Global Studies
Salve Regina University offers students a unique academic program tailored to their creative and career interests. Through field research, study abroad, internships and other opportunities, students explore the economic, political, social and environmental processes that shape our world, preparing them to solve complex problems in a rapidly evolving global society.
Address the World's Significant Challenges
Salve Regina's global studies program includes an introduction to globalization and the methods used for discovering solutions to contemporary global problems, foreign language training, at least one semester of a study abroad or other international experience, and a culminating project that proposes solutions to a global problem within a local context.
In addition, global studies majors complete at least four courses to form a concentration related to one of the critical concerns of mercy or some other aspect of socioeconomic inequality. Designed by the end of the sophomore year, concentrations reflect students’ research interests and are planned in consultation with program faculty.
Program Spotlight: Global Mission
As a leadership development and advocacy associate with the Mercy Global Action project, Colleen Swain ’16, ’17 (M) is based at the United Nations, working to defend the rights and dignity of migrants and refugees on an international level.
We must take a human rights approach to the large movements of refugees and migrants, truly see a person for who they are and be merciful. Mercy impels us to act, to speak out, to work to ensure that we look at every global policy issue through the lens of the most disadvantaged. It is imperative to respect the human dignity and human rights of all people, irrespective of race, culture, gender, age, status or religion.
Our Faculty
Overcoming the most significant challenges facing the world today - such as climate change, resource scarcity, violent conflict and discrimination - requires the understanding of multiple perspectives and the integration of knowledge. To gain the skills needed to address these challenges, our students draw on the expertise of faculty in a number of carefully selected fields.
Life After Salve
Our graduates are well prepared for careers in international business, international relations, social services, language services, education, communications, international public law, international trade and tourism.
Recent alumni have become interpreters, served overseas in the Peace Corps and worked in the U.S. Department of State. Others have entered graduate programs in urban planning, human rights and global governance at institutions such as American University, Boston College, Brandeis University, Columbia University, Harvard University and New York University.
At Salve, the variety of courses I was offered and the Core Curriculum enabled me to keep up with political, economic and religious conversations professionally. No matter how much you may think math, science or history is irrelevant to your future professional plans, the liberal arts education absolutely makes us a strong group of well-rounded students. Employers love that.
Hannah Cazzetta ’15, academic advising coordinator, Salve Regina University
Major in Global Studies (B.A.)
14 courses | 42 credits
Required courses:
- CEG222: Research Methods
- CEG390: Current Issues
- CEG450: Capstone
- ECN101: Introductory Macroeconomics
- ENV334: Environmental Justice
- GLO100: Introduction to Global Studies
- POL345: International Environment and Development
Students choose one of the following courses:
- BIO140: Humans and Their Environment
- SOA110: The Sociological Imagination
- SOA130: Anthropology: Interpreting Cultural Differences
Students choose two of the following courses:
- CEG451: Thesis
- ENG205: Contemporary Global Literature
- HIS265: Modern Global History
- POL240: Comparative Politics
Students also take at least four courses to form a concentration related to one of the five critical concerns of mercy (immigration, the environment, violence, racism and gendered injustice) or some other aspect of socioeconomic inequality.
Global studies majors participate in at least one semester of a study abroad or other international experience, selected with guidance from the Office of International Programs and program faculty. This experience can be used to fulfill course requirements in the major and in the University's general curriculum.
Majors must also demonstrate an intermediate level of proficiency in a language other than English, and are required to complete coursework in the native language of their destination during their study abroad experience.
Minor in Global Studies
5 courses | 15 credits
Required course:
- GLO100: Introduction to Global Studies
Students also choose three of the following courses:
- BIO140: Humans and Their Environment
- BIO255: Conversation Biology
- CEG390: Current Issues
- ENG205: Contemporary Global Literature
- ENV334: Environmental Justice
- HIS265: Modern Global History
- POL240: Comparative Politics
- POL345: International Environment and Development
- SOA110: The Sociological Imagination
- SOA130: Anthropology: Interpreting Cultural Differences
- SOA249: Global Health: Society, Medicine and the Body
- SOA350: Food Matters
In addition, minors complete at least three credits of a study abroad experience.
Preparing to Study Global Studies
What you enjoy doing outside the classroom is as important as what you study in high school. To gauge your interest in pursuing our global studies program to prepare yourself for a career, you might:
- Travel internationally
- Volunteer with a community organization
- Learn a language
- Interact with people who are different from yourself
Recommended high school courses:
- Anthropology
- Economics
- Politics and government
- World history