Mar 25, 2026  
2026-2027 Catalog 
    
2026-2027 Catalog

Global Studies, B.A. - 120 units


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The Global Studies interdisciplinary program will provide students the opportunity to develop their knowledge of the world and the major contemporary issues confronting humanity. Students in this major will obtain a deep understanding of global issues, processes, and systems and the various implications of globalization. This program will offer students the opportunity to develop the skills needed to work effectively in a global and multicultural context.

The B.A. in Global Studies is 39-51 units, providing students the opportunity to pursue a minor in another discipline or even a second major. 

 

Careers

The Global Studies program provides a well-rounded curriculum that will help prepare students for a variety of careers in the international arena. For example, Global Studies majors could qualify to work for the federal government (such as the Foreign Service, the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Department of Homeland Security, etc.); international service agencies (such as CARE, UNICEF, Direct Relief International), international NGOs (e.g. Peace Corps, Red Cross, Amnesty International, etc.); and many overseas careers. It will also help prepare students for further graduate study in international affairs, international business, peace and world order studies, area studies, and the emergent global civil society.

 

Program Learning Outcomes

Students graduating from the Global Studies program will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of contemporary global issues, processes, and systems (e.g., issues such as environmental justice, immigration or poverty, processes such as the economic and political interdependency among nations, and systems such as global governance bodies).
• Analyze global issues from multiple viewpoints.
• Acquire the communication skills needed to work effectively in a global and multicultural context.
• Engage in communicative activities in a second language (other than English) at an intermediate level (following ACTFL language proficiency guidelines).
• Engage as active citizens in a global society.

Summary of Units:

Lower Division Major Requirements 12
Upper Division Major Requirements 27
Co-requisites 0-12
General Education Requirements   37
Free Electives and Graduation Requirements   31-44
Total Units 120

Upper Division Requirements - 27 units


Students are required to take two upper-division courses for the core, GLST 300 and GLST 499.

Twenty-one elective units are required from a minimum of three (3) discipline areas. Only one 3-unit course from a student’s second major may count toward the major. The student must choose into which discipline area a cross-listed course would count.

Discipline Area Electives - 21 units


Twenty-one units required from a minimum of three discipline areas. Students must choose in which discipline area cross-listed courses will count. For example, ENGL 344  / PATH 344    - World Drama and Theatre as either an Art, Communication, and Performing Arts discipline area course, or a Languages and Literatures discipline area course. Students must receive permission from the program advisor to substitute 490 courses (e.g., special topics) and courses taken during Study Abroad for electives listed below. A single UNIV 392   course may substitute for one elective course, provided it is not used to satisfy the Corequisite Study Abroad Requirement below.

Global Studies


 

Social Sciences


 

Corequisites - 1-17 units


1. Language Requirement – Students must complete four language courses, only one of which needs to be at the 102 level. Students are required to take 3 courses beyond the graduation requirement of 3 units. CSUCI offers students the following languages, along with Spanish: Arabic, Chinese, French, Mixtec, and Nahuatl (CHS 315). Native speakers will have the language requirement waived. Students who complete a study abroad will have the language requirement waived.

2. Study Abroad Option - Students may complete an international study abroad experience (e.g., a CSU International Program, or a study abroad program approved by a Global Studies major advisor). Students who complete a study abroad will have the language requirement waived.

Students will receive credit for 3 of the 21 upper division elective units that are required (but not the language requirement) if they complete a UNIV 392.

3. Internship Option–Students may take GLST 493 (Global Studies Internship) and receive credit for 3 of the 21 upper division electives that are required; this course is in the Social Sciences discipline area.

General Education and Graduation Requirements - B.A.


To graduate, students must complete 120 units minimum (21 units must be upper division), including the following General Education Requirements  (GE) and Graduation Requirements  not met within the major:

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