Contemporary Global Studies / Bachelor of Arts
Total Credit Hours: 128
Major Credit Hours: 36
The Contemporary Global Studies major, offered by the Department of History, prepares students for graduate studies in and careers related to government service, law, education, political science, history, liberal arts, geography, geopolitics, peace studies, regional studies, and other areas related to globalization both in profit or non-profit sectors. The major is focused on recent history and how it impacts the contemporary world of politics (regional and domestic), business, international agreements, policies, justice, interdependence, and international private institutions. Majors can use their heritage language or develop foreign language capabilities to travel and work in the global environment.
Contemporary Global Studies students may want to combine their major with a minor in International Business, Business for Non-Business majors, Foreign Language and Culture, Ethnic and Cultural Studies, Women’s Studies, or other minors. Students should always consult the Contemporary Global Studies advisor for specific recommendations on how to develop a major/minor combination.
Majors in Contemporary Global Studies may not double major or minor in History. Majors who minor in Foreign Language and Culture or Ethnic and Cultural Studies must complete two upper-division courses and one other three-credit course in these minors which do not apply to the Contemporary Global Studies major. Contemporary Global Studies majors are strongly encouraged to study abroad for a semester.
Degree Requirements
I. Core Courses (12)
| 18-362 | History of Political Thought 2 | 3 |
| 09-203 | Historiography I: Sophomore Writing Seminar | 1 |
| 09-403 | Historiography II: Senior Research Seminar | 2 |
| 09-325 | United States Since 1941 | 3 |
| 09-337 | Immigration, Ethnicity, and Race in American History | 3 |
II. Choose three Regional Courses from among the following: (9)
| 09-211 | Latin American and Caribbean History: Ancient Times to the Present | 3 |
| 09-260 | African History: Ancient Times to the Present | 3 |
| 09-350 | History of the British Empire | 3 |
| 09-351 | Modern China | 3 |
| 09-352 | Modern Japan | 3 |
| 09-353 | The Middle East in History | 3 |
| 09-354 | The Mediterranean World Since 1500 | 3 |
| 09-355 | History of the Modern Middle East | 3 |
| 09-356 | The Vietnam War | 3 |
| 09-261 | History of India: Ancient Times to the Present | 3 |
| 09-372 | Modern Europe (1815-Present) | 3 |
| 09-380 | History of Ireland | 3 |
| 09-381 | History of England and Great Britain after 1450 | 3 |
| 09-382 | Germany: Ancient Times to the Present | 3 |
| 09-385 | Russia: Ancient Times to the Present | 3 |
| 09-386 | Eastern Europe: From the Baltic to the Black Sea | 3 |
| 09-390 | Topics in History | 3 |
Courses listed as
09-390 Topics in History may be applicable to the Contemporary Global Studies major and may be selected only after consultation with the advisor.
III. Choose three Interdisciplinary Courses from among the following: (9)
| 04-346 | Business-Government Relations in the Global Economy | 3 |
| 04-345 | International Economics | 3 |
| 06-333 | Western World Literature 1700-Present | 3 |
| 06-334 | Non-Western Literature | 3 |
| 06-339 | Topics in World Authors | 3 |
| 15-325 | Philosophies of Asia, Africa and Native America | 3 |
| 15-366 | Latin American Philosophy | 3 |
| 18-331 | International Relations | 3 |
| 18-335 | Latin American Politics | 3 |
| 18-336 | American Foreign Policy | 3 |
| 18-338 | International Political Economy | 3 |
| 18-368 | Non-Western Political Thought | 3 |
| 26-285 | Cross-Cultural Psychology | 3 |
In consultation with the advisor and with the approval of the chair of the Department of History, 3 one-credit Workshops may substitute for 1 three-credit Interdisciplinary course. With the approval of the advisor, courses not listed above which nonetheless focus on contemporary global issues may also satisfy this Interdisciplinary elective requirement. Students are encouraged to find such course offerings in science, business, sociology, communication, education, and other disciplines.
IV. Foreign Language Courses (6)
Two semesters of a Foreign Language are required. At least 3 credits must be completed at Lewis University. Choose from the languages below or see the advisor for a suitable substitution. Second Year and Heritage courses also fulfill the Foreign Language requirement.
| 21-103 | First-Year Spanish 1 | 3 |
| 21-104 | First-Year Spanish 2 | 3 |
| 21-203 | Spanish for Heritage Speakers 1 | 3 |
| 21-204 | Spanish for Heritage Speakers 2 | 3 |
| 21-107 | First-Year Arabic 1 | 3 |
| 21-209 | Second-Year Arabic 2 | 3 |
| 21-109 | First-Year Chinese 1 | 3 |
| 21-112 | First-Year Chinese 2 | 3 |
| 21-117 | First-Year Polish 1 | 3 |
| 21-118 | First-Year Polish 2 | 3 |
| 21-231 | Polish for Heritage Speakers | 3 |
| 21-125 | First-Year Italian 1 | 3 |
| 21-126 | First-Year Italian 2 | 3 |
V. Study Abroad
Some courses taken while on semester-long Study Abroad programs and certain Travel/Study courses may, with the approval of the advisor and the chair of the Department of History, fulfill some requirements of the major.
VI. Senior Capstone
Contemporary Global Studies majors are required to complete the History Senior Capstone. This non-credit requirement consists of a researched essay, which will be orally defended by the student in a meeting with the Department of History faculty. The Senior Capstone must be successfully completed if the Department of History is to recommend the student for continuing graduate studies or for teaching at the secondary school level.
VII. Advanced Writing Requirement
The advanced writing requirement of the General Education curriculum is satisfied by Contemporary Global Studies majors through the successful completion of 09-203 and 09-403, the Historiography sequence, and the Senior Capstone, a researched essay written under the direction of an advisor.