Global Studies

The Department of History offers the major in Global Studies, an interdisciplinary major designed for students interested in humanistic approaches to understanding past and present processes of globalization. Participating faculty in the departments of History, Modern Languages, and English conduct research in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and the Pacific. The rigorous yet flexible Global Studies curriculum combines anthropology, history, literary and cultural studies, and advanced language training in order to help students make sense of complex interactions among global processes, regional and local cultures, and societal structures. Global Studies majors develop a broad understanding of their prospects and responsibilities as citizens of the world confronting challenging contemporary problems.

There are three required courses for the major: the general education course Global Histories (79-104), Introduction to Global Studies (79-275), and Advanced Seminar in Global Studies (79-400). Majors also choose among several courses focused on theory, research methods, transnational histories, and regional/national histories and cultures. Demonstrating intermediate to advanced level proficiency in a language other than English is a crucial component of the major in Global Studies.

Global Studies majors are encouraged to incorporate a semester of study abroad into their course of study in order to immerse themselves in a society different from their own with unfamiliar cultural practices, language, and history. Global Studies majors may also enroll in 79-506 Global Studies Internship, a course that enables them to earn credit while gaining first-hand experience working with Pittsburgh-based organizations that work across borders.

Majors should consult frequently with the program's academic program manager, the faculty director, and participating faculty who will help students to craft a coherent course of study on specific topics and/or regions that may lead to the capstone research project (79-400 Advanced Seminar in Global Studies) or a Dietrich College senior honors thesis. The faculty director and  academic program manager will also work with students to connect their academic interests and their participation in student organizations and/or organizations based in Pittsburgh with transnational reach.

Students graduating with a primary major in Global Studies receive a Bachelor of Arts degree.  Global Studies may also be taken as an additional (e.g., second) major.  Required courses include 79-104 plus 93 additional units (including 79-275 and 79-400) and proficiency in a modern language other than English. Students may double count a maximum of two courses taken for the Global Studies major that are also being used to fulfill the requirements of other majors and programs. Students should consult with the Global Studies academic program manager (see above) about new courses and study abroad courses that may be approved for students pursuing the major in Global Studies.

I. Required General Education Course (9 units) 

II. Global Studies Introductory Course (9 units)

Students must earn a final grade of "C" or better for the course to count toward the major.

III. Language Requirement

Demonstrating intermediate to advanced level proficiency in a language other than English is a crucial component of the major in Global Studies. Normally this requirement can be satisfied by successfully completing a course conducted in the second language at the 300 level or above for French, German, Italian, or Spanish, or the fourth semester (Intermediate II) level or above for Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Russian. Comparable proficiency for other languages can be considered. Additional advanced cultural, historical, and literary study in the second language is strongly recommended. Courses in a language other than English may also be counted as Global Studies transnational, global, or regional courses or Global Studies electives as appropriate.

IV. Theoretical and Topical Core Courses (18 units)

To gain a solid foundation in the theories, methods, and analytical topics underpinning the major in Global Studies, students select 18 units (typically two classes) from the core courses listed below.  Students must earn a final grade of "C" or better in these courses to fulfill the theoretical and topical core course requirement. 

V. Transnational, Global, and Regional Courses (27 units)

To gain insight into how complex transnational and global processes shape and are affected by local, national, and regional dynamics, students will select 27 units (typically three courses) from any subcategories below. 

Transnational and Global Courses 

Regional Courses  

(27 units)VI. Elective Courses

Students are required to take an additional 27 units (typically 3 courses) of electives, selected from one or both of the subcategories below. Category IV and V courses listed above that are not used to fulfill those requirements may be counted as electives in addition to the courses listed below. 

Global Studies offers students the opportunity to gain credit for a 9 unit elective while gaining first-hand experience interning with Pittsburgh-based organizations that work across borders.  79-506 Global Studies Internship is offered every semester and students should register for the course after consulting with the academic advisor and faculty director. The faculty director will assist students with matching their interests to local organizations and identifying an on-site supervisor available to collaborate in the ongoing and final evaluation of the student's work.

Thematic Elective Courses 

Nation–based Elective Courses 

 VII. Senior Capstone Course (12 units)

The research seminar is the capstone course for Global Studies majors and is designed to give students the chance to define and carry out a research project of personal interest. Students are strongly encouraged to incorporate their prior coursework (including foreign language training), study abroad or internships into their research. Students must earn a final grade of "C" or better for the course to count toward the major.

Global Studies Major — Sample Curriculum

This sample curriculum represents a plan for completing the requirements for the Global Studies major.  Global Studies students are encouraged to spend a semester abroad and the plan below demonstrates that study abroad fits well into the curriculum.  Students may declare the Global Studies major and take appropriate courses as early as the second semester of the freshman year and as late as the junior year, and should consult frequently with the Global Studies academic program manager (see above) about their course of study in Pittsburgh and possibly abroad.

 *Spring semester of the junior year is a popular semester for study abroad.  However, Global Studies majors may instead choose to study abroad in spring of sophomore year, fall of junior year, or fall of senior year.  Students should discuss study abroad and curricular planning with the academic program manager.

 **Students are not required to complete a college honors thesis. However, many Global Studies majors choose to apply for the senior honors thesis program.  Students who do not pursue a senior honors thesis should select an elective in its place.

• Common Application
• $75 application fee*
• Official high school transcript (please review our Academic Requirements)**
• Secondary School Counselor Evaluation
• Teacher Recommendation
• Common Application essay and personal statement
• All fine arts applicants to the Schools of Architecture, Art, Design, Drama and Music are required to arrange an audition or portfolio review.
• Home schooled applicants should submit an academic portfolio/transcript consistent with their state guidelines and a list of all textbooks used.
• Applicants must provide proof of meeting all requirements for an official high school diploma, by the end of May of the year of graduation, and submit an official final transcript, GED or certificate of completion from your local school district or state board of education by the end of July of the year of matriculation.
• The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is required if your native language is not English. Carnegie Mellon requires TOEFL scores of 102 or better on the internet-based TOEFL (as of Fall 2010) or an IELTS score of 7.5 and above. Carnegie Mellon carefully reviews the sub-scores of each of these exams and considers those candidates with reading, listening, speaking and writing sub-scores of 25 or more on TOEFL and 7.5 or more on IELTS to be candidates with high levels of English proficiency. Please arrange to have these scores sent no later than January 1st. Carnegie Mellon's TOEFL code is 2074.
• InitialView interviews are recommended for non-native English speakers but are not required. Often these interviews can measure readiness for engagement in the classroom and also showcase a student’s personality, likes and dislikes as well as the area of intended major. InitialView interviews can show English language proficiency while also corroborating the application with more details about the student.
• If your secondary school transcript or any other admission document is written in a language other than English, it should be accompanied by an official translation and verified by a counselor or school official to be true copies of the original.
• If you are preparing for the International Baccalaureate or the General Certificate of Education (GCE) A-level examinations, please send your expected exam results.

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

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