Global Studies, BA

Global Studies, offered by the Department of Environmental Studies , is an interdisciplinary program that encourages students to look at the world holistically. The tremendous international migrations of people, movements of goods, technology transfers, and mixing of cultures make it important to study the world as a human community in ways we haven’t considered in the past. The program is designed to train future leaders to grapple with some of the most pressing issues of our time using a global perspective. The focus of our program on studying global issues from multiple perspectives provides students the intellectual foundation and the analytical and communication skills to prepare for careers in government, education, NGOs, international development agencies, international philanthropic organizations, law, consulting, global health organizations, writing, and graduate study. We are the only Global Studies program in the San Francisco Bay Area and one of the few in the CSU system that offers an interdisciplinary program that includes a suite of core courses in Global Studies. Global Studies is a relatively new field and our program is at the leading edge of shaping this field for the future.

Program Learning Outcomes

Summary of Degree Units

University Graduation Requirements	41
Major Preparation	6
Major Requirements	71
University Electives	2
Total	120

Program Roadmaps

The 4-Year Roadmap is available online. Roadmaps should be used in consultation with the catalog and your advisor to identify additional requirements for completing the major (for example, course grade minimums). Associate Degrees (ADT) Pathways are also available online.

University Requirements

Students must satisfy all of the major and Undergraduate University Graduation Requirements , which includes unit, GPA, and residency requirements as well as the below identified General Education , American Institutions, Graduation Writing Assessment, and Physical Education requirements. Courses that meet Undergraduate University Graduation Requirements are noted with an area designation (see Course Abbreviations ).

Core Lower Division General Education (30 units)

Of the 39 units required by the university, 9 units may be satisfied by coursework outlined below. Courses that meet GE Areas A1, A2, A3, B4, or F must be passed with a “C-” or better to meet the requirement. Consult with a major advisor for details.

Upper Division General Education

Of the 9 units required by the university, 9 units may be satisfied by coursework outlined below. Consult with major advisor for details.

American Institutions (6 units)

Complete one 6-unit sequence of American Institutions (US123) courses, which also satisfies GE Area D. Students may also satisfy the American Institutions Requirement with other courses, but these may not satisfy other GE areas.

The American Studies sequence (AMS 1A /AMS 1B ; 12 units) or Humanities Honors course (HUM 2B ; 6 units) satisfies the American Institutions Requirement and additional GE Areas (see course descriptions for details).

Consult with a major advisor to select the appropriate sequence.

U.S. History and Government (6 units)

Complete One US1: US History Course

AMS 10 - Stories that Make America 3 unit(s) (C2+US1)
HIST 15 - Essentials of U.S. History 3 unit(s) (D+US1)
HIST 170S - Topics in American History: American Identities and Institutions 3 unit(s) (S+US1)

Complete One US23: US Constitution and California Government Course

AMS 11 - Visions of Democracy 3 unit(s) (D+US23)
POLS 15 - Essentials of U.S. & California Government 3 unit(s) (D+US23)
POLS 16 - Power and Ideas in American Politics 3 unit(s) (C2+US23)
POLS 170V - American Politics in Global Perspective 3 unit(s) (V+US23)

Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (3 units)

At SJSU, students must pass a Writing in the Disciplines (100W) course with a grade of C or better (C- not accepted) to meet graduation requirements. Exceptions to the GWAR may be found in the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) section.

This requirement is fulfilled in this major with:

GLST 100W - Writing Workshop
3 unit(s) (WID)

Physical Education (2 units)

All SJSU undergraduate students, regardless of major, have an opportunity to expand their knowledge and skills in physical activities. To accommodate students’ needs and interests, the university offers a diverse selection of activity courses .

Major Preparation (6 units)

GLST 1A - Introduction to Global Studies 3 unit(s)
GLST 1B - Introduction to Global Studies 3 unit(s) (B2)

Major Requirements (71 units)

Core Courses (12 units)

GLST 162 - Contemporary Global Issues 3 unit(s)
GLST 164 - Advanced Seminar in Global Citizenship 3 unit(s)
GLST 179 - Capstone Seminar in Global Studies 3 unit(s)

Complete One Course From:

GLST 188 - Special Topics in International Experiences 3 unit(s) (V)
GLST 189 - Global Experience 1-3 unit(s)

Major Breadth Courses (36 units)

Complete Global Studies course and two additional courses in different departments in these four areas. GLST 187 may be substituted for one course with approval of advisor.