Global Studies Major Requirements

Global studies is an interdisciplinary major that investigates the broad range of cultural, political, social and economic forces at play historically and today. Global studies majors will understand the global influences on the lives of individuals and will be sensitive to different identities, practices, thought systems, institutions and structures, particularly their roots, scope and linkages. They will recognize their place in the global community, including their impact—for good or ill—on cultural, political, economic and environmental issues. Global studies majors will possess the foundation necessary to lead responsible, meaningful, engaged lives in a connected, diverse and ever-changing world.

The global studies curriculum is designed to give students a structure in which to explore a range of interests. An introductory course introduces students to the diverse perspectives on globalization and models of interdisciplinary investigation. Global studies majors will choose a set of electives from one of three thematic groupings, all of which include approaches from multiple disciplines. In order to maintain a dynamic, up-to-date listing, electives that will count toward each of the tracks in the global studies major will be listed on the departmental website. This structure balances the breadth and depth of students’ academic training and ensures that global studies majors will develop the ability to ask interconnected, interdisciplinary questions. Students may, in close consultation with their academic advisor, self-design a thematic track.

1. GLST 100: Introduction to Global Studies (6 units).
2. Language requirement: completion of GER plus two additional courses in the same language taught at Lawrence. Students may establish the GER-level starting point through completion of the GER sequence, placement, prior coursework, or appropriate departmental evaluation. Regardless of how they establish the GER-level starting point, all students must complete two courses beyond GER in that same language. At least one of the two post-GER courses must be completed through Lawrence coursework; one may be completed through approved transfer credit or an approved off-campus language-immersion program, with GLST advisor approval.

For purposes of this requirement, demonstrated proficiency alone, including native or heritage proficiency, may establish placement but does not substitute for the two required post-GER courses. The requirement is curricular as well as linguistic: students must complete coursework in a Lawrence-taught language that engages cultural, historical, and global-studies-relevant content.

• A student who begins language study before GER completes the GER sequence and then completes two additional courses in the same language.
• A student who places at or beyond the GER level, whether through placement, prior coursework, or departmental evaluation, still completes two courses beyond GER in that same language.
• A native or heritage speaker of a language taught at Lawrence may be placed into appropriate advanced coursework and still completes two courses beyond GER; native or heritage proficiency alone does not satisfy the GLST language requirement.
• One of the two post-GER courses may be completed through approved transfer credit or an approved off-campus language-immersion program in the same language, with GLST advisor approval. At least one post-GER course must be completed through Lawrence coursework.

3. In consultation with a Global Studies faculty advisor, students must choose a set of eight six-unit thematically connected electives that meet the goals of one track listed below. Students and advisors should consult the departmental website carefully when selecting courses that count toward their track in the Global Studies major. All electives must satisfy the following requirements:

• Three six-unit courses from the arts, humanities, or musicology at the introductory or intermediate level (course numbers 100-300 or above).
• Three six-unit courses from the social sciences at the introductory or intermediate level (course numbers 100-300 or above).
• Two six-unit courses at the advanced level (course number 400+). One course must be from the social sciences; the other comes from the fields of arts, humanities, or musicology.
• No more than two 100-level courses may count toward the elective requirements, and no more than two upper-level language department courses may be double-counted for the track and the language requirement.
• The core courses normally count within this portion of the requirements.

4. Required global experience at an off-campus site (local, domestic, or abroad). Global Studies students are required to participate in a globally engaged off-campus experience. Most students will fulfill this requirement through an approved Lawrence study abroad program. However, we recognize study abroad is not feasible for all students. Therefore, the off-campus global experience may also include local projects with global connections. Examples include working with the Fox Valley Refugee Resettlement Agency, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Hmong-American Partnership of the Fox Cities, the Northeast Wisconsin Chinese Association, or the City of Appleton's Office of Diversity & Inclusion. These projects must include 10 weeks of engagement, be connected to either the Global Studies primary language or track, and be pre-approved by a Global Studies advisor.

5. Completion of the Senior Experience in Global Studies: the Global Studies Portfolio, a 1-unit independent study completed in the student's final term with an appropriate GLST faculty member.

The Global Studies major culminates in a portfolio completed after the student has completed all coursework toward the major as a 1-unit independent study with an appropriate faculty member in consultation with their GLST major advisor. The portfolio is designed to synthesize the student's academic, linguistic, cultural, and experiential learning in the major.

The portfolio includes the following components:

• Critical Reflection Essay: a 5-page essay analyzing the student's intellectual, cultural, and linguistic development; articulating the coherence of the portfolio; and linking the student's academic trajectory to life goals and potential career interests.
• Course List: courses that fulfill the GLST major requirements.
• Research Essay: one research essay written for an advanced course (400-500 level) in the student’s GLST major course list.

Each component is assessed using portfolio-specific rubrics aligned with its purpose. The portfolio is also evaluated holistically by GLST faculty with emphasis on coherence and achievement of program-level learning outcomes.