Global Studies

Yvonne Howell (Russian and Global Studies)

Global Studies is a rigorous but flexible interdisciplinary major with a cross-cultural emphasis. The major offers the opportunity to take courses across departments and schools at the University of Richmond and requires at least a semester of study abroad. Students majoring in Global Studies select one of four concentrations, each coordinated by advisors with special expertise in the areas.

All students majoring in Global Studies take the gateway course, GS290: Introduction to Global Studies, usually in the freshman or sophomore year; and at least one of two other introductory courses, course Planet Earth: People and Place or course, Introduction to Comparative Politics. At least two advanced courses in a second language are also required, beyond the concentration. During the final year, after study abroad, all GS majors complete a topical capstone Senior Seminar, GS400, during which they will research and write an original scholarly paper.  Successful completion of  GS290 is a prerequisite for GS400.

Students work with faculty advisors to choose additional electives, including courses taken abroad, within each concentration.  Course selections should comprise an interdisciplinary mix of courses from anthropology, art history, classics, communications, economics, environmental studies, geography, history, law, leadership, literature, music, political science, religion, sociology, theater, and women's studies. Within each concentration, eight units must be selected from three or more departments with no more than three units from a single department. While studying abroad students are encouraged to work with faculty advisors to identify courses not listed in the Richmond catalog that complement their academic program.