Bachelor of Science in Global Studies

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The Bachelor of Science in Global Studies is an interdisciplinary degree that draws from coursework in the social sciences, humanities, and related fields. Global studies students examine the political, economic, cultural, and social forces that transect and sometimes blur the borders among nations and communities. The major provides students with the opportunity to understand and critically evaluate the broad trends that shape our increasingly globalized world and to focus on the issues that most interest and motivate them. The flexibility of the degree allows students to discover and pursue their own interests in areas such as: global governance, environmental sustainability, public health, human migration, and the challenges facing particular regions of the world. 

The B.S. in Global Studies provides students with a diverse toolkit containing the knowledge, concepts, and skills they will need to understand and meet the challenges of an increasingly interconnected world. Students are trained in several of the quantitative and qualitative methods of research and analysis valued by employers in a vast array of organizations, institutions, and businesses involved in global affairs. These may include geographic information systems, program evaluation and policy analysis, and intercultural communication. Global studies can also prepare students for pursuing advanced degrees in a variety of academic and professional fields.  

The objectives of the global studies major are to develop in its graduates:        

  • A clear understanding of global issues and the global connectivity of people and places
  • The skills needed to analyze global challenges and critically evaluate existing approaches to dealing with them
  • The ability to communicate appropriately in different formats across disciplines and across cultures
  • An understanding of the careers available to global studies majors and the ability to seek out relevant pre-professional experience  

Students will be required to complete 47 credit hours of core courses, a 120-hour internship requirement, and a language or international experience requirement. 

Required Courses

Global Studies Requirements (47)
LCHS 100Intro to the Professions2
Choose one world history course from the following:3
20th Century Europe:1890-19453
Rise of Global Economy3
ECON 211Principles of Economics 13
PS 230International Relations3
PS 232Democracy, Dictator, & Develop3
Choose one social science methods sequence:6
Option 1
Geographic Information Systems3
Intermediate Geo Info Systems3
Option 2
Social Science Research Method3
Applied Correlation/Regression3
Fieldwork Methods
COM 435Intercultural Communication3
PS 313Comparative Public Policy3
PS 360Global Political Economy3
Choose one global development course from the following:3
International Law and Orgs3
Global Health3
Global Migration3
International Development3
Choose a minimum of three global studies electives from the following:9
International Finance3
Latin America 1810-Present3
Women in Latin American Hist3
20th Century Europe:1890-19453
Women World 20th Century3
The City in World History3
Environmental Politics/Policy3
Govt and Politics in Africa3
East Asian Political Economy3
Politics of Europe3
Politics of Latin America3
Cross-Cultural Psychology3
Global Chicago3
Comparative Health Systems3
International Development3
SSCI 486Planning, Fundraising, & Eval3
SSCI 493Public Service Internship3
Language proficiency or international experience (see below for more information)0
Mathematics Requirements (6-7)
Select two courses at the level of MATH 119 or above including PSYC 203 or BUS 2216-7
Humanities and Social Science Requirements (21)
See Illinois Tech Core Curriculum, sections B and C21
Natural Sciences Requirements (10-11)
See Illinois Tech Core Curriculum, section D10-11
Computer Science Requirement (2)
CS 110Computing Principles2
Interprofessional Projects (6)
See Illinois Tech Core Curriculum, section E6
Free Electives (33-34)
Select 33-34 credit hours33-34

 Minimum degree credits required: 126

Language Proficiency or International Experience Requirement

The language proficiency/international experience requirement may be satisfied in the following ways, subject to adviser approval:

  • Participation in local events focusing on globalization and international affairs

AND

  • Language proficiency (satisfaction of Illinois Tech requirement through proficiency exam and/or coursework; ETS proficiency exam; CLEP; the successful completion of intermediate level (second year) language coursework from an accredited institution with a "C" grade or better; or AP language credits)

OR

  • International/experiential participation (international internship; locally-based internship with international focus; or study abroad)
 

Bachelor of Science in Global Studies Curriculum

Year 1
Semester 1Credit HoursSemester 2Credit Hours
ECON 2113PS 2303
LCHS 1002World History Course23
PS 2323Natural Science or Engineering Elective4
Mathematics Elective14Mathematics Elective13
Humanities 200-level Course3Social Science Elective3
 Free Elective3
 15 19
Year 2
Semester 1Credit HoursSemester 2Credit Hours
COM 4353PS 3603
CS 1102Social Science Methods Course II33
Social Science Methods Course I33Natural Science or Engineering Elective3
Natural Science or Engineering Elective4Social Science Elective (300+)3
Humanities Elective (300+)3Free Elective3
Free Elective2 
 17 15
Year 3
Semester 1Credit HoursSemester 2Credit Hours
PS 3133Global Studies Elective53
Global Development Course43Global Studies Elective53
Social Sciences Elective (300+)3Humanities Elective (300+)3
Free Elective3Free Elective3
Free Elective3Free Elective3
 15 15
Year 4
Semester 1Credit HoursSemester 2Credit Hours
SSCI 4863SSCI 4933
Global Studies Elective53IPRO Elective II3
IPRO Elective I3Humanities or Social Science Elective3
Free Elective3Free Elective3
Free Elective3Free Elective3
 15 15
Total Credit Hours: 126