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International & Global Studies

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Your path to global citizenship: Learn to think beyond borders in a world where connection is just a click away.

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Undergraduate program

International & Global Studies

Undergrad minor

International and global studies is an interdisciplinary study of the political, economic, social and cultural issues throughout the world, as well as the increasingly interconnected nature, complexity and diversity of the world community. Students often compare subjects across regions of the world, and develop skills and abilities for meaningful cross-cultural and transnational interactions.

Catalogfor International & Global Studies
Quick glancefor International & Global Studies

Featured courses

  • International Development and Culture Change
    ANT 307 | 3 credits
    In an increasingly global world, what does it mean for cultures to change? What does it mean for cultures to stay the same? This course examines what "development" means to people in different cultures, and how the concept of development is itself a product of colonialism, the Cold War, and the current focus on what has been called the neoliberal global economy. The goals of the course are 1) to provide students with a comprehensive study of what economic, social, cultural, and political development has meant over time, and 2) to illustrate the benefits, limitations, and consequences of "progress" and "development" in the lives of people all over the globe. Course examples will come from topics such as conservation, sustainability, and the environment; the preservation of indigenous peoples' ways of life; tourism and its effects in a global world; gender and development; disaster response and reconstruction; and the roles of social movements, development aid, and non-governmental organizations in international development. Offered Occasionally.
  • World Literature
    ENG 357 | 3 credits
    A course designed to provide diversity education by studying world literatures from different regions and historical periods, ranging from ancient to modern Middle East, Africa, Asia, South Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Focus and content will vary with instructor. However, each instructor will cover at least two distinct world traditions. Prerequisites: three credits in 200 level English courses. Offered Annually.
  • Power, Space, and Global Change
    GEO 307 | 3 credits
    As individuals and groups interact, they create and modify political and economic structures. Conflicts and inequalities, as well as improvements to the human condition, are examined at multiple scales. Territorialities, population dynamics, states, borders, and elections are explored with the tools of human geography. Offered Fall.
  • Sugar, Coffee, Rubber, Bananas: Commodities in World History
    HIS 338 | 3 credits
    This course examines the history of everyday commodities that we consume or use, often without considering where they came from (sugar, coffee, rubber, bananas). It centers on the development of plantation-style agriculture in the Americas, Caribbean, Southeast Asia, and Africa from the 1600s-1930s CE. Power relationships between laborers, landowners, colonial governments, and consumers are examined in order to connect trade goods to the historical societies in which they were produced. A particular emphasis is placed on links between European imperialism, labor migration, and inequality. Offered Every Third Semester.
  • Global Impact of Infectious Disease
    MIC 130 | 3 credits
    A multifaceted examination of issues related to infectious disease throughout the world. The course will begin with historical examples of how infectious disease has impacted society, from plagues of centuries past to recent emerging diseases. After defining the types of pathogens and methods for their control, the interplay between infectious disease and global economics, health and politics will be evaluated. Additionally, the impact of public perceptions and misconceptions on the spread of infectious disease will be analyzed. Finally, the role of current human activities in shaping disease patterns of the future will be explored. Offered Fall, Spring, Summer.
  • International Law
    POL 345 | 3 credits
    An examination of international law that explores both its evolution and function in contemporary global politics. The course draws on both theoretical and historical debates about the nature of international law to assess its current and future potential for addressing global challenges. Prerequisite: POL 244 or junior standing. Offered Spring - Odd Numbered Years.
  • Gender and Human Rights
    RGS 373 | 3 credits
    This course provides an overview of transnational women's human rights movements in a variety of locations around the world; locations vary with the instructor. Included in this overview is the study of women's political participation as a human rights issue; women's bodily integrity as a human right; violence against women and reproductive sexual health and rights; human rights as a framework for social and economic and gender justice; and human rights as (quasi) legal accountability; UN agreements, treaties and venues of redress. Prerequisite: RGS 100 or RGS 150 or EDS 206. Offered Fall - Odd Numbered Years.
  • Global Inequality
    SOC 404 | 3 credits
    This course explores explanations for inequality between countries. Macro-sociological theories and comparative methods are used to analyze cross-cultural and cross-national differences and similarities in basic institutions, including family, education, and political economy. The main course objective is that students develop an understanding of the consequences of living in a world of global inequality. Prerequisite: SOC 110 or SOC 120 or SOC 202 or ANT 101 or ANT 202. Offered Every Third Semester.
Portrait of José Rubio-Zepeda

Hear from an alum

José Rubio-Zepeda

In the International and Global Studies minor, I had the opportunity to engage in an array of courses, which allowed me to envision myself working in Latin America and to specialize in the region. I took the knowledge gained and continued to develop my research interests into graduate school.

Portrait of Ashley Schwartz

Hear from an alum

Ashley Schwartz

What I loved about UWL's International and Global Studies minor was the flexibility to take classes in a variety of disciplines. The capstone also provides a great opportunity to pursue personal interests. As part of my capstone, I was able to work on a research article that was eventually published!

Portrait of Amanda Kind

Hear from an alum

Amanda Kind

Through my experience in the International and Global Studies program, I have been able to see how national policies have a global impact and the importance of global collaboration. Learning how to think beyond borders is important when addressing global challenges, which I plan to do as a State Department employee someday.