Global Studies Minor

Focusing on the global processes that link politics, economics, culture, society and the environment, the Global Studies minor enables students to develop critical tools with which to make sense of and shape their world as future global leaders and global citizens.

This interdisciplinary minor offers students the opportunity to study individuals, groups, societies and systems globally drawing upon a social science foundation. Elective choices provide students with the opportunity to choose a specific area of focus or to provide breadth of area focus.

Featured Courses

CGLST 1200 Global Issues and Challenges

This course examines core concepts and issues comprising the emerging field of global studies, and addresses the challenges they pose to the global community and its citizens. Students will engage in research on selected global issues and investigate prospective career options as they consider their personal and professional identity and engagement in the field of global studies.

CGLST 2200 Introduction to Globalization

This course presents the basic conceptual vocabularies that we use to study the perspectives, institutions, and ideas that are shaping the world around us. Students will deepen their understanding of how the social sciences and humanities study and compare distinct cultures, and the interrelationship between humans and their physical, political, cultural, and economic environments.

CGLST 3100/4100 Global Studies Internship and Seminar I (3 credits) & II (6 credits)

In this course the student works for the full semester (either 90 [I] or 180 [II] hours) in a global studies-oriented or political science-oriented setting under the supervision of an experienced professional. Students also meet weekly in a seminar with their instructor and fellow students to examine the personal and professional issues that emerge from the field experience, and to relate them to the broader theory and content areas of global studies/political science.

CGLST 3305 Model United Nations Seminar and Conference

This course focuses on the study, presentation and research of the United Nations structure, and issues facing the UN, its member countries and the international community. Students’ work is divided into three components: (1) research and training in preparation to participate in the Harvard Model UN, (2) four-day, full-time participation as a HMUN delegate representing the country assigned to Lesley U, (3) analysis, reflection and assessment of the conference and delegate experience.

CGLST 4400 Global Social Change

This course is an integrative seminar where students read and analyze current scholarship in the social sciences and history, and, as appropriate, natural sciences and humanities. Readings will focus on the unfolding issues giving shape to the 21st century. Each student will also develop and pursue an appropriate and original research, scholarly or creative project.