services in Tobago (4)
Globalization and Trade
  • BUSA 201: Intro to Business in the Global Environment (4)
  • BUSA 352: Global Management (3)
  • BUSA 460: International Marketing (4)
  • COMA 393: Communication Abroad (4)
  • ECON 331: International Economics (4)
  • POLS 347: Political Economy (4)
  • POLS 381: Comparative Legal Systems (4)
  • POLS/GLST 383: Modern European Politics (4)
Transnational Movements and Cultural Diversity
  • ANTH 330: Native North Americans (4)
  • ANTH 340: The Anthropology of Africa (4)
  • ANTH 342: Pacific Island Cultures (4)
  • ANTH 343: East Asian Cultures
  • ANTH 360: Ethnic Groups (4)
  • ANTH 387: Special Topics in Anthropology (When the topic is “First Nations”) (4)
  • COMA 304: Intercultural Communication (4)
  • ENGL 216: Topics in Literature: Emphasis on Cross-Cultural Perspectives (4)
  • ENGL 232: Women’s Literature (4)
  • ENGL 343: Post-Colonial Literature and Theory (4)
  • FREN 301: Composition and Conversation (When approved by GLST chair) (4)
  • GERM 301: Composition and Conversation (When approved by GLST chair) (4)
  • HISP 341: The Latino Experiences in the U.S. (4)
  • HIST 344: The Andes in Latin American History (4)
  • NORW 301: Conversation and Composition (4)
  • PSYC 335: Cultural Psychology (4)
  • RELI 227: Christian Theology (When the topic is “Theologies of Liberation and Democracy”) (4)
  • RELI 236: Native American Religious Traditions (4)
  • SOCW 325: Social, Educational and Health Services in Tobago (4)

*Students may petition the chair of Global Studies for the inclusion of courses that meet issue concentration requirements but that are not taught regularly enough to be listed here.

MINOR
20 semester hours
  • GLST/ANTH/HIST 210: Global Perspectives – The World in Change (4)
  • Select one course from the following:
    • ANTH 102: Intro to Human Cultural Diversity (4)
    • ECON 111: Principles of Microeconomics: Global and Environmental (4)
    • HIST 215: Modern World History (4)
  • Three courses in one concentration, at least two must be at the 300 level or higher.

Students must take one semester of 200-level college coursework in a foreign language or demonstrate equivalent proficiency.

Students must take at least 4 semester hours of study away course work related to the contemporary world and its issues. For example, one appropriate January Term (J-Term) course that would apply toward the student’s concentration.

Global Studies (GLST) Undergraduate-Level Courses

GLST 210 : Global Perspectives: The World in Change - C, SO

A survey of global issues: modernization and development; economic change and international trade; diminishing resources; war and resolution; peace and justice; and cultural diversity. May be cross-listed with ANTH 210 or HIST 210. (4)

GLST 287 : Special Topics in Global Studies

To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)

GLST 288 : Special Topics in Global Studies

To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)

GLST 289 : Special Topics in Global Studies

To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)

GLST 291 : Directed Study

To provide individual undergraduate students with introductory study not available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as DS: followed by the specific title designated by the student. (1 to 4)

GLST 301 : Tacoma: The Power of Place and Identity

Integrative study of the changing vision of Tacoma through exploration of the history, past and current patterns of immigration of New Americans, environmental practices and societal structures that makes Tacoma a complex urban community. (4)

GLST 325 : Political Thought - SO

A survey of the origin and evolution of major political concepts in ancient, medieval, and early modern times. May be cross-listed with POLS 325. Can count for a Philosophy major or minor. (4)

GLST 331 : International Relations - SO

A systematic analysis of the international system highlighting patterns in state interaction. Cross-listed with POLS 331. Intensive writing course. (4)

GLST 380 : Global Development - SO

Designed to provide information, concepts, and alternative perspectives needed to study development as a global issue within the international political context. Examples of how general world trends manifest themselves in specific countries will be covered as well as case studies of successful development projects. Intensive writing course. (4)

GLST 383 : Modern European Politics SO

A study of the origins and development of the European Union and an examination of the governmental systems and political cultures of key European states, including France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom. Cross-listed with POLS 383. (4)

GLST 384 : Scandinavian Government and Politics - SO

This course examines the governmental structures and political processes of the Scandinavian countries. It does so in the context of the region's historical development, its political cultures and ideologies, the distinctive Scandinavian model of political economy and welfare, and the place of Scandinavia in the international system. Cross-listed with POLS 384. (4)

GLST 385 : Canadian Government and Politics - SO

The governmental system and political life of Canada, with special attention to the constitution, political parties, nationalism and separatism in Quebec, self-government of native peoples, and comparative study of Canadian and U.S. political cultures. Cross-listed with POLS 385. Intensive writing course. (4)

GLST 387 : Special Topics in Global Studies

To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)

GLST 388 : Special Topics in Global Studies

To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)

GLST 389 : Special Topics in Global Studies

To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)

GLST 431 : Advanced International Relations - SO

Examines various theories of international conflict management, including in-depth analysis of historical examples. The development of international law and international governmental organizations are also considered. Cross-listed with POLS 431. Prerequisite: POLS 331 or GLST 331. (4)

GLST 487 : Special Topics in Global Studies

To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)

GLST 488 : Special Topics in Global Studies

To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)

GLST 489 : Special Topics in Global Studies

To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)

GLST 491 : Independent Study

To provide individual undergraduate students with advanced study not available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as IS: followed by the specific title designated by the student. (1 to 4)

GLST 495 : Internship

A project, usually undertaken during a study-abroad experience and supervised by a PLU faculty member, that combines field experience, research, and writing on issues related to the student's issue concentration in Global Studies. Local internships that involve transnational issues and constituencies will also be considered. Prerequisite: Prior consent of the chair of the Global Studies Committee and of the supervising PLU faculty member. (1 to 12)

GLST 499 : Capstone: Research Seminar - SR

Required of all students majoring and minoring in Global Studies, this is a capstone seminar that culminates in the writing of an extensive research paper. Prerequisite: ANTH/HIST/POLS 210. (4)