The major has five main components:

1. Foundational component 
2. Analytical component 
3. Topical component 
4. Senior seminar 
5. International Experience (required participation in the study abroad program, an international service experience or an internationally-related internship)

See the typical course sequence and schedule of required courses.

1. Foundational Component (6 required courses)

These courses introduce students to social scientific approaches to global issues and to the basics of quantitative analysis.

• EC 102 Microeconomic Principles
• EC 103 Macroeconomic Principles
• EC 220 Business Statistics or
• ST 110 Introduction to Statistical Methods and Data Analysis
• HS 101 Europe and the World Since 1500
• PS 350 Introduction to Comparative Politics
• SC102 Societies and Institutions

2. Analytical Component (4 courses)

These courses deepen and expand the analytical perspectives and knowledge bases addressed in the foundational courses. They are broadly comparative or global in focus. Students choose one course from each departmental grouping listed below:

Economics

EC 348 Development Economics (preferred)
EC 440 International Financial Economics
EC 446 International Trade

History (non-Western): HS300-level courses also satisfy the second core requirement in history; only HS400-level courses count as core credit for students in the Honors Program.

• HS 370 The Jesuits in Asia Since 1542
• HS 371 East Asia in the Modern World
• HS 373 Africa: Past and Present
• HS 374 East Asia on Film
• HS 380 History of South Asia in the Twentieth Century
• HS 382 Jesuits and Empire from the Society's Beginnings to its Suppression
• HS 383 The Cross and the Sword: Christianity and the Making of Colonial Latin America
• HS 384 Modern Latin America
• HS 386 Soldiers and Guerrillas in Modern Latin America
• HS 388 Conquest and Colonization in Africa: 1884-1965
• HS 389 Women and Social Change in Modern Africa
• HS 392 Introduction to Latin American and Latino Studies
• HS 393 The Making of the Modern Middle East
• HS 394 Colonialism and Nationalism in the Middle East and North Africa
• HS 444 War and Revolution: East Asia, 1937-1954
• HS 448 Women and Gender in the Middle East
• HS 461 Seminar: The African Diaspora
• HS 480 Seminar: Cold War in Southern Africa
• HS 482 Asian Studies Seminar
• HS 485 Seminar: Comparative Slavery in the Americas
• HS 486 Seminar: The Great Age of the European Reconnaissance: Travel and Discovery
• HS 487 Seminar: Comparative Revolutions in Latin America
• HS 488 Seminar: Political Violence and Terrorism in the Modern World

Political Science

• PS 357 The Politics of Globalization
• PS 365 International Politics (preferred)
• PS 370 Theories of International Relations

Sociology: SC 101 prerequisite waived for global studies majors (manual registration required).

• SC 362 Global Inequality
• SC 370 Population Studies
• SC 375 Political Sociology
• SC 377 Social Movements and Social Protest
• SC 440 Seminar: Global Sociology

3. Topical Component (4 four courses from at least two of the four departments):

Students complete this component by choosing four courses that focus on a specific topic or theme. Within the four courses, two of the global studies disciplines of economics, history, political science, and sociology must be represented. One course may be outside of the global studies disciplines. Two courses must be at the 300-level or above. Courses may be taken at Loyola and through a variety of study abroad programs. Courses taken through study abroad programs must be approved by the global studies advisor.Students may choose one of the following eight topics: Globalization; European Integration; Global Sustainability and Climate Change; Justice and Human Rights in a Global Context; International Development; Conflict and Nonviolent Conflict Resolution; Identity, Place, and Power; or The Middle East in a Global Context. Students can complete any of the topics listed by taking four of the courses from the approved course list, as described above. Additional courses may be approved for each topic with the permission of the global studies advisor.  Students may also develop and complete additional topics following the submission and approval of a written proposal to the global studies advisor.

Topic 1: Globalization
“Globalization” refers to a process through which economies, societies and cultures have become increasingly integrated. This topic brings together the dynamic economic changes confronting our world and the political and social impact of those changes.

• PS 357 The Politics of Globalization
• PS 366 International Political Economy
• EC 390 Growth, Globalization and History
• EC 446 International Trade
• EC 440 International Financial Economics
• SC 440 Seminar: Global Sociology
• HS 368 The Atlantic World: Readings, Approaches and Explorations
• HS 393 The Making of the Modern Middle East
• IB 282 International Business
• IB415 International Management
• IB 471 Managing Diversity: Globally and Domestically
• IB472 Globalization: Opportunities and Challenges
• FI 340 Global Financial Management

Topic 2: European Integration
“European Integration” is the study of the historical, political, social and economic changes that have occurred in Europe over the past two centuries, culminating in the present-day European Union.  This topic also examines the challenges faced by the current and aspirant EU countries.

• PS 396 The Politics of Eastern Europe
• PS 397 The Politics of Western Europe
• EC 390 Growth, Globalization and History
• SC 230 Introduction to Czech Culture and Society
• HS 307 Nationalism in Nineteenth Century Europe
• HS 325 Europe since 1945 through Film
• GR 359 History and Development of German Business

Topic 3:  “Global Sustainability and Climate Change”
“Sustainability and Climate Change” focuses on global environmental challenges of today, and approaches to preparing for the future.  Issues to be addressed include the economic, social, political and historical implications of climate change, human impact on the environment and strategies for the healthy and sustainable use of the planet and its resources in the future.

• EC 360 Environmental Economics
• EC 370 Cost Benefit Analysis
• SC 244 Human Social Ecology and Evolution
• HS 343 American Environmental History
• PL314 Environmental Ethics
• BL 104 Twisted Planet: Global Issues in Biology
• CH 114 Global Environment
• LW 409 Special Topics in Law and Social Responsibility: Environmental Law

Topic 4:  Justice and Human Rights in a Global Context
“Justice and Human Rights” focuses on the study of human rights.  Issues to be addressed include the historical evolution of human rights and an examination of the existence and implications of injustice and infringements on human rights.  Examples include oppression, discrimination and prejudice.

• PS 376 International Law
• PS 342 Equal Protection Law
• PS 364 Non-Western Approaches to International Relations
• PS 480 Seminar: Poland and the Holocaust
• HS 443 Apartheid and Its Demise in South Africa
• HS 319 Nazi Germany and the Holocaust
• HS 485 Comparative Slavery in the Americas
• SC 221 The Sociology of Race, Class and Gender
• SC362 Global Inequality
• TH 383 Christian Faith and Economic Justice

Topic 5: International Development
“International Development” focuses on the factors that impinge on the economic and social progress of countries and regions in parts of the world that are classified as “developing”.  These countries and regions are most often found in Africa, Asia, Central and South America, and Eastern Europe.  Important aspects of this topic will include the sources of underdevelopment, the existence and effect of inequality and poverty, and the impact of colonization and decolonization on the political, economic and social evolution of these regions.

• HS 386 Conquest and Colonization in Africa
• HS 308 White Man’s Burden
• HS 384 Modern Latin America
• HS 382 Jesuits and Empire from the Society’s Beginning to Its Suppression
• HS 372 The Vietnam War through Film and Literature
• HS 373 Africa: Past and Present
• HS 380 History of South Asia in the Twentieth Century
• HS 328 Colonialism and Cultural Identity in Modern Europe
• HS 389 Women and Social Change in Africa
• HS 384 Modern Latin America
• HS 380 History of South Asia in the Twentieth Century
• HS 394 Colonialism and Nationalism in the Middle East and North Africa
• HS 448 Women and Gender in the Middle East
• HS 489 America in the Middle East
• SC 362 Global Inequality
• SC 440 Seminar: Global Sociology
• EC 348 Development Economics
• PS 353 Global Democratization
• EN376 Post-Colonial Literature

Topic 6: Conflict and Non-Violent Conflict Resolution
“Conflict Resolution” is the practical study of how international conflicts begin, evolve and become resolved.

• HS 384 Modern Latin America
• HS 386 Soldiers and Guerillas in Modern Latin America
• SC339 Conflict, War and Peace
• SC 375 Political Sociology
• SC 377 Social Movements and Social Change
• HS 393 The Making of the Modern Middle East
• HS 394 Colonialism and Nationalism in the Middle East and North Africa
• HS 487 Seminar: Comparative Revolutions in Latin America
• HS 489 America in the Middle East
• PS 304 The Politics of the Middle East
• PS 369 War
• EC 320The Political Economy of War
• ML 404 Another America, Central America

Topic 7: Identity, Place and Power
“Identity, Place and Power” addresses the importance of identity in global flows, conflicts and connections. Included in this topic are courses on ethnic identity, religion, gender, and nationalism. The issues of exile, migration and displacement are also addressed.

• PS 364 Non-Western Approaches to International Relations
• SC101 Self and Society
• SC104 Cultural Anthropology
• SC210 Introduction to Gender Studies
• SC 310  Sociology of Migration in the U.S.
• SC 370  Population Studies
• SC 471 Minority Group Conflict
• HS 461 Seminar: The African Diaspora
• HS 446 Modern Latin American Cities
• ML 342 From Plymouth Rock to Ellis Island: An Examination of Immigration to America.
• ML 392 Introduction to Latin American and Latino Studies
• ML 362 The Early Latino Experience in the United States

Topic 8: The Middle East in a Global Context
The Middle East is a region deeply affected by international politics. This topic allows students to pursue their interests in this nexus of cultural diversity, social change and political conflict.

HS 393 The Making of the Modern Middle East
HS 394 Colonialism and Nationalism in the Middle East and North Africa
HS 448 Women and Gender in the Middle East
HS 489 America in the Middle East
PS 304 Politics of the Middle East
SC363 Special Topics in Global Studies: Islamic Social Movements
TH 384 Christianity and Islam

4. Senior Seminar in Global Studies (GT 400):

The course is intended as an opportunity for integrating students' experience of the global studies program. It consists of a senior project, guest lectures by global studies faculty and visiting lecturers, and other integrative work selected by the instructor. The course is offered each spring semester.

5. International Experience:

  Global studies majors must participate in one of the following: the study abroad program, an internationally-related service experience, or an internationally-related internship. Study abroad may involve a summer, one semester, or two semester experience, as coordinated by the Office of International Programs. Some courses taken in the study abroad program may meet requirements for the global studies major if approved in advance by the global studies advisor. Students may fulfill the service experience by completing the service component of specific service-learning courses; participating in Project Mexico or Encounter El Salvador through the Center for Community Service and Justice; or following the submission and approval of a written proposal to the global studies advisor. A list of approved service-learning courses is available from the global studies advisor. Students may complete the internship experience following the submission and approval of a written proposal to the global studies advisor.

Suggested Core Courses for Global Studies majors
Because a broad understanding of international issues and traditions is essential, students are strongly encouraged to take a world religion course as the second core theology requirement; for example:

• TH 247 The Presence of God: Christian Mysticism, East and West
• TH 261 Introduction to Judaism
• TH 266 Christian Theology and World Religions
• TH 270 Creation and Evolution

To meet the natural science core requirement, majors should consider one of the following:

• BL 104 Twisted Planet: Global Issues in Biology
• BL 107 Life on the Edge
• BL 111 Environmental Biology
• BL 115 Biology, Evolution, and Human Nature

In addition students are encouraged to use Loyola's core language requirement to attain competency in the language that is most relevant to their topical focus.