Bachelor of Arts in
Interdisciplinary Studies - Globalization Studies

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Examine Powerful Forces that Shape the World

Focus your undergraduate studies on the social, economic, cultural, political, and environmental forces that shape the lives of people and nations around the world.

The interdisciplinary major with globalization studies concentration will give you a broad understanding of international diversity and economic interdependency. Many students pursue globalization studies as a second major to enhance their understanding of another major that supports their career goals more directly.

Earning this degree will prepare you for domestic and international careers in foreign affairs, community development, environmental sustainability, education access, and global media, tourism, finance, and trade.

Additional Program Information

Undergraduate Bulletin | Course Catalog | Four-Year Plan | Department Contact: David A. Banks

Program of Study

programofstudy

Core Courses

Perspectives on Globalization
World Cities: Geographies of Globalization
Theoretical Perspectives on Globalization
One course in economic processes
One course in political, cultural, and social processes
One course in environmental analysis

Global Perspectives Courses

Three upper-level courses in two or more of the following areas:

Anthropology
Ecology
Economics
Geography
Latin American, Caribbean, and U.S. Latino Studies
Literature
Philosophy
Political Science
Public Health
Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

Regional Studies Courses

One course in each of two of the following regions:

Africa
Asia and the Middle East
Europe and North America
Latin America and the Caribbean

Capstone Experience

Research Projects in Globalization Studies

Language Requirement (choose one of two)

Three foreign language courses (can include study abroad language courses) or a proficiency exam graded B or better that demonstrates speaking, reading, and writing abilities equivalent to two semesters of intermediate foreign language instruction.

Minor in Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

To enhance your job prospects after graduation, add a minor in geographic information systems to your resume. The minor provides you with hands-on training in GIS and spatial data collection, visualization, and analysis, and teaches you how to approach problems related to resource management, agriculture and forestry, urban planning, land use mapping, market research, and social inequality. Coursework includes topics in cartography, interactive mapping, remote sensing, and computer graphics.

See the Undergraduate Bulletin for details.

Four young professionals engaged in urban planning

Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Option

You can save time and money by beginning your graduate degree coursework while still enrolled as an undergraduate student. Up to 12 academic credits, billed at the undergraduate rate, will count towards both degrees – so you’ll complete your combined program in only 5 years and spend less than you would if you completed each program separately.

Combine your Globalization Studies degree with the MS in Information Science program. This ALA-accredited master's program covers a broad range of interdisciplinary topics related to library science, information processing, information management and data analysis.

combined

Career Paths

The globalization studies concentration is ideal for adventurous, curious students who want to travel abroad and work with people from different backgrounds in corporations, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations.

Majoring in globalizations studies also provides an excellent foundation for graduate study in fields such as public policy, social welfare, criminal justice, business, education, law, public health, and regional planning.

Sample job titles:

Foreign Language Interpreter
Regional Market Researcher
Disaster Assistance Administrator
NGO Program Evaluator
Political Affairs Officer
Gender Equality Consultant
Urban Policy Analyst
Cartographer
Foreign Relations Specialist
Humanitarian Relief Manager
Foreign Service Diplomatic Courier
Global News Journalist
Director of Tourism
Program Manager, International Development
Travel Writer

career

“This program can open a lot of doors for you. I landed a job immediately out of college working with C.H. Robinson, a logistics company based in Minnesota. After a few months, I joined the Peace Corps and am now serving as an English teacher in Mongolia for 27 months."

-Jacob Lindenauer, '17

Student Learning Objectives

Learning objectives that UAlbany students are expected to attain through their course of study within their academic program.

Bachelor of Arts

Develop a basic understanding of the social, economic, cultural, political and environmental forces that are reshaping the lives of peoples and nations around the world
Study, discuss and analyze a variety of major global issues and problems
Understand global interdependence and interconnectedness through the study of such topics as technological change, colonialism, national independence, international migration and trade, and the impact of major global conflicts
Understand and apply concepts of diversity and multiculturalism in a variety of different countries around the world
Possess at least a basic competency in a language other than English

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What Makes The University at Albany Great

Living-Learning Communities

Live and take classes with other incoming freshmen who share your personal interests, passions or intended academic major.

Study Abroad

Become a global citizen: international experience is crucial to success in business, education, research, and public policy.

Undergraduate Research

Research, scholarship, and creative activities at the University at Albany is an option for all students, across all academic disciplines. You will be able to learn more about a specific academic field or career path all while building a long-lasting mentoring relationship with a faculty member or principal investigator.

Explore Minors

Build competency in a passion or strengthen your resume.

A minor consists of 18–24 graduation credits which must include a minimum of 9 graduation credits of advanced coursework at or above the 300 level. Most undergraduate degrees require completing a minor and it has to have a different title from your major.

Full List of Minors

Acting
Africana Studies
Anthropology
Art
Art History
Atmospheric Science
Bioethics
Biology
Broadcast Meteorology
Business
Chemistry
Chinese Studies
Cognitive Science
Communication (Fully Online Option)
Computer Science
Creative Writing
Criminal Justice Studies (Fully Online Option)
Cybersecurity (Fully Online Option)
Documentary Studies
East Asian Studies
Economics
Educational Studies
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Electronics
Film Studies
Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity (Fully Online Option)
English

Forensic Science
French
Game Design and Development
Geographic Information Science
Geography
Globalization Studies
Hebrew
History (Fully Online Option)
Informatics (Fully Online Option)
Instrumental Performance
International Studies
Italian
Japanese Studies
Journalism (Fully Online Option)
Judaic Studies
Korean Studies
Latin American and Caribbean Studies
Law and Philosophy
Leadership
Legal Studies
LGBTQ Studies
Library and Information Science
Linguistics
Machine Learning
Mathematics

Medical Anthropology
Music
Musical Performance
Musical Theatre
Philosophy
Physics
Political Science
Portuguese
Pre-Education
Psychology (Fully Online Option)
Public Health
Public Policy
Religious Studies
Russian
Russian and Eastern European Studies
Social Welfare Studies
Sociology (Fully Online Option)
Spanish
Statistics
Sustainability
Theatre
Theatrical Design/Technology
Urban Studies and Planning
U.S. Latino Studies
Vocal Performance
Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies

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