Global Studies Curriculum
There are four key components to a Global Studies BA:
You will design and develop your own FOCUS AREA with the guidance and approval of a GLS advisor. Consult this page for a list of possibilities.
You will minor in a second LANGUAGE to build your intercultural skills. Appalachian State currently offers minors in the following languages: Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish. American Sign Language and Latin may also be approved.
You will STUDY or INTERN ABROAD for at least one semester, usually in your third year. That helps you get beyond the tourist "glow" and have a truly immersive learning experience in another country.
In your CAPSTONE course during your final year, you will pull these threads together in an in-depth research project on a topic of your choice.
Declaring a Major in Global Studies (GLS)
If you have 30+ earned hours credit or in progress (including RC 1000 and UCO 1200), and have a 2.0 cumulative GPA, you can officially declare Global Studies as your major by following these steps.
If you have already declared a major and would like to add or change your major to Global Studies, please follow the instructions found at this link.
Minor in Global Studies (GLS)
A minor in Global Studies consists of 18 hours: 9.0 hours of Global Studies (GLS) courses and 9.0 hours in a declared GLS Focus Area.
To declare a minor in Global Studies, please follow the instructions found at this link.
Honors Program
GLS has a Departmental Honors Program to recognize academic excellence and provide majors with opportunities for advanced research. If you are in your first or second year and would like to apply, email gls@appstate.edu.
To graduate wth GLS Honors, a student must achieve the following:
- 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA.
- 3.3 (B+) or higher GPA in the major.
- 6 credits in Honors courses in the major, including at least 3 credits at the 3000-level or 4000-level; these can be Honors sections or customized Honors contracts.
- 3 credits in an Honors thesis, which can be added to the Capstone course.
- An average of B+ (3.3) or higher across Honors courses in the major.