Undergraduate Program

 

Requirements for Declared GLBL Majors

Overview

Global Studies (GLBL) majors must complete all requirements of the General College. For the major, Global Studies majors must take a total of 10 courses. All majors are required to take GLBL 210 as the gateway core course. Of the remaining nine courses, two are core courses representing a variety of disciplinary approaches to international and global issues. The two core courses must not come from the same academic department. The other seven courses comprise the student’s concentration, four in their thematic area and three in their geographic area. Of these seven courses, five must be above the survey level (courses numbered 200 and above). No courses fulfilling major requirements may be taken pass/fail. The degree offered is a Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies.  Please be sure to also review the Undergraduate Bulletin.

Concentration

Every student must choose a theme and area studies region in which to concentrate. Of these seven concentration courses, five must be above the survey level (courses numbered 200 and above). For the thematic requirement, students will select four courses that explore one of the four thematic concentrations:

• International politics, nation-states, social movements
• Global economics, trade, development
• Global health and environment
• Transnational cultures, identities, arts

In addition, three courses are required that are substantially grounded in a world area, exemplifying the transnational issues explored in the chosen theme. The world areas are:

• Africa
• Asia
• Latin America
• Middle East
• Russia/Eastern Europe
• Western Europe/European Union

Language Requirement

Global studies majors must earn credit or demonstrate proficiency for six levels of modern language study. Students may choose six levels of one language or four levels of one language and two of another. The primary language must be relevant to the declared world area concentration. Of the six required levels of language, at least three must be satisfied at UNC-Chapel Hill or as part of a UNC-approved study abroad program, or as transfer credit from another institution of higher education. The curriculum urges that in addition to fulfilling requirements, GLBL students continue the study of a foreign language to a level as close as possible to fluency. Click here for more information concerning the foreign language requirement.

Study Abroad

Though study abroad is not required, all GLBL students should also make every effort to include a study abroad program in their undergraduate education, preferably in their sophomore or junior year. Click here for more information on study abroad.

Courses Approved for Credit

Click here for an updated list.

Requests to Count a Course Toward the Major

If you are interested in having a course you have taken count for Global Studies credit, students must submit a petition through our new Course Credit Request System. Petitions will no longer be accepted via e-mail.

Please keep in mind the guidelines for acceptable courses in the major. These include:

• That theme courses be transnational in scope. That is, that they substantially focus on more than one country in the relevant course.
• That area courses focus predominantly on the relevant geographical area.

Additional Information

Questions about the major requirements may be addressed to Dr. Jonathan Weiler, Director of Undergraduate Studies.