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Undergraduate Record 2025-2026
Interdisciplinary Major - Global Studies
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 Return to: College of Arts & Sciences: Degree Programs
Overview
Global Studies is an interdisciplinary major composed of six concentrations:
- Global Commerce in Culture and Society examines the social, cultural, and historical dimensions of business, trade, finance, organizations, property systems, and work.
- Global Development Studies is an undergraduate interdisciplinary program with a focus on social justice, sustainable economic development, public health, global interconnection, and public service.
- Global Environments & Sustainability prepares students to understand the physical environment and to transform it in sustainable ways.
- Global Middle East & South Asia explores the complex cultural, historical, literary, and political context of the Middle East and South Asia, marrying the depth of perspective gained from sustained attention to particular world areas (MESALC) with the Global Studies Program’s distinctive attention to critical global inquiry.
- Global Public Health explores the cultural, social, political, economic, and environmental conditions, factors and pathways that affect health, health care, access, and quality of life around the world.
- Global Security & Justice allows students to explore both empirical and ethical aspects of conflict in the world today.
Admissions
Admission to the Global Studies major is by Application. This is a process that takes into account the student’s GPA, intellectual interests, and plans for study. Undergraduate students from across the University may apply for entrance to the Global Studies program in spring semester of their second year. Please see the Global Studies website for up to date application deadlines: https://globalstudies.as.virginia.edu/admissions.
Students may apply to two Global Studies tracks (but no more); if accepted into both tracks, a student can accept only one.
Newly admitted transfer students who will begin their third year in the fall semester can apply for entrance to the major in May, as soon as they have been notified of their admission to the University. We will not accept transfer applications after June 1. Policy on Double Majors
Students may double major in Global Studies and other majors across the University, including students studying in the Schools of Architecture, Commerce, Education, Engineering, Nursing, and Public Policy.
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Universal Curriculum Requirements
To be awarded a degree from the College of Arts and Sciences, students are required to complete universal curriculum requirements in addition to the program requirements provided below. The school universal curriculum requirements can be found on the school Degree Programs page . Program Requirements
The Interdisciplinary Major in Global Studies requires 30 total credits as defined below. Requirements for the Global Commerce in Culture and Society Concentration
The concentration in Global Commerce in Culture and Society requires 30 total credits plus two prerequisite courses and language competency as defined below. Prerequisites (6 credits)
Core Courses (15 credits)
1 core course in Social and Cultural Analysis. Titles and course numbers vary from semester to semester. See below for some accepted courses:
1 core course in Political Economy. Titles and course numbers vary from semester to semester. See below for some accepted courses:
Methodologies Courses (6 credits)
Two courses in Business and Professional Writing, Statistics, Accounting, Quantitative Analysis, or Computer Programming; titles and course numbers vary from semester to semester. See below for some accepted courses: Electives (9 credits)
3 SOC, ANTH, HIXX or other College courses to be chosen in consultation with an advisor, who will help the student put together a suite of courses that will give the student background on a topic or geographic area to be pursued as a research project culminating in the research paper for GCCS 4991. Two of these courses must be at the 3000-level or above. Language Competency
Completion/satisfaction of World Language Literacy as detailed in the College Curriculum. Students can meet the World Languages requirement by successfully completing one of the following courses of action: - Earn exemption by placing beyond the 2020 level by examination
- Take 14 credits, or four semesters of a language in the proper sequence typically finishing at the 2020 level
- After placement, complete the remaining courses in the sequence up to the fourth semester (usually 2020)
Requirements for the Global Development Studies Concentration
Prerequisites (6 credits)
One approved Methods/Quantitative course: Capstone Seminar (3 credits)
Elective Courses (18 credits)
Six electives will be chosen in consultation with a faculty advisor, who will help the student put together a suite of courses that will culminate in a research paper prepared for GDS 4991. All courses must be at or above the 3000 level. Generally, courses under the following mnemonics will count towards this requirement: AAS, AMST, ARTS, ANTH, ECON, ENGL, EVSC, GDS, GSGS, GSVS, GSSJ, GCCS, PHS, HIST, HIUS, HIAF, HIEA, HILA, HIME, HISA, MDST, MESA, RELG, RELA, RELB, RELC, RELH, RELI, RELJ, RELS, SOC, STS, WGS, STAT, LAST. Below is a starting list of approved/common electives: - AAS 3500 - Intermediate Seminar in African-American & African Studies Credits: 3
Approved Topic: Development and the Environment in Modern Africa
Approved Topic: Environmental Justice Across the Globe
Approved Topic: Black Environmental Thought
Approved Topic: Environmental Justice in the Mid-Atlantic - AAS 3710 - African Worlds through Life Stories Credits: 3
- AAS 3810 - Race, Culture and Inequality Credits: 3
- AAS 3853 - From Redlined to Subprime: Race and Real Estate in the US Credits: 3
- AMST 3200 - African American Political Thought Credits: 3
- AMST 3300 - Introduction to Latinx Studies Credits: 3
- AMST 3323 - Hemispheric Latinx Literature and Culture Credits: 3
- AMST 3630 - Vietnam War in Literature and Film Credits: 3
- AMST 3790 - Moving On: Migration in/to the US Credits: 3
- ARAD 3550 - Topics of Arts in Context Credits: 3 to 4
- ARTS 2110 - Introduction to Photography I Credits: 3
- ARTS 2220 - Introduction to Digital Art I Credits: 3
- ARTS 2372 - Introduction to Filmmaking II Credits: 3
- ANTH 2160 - Culture and the Environment Credits: 3
- ANTH 2285 - Anthropology of Development and Humanitarianism Credits: 3
- ANTH 2589 - Topics in Archaeology Credits: 3
- ANTH 3100 - Indigenous Landscapes Credits: 3
- ANTH 3280 - Introduction to Native American Studies: (Mis)Representations Credits: 3
- ANTH 3290 - Life, Technology, and the Contemporary Condition Credits: 3
- ANTH 3340 - Ecology and Society: An Introduction to the New Ecological Anthropology Credits: 3
- ANTH 3450 - Native American Languages Credits: 3
- ARCH 3500 - Special Topics in Architecture Credits: 3
- ARH 3608 - Historic Preservation Theory and Practice Credits: 3
- ARTH 3863 - East Asian Art, Landscape, and Ecology Credits: 3
- ARTH 3591 - Art History Colloquium Credits: 3
- CE 3050 - Energy Systems and the Environment Credits: 3
- CE 4040 - Sustainability and Systems in the Built Environment Credits: 3
- CE 4500 - Special Topics in Civil Engineering Credits: 1 to 3
Approved Topic: Engineering Social Justice - COMM 4821 - Foundations of Sustainable Commerce Credits: 3
- COMM 4822 - Invest in Sustainable Future Credits: 3
- CS 2501 - Special Topics in Computer Science Credits: 1 to 3
Approved Topic: Careers in Computing for Social Good - CS 3501 - Special Topics in Computer Science Credits: 1 to 3
Approved Topic: Foundations of Data Analysis - CS 3710 - Introduction to Cybersecurity Credits: 3
- ECON 3010 - Intermediate Microeconomics Credits: 4
- ECON 3020 - Intermediate Macroeconomics Credits: 3
- ECON 3640 - The Economics of Africa Credits: 3
- ECON 4210 - International Trade: Theory and Policy Credits: 3
- ECON 4220 - International Finance and Macroeconomics Credits: 3
- ECON 4230 - Seminar on Trade and Development Credits: 3
- ECON 4310 - Economics of the Public Sector Credits: 3
- ECON 4430 - Environmental Economics Credits: 3
- ECON 4610 - Economic Development Credits: 3
- ECON 4620 - Seminar on Development Economics Credits: 3
- ENGL 2508 - Studies in Fiction Credits: 3
- ENGL 3545 - Studies in American Literature before 1900 Credits: 3
- ENGL 3572 - Studies in African-American Literature and Culture Credits: 3
- ENGL 3825 - Desktop Publishing Credits: 3
- ENGL 4560 - Seminar in Modern and Contemporary Literature Credits: 3
- ENGR 2595 - Special Topics in Engineering Credits: 1 to 4
- ENWR 3500 - Topics in Advanced Writing & Rhetoric Credits: 3
Approved Topic: Global Democracy, Human Rights, and Advocacy
Approved Topic: Environmental Justice Writing - ENWR 3740 - Black Women’s Writing & Rhetoric Credits: 3
- EVSC 2220 - Conservation Ecology: Biodiversity and Beyond Credits: 3
- EVSC 3200 - Fundamentals of Ecology Credits: 3
- EVSC 4066 - Changing Global Carbon Cycle Credits: 3
- EVSC 4100 - Management of Forest Ecosystems Credits: 4
- EVSC 4240 - Restoration Ecology Credits: 3
- EVSC 4250 - Ecosystem Ecology Credits: 3
- EVSC 4380 - Air Pollution Environmental Justice Credits: 3
- EVSC 4640 - Water Resources in a Changing World Credits: 4
- EVSC 4650 - Water Sustainability Credits: 3
- EVSC 4991 - The Theory and Practice of Biodiversity Conservation Credits: 2
- GDS 3113 - A Buddhist Approach to Development Credits: 4
- GDS 3114 - Science, Technology and Development Credits: 3
- GDS 4951 - University Museums Internship Credits: 3
- GSGS 3100 - Critical Conceptions of the Global Credits: 3
- GSGS 3112 - Global Perspectives on Corruption Credits: 3
- GSGS 4100 - Global Activism for Social Justice Credits: 3
- GSMS 3010 - The Global in Situ: Perspectives from the Middle East and South Asia Credits: 3
- GSSJ 3579 - New Practicum in Global Security and Justice Credits: 3
- GSVS 3020 - Sustainable Design Thinking II Credits: 3
- GSVS 3110 - Sustainable Communities Credits: 3
- GSVS 3150 - Sustainability Leadership from the Grounds Up Credits: 2
- GSVS 3210 - The Global Context of Clean Energy Materials Credits: 3
- GSVS 3310 - Sustainability Policy at Home & Abroad Credits: 3
- GSVS 4100 - Evidence for (Sustainability) Policy Credits: 3
- GSVS 4810 - Vietnam: An Ecological-Economic Exploration Credits: 3
- ITTR 4010 - Narrating (Un-)sustainability: Ecocritical Explorations in Italy & Mediterr Credits: 3
- LAR 3500 - Special Tops in Landscape Arch Credits: 3
Approved Topic: Space of Race
Approved Topic: Confronting Racialized Grounds - LPPP 3250 - Global Development Policy Credits: 3
- LPPP 3500 - Special Topics in Social Entrepreneurship Credits: 3
Approved Topic: Corporate Social Responsibility
Approved Topic: Equity by Design: Transformative Social Enterprise
Approved Topic: Impact Investing in Action: Appalachia - LPPP 4210 - Integrating Ethics in Public Policy Credits: 3
- LPPS 3050 - Introduction to Social Entrepreneurship Credits: 3
- LPPS 3295 - Global Humanitarian Crises Response Credits: 3
- LPPS 4730 - Impact Investing Credits: 3
- LPPS 4735 - Experiential Social Entrepreneurship Credits: 3
- MDST 4210 - Global Environmental Media Credits: 3
- MESA 3110 - Sustainable Environments Middle East and South Asia Credits: 3
- MUSI 3570 - Music Cultures Credits: 3
- PHIL 2652 - Animal Minds and Animal Ethics Credits: 3
- PHIL 2500 - Survey on a Philosophical Topic Credits: 3
- PHS 3620 - Built Environment & Health Impact Credits: 3
- PHS 3825 - Global Public Health: Challenges and Innovations Credits: 3
- PLAN 3011 - Race and the American City Credits: 3
- PLAN 3050 - Planning Methods Credits: 3
- PLAN 3060 - Law, Land and the Environment Credits: 3
- PLAN 3500 - Special Topics in Planning Credits: 1 to 3
Approved Topic: The Design of Protest - PLAN 3810 - Climate Justice in Cities Credits: 3
- PLAN 3811 - Gender & Built Environment Credits: 3
- PLAN 3813 - Community-Engaged Methods Credits: 3
- PLAN 3840 - Ethics of Cities and Environment Credits: 3
- PLAN 3860 - Cities and Nature Credits: 3
- PLAP 3160 - Politics of Food Credits: 3
- PLCP 3012 - The Politics of Developing Areas Credits: 3
- PLCP 3500 - Special Topics in Comparative Politics Credits: 3
Approved Topic: Grassroots politics: local citizens & states - PLCP 4500 - Special Topics in Comparative Politics Credits: 3
Approved Topic: Inequalities: Causes and Consequences
Approved Topic: Environmental Politics
Approved Topic: The Politics of Climate Change
Approved Topic: Environmental Politics in China - PLCP 4652 - Markets, Inequality, and the Politics of Development Credits: 3
- PLCP 4810 - Politics of Sub-Saharan Africa Credits: 3
- PLIR 3310 - Ethics and Human Rights in World Politics Credits: 3
- RELC 3155 - Christianity and Ecology Credits: 3
- RELG 3416 - Sustainability and Asceticism Credits: 3
- RELH 3105 - Hinduism and Ecology Credits: 3
- SOC 2442 - Systems of Inequality Credits: 3
- SOC 3460 - Future Cities Credits: 3
- SOC 3470 - Sociology of Development Credits: 3
- SOC 3490 - Cities and Cultures Credits: 3
- SOC 3820 - Social Movements Credits: 3
- SOC 4140 - Sociology of Consumption Credits: 3
- STS 2500 - Science and Technology in Social and Global Context Credits: 3
- SYS 2054 - Systems Case Studies Credits: 3
OR - SYS 3054 - Systems Case Studies Credits: 3
Language Competency
Completion/satisfaction of World Language Literacy as detailed in the College Curriculum. Students can meet the World Languages requirement by successfully completing one of the following courses of action: - Earn exemption by placing beyond the 2020 level by examination
- Take 14 credits, or four semesters of a language in the proper sequence typically finishing at the 2020 level
- After placement, complete the remaining courses in the sequence up to the fourth semester (usually 2020)
Requirements for the Global Environments & Sustainability Concentration
Prerequisites (6 credits)
Foundation Course (3 credits)
Core Courses (9 credits)
Three core courses in Global Studies: Elective Courses (15 credits)
Five electives from the list below, as well as student-proposed electives. At least 3 of the 5 required electives must be at the 3000 level or above. Capstone Seminar (3 credits)
Language Competency
Completion/satisfaction of World Language Literacy as detailed in the College Curriculum. Students can meet the World Languages requirement by successfully completing one of the following courses of action: - Earn exemption by placing beyond the 2020 level by examination
- Take 14 credits, or four semesters of a language in the proper sequence typically finishing at the 2020 level
- After placement, complete the remaining courses in the sequence up to the fourth semester (usually 2020)
Requirements for the Global Middle East and South Asia Concentration
Prerequisites
Completion of a 2020 or equivalent Middle Eastern (Arabic, Hebrew, Persian) or South Asian (Hindi, Urdu) language. Co-requisite
Completion of a 3010 or equivalent Middle Eastern (Arabic, Hebrew, Persian) or South Asian (Hindi, Urdu) language. Requirements (30 credits total)
A total of ten courses (5 Global Studies courses, 5 MESALC courses) Global Studies Courses (contributing 15 credits)
MESALC Courses (contributing 15 credits)
- Completion of a 3020 or equivalent Middle Eastern (Arabic, Hebrew, Persian) or South Asian (Hindi, Urdu) language. (3 Credits)
- Four non-language courses (12 Credits) from MESALC, Religious Studies, Political Science, Sociology, Anthropology, and Media Studies amongst others. Two of these courses (6 Credits) must be 3000 level or above. Additional courses may be approved with advisor permission.
Other Requirements
- A maximum of 12 study abroad and domestic transfer credits are allowed, with the permission of the major advisor.
- USEM credits do not count toward major requirements.
- Students who declare a major in any of the Global Studies tracks may not declare a major in another Global Studies track.
- Students may declare a major in both Global MESALC and any other MESALC degree (Middle East Studies, Middle Eastern Language & Literature, South Asian Studies, or South Asian Language & Literature).
Requirements for the Global Public Health Concentration
Prerequisites (3 Credit Hours)
Core Courses (9 credits)
Three Global Studies core courses drawn from these areas: Global History, Global Humanities, Global Social Sciences, and Quantitative Skills, which are selected thoughtfully in consultation with a GS-GPH advisor, taking into account the student’s individualized global health focus; titles and course numbers vary from semester to semester. Courses that count towards the Quantitative/Diagnostics requirement:
Required Courses (9 credits)
A PHS Methods/Quantitative Course. Titles and course numbers vary from semester to semester. Approved courses include:
Capstone Seminar (3 credits)
Elective Courses (9 credits)
Three electives that must be preapproved for each student. - These courses will be selected thoughtfully in consultation with a GS-GPH advisor, taking into account the student’s individualized global health focus. Students are also encouraged to take another available PHS course to fulfill an elective requirement. Titles and course numbers vary from semester to semester.
Language Competency
Completion/satisfaction of World Language Literacy as detailed in the College Curriculum. Students can meet the World Languages requirement by successfully completing one of the following courses of action: - Earn exemption by placing beyond the 2020 level by examination
- Take 14 credits, or four semesters of a language in the proper sequence typically finishing at the 2020 level
- After placement, complete the remaining courses in the sequence up to the fourth semester (usually 2020)
Requirements for the Security and Justice Concentration
Prerequisites (3 Credit Hours)
Foundation Course (3 credits)
Core Courses (9 credits)
Choose one course from each of the following categories: Global Societies & Cultures, Global History, and Global Diagnostics; titles and course numbers vary from semester to semester. Global Societies & Cultures
Electives (15 credits)
Five electives from the following list of courses, as well as student-proposed electives. - AMST 3790 - Moving On: Migration in/to the US Credits: 3
- AMST 3630 - Vietnam War in Literature and Film Credits: 3
- ANTH 1050 - Anthropology of Globalization Credits: 3
- ANTH 2250 - Nationalism, Racism, Multiculturalism Credits: 3
- ANTH 2625 - Imagining Africa Credits: 3
- ANTH 3590 - Social and Cultural Anthropology Credits: 3
- EDHS 3055 - Development and Prevention of Youth Violence Credits: 3
- EDLF 3492 - Political Dialogue Credits: 3
- EDLF 3610 - Immigrant Youth and Families Credits: 3
- GETR 3390 - Nazi Germany Credits: 3
- GETR 3462 - Neighbors and Enemies Credits: 3
- GETR 3470 - Writing and Screening the Holocaust Credits: 3
- GSGS 3112 - Global Perspectives on Corruption Credits: 3
- GSGS 4100 - Global Activism for Social Justice Credits: 3
- GSGS 4150 - State, Society, & Development Credits: 3
- HIAF 2002 - Modern African History Credits: 4
- HIEA 2101 - Modern Korean History: One Peninsula, Two Paths Credits: 3
- HIEA 2031 - Modern China Credits: 3
- HIEA 3162 - Historical China and the World Credits: 3
- HIEA 3172 - The Japanese Empire Credits: 3
- HIEU 2162 - History of Russia Since 1917 Credits: 3
- HIEU 3312 - Europe at War, 1939-45: Occupation, Genocide, Resistance Credits: 3
- HIEU 3692 - The Holocaust Credits: 3
- HIEU 3752 - Evolution of the International System, 1815-1950 Credits: 3
- HILA 2002 - Modern Latin America, 1824 to Present Credits: 3
- HILA 3051 - Modern Central America Credits: 3
- HIME 2002 - The Making of the Modern Middle East Credits: 3
- HIME 3571 - Arab History at the Movies Credits: 3
- HISA 2003 - History of Modern India Credits: 3
- HISA 3003 - Twentieth-Century South Asia Credits: 3
- HIST 2213 - The Rule of Law Credits: 3
- HIST 2011 - History of Human Rights Credits: 3
- HIST 3281 - Genocide: A Global History Credits: 3
- HIST 3452 - The Second World War Credits: 3
- HIUS 2052 - America and War Since 1900 Credits: 3
- HIUS 3172 - America in Vietnam Credits: 3
- HIUS 3456 - America in the World since 1914 Credits: 3
- LPPS 3040 - US National Security Policy Credits: 3
- LPPS 3240 - Terrorism and Counterterrorism Credits: 3
- LPPS 3295 - Global Humanitarian Crises Response Credits: 3
- LPPS 3340 - Innovating for Defense Credits: 3
- MDST 3402 - War and the Media Credits: 3
- MESA 3381 - Spies in Action: Cine-Media Worlds of Espionage Credits: 3
- MEST 3490 - Dangerous in Danger: Refuge and Otherness in Times of Crisis Credits: 3
- PETR 3125 - #MahsaAmini: Revolution and Media Credits: 3
- PHIL 2060 - Philosophical Problems in Law Credits: 3
- PHIL 3010 - Darwin and Philosophy Credits: 3
- PHIL 3640 - Political Philosophy Credits: 3
- PLCP 3350 - Gender Politics in Comparative Perspective Credits: 3
- PLCP 3410 - Politics of the Middle East and North Africa Credits: 3
- PLCP 3630 - Politics in India and Pakistan Credits: 3
- PLCP 4140 - Democracy and Dictatorship Credits: 3
- PLIR 2030 - International Relations of East Asia Credits: 3
- PLIR 3010 - Theories of International Relations Credits: 3
- PLIR 3060 - Military Force in International Relations Credits: 3
- PLIR 3310 - Ethics and Human Rights in World Politics Credits: 3
- PLIR 3400 - Foreign Policy of the United States Credits: 3
- PLIR 3760 - Russia/USSR in World Affairs Credits: 3
- PLIR 4150 - Economics and National Security Credits: 3
- PLIR 4320 - Religion and War Credits: 3
- PLIR 4430 - Empire, Hegemony, Leadership Credits: 3
- PLIR 4440 - Domestic Politics and American Foreign Policy Credits: 3
- PLIR 4450 - The Clash of Ideas in World Politics Credits: 3
- PPL 2010 - Morality, Law and the State Credits: 3
- PSYC 2600 - Introduction to Social Psychology Credits: 3
- RELG 2300 - Religious Ethics and Moral Problems Credits: 3
- RELG 2495 - Religious Violence in the West: From the Crusades to #Charlottesville Credits: 3
- RELG 3950 - Evil in Modernity: Banal or Demonic Credits: 3
- RELJ 2024 - Jewish-Muslim Relations Credits: 3
- RUTR 3340 - Books Behind Bars: Life, Lit, & Community Leadership Credits: 4
- SLTR 3300 - Facing Evil in the Twentieth Century: Humanity in Extremis Credits: 3
- SOC 2230 - Criminology Credits: 3
- SOC 3056 - Culture and Power Credits: 3
- SOC 3410 - Race and Ethnic Relations Credits: 3
- SOC 3480 - Sociology of Globalization Credits: 3
- SOC 3820 - Social Movements Credits: 3
- SOC 3860 - Religion & Secularization Credits: 3
- SOC 4055 - Law, Inequality and Social Change Credits: 3
- SOC 4520 - Topics in Religion and Society Credits: 3
- SOC 4720 - Nations and Nationalism Credits: 3
- SOC 4750 - Racism Credits: 3
- SOC 4870 - Immigration Credits: 3
- WGS 3125 - Transnational Feminism Credits: 3
- WGS 3897 - Gender Violence and Social Justice Credits: 3
Capstone Seminar (3 credits)
Language Competency
Completion/satisfaction of World Language Literacy as detailed in the College Curriculum. Students can meet the World Languages requirement by successfully completing one of the following courses of action: - Earn exemption by placing beyond the 2020 level by examination
- Take 14 credits, or four semesters of a language in the proper sequence typically finishing at the 2020 level
- After placement, complete the remaining courses in the sequence up to the fourth semester (usually 2020)
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