Catalog Descriptions
Descriptions are grouped into the following areas:
- Foundation Courses
- Basic Areas
- Capstone Courses
Foundation Courses
Students practice the techniques of critical reading and thinking, of expository writing, and of oral expression. They develop and apply these skills through introductory study of a broad range of globally relevant issues. Satisfies GE, Category A1 (Written and Oral Analysis). Prerequisites: completion of GE areas A2 and A3.
Students will read Arthur Kleinman’s What Really Matters, and discuss what it means to live in a world that cries out for human involvement and service. All people, both in developed and developing countries, live on the edge of survival, at constant risk of going under (due to disease, economic collapse, societal chaos, or simply the aging process itself). In the class, we will discuss the importance of being of service in the global effort to live a quality existence. And we will read about individuals who have taken it upon themselves to serve humanity in one way or another. A few examples include: Muhammed Yunus, founder of the Grameen Bank; Paul Farmer’s work with patients with infectious diseases; Al Gore’s commitment to the environment; Millard Fuller, founder of Habitat for Humanity. CR/NC only.
Selected regions of the world for the basis of study. Economic development, political problems, man-land relationships and global issues are covered. The course uses geographical methodologies and concepts and is interdisciplinary in its observations of world regions. Satisfies GE, category D5 (Contemporary International Perspectives).
Basic Areas
1. Culture
- ANTH 203 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (3) Fall, Spring
- GEOG 203 Cultural Geography (3)
- ANTH 340 Living in a Pluralistic World (3) Fall, Spring
Examination of the anthropological approach to the study of human behavior. Exploration of human dependence on learned, socially transmitted behavior through consideration of ways of life in a broad range of societies. Satisfies GE, category D1 (Individual and Society). CAN ANTH 4.
A study of the interrelationships between man and the physical environment. Attention is focused on man's role in changing the face of the earth, and on the manner in which the cultures of peoples have influenced their utilization of the environment. Diverse theories of man-environment relationships are discussed. Satisfies GE, category D2 (World History and Civilization). CAN GEOG 4.
A comparative exploration of the major differences in human experience and life cycle on the level of the individual and the community in three major cultures of the world, one of which will be the culture(s) of the United States. Not applicable to the Cultural Analysis and Theory core requirement for the anthropology major. Satisfies upper-division GE, category E (The Integrated Person). Prerequisites: upper-division standing or consent of instructor.
2. Global Environment
- ENSP 200 Global Environmental Issues (3) Fall, Spring
- GEOG 204 Physical Geography (4)
- 330 Energy, Technology, and Society (4) Fall
- 340 Conservation of Natural Resources (4)
Lecture/discussion, 3 hours. An introduction to environmental studies and planning, including: humans in relation to the global ecosystem; an overview of problems of energy use, pollution, resource depletion, population growth, food supply, urbanization, climate change and biodiversity, and the search for solutions and future prospects. Satisfies GE, category D5 (Contemporary International Perspectives). Prerequisite or Corequisite: enrollment in ENGL 101 or PHIL 101.
An integrated study of the physical environment, focusing on the processes and relationships between the four spheres: the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere. Major topics include global and regional patterns of climate and weather, soils, distribution of plants and animals on earth, and erosional and depositional processes that create landforms on the earth's surface. Also explored are possible links between human activities and changes in climate and vegetation patterns and dominant landform processes. Field trips and hands-on lab exercises included. Satisfies GE, category B3 (Specific Emphasis in Natural Sciences). CAN GEOG 2.
Designed to assist students in understanding energy as a fundamental measure of organization, structure, and transformation in society. Principal topics include: energy history, thermodynamics, energy resources and technologies, global issues and trends, energy economics, institutions, and politics. Analysis of current energy trends and future possibilities. Lectures/discussion, student presentations, and field trips. Prerequisite: ENSP 202 recommended.
This class explores the use and management of natural resources. Each year, it focuses on a different set of renewable and non-renewable resources, such as water, oil, diamonds, rangeland, and others. It addresses topics such as distribution, scarcity, substitution, access and use-rights, resource cartels, regulation and sustainability. It also looks at how these issues are changing under globalization and the rise of transnational corporations.
3. Political Ideas and Institutions
- POLS 303 Introduction to Comparative Government (4)
- POLS 304 Introduction to International Relations (4)
- POLS 315 Democracy, Capitalism, and Socialism (3-4)
- POLS 452 Third World Political Systems (4)
Reviews the principal concepts and theories of comparative politics, and assesses the institutions that comprise varied systems of government. Concrete examples taken from modern systems will be applied throughout the course. Special attention is focused on the political systems of Britain, France, Japan, Russia, and China. Students are assigned research projects on political systems of developing nations.
An introductory analysis of the dynamics of the international political system, stressing the roles of supranational organizations, internal and external factors in foreign policy formulation by nation-states. Review of traditional and contemporary theories of international interaction.
An introduction to the major ideas of key theorists on the belief systems of democracy, capitalism, and socialism. A consideration of the actual strengths and shortcomings of some of the current world's major political/economic systems that attempt to put these ideas into practice. Satisfies GE, category D5 (Contemporary International Perspectives).
A comparative analysis of politics and political development of Third World countries. International and domestic obstacles to modernization will be studied. The general analysis will be supplemented by an intensive scrutiny of selected countries and regions.
4. Historical Perspectives
- HIST 202 Development of the Modern World (3) Fall, Spring
- HIST 380 20th Century World (3) Fall, Spring
An introduction to modern and contemporary history from 1500 CE to the present. Developments include the impact of Western expansion on the Americas, Africa and Asia; the reaction of non-Western people to Western expansion; the growth of nationalism and the national state; the industrial and political revolutions of the 18th and 19th centuries; World Wars I and II; decolonization, the emergence of the superpowers and the end of the Cold War. Required of all history majors. Satisfies part of the Social Sciences Single Subject Waiver Program. Satisfies GE, category D2 (World History and Civilization). Prerequisite: ENGL 101.
An exploration of the origins and development of 20th century ideas, institutions, and systems in global perspective. Forces that have united and divided the contemporary world community are examined: imperialism, science, democracy, communism, nationalism, militarism, racism, cultural traditionalism, and technological disparities. Fulfills part of the Social Science Single Subject Waiver Program requirement. Satisfies upper-division GE, category D2 (World History and Civilization).
5. The Global Economy and Business
- ECON 201A Introduction to Macroeconomics (4) Fall, Spring
- ECON 303 International Economics (4) Spring
- GEOG 343 Economic Geography: Globalization and Democratization (4)
- BUS 393 Introduction to International Business (4)
- POLS 498: International Political Economy (4)
An examination of the basic characteristics of the U.S. economy and the principles that determine its performance. Emphasis is given to those factors that determine the total level of production, employment, prices, interest rates, inflation, and recession, and the U.S. role in the world economy. Satisfies GE, category D5 (Contemporary International Perspectives). CAN ECON 2.
A study of issues, theories, and policies regarding international trade and finance; international movements of capital and labor; trade and institutions for expanding foreign investment within the context of globalization. Prerequisite: ECON 201A or 201B or consent of instructor.
This course examines the economic, political and social changes associated with economic globalization. In the first part of the course, we examine the New International Division of Labor, how the costs and benefits of globalization are distributed geographically, and rural to urban migration. In the second section, we take a political economy approach to democratic transition, and evaluate the viability of new democracies in the developing world; we study the factors causing poor democracies to experience high levels of anti-incumbency at the polls, corruption, repression, ethnic outbidding, and military coup d état.
A survey of theoretical and institutional aspects of international trade and investment. The course will address topics including international trade theory, the international money market, balance of payments, international sourcing, and management of international enterprises.
The class begins with the overview of the history of modern international political economic relations and institutions. That is followed by a review of the field of international relations and the main ideological approaches to IPE: the mercantilist perspective; the liberal perspective, and the perspectives associated with the Leninist tradition. It then considers some formal models that illuminate dilemmas of generating cooperative behavior among self-interested states, as well as under what circumstances "hegemons" can be expected to provide public goods. The class then takes on core areas of IPE: trade, money and finance; international institutions (WTO, IMF, World Bank), and finishes with an evaluation of Noam Chomsky's analysis of the modern world system.
6. Globalization and the Social Impact
- AMCS 475: Seminar on Race, Racism and Globalization (4)
- WGS 385: Gender and Globalization (4)
- ANTH 352 Global Issues (4) Spring
- GEOG 338 Social Geography (3)
- SOCI 499: Project Censored Internship (3-4)
- COMS 321 International Communication (4) Fall
This seminar aims to provide an overview of the economic globalization process with emphasis on the post-WW2 activities that led to the creation of the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, GATT, and later the WTO. The course also engages the question of racism and how it is implicated in new forms of colonization and imperialism. Additional themes include: the economic, ecological, and social costs of corporate globalization; global anti-racist social movements; and action plans that students can engage in.
This class will use an interdisciplinary approach to explore how gender, race, class, sexuality, nation, and colonialism intersect locally and globally and to understand how gender shapes the realities of women worldwide. We will frame our analyses within an understanding of the processes of globalization and global communities.
This course will explore anthropological perspectives on global issues. The course will include a brief introduction to the theoretical frameworks developed in the discipline for studying issues that impact humanity on a global scale. Possible topics may include: globalization, global capitalism, global climate change, international development, population movements such as international migration and diasporas, global impacts of diseases such as HIV/AIDS and SARS. Topics will vary with each offering; may be repeated for credit with consent of instructor. Prerequisites: upper-division standing or consent of instructor.
Studies aspects of demography, migration, and the spatial dimension of social organization. Included in the course are the spatial perspectives of social well-being, poverty, crime and ethnicity. The spatial structure of human settlement, as well as political, religious, and social values will be discussed. Satisfies upper-division GE, category E (Integrated Person).
With advanced consulation with the Global Studies Coodinator, students may develop an internship through Project Censored, with a focus on the social impact of globalization.
Course develops a basic understanding of current issues related to the field of international communication. Surveys readings and videos on global media (MTV, CNN, ESPN, theme parks, video games, advertising, media campaigns for social change, computer hackers, Sesame Street, etc.). Overseas job and volunteer opportunities discussed. Junior-level standing required.
7. Religious and Ethical Perspectives
- PHIL 302 Ethics and Value Theory (3) Fall and Spring
- SOC 305 Perspectives on the Holocaust and Genocide (4) Spring
- SOC 431 Sociology of Religion (4)
- HUM 301 War and Peace Lecture Series (3)
An introduction to the philosophical analysis of ethics, morality, and values, and a survey of the various systems of moral philosophy. The course covers such issues as: What is the good life? What considerations are relevant to making moral decisions? Are moral principles universal, or relative to a given society? How, if at all, can moral judgments be justified or moral disagreements resolved? Satisfies GE, category C3 (Philosophy and Values). Consult Schedule of Classes for topic to be studied. May be repeated (with a different focus) for credit.
A weekly lecture series on the Holocaust, genocide, and human rights. Guest lecturers and SSU faculty provide a variety of sociological and interdisciplinary perspectives on the topics. The course explores the intellectual, emotional, and ethical aspects of the Holocaust and seeks to deepen students' understanding of organized society, political leadership, democratic participation, and human nature. Students also attend a weekly discussion group to explore and synthesize information presented in the weekly lectures. Requirements include written position, midterm, and final papers. Prerequisite: upper-division standing. Satisfies upper-division GE, category D5.
Study of world religions (Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism), tribal beliefs, American sects and denominations. Theories of religious development, values, change, and effects on society. Satisfies GE, category C3 (Philosophy and Values).
Students attend the public War and Peace Lecture Series and meet in discussion groups weekly to address a broad range of issues relating to the problem of war and prospects for peace. Lecturers represent diverse disciplines-e.g., economics, physics, peace studies, political science, sociology-and institutions. Discussion sessions synthesize material presented in lectures and outside readings and elicit students' personal responses to the issues raised. Reading and writing assignments required. Satisfies GE, category C3 (Ethics and Values).
Capstone Courses
A three-unit community service internship is required of all students. This is a supervised program of cross-cultural community service work and study for a governmental or non-governmental agency, completed either at home or abroad. A minimum of 135 hours of supervised work is required. Students will keep a daily journal of their experiences, and upon completion will submit 1) a formal letter from their internship supervisor, verifying hours worked and duties performed; and 2) a four-page essay summarizing their experience in rich personal detail. Information about a broad spectrum of internship options is available from the Global Studies coordinator, whose approval is required for all service internship proposals. Grade option: CR/NC only.
Students will be exposed to visual representations of social movements that have had global significance, through viewing and discussing a range of documentary film-videos. Students will exercise analytic skills acquired in other classes as they participate in structured, mandatory discussions of each film. Documentaries will cover issues such as a) the student protests at Tiananmen; b) a worker’s movement to take over abandoned factories (in the wake of failed structural adjustment programs) in Brazil; c) the failed coup attempt to replace Hugo Chavez in Venezuela; and d) human trafficking around the globe. CR/NC only.
In this course we examine international and intra-national affairs from a geographical perspective. We begin the course with a study of historical and contemporary geopolitics - the struggle for control over territory and resources. In the second section of the course, we analyze the upsurge of nationalism since the end of the Cold War; ethnic conflict and nationalist movements of secession will be examined from multiple perspectives, including the failure of nation-building, the failure of economic development, and competition over scarce natural resources.
In spring of the senior year, Global Studies majors will enroll in a seminar devoted to research on globally relevant issues of the students' choosing, in consultation with the instructor. Each student will produce an original research paper on one such issue, examined from various disciplinary perspectives. This project is the capstone requirement for completion of the Global Studies degree. The paper must be approved in its final draft by at least one other qualified faculty member besides the seminar instructor.