For Global Studies in Human Sciences students, the world is their classroom. Global Studies focuses on topics such as hunger and food insecurity, community development and entrepreneurship, environmental sustainability, maternal and child health, education, global markets, humanitarian aid, social policy, and more. A key part of the program is an emphasis on real-world experience and understanding the diversity of other cultures, which is fulfilled through a semester-long internship and a minimum of one study abroad experience for all students.
In addition to the valuable lessons learned abroad and through the internship, the Global Studies curriculum teaches students to use design-thinking methodologies to develop solutions to global issues. Through this course of study, students learn the realities of globalization and how local and global issues are interconnected, developing a refined skill set that will equip them to work collaboratively with communities and organizations to improve the quality of life around the world. The curriculum is also structured to teach students how to develop their professional portfolio, refine their passions and career goals, sharpen their problem solving abilities, and learn to work on diverse teams. These high impact practices make our students highly employable and excellent candidates for graduate programs ranging from law school and disaster management to social entrepreneurship and design ecology.
A 12-credit hour globally focused internship is required of all students enrolled in this major. Each student will work closely with an internship advisor to develop an individualized plan that meets career goals while also giving them real-world experience. This high impact practice also ensures that all our students graduate with meaningful work experience.
The Global Studies in Human Sciences curriculum is designed to educate students on relevant global issues, the realities of globalization, and how global issues are interconnected through a focus on design thinking and collaboration. As students complete the major coursework, they will engage in opportunities to develop sustainable solutions and a deeper understanding of relevant content (e.g., international nutrition, hunger and food insecurity, maternal and child health, global markets, humanitarian aid, and social policy, etc.) through the lens of current events happening both abroad and in our communities.
Students majoring in Global Studies in Human Sciences are
required to complete one of the following minors: International
Minor in Human Sciences (On and Off-Campus options),
Hunger Studies, Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies,
Human Development and Family Science, Business,
Sustainability, Public Health, Rural Sociology,
Africana Studies, Asian Studies, or Global
Cultures.
While all students are required to choose one of these minors, some also find they have space for a second minor in another field of interest, such as one of the foreign language programs offered at Auburn University.
As a part of the internship requirement, internships must have a global focus; however, that does not mean internships must be overseas. Students develop networking and professional skills in the 3010: Professional Development in Global Studies course that prepares them both for proposing and obtaining their internship.
Global Studies students have completed internships everywhere from working with the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth, to Reach Records LLC in Atlanta, and even organizations such as Military Reach or Esperanza House located in Auburn.
Students can also earn the internship requirement through several study abroad programs, including Fiji, Nepal, and Joseph S. Bruno Auburn Abroad in Italy programs.
Through required course work in the major and their choice of an approved minor, students will gain first-hand experience and be prepared for professional careers or graduate school. A full list of post graduate placements can be found HERE.
Graduates of the Global Studies in Human Sciences program are in demand in both the public and private sectors. Employment opportunities are available in the U.S. government, global justice, humanitarian aid, faith-based, philanthropic, and non-governmental organizations (NGO’s), as well as private businesses. Examples of potential career sites include the World Food Programme, Red Cross, UNICEF, Department of Defense, and domestic and foreign multinational companies (i.e. IBM, Coca-Cola, CNN, Mercedes Benz). Students also will be prepared to pursue higher education degrees in global studies, international relations, law, theology, and related fields. Of note, as of 2023, our graduates seeking careers in law have 100% placement for law school, many on scholarship.
Students will be able to identify, articulate, and debate the importance of a broad range of issues that have both local and global significance in human sciences.
Students will be able to research and critically analyze empirical information to solve real-world problems relevant to human sciences.
Students will be able to design and execute an independent and comprehensive project in the global studies field that will prepare them to function effectively in professional careers in this field.
Students will increase their abilities to function effectively in four domains of Cultural Intelligence (CQ) which are drive, knowledge, strategy and action as measured by the empirically validated Cultural Intelligence test.
© 2024 Global Studies. All Rights Reserved.
