Concentrations
Across these concentrations, UNC Chapel Hill offers hundreds of existing courses that students might draw upon to fulfill their degree requirements. In addition, students at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are able to take advantage of inter-university enrollment opportunities to take classes at NC State University and Duke University, as appropriate to their concentrations and course needs.
The REEES Concentration stresses multi- and inter-disciplinary approaches to the study of Russia, Eurasia, and Eastern Europe in an era of globalization and internationalization. Students work closely with the Director, Associate Director, and affiliated faculty members of the Center for Slavic, Eurasian, and East European Studies (CSEEES) in constructing their programs.
The REEES Concentration integrates language training and area studies courses along with the development of technical and academic expertise. Students choose a regional focus, related languages, and relevant area studies courses. The program is unique within the University, combining learning of a Slavic or East European language (Russian, Czech, Hungarian, Polish, Serbian-Croatian) with a substantial number of courses that focus upon the Russian, Eurasian, and East European geo-cultural area. Graduates find employment in the US military and government, national and international nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector or choose to continue their education.
Most students complete the program in two years, but by taking extra course work during the semester and/or summer, students have the possibility to complete the M.A. in 18 months. This fast-track option is designed for Foreign Area Officer (FAO) personnel.
Thematic Global Studies M.A. students will focus in one of three possible areas of concentration:
- Global Politics, Institutions, and Societies
- Global Economy
- Global Migration and Labor Rights
Global Politics, Institutions, and Societies
In this concentration, M.A. students investigate the relationships between democracy, constitutional design, and conflict, differing expectations of states and societies, and varying understandings of human rights and citizenship.
Global Economy
This concentration focuses on the practicalities of economic and human development in the developing and developed world. The concentration will allow students to master aspects of economic development, international aid and investment, and global trade and finance.
Global Migration and Labor Rights
This concentration focuses on the intersection of labor rights and practices, foreign direct investment and labor rights, the nature of work in the developed and developing world, the relationship between migration and work, and the impact of migration on home economies and communities.
As a capstone project, Thematic Global Studies students will write and defend a policy or conference paper on a topic relevant to the concentration. Students will work with advisers to write the capstone paper and register for writing credits (3 credits).
International and Field Experience Opportunities
During the third semester of the two-year program, Global Studies M.A. students often engage in internships, field research, or study abroad to supplement their experiences and learning in their chosen concentrations. We expect most Global Studies M.A. students to use this time to study or work abroad, but we can also envision students using this opportunity to conduct field work or internships on globally relevant topics in the United States.
For example, students might work on labor rights, health concerns, or economic issues among Latino immigrants in the state of North Carolina. Students will receive academic credit for field experiences either by enrolling at a foreign institution and transferring up to 9 credits or by enrolling in the Global Studies M.A. internship course (GLBL 893) for up to 9 credit hours.
Study or work abroad is not a degree requirement. If a student comes to the Global Studies M.A. program with an already extensive experience of studying or working abroad (2+ years), that student might better be served by taking elective classes on campus during the third semester rather than engaging in additional study abroad or internship. The flexibility of the third semester will allow students to design the best degree options for their individual circumstances. These decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the students’ academic advisers and the Global Studies Director of Graduate Studies.