Students tailor their studies to focus on a particular area concentration while also gaining a firm grounding in global history.
• Take core interdisciplinary classes (GCST 201 and GCST 300)
• Get a foundation in comparative thinking through a range of global history courses.
• Earn a minor in a language (Spanish, French, German, or Critical Languages) or related field (Geography, Christian Ministry, Business Administration, Entrepreneurship, or Social Entrepreneurship). As an alternative to a minor, Global Studies majors also qualify for the Fast-Track Master of Social Work.
• Travel abroad or participate in an internship.
Objectives and Curriculum
As a Samford University Global Studies student, you will become fluent in different perspectives on global issues. You will recognize the connections between local and global events and know how to respond to them. You will become a global problem solver, committed to promoting understanding between cultures and to making a difference at home and abroad. This interdisciplinary program invites you to reach across disciplines and learn from a wide array of approaches and methods as you prepare to enter our globalized world.
The Global Studies curriculum offers a foundation in global topics and approaches through two introductory courses on world history and interdisciplinary methods. These courses prepare you to specialize in several concentrations: Latin America, Middle East, Europe, and Human Geography. Within this framework, the concentrations allow you to select a specialized program of study and choose from a set of concentration-specific electives, culminating in a research-based and writing-intensive capstone seminar. Each track offers many elective options, with new courses added each year. You will work closely with faculty mentors to select the best options for your intended career path.
Is This Program for Me?
The Global Studies major is well suited for people who are critical thinkers who also love learning about different cultures. In addition to being flexible and adaptable, candidates should be self-motivated and communicate well.
The Global Studies major is an obvious choice for students aiming specifically for an international career in government, business, or the non-profit sector. Its interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary nature will provide an appropriate foundation for work or graduate study in any field affected by global change.
What Makes Us Different?
We’re committed to hands-on learning at Samford University because we know the most important lessons are often learned outside the classroom. For Global Studies majors and minors, this means getting off campus—sometimes very far off campus. You will have the opportunity to travel the world, learning about other cultures first-hand. These study abroad experiences allow you to become personally acquainted with people around the world, their histories, their cultures, and their lives.
You will also benefit from small class sizes, mentoring, a learning community, scholarship opportunities and concentration options to help you tailor your education to fit your career goals.
Career Preparation
Market Ready
We believe that your future success grows out of a strong foundation in critical thinking, historical understanding, and cross-cultural dialogue. These skills will not only prepare you for any future career but will also empower you to meaningfully serve the communities around you. Global Studies students have gone on to fruitful careers in business, government, journalism and new media, non-profit work, and vocational missions.
Career Opportunities
This major is an obvious choice for students aiming specifically for an international career in government, business, or the non-profit sector. Its interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary nature will provide an appropriate foundation for work or graduate study in any field affected by global change. Global Studies majors often find rewarding careers in a wide variety of fields, including:
Civil service
Government/diplomacy
Missions and ministry
Law
Journalism
Education
International business
Marketing
Public affairs
Social work
Internships
Lifeline Children's Services, The Dance Foundation, Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama, Maxwell Law Firm
Accolades, Alumni & Faculty
Alumni Careers
Business, Law, Journalism, Education, Government, Non-Profits, Missionary