Global Studies Minor

The Global Studies minor provides students with the tools necessary to better understand the complex and changing world of the twenty-first century. The learning objectives of the minor are to convey knowledge not only of global issues, but also of comparative methods of analysis (i.e., the similarities and differences between and among states, societies, and cultures); and to provide an interdisciplinary approach that integrates the knowledge and methods that history, political science, economics, sociology/anthropology, women and gender studies, and geography/environmental studies have to offer.

To earn a minor in Global Studies, students must complete a minimum of 15 or 16 semester hours of upper-division course work at UIS. In exceptional cases, a student may submit a Student Petition to have up to eight hours of transfer credit accepted toward the minor. Transfer students still must take the core course and follow distribution requirements.

The required core for the minor is GBL 301. In addition, electives, totaling 12-16 semester hours, must be taken from two areas:

  1. Two courses (six - eight credits) that provide an international perspective. and
  2. Two courses (six - eight credits) that provide a comparative perspective

Students may not take more than one course in their major field of study to fulfill the Global Studies minor requirements. Students should consult with a Global Studies faculty member to ensure that they are meeting their individual needs and the requirements for the major.

Requirements

Core Course
GBL 301Introduction to Global Studies3
International courses6-8
International Trade and Finance
China's Environment and the World
Islamic Civilization
ECCE: Conflict in the Middle East
ECCE: Christian-Muslim Encounters
Studies in Latin American History
Europe In The 20th Century
Topics in 20th Century World History
ECCE: The Pacific War: World War II in East Asia
Russia from the Revolution to the New Cold War
Modern China
International Human Rights Law: Skills and Advocacy
International Management
Introduction to International Relations
Globalization and the Future of Democracy
ECCE: Economic Analysis
International Law and Organizations
International Political Economy
ECCE: Latin American Politics
Politics of Western Europe
Terrorism and Public Policy
War and Peace
American Foreign Policy
International Politics of the Middle East
National Model United Nations
Model United Nations
Mexican Migration to the U. S.
Comparative courses6-8
Business and Developing Countries
ECCE: International Criminal Justice Systems
ECCE: Crime and Sentencing: Global Issues
ECCE: Intercultural Communication
Macroeconomics in a Global Economy
Economic Development
ECCE: Global Change in Local Places
Our Changing Climate
ECCE: Cultural Geography
ECCE: Culture Wars/Europe
ECCE: Nationalism and Imperialism
ECCE: From Vikings to Hackers: A Pirate's World History
Cold War and the Middle East
Global Environmental Health
Emerging Diseases
Comparative Philosophy of Religion
ECCE: Political Ideas and Ideologies
ECCE: Introduction to Comparative Politics
ECCE: Global Issues
Foreign Policy Analysis
Understanding Cultures
ECCE: Latina/o USA
ECCE: Culture, Health, and Power
ECCE: Global Social Stratification
Women in Political Movements: A Cross-Cultural Perspective
Global Masculinities
Global Social Change and Transnational Movements
and ECCE: Women Across Cultures
Total Hours15-19

Other programs associated with Global Studies include the following:

Model United Nations (MUN) is designed to teach students how the United Nations fosters peace in the international system. The MUN courses (PSC 478 and PSC 483) allow students to participate in committee simulations where world problems are debated and solutions are presented. Students learn how to operate in a caucus environment while role-playing a country that is not their native homeland. The courses are specifically designed to prepare UIS students to compete at the National Model United Nations Conference held annually in New York City.

The Global Experience Program includes UIS study-abroad seminars and exchange programs, as well as programs administered by other universities and educational institutions. UIS has developed short-term study-abroad programs in a number of countries; yearly offerings vary. UIS has also signed exchange agreements with a range of universities across the world. These exchange agreements permit UIS students to study at the partner institutions for a semester or year paying UIS tuition. For more information regarding Study Abroad contact intprog@uis.edu. Other UIS partnerships to promote global studies include the Sister Cities Association of Springfield and the World Affairs Council of Central Illinois.