Components of the Major

*Courses in bold are being offered in FALL 2025. All diversity or Messina sections for any course listed below will be counted as GT.

The major has five required components:

Foundational component
Analytical component
Topical component
Senior seminar
International Experience

See the typical course sequence and schedule of required courses.

Foundational Component (7 required courses)

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

EC 102 Microeconomics Principles
EC 103 Macroeconomics Principles (Same class as HN 231 Honors Seminar: Macroeconomics Principles)
EC 220 Business Statistics or ST 110 Introduction to Statistical Methods and Data Analysis or ST210 Introduction to Statistics
GT 201 Introduction to Global Studies
HS 100 Encountering the Past
PS 350 Comparative Politics
SC 202 Social Change and Social Power or SC 203 Globalization and Society

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 304 Survey Of International Economics
EC 348 Development Economics
EC 440 International Financial Economics
EC 446 International Trade

History (non-western)

HS 200 also satisfy the second core requirement in history; only 300 or 400-level courses count as core credit for students in the Honors Program.

HS 220 Colonial Africa
HS 223 Women and Gender in Middle East
HS 224 Warfare in the Eastern Mediterranean from Troy to Iraq
HS 227 Introduction Modern Latin America
HS 233 Global Communism
HS 236 The Black Death in Global Perspective
HS 250 Introduction to Islamic History
HS 252 History of South Asia in the Twentieth Century
HS 263 Empire in East Asia 1600 - Present
HS 274 East Asia on Film
HS 364 War Memory
HS 373 Nationalism and Decolonization
HS 389 Gender and Power in Modern Africa
HS 390 Gender and Sexuality in Latin America
HS 396 Modern Middle East Through Literature and Film
HS 450 History of Afghanistan
HS 478 Seminar: Global Histories of Sexuality
HS 489 Seminar: America in the Middle East
HS 490 Seminar: Environmental History in Latin America
HS 492 Seminar: Minority Identity and Citizenship in the Modern World
HS 495 Seminar: East Asia in the Global 1960s

Political Science

PS 310 Protest and Mobilization in Authoritarian Regimes
PS 355 Global Governance and International Institutions
PS 357 The Politics of Globalization
PS 365 International Politics (preferred)

Sociology

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

SC 277 The Sociology of Food and Foodscapes
SC 339 Conflict and Peace Studies
SC 362 Global Inequalities
SC 363 Special Topics in Global Studies: Global Immigration
SC 373 Sociology of Human Rights
SC 374 Sociology of Development
SC 376 Israel-Palestine: Conflict Narratives, Media Framing, and Peace-Building
SC 377 Social Movements and Social Protest
SC 378 Islamic Social Movements
SC 422 Food Fight: The Inequality, Injustice, and Resistance in the Food System
SC 440 Seminar: Global Sociology
SC 441 Seminar: Conflict Transformation and Reconciliation in Divided Societies

Topical Component

Students complete this component by choosing four courses that focus on a specific topic or theme.

4 courses are required to complete the topic
At least 2 different Global Studies disciplines must be represented
Up to 2 courses may be outside of the Global Studies disciplines
2 courses must be at the 300 level or higher

Topic 1: Globalization and Sustainable Development

Economies, societies and cultures have become increasingly integrated. This topic focuses on the dynamics of global change at the economic, social, political, cultural and environmental level. Also, this topic focuses on the factors that impinge on the economic and social progress of countries and regions in parts of the world that are considered less developed. 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 extent and dynamics of inequality and poverty, and the impact of colonization and decolonization on the political, economic and social evolution of these regions.

Economics options for Topic 1

EC 304 Survey Of International Economics
EC 348 Development Economics
EC 360 Environmental Economics
EC 440 International Financial Economics
EC 446 International Trade

History options for Topic 1

HS 211 American Environmental History
HS 213 A Century of Diplomacy: U.S. Foreign Policy Since 1890
HS 222 Global Environmental History
HS 223 Women and Gender in the Middle East
HS 246 History of Modern China
HS 247 History of Modern Japan
HS 249 History of Mexico
HS 252 History of South Asia 20th Century
HS 255 Indian History, Culture, and Religion through Film
HS 263 Empire in East Asia: 1600 - Present
HS 317 Germans in Africa, Africans in Germany
HS 342 Health and Illness in Latin America
HS 363 A Century of Diplomacy: U.S. Foreign Policy Since 1890
HS 372 The Vietnam War through Film and Literature
HS 373 Contesting Empire: Nationalism and Decolonization in the Afro-Atlantic World
HS 389 Gender and Power in Modern Africa
HS 390 Gender & Sexuality in Latin America
HS 489D Seminar: America in the Middle East
HS 490 Seminar: Environmental History in Latin America
HS 494 Seminar :Race and Geopolitics in the American Century
HS 495 Seminar: East Asia in the Global 1960s

Political Science options for Topic 1

PS 302 Chinese Politics
PS 303 Latin American Politics
PS 304 Politics of the Middle East
PS 307 The Global Politics of Migration
PS 308 China and Globalization
PS 309 Political Economy of Development
PS 310 Protest and Mobilization in Authoritarian Regimes
PS 311 African Politics
PS 332 Politics Through Literature and Film
PS 335 Refugees and International Politics
PS 336D Politics and Globalization of Taiwan
PS 355 Global Governance and International Institutions
PS 357 The Politics of Globalization
PS 358 Global Environmental Politics
PS 360 Transitional Justice
PS 364 International Relations through Non-Western Lenses
PS 365 International Politics
PS 404 Seminar: Protest and Resistance in Contemporary China

Sociology options for Topic 1

SC 276 Human Health and the Environment
SC 362 Global Inequalities
SC 373 Sociology of Human Rights
SC 374 Sociology of Development
SC 422 Food Fight: Inequality, Injustice, and Resistance in the Food System
SC 440 Seminar: Global Sociology

Course options outside the Global Studies Disciplines for Topic 1

AC 315 Comparative Business Environments (same as FI 315)
BH 282 Global Environment of Business (or IB 282)
BL 104 Twisted Planet: Global Issues in Biology
BL 276 Human Health and the Environment
CH 114 Global Environment
EN 376 Postcolonial Literature
EN 385 Seminar in Post-Colonial Literature
FI 315 Comparative Business Environments (Sames as AC 315)
FI 340 Global Financial Management
FR 307 French for Health Professionals and Humanitarian Aid
FR 315 French for International Relations
IB 282 Global Environment of Business (or BH282)
IB 300 Intro Czech Business and Culture (same as MG 300)
IB 415 International Management
IB 473 Global Strategic Alliances (same as MG473)
IS 360 Management of Global Info Tech
LW 410 International Business Law
LW 411 Environmental Law and Policy
MG 300 Intro Czech Business and Culture (same as IB 300)
MG 333 Global Strategy for Sustainability
MG 473 Global Strategic Alliances (same as IB473)
PL 314 Environmental Ethics
TH 312 Christian Environmental Ethics
TH 395 Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation

Topic 2: Conflict, Justice, and Human Rights

Violence is a universal feature of human societies, affecting the lives of individuals as well as of entire communities – local, national and transnational. To build a world more just and peaceful, we need to study how conflicts arise, how they develop and how they can be solved. Moreover, to reaffirm human rights for individuals and minorities we need to study their historical evolution, and examine the existence and implications of injustice and infringements on human rights.

History options for Topic 2

HS 213 A Century of Diplomacy: U.S. Foreign Policy Since 1890
HS 218 The Civil Rights Era
HS 223 Women and Gender in the Middle East
HS 224 Warfare in the Eastern Mediterranean from Troy to Iraq
HS 228 Peace and War in Ancient Rome
HS 233 Global Communism
HS 241 Revolutionary America
HS 244 African American History through Film
HS 248 Violence and Holiness in 20th Century El Salvador
HS 251 Global Histories of Disability
HS 262 History and Politics of the Balkans (PS 333)
HS 263 Empire in East Asia 1600 - Present
HS 265 The First World War
HS 319 Nazi Germany and the Holocaust
HS 342 Health and Illness in Latin America
HS 357 Racial Justice and Truth Telling in Baltimore (same as SC 348)
HS 364 War Memory
HS 372 The Vietnam War through Film and Literature
HS 373 Contesting Empire: Nationalism and Decolonization in the Afro-Atlantic World
HS 376 Empire in East Asia: 1600 - Present
HS 383 Violence and Holiness in 20th Century El Salvador (same as TH 209)
HS 390 Gender & Sexuality in Latin America
HS 474 Seminar: Holocaust Memory in Germany and America
HS 489 Seminar: America in the Middle East
HS 492 Seminar: Minority Identity & Citizenship in the Modern World
HS 495 Seminar: East Asia in the Global 1960's

Political Science options for Topic 2

PS 304 Politics of the Middle East
PS 307 Global Politics of Migration
PS 310 Protest and Mobilization in Authoritarian Regimes
PS 333 History and Politics of the Balkans (same as HS 262, )
PS 334 Global Justice
PS 335 Refugees and International Politics
PS 352 Gender, Human Rights, and Conflict
PS 360 Transitional Justice
PS 361 9/11 and American Foreign Policy
PS 363 Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict
PS 364 International Relations through Non-Western Lenses
PS 369 Russian Foreign Policy
PS 404 Seminar: Politics in Contemporary China
PS 423 Genocide, Trauma, Memory: Mass Atrocity in the 21st Century
PS 426 Seminar: Conflict, Peace and Reconciliation in the Balkans
PS 472 Seminar: Warfare and Human Nature
PS 480 Seminar: Poland and the Holocaust

Sociology options for Topic 2

SC 339 Conflict and Peace Studies
SC 348 Racial Justice and Truth Telling in Baltimore - only Spring 25 (same as HS 357)
SC 362 Global Inequalities
SC 363 Special Topics in Global Studies: Global Immigration
SC 373 Sociology of Human Rights
SC 376 Israel-Palestine: Conflict Narratives, Media Framing, and Peace-Building
SC 377 Social Movements and Social Protest
SC 422 Food Fight: Inequality, Injustice, and Resistance in the Food System
SC 441 Seminar: Conflict Transformation and Reconciliation in Divided Societies

Course options outside the Global Studies Disciplines for Topic 2

CL 228 Peace and War in Ancient Rome (open to students with catalogue year 2022-23 or beyond; same as HS 228)
CL 307 Peace and War in Ancient Rome (open to students using the academic catalogue year prior to 2022 - 2023; same as HS 307)
FR 332 Trauma and Testimony: Representations of the 1994 Genocide in Rwanda
ML 404 Another America, Central America
PL 228 Philosophical Perspective: Philosophy and Genocide
PL 305 Ethics & Politics Humanitarian Intervention
TH 209 Violence and Holiness in 20th Century El Salvador (same as HS 383)
TH 323 Worship, Culture, and Justice
TH 370 Liberation Theology: Roots, Branches and Critiques

Topic 3: Identity, Place, and Power

The process of globalization entails a fundamental tension between global dynamics and our specific, multi-layered national, religious, cultural, class, gender, and professional identities. How is globalization affecting the way we shape our identity as individuals and as a community? And how do our local, contextual, specific identities contribute to shape the process of globalization? Included in this topic are courses on ethnic identity, religion, gender, and nationalism. The issues of exile, migration and displacement are also addressed.

History options for Topic 3

HS 213 A Century of Diplomacy: U.S. Foreign Policy Since 1890
HS 216 A Queer History of Europe and North America
HS 220 Colonial Africa
HS 223 Women and Gender in Middle East
HS 227 Introduction Modern Latin America
HS 230 The Early Middle Ages
HS 233 Global Communism
HS 235 Modern Germany
HS 237 History of the Soviet Union
HS 248 Violence and Holiness in 20th Century El Salvador
HS 249 History of Mexico
HS 250 Introduction to Islamic History
HS 255 Indian History, Culture, and Religion through Film
HS 262 History and Politics of the Balkans (Same as PS 333)
HS 263 Empire in East Asia 1600 - Present
HS 281 Search for the Devine: Hindu, Christian, Muslim and Buddhist Ways in India
HS 308 Medieval Bodies
HS 317D Germans in Africa, Africans in Germany
HS 328 Sex and the City
HS 330 Gender, Race & Class in Modern Europe
HS 342 Health and Illness in Latin America
HS 344 History of Afghanistan
HS 357 Racial Justice and Truth Telling in Baltimore(same as SC 348)
HS 372 The Vietnam War through Film and Literature
HS 373 Contesting Empire: Nationalism and Decolonization in the Afro-Atlantic World
HS 390 Gender & Sexuality in Latin America
HS 470 Seminar: European Imperial Societies
HS 478 Seminar: Global Histories of Sexuality
HS 489D Seminar: America in the Middle East
HS 492 Seminar: Minority Identity & Citizenship in the Modern World
HS 494 Race and Geopolitics in the American Century
HS 495 Seminar: East Asia in the Global 1960's

Political Science options for Topic 3

PS 302 Chinese Politics
PS 304 Politics of the Middle East
PS 306 Politics of Russia
PS 307 Global Politics of Migration
PS 308 China and Globalization
PS 309 Political Economy of Development
PS 311 African Politics
PS 332 Politics Through Literature and Film
PS 333 History and Politics of the Balkans
PS 334 Global Justice
PS 335 Refugees and International Politics
PS 336 Politics and Globalization of Taiwan
PS 360 Transitional Justice
PS 363 Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict
PS 364 International Relations through Non-Western Lenses
PS 396 The Politics of Eastern Europe
PS 404 Seminar: Politics of Resistance in Contemporary China
PS 423 Genocide, Trauma, Memory: Mass Atrocity in the 21st Century

Sociology options for Topic 3

SC 209 Cultural Anthropology
SC 210 Introduction to Gender and Sexuality Studies
SC 339 Conflict and Peace Studies
SC 363 Special Topics in Global Studies: Global Immigration
SC 376 Israel-Palestine: Conflict Narratives, Media Framing, and Peace-Building
SC 378 Islamic Social Movements
SC 441 Seminar: Conflict Transformation and Reconciliation in Divided Societies

Course options outside the Global Studies Disciplines for Topic 3

AH 326 The Crusades in Medieval Visual Culture
AH 327D Islamic Art
EN 376 Post-Colonial Literature
EN 385 Seminar in Post-Colonial Literature
EN 387 Seminar: Colonial Literature
FR 332 Trauma and Testimony: Representations of the 1994 Genocide in Rwanda
IB 300 Intro Czech Business and Culture (same as MG 300)
MG 300 Intro Czech Business and Culture (same as IB 300)
ML 211 Topics in European Culture and Civilization
ML 307 Topics in Comparative Cultures and Literary Studies
ML 342 From Plymouth Rock to Ellis Island: An Examination of Immigration to America
ML 362 The Early Latino Experience in the United States
ML 365 Home Here and Abroad: Why it Matters So Much
ML 392 Introduction to Latin American and Latino Studies
PL 228 Philosophical Perspectives: Philosophy and Genocide
SN 329D Spanish in the United States
TH 209 Violence and Holiness in 20th Century El Salvador (same as HS 383)
TH 323 Worship, Culture and Justice
TH 384 Christianity and Islam

Topic 4: Individualized Topic

This topic crosses the topical boundaries of topics 1, 2, and 3; students interested in shaping a topic of their own will have to draft a one-page proposal that suggests a title, offers a brief rationale, and lists some of the courses they intend to take; students will have to discuss their project with their advisor and – after an agreement between student and advisor has been reached – submit the final proposal to the Global Studies Director for acceptance, copying the advisor.

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 Fall semester.

International Experience

Global Studies majors must participate in a sustained, immersive academic experience that is international in nature to graduate with the major. Study abroad, either for a semester, a year or a summer, is the preferred option. This can be done via a Loyola-approved program, or via a program taken through another university with the prior approval of the Global Studies Director.

If study abroad is impossible, a student may fulfill the International Experience requirement by (1) completing the requirements for a minor in a foreign language (recommended); (2) completing an internship (requires prior approval by the Global Studies Director and may be completed for credit by enrolling in GT 401); or (3) by taking a service-learning course in which the student works with individuals or communities in global contexts. The service-learning course should be a course that is already a part of the Global Studies curriculum. To pursue the service-learning substitute for study abroad, the student must get prior approval from the Global Studies Director and complete an approval form. Service-learning course options vary by semester and cannot be guaranteed. After the service-learning course is completed, the student must ask the course instructor to send confirmation of the student’s service work to Mary Kate Schneider, Director of Global Studies, HU 250H, mschneider5@loyola.edu.

Service-Learning Courses (must have global or international context)

Cross-Counting

For students who choose to double-major in global studies and another major or major in global studies and minor in one or two minors, Global Studies departmentally-approved courses cross-count for both majors and for the major and one or two minors so long as the policy of the other department or program is in agreement. We impose no limit on this cross-counting. Students interested in double-majoring (or majoring and minoring) should consult both departments early in their career.

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:

TH247 The Presence of God: Christian Mysticism, East and West
TH261 Introduction to Judaism
TH266 Christian Theology and World Religions
TH270 Creation and Evolution

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

BL104 Twisted Planet: Global Issues in Biology
BL107 Life on the Edge
BL111 Environmental Biology
BL115 Biology, Evolution, and Human Nature
BL276 Human Health & the Environment

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.