Academic Programs Catalog

College of Social Science

Global and International Studies in Social Science

The Global and International Studies in Social Science major provides students with breadth in social science foundational courses combined with in-depth knowledge in a world region or global topic. World region concentrations include African Studies, Asian Studies, Canadian Studies, European Studies, Latin American and Caribbean Studies, Middle Eastern Studies, and Russian and Eurasian Studies. Global topical concentrations include Gender and Global Change and International Development. Students enrolled in a concentration cannot complete a minor in the same concentration area.

In addition to academic focus on a region or theme, students must demonstrate second-year foreign language proficiency relevant to their course of study. Students develop understanding of the processes of continuity and change in various world regions through multidisciplinary theory and practice and use of methodologies, theories, and literatures of various disciplines and fields.

Students are strongly encouraged to have at least one international experience through study abroad, internships, or independent study. The major helps prepare students for jobs in government, business, and non-governmental organizations that are engaged with the world outside the United States and for graduate study in international or area studies and other fields.

Graduates of the Global and International Studies in Social Science program will be able to: 1) Describe how social sciences intersect with other disciplines to enhance understanding of global topics and how skills learned in their interdisciplinary major will prepare them for career, graduate education, and effective citizenship. 2) Expand their personal perspectives around shared and complex problems to better understand and include the diverse perspectives of others—particularly in the areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion from underrepresented and/or marginalized voices. 3) Identify established disciplinary ways of knowing within the social sciences and integrate these perspectives and methods around complex global and international issues. 4) Demonstrate the use of interdisciplinary methods and analysis to illuminate highly complex global and international issues that require multiple lenses to more fully understand, engage with, and resolve. 5) Apply disciplinary and interdisciplinary knowledge and methodology through experiential learning opportunities and through successful design, execution, and dissemination of interdisciplinary research and writing.

Students must select one of the following concentrations:

African Studies. The African Studies concentration provides an interdisciplinary education focused on African history, language, culture and society.

Asian Studies. The Asian Studies concentration offers students an interdisciplinary education on Asia, particularly South Asia, Southeast Asia and East Asia. Courses focus on the culture, politics, languages and economy of Asian countries.

Canadian Studies. The Canadian Studies concentration focuses studies on Canada, including modern and aboriginal Canadian issues. A special focus on the interrelationship between Canada and the United States is included.

European Studies. The European Studies concentration provides students with specialized education in Europe, with a focus on Western European countries. Courses include discussion on the politics, language history and culture of Europe.

Gender and Global Change. The Gender and Global Change concentration will provide students with important, foundational content in women and gender studies in global and international perspectives.

International Development. The International Development concentration is an enhanced integrative learning program of study designed to provide students with a basic understanding of: 1) how social scientists approach the topic of international development; 2) how to integrate multiple disciplinary approaches to the interrelationships of topics in international development; and 3) how to facilitate both broad and in-depth understanding of the social context in which international development occurs.

Latin American and Caribbean Studies. The Latin American and Caribbean Studies concentration in Latin American and Caribbean studies contains focused coursework on countries in the Caribbean and Central and South America, and the cultures, languages, and societies of that region.

Middle Eastern Studies. The Middle Eastern Studies concentration contains focused course work on the Middle East, with an emphasis on regional culture, language, religion, and geography.

Russian and Eurasian Studies. The Russian and Eurasian Studies concentration is designed to enhance the student's understanding of the cultures and societies of Russia, and nearby countries at the intersection of Europe and Asia. The concentration offers an interdisciplinary, comparative and cross–cultural approach to the study of Russia and Eurasia.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Social Science, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Global and International Studies in Social Science

  1. The graduation requirements of the University as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Global and International Studies in Social Science.

    The University’s Tier II writing requirement for the Global and International Studies in Social Science major is met by completing Social Science 499. That course is referenced in item 3. below.
  2. The requirements of the College of Social Science for the Bachelor of Arts degree.
  3. The following requirements for the major:
    a. Three of the following foundational courses. No more than one course can be from a single discipline
    (9 to 12 credits):
    ANP 201 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology 3
    EC 201 Introduction to Microeconomics 3
    EC 202 Introduction to Macroeconomics 3
    GEO 151 Introduction to Human Geography 3
    GEO 204 World Regional Geography 3
    HST 140 World History to 1500 4
    HST 150 World History since 1500 4
    PLS 140 Introduction to Comparative Politics 3
    PLS 160 Introduction to International Relations 3
    PSY 101 Introductory Psychology 4
    SOC 161 International Development and Change 3
    UP 100 The City 3
    With advisor approval, qualified students may substitute Economics 251H for Economics 201.
    b. The following courses (4 credits):
    SSC 299 Integration of Social Science Perspectives 1
    SSC 499 Capstone in Interdisciplinary Studies in Social Science (W) 3
    c. Complete a minimum of 15 credits in one of the following concentrations with no more than two courses from a single discipline. At least 9 credits must be from the College of Social Science.
    African Studies
    College of Social Science courses:
    ANP 416 Anthropology of Southern Africa 3
    EC 414 Economic Analysis of Sub-Saharan Africa (W) 3
    GEO 338 Geography of Africa 3
    HST 208 Introduction to African History, Culture and Society 4
    HST 360 African History to 1800 3
    HST 361 African History since 1800 3
    HST 364 South Africa: From Shaka Zulu to Mandela 3
    HST 421 Women and Gender in Africa 3
    HST 450 Special Topics in African History 3
    HST 484 Seminar in African History (W) 3
    PLS 351 African Politics 3
    SOC 161 International Development and Change 3
    Courses outside of the College of Social Science:
    ENG 317 Readings in African and Caribbean Literatures 3
    ENG 350 Readings in African, African-American, or African Diaspora Literature 3
    HA 271 African Art 3
    HA 471 Selected Topics in African Art 4
    JRN 375 International Journalism and Media 3
    JRN 475 International News and Government Dynamics 3
    MC 441 Islam and World Politics 4
    PHL 351 African Philosophy 3
    RCAH 203 Transcultural Relations through the Ages 4
    REL 360 African Religion 3
    Asian Studies
    College of Social Science courses:
    ANP 414 Anthropology of South Asia 3
    ANP 415 China: Culture and Society 3
    EC 413 Economic Analysis of Asia (W) 3
    GEO 337 Geography of Asia-Pacific 3
    HST 209 Traditional East Asia 4
    HST 210 Modern East Asia 4
    HST 261 The First Imperial Age, 1600-1750 3
    HST 365 The Vietnam War 3
    HST 366 Southeast Asia in the Age of Empire 3
    HST 367 Imperial China 3
    HST 368 China since 1900 3
    HST 369 Japan to 1800 3
    HST 370 Japan since 1800 3
    HST 451 Special Topics in Asian History 3
    HST 485 Seminar in Asian History (W) 3
    PLS 354 Politics of Asia 3
    Courses outside of the College of Social Science:
    CHS 360 Cinematic Studies of China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan  3
    ENG 352 Readings in Asian or Asian American Literature 3
    HA 260 Asian Art 3
    HA 261 Modern Asia Art 3
    JRN 475 International News and Government Dynamics 3
    LL 250B Topics in National Cinemas: East Asian Cinema 3
    MC 319 Asian American History 4
    MC 324D Regional Politics, Cooperation, and Conflict in Asia 4
    REL 335 East Asian Religions 3
    REL 355 Southeast Asian Religions 3
    Canadian Studies
    College of Social Science courses:
    ANP 411 North American Indian Ethnography 3
    ANP 432 American Indian Women 3
    CJ 439 Homeland Security 3
    GEO 113 Introduction to Economic Geography 3
    GEO 330 Geography of the United States and Canada 3
    HST 301 Colonial America: Three Worlds Meet 3
    SOC 310 Global Migration 3
    Courses outside of the College of Social Science:
    ENG 204 Topics in North American Literatures 3
    FW 207 Great Lakes: Biology and Management 3
    REL 306 Native American Religions 3
    The content in FW 207 must be approved by the student’s academic advisor.
    European Studies
    College of Social Science courses:
    ANP 416 Anthropology of Southern Africa 3
    GEO 336 Environmental Geomorphology 3
    HST 335 Europe in the Age of Revolution, 1700-1870 3
    HST 336 Contemporary Europe, 1870 to Present 3
    HST 337 European Power, Culture, and Thought: Renaissance to the Enlightenment 3
    HST 338 European Power, Culture and Thought: The Modern Era 3
    HST 341 Modern Britain since 1688 3
    HST 347 Modern France 3
    HST 348 Modern Germany 3
    HST 392 History of the Holocaust 3
    HST 412 Women in Modern European History 3
    HST 414 World War II: Causes, Conduct and Consequences 3
    HST 415 The First World War 3
    HST 452 Special Topics in European History 3
    HST 483 Seminar in Modern European History (W) 3
    PLS 356 Politics of Europe and the European Union 3
    PLS 357 Politics of English-Speaking Democracies 3
    Courses outside of the College of Social Science:
    AL 431 European Fairy Tale Tradition 3
    HA 210 Medieval Art 3
    HA 230 Renaissance and Baroque Art 3
    JRN 475 International News and Government Dynamics 3
    MC 324E Regional Politics, Cooperation and Conflict in Europe 4
    MC 329 European Security: Challenges and Strategies 4
    MC 331 Encounters with Post-Communism 4
    MC 387 Jews and Anti-Semitism 4
    REL 275 Magic and Mysticism: Western Esoteric Traditions and Practices 3
    REL 310 Judaism 3
    ROM 355 French, Italian, and Spanish Cinema since 1930 4
    Gender and Global Change
    Both of the following courses:
    WS 201 Introduction to Women’s and Gender Studies 3
    WS 202 Introduction to Contemporary Feminisms and Gender Theories 3
    College of Social Science courses:
    ANP 220 Gender Relations in Comparative Perspective 3
    ANP 270 Women and Health: Anthropological and International Perspectives 3
    ANP 432 American Indian Women 3
    CJ 425 Women and Criminal Justice 3
    HST 312 African American Women 3
    HST 313 Women in the U.S. to 1869 3
    HST 314 Women in the U.S. since 1869 3
    HST 412 Women in Modern European History 3
    HST 420 History of Sexuality since the 18th Century 3
    HST 421 Women and Gender in Africa 3
    PSY 339 Psychology of Women 3
    SOC 216 Sex and Gender 3
    International Development
    College of Social Science courses:
    ANP 201 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology 3
    EC 310 Economics of Developing Countries 3
    EC 410 Issues in Economics of Developing Countries (W) 3
    HST 260 Navigations and Encounters in an Age of Discovery 3
    HST 261 The First Imperial Age, 1600 – 1750 3
    HST 326 United States Foreign Relations since 1914 3
    HST 390 History of International Relations 3
    PLS 342 Comparative Political Economy 3
    PLS 344 Politics of Developing Areas 3
    PLS 363 International and Domestic Political Conflict 3
    Courses outside of the College of Social Science:
    ANR 250 Global Issues in Agriculture and Natural Resources 3
    EEP 260 World Food, Population and Poverty 3
    GSAH 220 Global Interactions and Identities 3
    PHL 358 Philosophy, Gender and Global Development 3
    PHL 452 Ethics and Development 3
    WS 403 Women and Change in Developing Countries 3
    Latin American and Caribbean Studies
    College of Social Science courses:
    ANP 410 Anthropology of Latin America 3
    EC 412 Economic Analysis of Latin America (W) 3
    GEO 335 Geography of Latin America 3
    HST 211 Colonial Latin America 4
    HST 212 National Latin America 4
    HST 382 Modern Brazil 3
    HST 383 The Caribbean 3
    HST 384 Modern Mexico 3
    HST 453 Special Topics in Latin American History 3
    HST 486 Seminar in Latin American History (W) 3
    PLS 352 Latin American Politics 3
    Courses outside of the College of Social Science:
    ENG 351 Readings in Chicano and Latino Literatures 3
    JRN 475 International News and Government Dynamics 3
    MC 324C Regional Politics, Cooperation, and Conflict in Latin America and the Caribbean 4
    Middle Eastern Studies
    College of Social Science courses:
    ANP 419 Anthropology of the Middle East 3
    GEO 339 Geography of the Middle East and North Africa 3
    HST 205 The Ancient Mediterrean and the Medieval World 4
    HST 372 The Middle East: Islam and Empires 3
    HST 373 The Modern Middle East: From Empires to Nation States 3
    HST 487 Seminar in Comparative History (W) 3
    The content in HST 487 must be approved by the student’s academic advisor.
    Courses outside of the College of Social Science:
    JRN 375 International Journalism and Media 3
    MC 324A Regional Politics, Cooperation, and Conflict in the Middle East 4
    MC 335 Israeli Politics, Cultures and Society 4
    MC 441 Islam and World Politics 4
    REL 310 Judaism 3
    REL 330 Islam 3
    Russian and Eurasian Studies
    College of Social Science courses:
    EC 406 Economic Analysis of Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (W)  3
    HA 271 African Art 3
    HST 326 United States Foreign Relations since 1914 3
    HST 342 Modern Eastern Europe 3
    HST 343 Russian from Peter the Great to Lenin 3
    HST 344 Russia in the Twentieth Century 3
    HST 414 World War II: Causes, Conduct and Consequences 3
    HST 415 The First World War 3
    MC 441 Islam and World Politics 4
    PLS 358 Politics of the U.S.S.R. and Its Successor States 3
    Courses outside of the College of Social Science:
    LL 250D Topics in National Cinemas: Russian and Soviet Cinema 3
    MC 321 The Cold War: Culture, Politics and Foreign Policy 4
    MC 324E Regional Politics, Cooperation and Conflict in Europe 4
    MC 328 Russian Foreign Policy 4
    MC 329 European Security: Challenges and Strategies 4
    MC 331 Encounters with Post-Communism 4
    MC 387 Jews and Anti-Semitism 4
    RUS 231 19th-Century Russian Literature in Translation 3
    RUS 232 20th-Century Russian Literature in Translation 3
    d. One of the following research methodology courses (3 or 4 credits):
    ANP 429 Ethnographic Field Methods 4
    ANP 461 Method and Theory in Historical Archaeology 3
    ANP 464 Field Methods in Archaeology 2 to 6
    CJ 292 Methods of Criminal Justice Research 3
    EC 420 Introduction to Econometric Methods 3
    GEO 221 Introduction to Geographic Information 3
    GEO 324 Remote Sensing of the Environment 4
    GEO 363 Introduction to Quantitative Methods for Geographers 3
    HST 201 Historical Methods and Skills 3
    PLS 201 Introduction to Methods of Political Analysis 4
    PSY 295 Data Analysis in Psychological Research 3
    SOC 281 Methods of Social Research I 4
    WS 203 Introduction to Methods for Women’s and Gender Studies Research 3
    e. Foreign Language Competency
    Students must demonstrate competency in a language relevant to the region of study. This is achieved through the completion of the second year of study or equivalent language placement scores. Students are strongly encouraged to complete language minors or other relevant minors.
    This requirement may be satisfied by placing into a 300-level foreign language course based on a Michigan State University placement test. Students who come from other countries or cultures where a language other than English is spoken, should contact their academic advisor to discuss placement.
    The following languages are pre-approved for each concentration. Students who wish to use a language other than those listed must receive approval from their academic advisor. Second-year proficiency is demonstrated through the completion of one course from any of the following languages:
    African Studies
    AFR 202A Second-Year Swahili II 4
    AFR 202B Second-Year African Language II 4
    AFR 252 Intermediate Individualized African Language II 4
    ARB 202 Second-Year Arabic II 5
    Asian Studies
    ARB 202 Second-Year Arabic II 5
    CHS 202 Second-Year Chinese II 5
    JPN 202 Second-Year Japanese II 5
    LL 252 Second-Year Less Commonly Taught Language II 4
    RUS 202 Second-Year Russian II 4
    Students who choose LL 252 must have a language in Tamil, Hindi, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Malay, Persian, Turkish, Uzbek, Tagalog/Filipino, Nepali, Bahasa/Indonesia, Telegu, Bengali, or Khmer.
    Canadian Studies
    FRN 202 Second-Year French II 4
    LL 252 Second-Year Less Commonly Taught Language II 4
    Students who choose LL 252 must have the language Ojibwe.
    European Studies
    FRN 202 Second-Year French II 4
    GRM 202 Second-Year German II 4
    ITL 202 Second-Year Italian II 4
    LL 252 Second-Year Less Commonly Taught Language II 4
    PRT 202 Second-Year Portuguese II 4
    PRT 250 Portuguese for Speakers of Other Romance Languages II 4
    RUS 202 Second-Year Russian II 4
    SPN 202 Second-Year Spanish II 4
    Students who choose LL 252 must have a language in Polish, Turkish, or Dutch.
    Gender and Global Change
    Second year proficiency in any language other than English.
    International Development
    Second year proficiency in any language other than English.
    Latin American and Caribbean Studies
    FRN 202 Second-Year French II 4
    PRT 202 Second-Year Portuguese II 4
    PRT 250 Portuguese for Speakers of Other Romance Languages II 4
    SPN 202 Second-Year Spanish II 4
    Middle Eastern Studies
    ARB 202 Second-Year Arabic II 4
    HEB 202 Second-Year Hebrew II 4
    LL 252 Second-Year Less Commonly Taught Language II 4
    Students who choose LL 252 must have a language in Persian/Farsi, or Turkish.
    Russian and Eurasian Studies
    LL 252 Second-Year Less Commonly Taught Language II 4
    RUS 202 Second-Year Russian II 4
    Students who choose LL 252 must have a language in Turkish, Azerbaijani, Uzbek, Polish, Tajik, Kazak, Kyrgyz, Persian/Farsi.