Global Studies BA

Major: Global Studies
Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits: 180.0
Co-op Options: Three Co-op (Five years); One Co-op (Four years); No Co-op (Four years)
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 30.2001

Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 19-3094

About the Program

Global Studies practices socially-responsible global citizenship through a unique combination of research-oriented and multilingual instruction, professional experience, and meaningful engagement with communities both here in Philadelphia and abroad. Global Studies teaches students to see the world differently as they learn essential skills needed to understand the impact of global political, social, economic and environmental dynamics. This experiential, interdisciplinary and language-based major immerses students in issues and emerging movements such as clean energy, climate action, economic growth, health equity, international relations and other challenges.

Global Studies majors choose from one of four different degree concentrations; Global Justice & Human Rights; Global Business, Economics and Development; Global Health and Sustainability; Global Media, Arts & Culture, a required language or regional studies minor, and optional courses and certificates specially designed to deepen their knowledge and to prepare them to pursue careers across sectors: business, economics, law, policy, public health and media as well as in non-profit, government and international organizations.

Our students experience Global Studies by:

  • Examining the movement of peoples, goods, and cultures across countries and regions
  • Studying global issues in concrete socio-economic, cultural, and geographical contexts
  • Tackling structural inequalities from a variety of perspectives and disciplines
  • Developing intercultural and language skills through unique pedagogical models
  • Working with employers and communities in Philadelphia and around the world through Drexel's Co-Op opportunities

Drexel Co-op for Global Studies Students

Drexel's Global Studies co-op gives students a distinct advantage in the world economy and makes them more attractive to prospective employers.

For additional information about Global Studies, contact Kate Hughes, Associate Director of Programming and Partnerships kfh38@drexel.edu

Degree Requirements

General Requirements
CIVC 101Introduction to Civic Engagement1.0
COOP 101Career Management and Professional Development *1.0
ENGL 101Composition and Rhetoric I: Inquiry and Exploratory Research3.0
or ENGL 111 English Composition I
ENGL 102Composition and Rhetoric II: Advanced Research and Evidence-Based Writing3.0
or ENGL 112 English Composition II
ENGL 103Composition and Rhetoric III: Themes and Genres3.0
or ENGL 113 English Composition III
UNIV H101The Drexel Experience1.0
UNIV H201Looking Forward: Academics and Careers1.0
College of Arts and Sciences Core Curriculum **
Analyzing Cultures & Histories **6.0-8.0
Cultivating Global Competence **6.0-8.0
Developing Quantitative Reasoning **6.0-8.0
Any two Math courses based on placement OR
Symbolic Logic I
Symbolic Logic II
Engaging the Natural World **6.0-8.0
Perspectives in Diversity **3.0-4.0
Understanding Society & Human Behavior **6.0-8.0
Global Studies Core Requirements
GST 101Becoming Global: Language and Cultural Context4.0
GST 102Understanding Global: Markets and Governance4.0
Three 200+ level GST courses12.0
GST 400Senior Project in Global Studies4.0
Language minor in Spanish, French, or Japanese, or minor in Asian Studies, or Middle East and North Africa Studies ***24.0-26.0
Concentration (Select One) 86.0-82.0
Total Credits180.0-189.0
*

Students not participating in co-op will take one additional credit of Free Elective instead of COOP 101.

Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major. 

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

**

See Core Curriculum List for complete list for complete list of options. Note: any required or elective concentration course cannot also be used to fulfill a CoAS Core requirement

***

Students must complete at least 24.0 credits above the 103 language level to earn a language minor. Language courses could count towards free electives in some instances; consult with an advisor.

any required or elective concentration course cannot also be used to fulfill a CoAS Core requirement

Global Media, Arts, and Cultures Concentration
Media, Arts, and Cultures Distribution Requirements
ANTH 330Media Anthropology3.0
ENGL 325Topics in World Literature3.0
LING 102Language and Society3.0
or ENGL 323 Literature and Other Arts
PHIL 305Ethics and the Media3.0
WEST 100Introduction to Digital Design Tools3.0
Select one of the following:3.0
Asian Art and Culture
Art of India
Art of China
Art of Japan
Early Modernism (1850-1900)
20th Century Modernism (1900-1955)
Contemporary Art
History of African-American Art
African Art
Latin American Art
Media, Arts, and Cultures Distribution Options24.0
Students must complete at least 24.0 distribution credits from the approved list
Digital Ethnography
Architecture and Society I
Global Material Culture
Current Events in Media and Communication
Theory and Models of Communication
Media and Identity
Diversity in Media
English Worldwide
Intercultural Communication
Ethnography of Communication
Strategic International Communication
Grant Writing
Nonprofit Communication
Communication for Civic Engagement
Media Effects
Culture and Gastronomy I
Classical to Medieval Literature
Renaissance to the Enlightenment
Survey of World Literature
Post-Colonial Literature
Literature & Science
Literature and Other Arts
Topics in World Literature
Mythology
Women and Literature
Literature and Society
Special Topics in Film Studies
Introduction to Global Capital and Development
Introduction to Identities and Communities
Introduction to Power and Resistance
Introduction to Global Media, Arts, and Cultures
Introduction to Global Health and Sustainability
Advanced Studies in Global Capital and Development
Advanced Studies in Identities and Communities
Advanced Studies in Power and Resistance
Advanced Studies in Global Media, Arts, and Cultures
Advanced Studies in Global Health and Sustainability
Special Topics in Global Studies
Special Topics in Global Studies
Introduction to Music
World Musics
Afro-American Music USA
Metaphysics: Philosophy of Reality
Aesthetics: Philosophy of Art
Social & Political Philosophy
Global Ethical Issues
Philosophy of Religion
History of Political Thought
Public Opinion & Propaganda
Political Communication
Race, Ethnicity and Social Inequality
Globalization
Women and Society in a Global Context
Literary Editing & Publication
Electives44.0-40.0
Total Credits86.0-82.0
Global Business, Economics, and Development Concentration
ECON 201Principles of Microeconomics4.0
ECON 202Principles of Macroeconomics4.0
ECON 342Economic Development4.0
PHIL 301Business Ethics3.0
PSCI 255International Political Economy4.0
Select one of the following4.0
Multinational Corporations
International Trade
International Money and Finance
Global Business, Economics, and Development Distribution Options24.0
Students must complete at least 24.0 distribution credits from the approved list
International Business Law
Business Communication
Intercultural Communication
Strategic International Communication
International Negotiations
Grant Writing
Using Big Data to Solve Economic and Social Problems
Microeconomics
Macroeconomics
Economic Ideas
International Macroeconomics
Resource and Environmental Economics
The Literature of Business
Topics in World Literature
Literature and Society
Social Entrepreneurship
Global Entrepreneurship
3BL - Triple Bottom Line
Energy Entrepreneurship
Introduction to Finance
Global Financial Management
Introduction to Global Capital and Development
Introduction to Identities and Communities
Introduction to Power and Resistance
Introduction to Global Media, Arts, and Cultures
Introduction to Global Health and Sustainability
Advanced Studies in Global Capital and Development
Advanced Studies in Identities and Communities
Advanced Studies in Power and Resistance
Advanced Studies in Global Media, Arts, and Cultures
Advanced Studies in Global Health and Sustainability
Special Topics in Global Studies
Special Topics in Global Studies
History of Capitalism
Multinational Corporations
International Trade
International Money and Finance
Regional Studies in Economic Policies and International Business
For-Profit Business Consulting
Nonprofit Business Consulting
International Business Consulting
Introduction to Marketing Management
Advertising & Integrated Marketing Communications
Marketing for Non-Profit Organizations
Global Marketing
Political Economy of Climate Change
The United Nations in World Politics
Ethics and International Relations
Wealth and Power
Development and Underdevelopment in the Global South
Globalization
Classical Social Theory
Imagining Multiple Democracies
Introduction to Business Statistics
Business Statistics II
Women and Society in a Global Context
Electives39.0-35.0
Total Credits86.0-82.0
Global Health and Sustainability Concentration Requirements
PBHL 101Public Health 1013.0
PBHL 303Overview of Issues in Global Health3.0
PSCI 334Politics of Environment and Health4.0
or SOC 346 Environmental Justice
SOC 244Sociology of the Environment4.0
or SOC 340 Globalization
Choose one of the following English classes3.0
Literature & Science
Environmental Literature
Topics in Literature and Medicine
Choose one of the following Ethics courses3.0
Public Health Ethics
Biomedical Ethics
Environmental Ethics
Global Health and Sustainability Distribution Options24.0
Students must complete at least 24.0 distribution credits from the approved list
Biological Diversity, Ecology & Evolution
Ethnobotany
Environmental Crime
Campaigns for Health & Environment
Environmental Communication
Science Writing
Grant Writing
The Kitchen Garden: Summer
The Kitchen Garden: Fall
Microeconomics
Macroeconomics
Resource and Environmental Economics
Literature & Science
Environmental Literature
Topics in Literature and Medicine
Introduction to Urban Planning
Cities and Sustainability
Energy Entrepreneurship
Environmental Science
Native Plants and Sustainability
Global Climate Change
Global Warming, Biodiversity and Your Future
Conservation Biology
Introduction to Global Capital and Development
Introduction to Identities and Communities
Introduction to Power and Resistance
Introduction to Global Media, Arts, and Cultures
Introduction to Global Health and Sustainability
Advanced Studies in Global Capital and Development
Advanced Studies in Identities and Communities
Advanced Studies in Power and Resistance
Advanced Studies in Global Media, Arts, and Cultures
Advanced Studies in Global Health and Sustainability
Special Topics in Global Studies
Special Topics in Global Studies
History of Science: Ancient to Medieval
History of Science: Medieval to Enlightenment
History of Science: Enlightenment to Modernity
Themes in Global Environmental History
Empire and Environment
Development of World Health Care
Health Care across Cultures
Foods and Nutrition of World Cultures
Epidemiology in Public Health
Introduction to the History of Public Health
Introduction to Health & Human Rights
Women and Children: Health & Society
Introduction to Community Health
The World's Water
Exploring the HIV/AIDS Pandemic
Disease Outbreak Investigations
Health Inequality
Biomedical Ethics
Adapting to a Hotter Climate: Protecting Health of Vulnerable Populations
Global Ethical Issues
Environmental Ethics
Environmental Philosophy
Philosophy of Technology
Philosophy of Science
Global Governance
Environmental Politics
Social Development: A Global Approach
Politics of Environment and Health
Political Economy of Climate Change
Cities and Climate Change
The United Nations in World Politics
Ethics and International Relations
International Human Rights
Psychology of Sustainability
Innovation and Social Justice
Sociology of Health and Illness
Sociology of Global Health
Development and Underdevelopment in the Global South
Globalization
Women and Society in a Global Context
Women's Health and Human Rights
Electives38.0-42.0
Total Credits82.0-86.0
Global Justice and Human Rights Concentration Requirements
ENGL 360 [WI] Literature and Society3.0
PHIL 335Global Ethical Issues3.0-4.0
or PSCI 352 Ethics and International Relations
PSCI 120History of Political Thought4.0
or PSCI 229 Theories of Justice
PSCI 150International Politics4.0
PSCI 351The United Nations in World Politics4.0
or PSCI 353 International Human Rights
SOC 330Development and Underdevelopment in the Global South4.0
or SOC 340 Globalization
Global Justice and Human Rights Distribution Options24.0
Students must complete at least 24.0 distribution credits from the approved list
Special Topics in Africana Studies (Course must have a global theme)
Race, Crime, and Justice
Justice in Our Community
Prison, Society and You
Places of Justice
Terrorism
Comparative Justice Systems
Strategic International Communication
International Negotiations
Grant Writing
The Kitchen Garden: Summer
The Kitchen Garden: Fall
Microeconomics
Macroeconomics
Economic Development
Resource and Environmental Economics
Topics in World Literature
Introduction to Global Capital and Development
Introduction to Identities and Communities
Introduction to Power and Resistance
Introduction to Global Media, Arts, and Cultures
Introduction to Global Health and Sustainability
Advanced Studies in Global Capital and Development
Advanced Studies in Identities and Communities
Advanced Studies in Power and Resistance ((Model Organization of American States))
Advanced Studies in Global Media, Arts, and Cultures
Advanced Studies in Global Health and Sustainability
Special Topics in Global Studies
Special Topics in Global Studies
Comparative Legal Institutions
Immigration Law
Overview of Issues in Global Health
Introduction to Health & Human Rights
Social & Political Philosophy
Global Ethical Issues
Environmental Philosophy
Philosophy of Law
Philosophy of Religion
Theories of Justice
Comparative Politics II
American Foreign Policy
Global Governance
International Political Economy
Power in Protest: Social Movements in Comparative Perspective
Social Development: A Global Approach
Civilians in Armed Conflict
The United Nations in World Politics
Ethics and International Relations
The Politics of LGBT Movements and Rights
Innovation and Social Justice
Race, Ethnicity and Social Inequality
Wealth and Power
Globalization
Environmental Justice
Classical Social Theory
Social Movements
Women and Society in a Global Context
Special Topics in Women's and Gender Studies (Course must have a global theme)
Electives36.0-41.0
Total Credits82.0-88.0

Writing-Intensive Course Requirements

In order to graduate, all students must pass three writing-intensive courses after their freshman year. Two writing-intensive courses must be in a student's major. The third can be in any discipline. Students are advised to take one writing-intensive class each year, beginning with the sophomore year, and to avoid “clustering” these courses near the end of their matriculation. Transfer students need to meet with an academic advisor to review the number of writing-intensive courses required to graduate.

A "WI" next to a course in this catalog may indicate that this course can fulfill a writing-intensive requirement. For the most up-to-date list of writing-intensive courses being offered, students should check the Writing Intensive Course List at the University Writing Program. Students scheduling their courses can also conduct a search for courses with the attribute "WI" to bring up a list of all writing-intensive courses available that term.

Sample Plan of Study

4 year, 1 co-op

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ENGL 101 or 1113.0ENGL 102 or 1123.0CIVC 1011.0VACATION
GST 1014.0GST 1024.0ENGL 103 or 1133.0 
UNIV H1011.0Language course4.0Concentration course3.0 
Language course4.0Developing Quantitative Reasoning3.0-4.0Language course4.0 
Developing Quantitative Reasoning3.0-4.0 Understanding Society & Human Behavior3.0-4.0 
 15-16 14-15 14-15 0
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
GST 200+ level course4.0COOP 101*1.0GST 200+ level course4.0Concentration Courses12.0
Concentration course3.0Analyzing Cultures & Histories3.0-4.0Analyzing Cultures & Histories3.0-4.0Engaging the Natural World3.0-4.0
Language course4.0Engaging the Natural World3.0-4.0Concentration Courses6.0 
Understanding Society & Human Behavior3.0-4.0Concentration Courses6.0Language Course4.0 
 14-15 13-15 17-18 15-16
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
COOP EXPERIENCE**COOP EXPERIENCE**Concentration courses6.0Cultivating Global Competence3.0-4.0
  Cultivating Global Competence3.0-4.0Concentration courses12.0
  Language Course4.0 
  Perspectives in Diversity3.0-4.0 
 0 0 16-18 15-16
Fourth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
UNIV H2011.0GST 4004.0Concentration courses16.0 
GST 200+ level course4.0Concentration courses12.0  
Concentration courses10.0   
 15 16 16 
Total Credits 180-191
*

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

**

Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major. 

 5 year, 3 co-ops

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ENGL 101 or 1113.0COOP 101*1.0CIVC 1011.0VACATION
GST 1014.0ENGL 102 or 1123.0ENGL 1033.0 
UNIV H1011.0GST 1024.0Concentration course3.0 
Developing Quantitative Reasoning3.0-4.0Language course4.0Language course4.0 
Language course4.0Developing Quantitative Reasoning3.0-4.0Understanding Society & Human Behavior3.0-4.0 
 15-16 15-16 14-15 0
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
COOP EXPERIENCE**COOP EXPERIENCE**GST 200+ course4.0Engaging the Natural World3.0-4.0
  Analyzing Cultures & Histories3.0-4.0Concentration courses12.0
  Concentration courses6.0 
  Language course 4.0 
 0 0 17-18 15-16
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
COOP EXPERIENCE**COOP EXPERIENCE**Concentration courses6.0Concentration courses12.0
  Cultivating Global Competence3.0-4.0Cultivating Global Competence3.0-4.0
  Language course4.0 
  Perspectives in Diversity3.0-4.0 
 0 0 16-18 15-16
Fourth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
COOP EXPERIENCE**COOP EXPERIENCE**GST 200+ level course4.0Analyzing Cultures & Histories3.0-4.0
  Concentration course3.0Concentration courses6.0
  Language course4.0Engaging the Natural World3.0-4.0
  Understanding Socety & Human Behavior3.0-4.0 
 0 0 14-15 12-14
Fifth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
UNIV H2011.0GST 4004.0Concentration Courses16.0 
GST 200+ level course4.0Concentration courses12.0  
Concentration courses10.0   
 15 16 16 
Total Credits 180-191
*

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

**

Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major. 

4 year, no co-op

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ENGL 101 or 1113.0ENGL 102 or 1123.0CIVC 1011.0VACATION
GST 1014.0GST 1024.0ENGL 103 or 1133.0 
UNIV H1011.0Language course4.0Concentration course3.0 
Developing Quantitative Reasoning3.0-4.0Developing Quantitative Reasoning3.0-4.0Language course4.0 
Language course4.0 Understanding Society & Human Behavior3.0-4.0 
 15-16 14-15 14-15 0
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
GST 200+ level course4.0Analyzing Cultures & Histories3.0-4.0GST 200+ level course4.0VACATION
Concentration course3.0Concentration courses8.0Analyzing Cultures & Histories3.0-4.0 
Language course4.0Engaging the Natural World3.0-4.0Concentration courses6.0 
Understanding Society & Human Behavior3.0-4.0 Language course4.0 
 14-15 14-16 17-18 0
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
Concentration courses12.0Concentration courses12.0Concentration courses6.0VACATION
Engaging the Natural World3.0-4.0Cultivating Global Competence3.0-4.0Cultiaving Global Competence3.0-4.0 
  Language course4.0 
  Perspectives in Diversity3.0-4.0 
 15-16 15-16 16-18 0
Fourth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
UNIV H2011.0GST 4004.0Concentration courses16.0 
GST 200+ level course4.0Concentration courses12.0  
Concentration courses9.0   
 14 16 16 
Total Credits 180-191

Global Studies Faculty

Octavio Borges-Delgado, PhD (Michigan State University). Assistant Teaching Professor. Caribbean Literature and cultures, Latino/a studies, migration studies, Latin American diaspora, Critical race theory, Gender and sexuality in a global context.
Rebecca Clothey, PhD (University of Pittsburgh) Department Head, Global Studies and Modern Languages. Professor. Comparative and international education, education of ethnic and linguistic minorities, refugees, China studies.
Steve Vásquez Dolph, PhD (University of Pennsylvania) Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Associate Teaching Professor. Climate change and sustainability; diaspora studies; land-based education; politics and poetics of translation.
Brenda Dyer, MA (University of Pennsylvania). Teaching Professor. Language acquisition pedagogy, teaching writing, seventeenth and eighteenth century French literature, women writers, translation.
Natalie N. Hiratsuka Marley, MA (University of Hawai’i). Assistant Teaching Professor. Japanese Linguistics with an emphasis on pedagogy and topics concerning second language acquisition and teaching
Parfait Kouacou, PhD (City University of New York). Associate Teaching Professor. Francophone African Literature and Cinema, Human Rights in Literary Studies, Childhood in Literature, Postcolonial Studies, Oral Literature.
Hiromi Koyama, MA (Okayama University, Japan). Instructor.
Brent Luvaas, PhD (UCLA). Professor. Visual anthropology; photography; social media; digital culture; urban futures; United States and Southeast Asia.
Celeste Dolores Mann, MA ((University of Iowa). Assistant Teaching Professor. Second Language Acquisition, Language Pedagogy, Colonial Latin American Literature and Early Modern Spanish Literature
Monserrat Bores Martínez, MA (University of Western Ontario, Canada). Assistant Teaching Professor. Second Language Acquisition Language Pedagogy Colonial Latin American Literature Early Modern Spanish Literature
Nada Matta, PhD (New York University). Assistant Professor. Political Economy, Social Movements, Middle East Studies, Gender Studies, Revolutions, Inequality.
Maria de la luz Matus-Mendoza, PhD (Temple University) Language Program Coordinator. Associate Professor. Spanish Linguistic variation in the US; the relationship between language variation and mobility (social and geographical) among the Mexican communities in Mexico and in the United States; second language acquisition; language variation in media.
Rogelio Miñana, PhD (Penn State) Vice Provost for Global Engagement. Professor. The role of classic cultural icons, particularly Don Quixote, in 21st century political and social justice discourse; the interplay between the traditional humanities, youth organizations, and digital storytelling.
Joel E. Oestreich, PhD (Brown University). Professor. International organizations, international finance, development, and human rights.
Sunmi Jung Oh, MA (Daegu Catholic University, S. Korea).
Ni Ou, MA (University of Pennsylvania). Assistant Teaching Professor. Teaching Chinese as a foreign language, Chinese language pedagogy, Chinese writing pedagogy.
Simone Schlichting-Artur, EdD (University of Pennsylvania). International business communication (Germany and the U.S.), public health policy and languages, German post-war history through film and literature, development of writing assessment tools for German minor.
Nelly Taha, MA (California State University). Assistant Teaching Professor. Teaching a foreign language with emphasis on pedagogy, technology, and curriculum.

Emeritus Faculty

Barbara Hornum, PhD (Bryn Mawr College). Associate Professor Emeritus. Comparative gerontology, planned communities, continuing care communities, retirement, faculty development.
Julie Mostov, PhD (New York University). Professor Emeritus. Modern political thought, democratic theory, nationalism, gender studies, South Eastern Europe and the Balkans.
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