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Bachelor of Arts

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   |   MAP: Major Planning   |  Department Contact Dr. David A. Banks

Program of Study

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.

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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

“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

What Makes The University at Albany Great

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Living-Learning Communities

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

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Study Abroad

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

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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
  • Computer Science
  • Creative Writing
  • Criminal Justice Studies
  • Documentary Studies
  • Economics
  • Educational Studies
  • Electronics
  • Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity
  • English
  • Film Studies
  • Financial Market Regulation
  • Forensic Science
  • French
  • Geographic Information Science
  • Geography
  • Globalization Studies
  • Hebrew
  • History
  • Informatics
  • International Studies
  • Italian
  • Japanese Studies
  • Journalism
  • Judaic Studies
  • Korean Studies
  • Latin American and Caribbean Studies
  • Law and Philosophy
  • Leadership
  • Legal Studies
  • LGBTQ Studies
  • Library and Information Science
  • Linguistics
  • Mathematics
  • Medical Anthropology
  • Medieval and Renaissance Studies
  • Music
  • Musical Theatre
  • Neuroscience
  • Organizational Studies
  • Philosophy
  • Physics
  • Political Science
  • Portuguese
  • Pre-Education
  • Psychology
  • Public Health
  • Public Policy
  • Religious Studies
  • Russian
  • Russian and Eastern European Studies
  • Social Welfare Studies
  • Sociology
  • Spanish
  • Statistics
  • Sustainability
  • Theatre
  • Theatrical Design/Technology
  • Urban Studies and Planning
  • U.S. Latino Studies
  • Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies
Program Statement

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.