Global Studies (GST)

What does it mean to be a global citizen? How do local and global beliefs, events, and institutions travel across and structure the world we live in today?

GST addresses these questions by exploring the economic, cultural, and political systems that unite and divide people across the world. Faculty who teach in GST work across a wide range of disciplinary and interdisciplinary fields, including history, anthropology, sociology, political economy, cultural and media studies, environmental science, and the scholarship of human rights. GST students learn to think critically about the history and practice of globalization through interpretation, empirical research, and project-based learning.

Graduating GST students are particularly well-equipped to pursue professional careers or advanced study in public policy, business, international relations, community and non-governmental organizations, law, education, media and cultural studies, and area studies.

Prerequisites

While there are no official requirements, students choosing this degree option will find it especially helpful to have completed college coursework in economics, world history and culture, statistics, political science, geography, anthropology, and foreign languages.

Transition from Option to Major

Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences is transitioning its Global Studies option within the Interdisciplinary Studies major to a major in Global Studies. Students who are admitted for Autumn Quarter, 2010, and subsequent quarters must declare the major. Students who declare the Global Studies option prior to Autumn Quarter, 2010, may choose to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies with an option in Global Studies or may declare the major and graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies. The requirements for the option and the major are the same, but please note the course delistings below.

GST Option Requirements

  • BIS 300 Interdisciplinary Inquiry*
    (5 credits)
  • GST Option Core (5 credits)
  • GST Option Courses (35 credits)
  • Senior Seminar (5 credits)
  • Additional IAS Coursework
    (20 credits)
  • General Electives (20 credits)

TOTAL = 90 Credits

GST Major Requirements

  • BIS 300 Interdisciplinary Inquiry*
    (5 credits)
  • GST Option Core (5 credits)
  • GST Option Courses (35 credits)
  • Senior Seminar (5 credits)
  • Additional IAS Coursework
    (20 credits)
  • General Electives (20 credits)

TOTAL = 90 Credits

  • *Should be taken in the first quarter of IAS enrollment.
  • The 70 major credits must be completed in MATRICULATED STATUS.

Delisted Courses

As of Autumn Quarter, 2010, some courses will NOT count for either the GST major or the GST option.   If taken prior to Autumn Quarter, 2010, the courses will count for the GST option, but will NOT count if the student decides to declare the major. Click here to view the delisted courses.

Areas of Knowledge

Within the above-listed 90 credits, a minimum of ten (10) credits must overlap with Visual, Literary and Performing Arts (VLPA), Individuals and Societies (I&S), and Natural World (NW). They must be taken in IAS courses at the 200, 300, or 400 levels. Multiply-designated courses may not be double-counted as fulfilling two Areas of Knowledge.

200-level Coursework

Up to 35 credits of 200-level coursework taken at UWB may be applied toward designated requirements within the 90 program credits. Please contact an IAS adviser for details.

Global Studies Core & Affiliate Faculty

Colin Danby (faculty coordinator), Leslie Ashbaugh, Constantin Behler, Bruce Burgett, Steve CollinsAlyssa Deutschler, Ben Gardner, Martha Groom, Susan Harewood, Bruce Kochis, Ron Krabill, Keith Nitta, Julie Shayne, Alan Wood

All Global Studies (GST) Courses

GST Courses

The Global Studies option prepared me well for one of the top graduate programs for Policy Studies in the country. UW Bothell's interdisciplinary emphasis on critical analysis and written communication gave me an advantage over other graduate students. Thanks to GST, today I am using my skills to form cohesive policy recommendations for the federal government. Greg Matyas Class of 2007