Global Studies

Learn about complex global issues that require a multidisciplinary approach in order understand them—and develop the kinds of thinking necessary to solve them.

Overview After Principia Faculty

Our program is multidisciplinary in nature—with a focus on contemporary issues that are truly global in scope, such as poverty, refugees, human trafficking, environmental degradation, climate change, systemic conflict, etc. We focus on these complex problems as well as innovative solutions. You’ll choose an area of concentration in one of the following multidisciplinary theme areas:

Social Justice
Sustainable Development
Peace and Conflict
Cultures in Contact

In addition, you’ll build skills in a foreign language, learn about non-Western cultures, and develop an understanding of theories related to globalization. Majors are also required to study abroad in order to gain firsthand experience in our interconnected world.

Major and Minor Offered

Global Studies (BA major, minor)

Why Study Global Studies at Principia College?

Students learn to communicate and work across disciplinary boundaries.
Our faculty train students in systems thinking—understanding the various components of complex problems and how they interrelate.
Our students make connections between nations and peoples and identify trends that shape our lives.
Our students gain intercultural competence and develop transferable skills such as complex problem solving, critical analysis, and research skills.
As a community of Christian Scientists, we discuss how to pray effectively about global issues.
Our students build leadership skills and apply knowledge from the major by completing a global citizenship project of their choice.
Our 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio allows invaluable access to faculty, and we mentor our students beyond graduation.
We prepare students to continue their education through graduate work in Global Studies and related fields.

Abroads

Principia abroad programs are open to all majors, and students are encouraged to apply for any abroad program that interests them. Global Studies faculty lead programs to India/Nepal and Malawi.

See the College Catalog for more detailed information about our program and departmental learning outcomes.

We prepare students to bring skills in intercultural competence and solving complex problems to work in a variety of fields including government, non-profits and NGOs, education, communications, business and other fields. Our graduates have pursued professional opportunities that include:

Peace Corps service
AFS-USA (international exchange)
United Nations International Organization for Migration (Peru)
International development work with Muso, an NGO
Various organizations within the Christian Science movement

Our recent graduates are pursuing graduate work in the following programs:

Global Studies, Humboldt University of Berlin (Germany)
Friluftsliv/Outdoor Studies at the University of South-Eastern Norway
Global Affairs at the Munk School at the University of Toronto
International Education at the Universidad de Alcala (Spain)

While enrolled at Principia College, our majors have interned at locations including:

Sunrise of Africa School (Nairobi, Kenya)
Read to Rise (Cape Town, South Africa)
Mary’s Place (refugee outreach center) (Rochester, New York)
International Service Department at The Mother Church (Boston, Massachusetts)

From Our Alumni

“The global studies major introduced me to the interconnectedness of the most challenging issues the world faces and innovative new ways of thinking. I became a better communicator across cultural contexts and grew immensely in my ability to empathize with people from all different backgrounds.”

–A 2020 grad

“As a Global Studies major I had the wonderful opportunity of expanding my view of the world and really diving deeply into what it means to be a global citizen. My experiences through the program have allowed me to utilize a variety of different lenses when looking at global issues. Not only that, but the major has taught how to come up with solutions that that take into consideration all groups involved. Through the major I have also been able to see the privileges I carry in society and how to utilize those to best support my fellow man. I am so grateful to have been part of the Global Studies major for it has truly shaped how I see and interact with the world!”

–A 2020 grad

“Global Studies has taught me to think critically about worldwide issues and their impact on cultures. It has also supplied me with interdisciplinary knowledge on an array of issues as our world continues to be more globalized then ever before. I have realized that complex global problems cannot be solved with one single solution, but requires an understanding of how issues impact each other. With the current world, I believe that this major is more timely than ever.”

--A 2020 grad