Global Studies

Sarah C. Andrews, Associate Professor

Sally A. Steindorf, Professor

Faculty from other disciplines also support this program.

Global Studies at Principia College is the study of contemporary issues that are truly global in scope, such as poverty, refugees, human trafficking, environmental degradation, climate change, systemic conflict, etc. The focus is both on the complex problems raised by these issues as well as their potential solutions. The program's purpose is to educate professionals who can communicate and work effectively across the boundaries of traditional bodies of knowledge; understand the interplay among local, national, regional, and global forces; and demonstrate the tools needed to solve complex global problems. Students with a major in Global Studies may choose to work for NGOs, government agencies or intergovernmental bodies tasked with addressing these problems on the ground, or they may prefer to become scholars working to create a more strategic understanding of complex global issues, developing solution landscapes, and deepening academic involvement.

Students meeting the language study and proficiency requirement through the French and Spanish offerings at Principia College must demonstrate proficiency at a minimum of the 205 level. Students meeting this requirement through a non-Western language must demonstrate proficiency by completion of study at a level appropriate for the demands of the particular language. Criteria for language proficiency are determined by the Department of Languages and Cultures. Any transfer work applied to this requirement must meet institutional transfer policies administered by the Registrar’s Office.

International Experience Criteria

The following criteria must be met for both international and domestic students:

  1. Travel with any official faculty-led Principia College Abroad* to any country – as long as the program is a semester-long abroad and excludes the student’s country of origin.

OR

  1. A minimum of eight weeks of experiential activity which includes:
    1. Travel with any official faculty-led Principia College Abroad* to any country – as long as the duration of the time abroad is at least four weeks and excludes the student’s country of origin AND
    2. A globally-focused internship in any country including the U.S.

Note: The combined total of the study abroad and the internship should be at least eight weeks.

OR

Independent student travel abroad which meets the below criteria and is approved by the Global Studies Department Chair.

The student must:

  1. Select a travel destination other than the student’s country of origin.
  2. Take part in eight weeks of experiential activity with at least four weeks in-country. If a student is abroad for fewer than eight weeks then the remainder of the experiential activity must take the form of a globally-focused internship in any country including the U.S.
  3. Read at least one book about the country or culture of the country in order to demonstrate to the Global Studies Department Chair a degree of familiarity with the country prior to traveling.
  4. Familiarize one’s self with one of the languages of the country before traveling there or during your stay by learning a minimum of 200 words/phrases needed for survival and courtesy.
  5. Become immersed in the local culture while abroad. This immersion may occur in a variety of ways, but must include at least one of the following:
  • Homestay (minimum 3 weeks)
  • Internship (minimum 3 weeks)
  • Community Service (minimum 3 weeks)
  • Interviews for the purpose of research (with an interpreter if the student’s language level is not sufficient to ask questions or fully understand responses) (minimum 7 interviews); Requires IRB approval
  • Academic Component (e.g., attending a local university or taking language classes) (minimum 3 weeks)
  • Work experience in a host national working environment (minimum 3 weeks)
  • Any other type of cultural immersion – pre-approved by the Global Studies Department Chair – in which the student spends the majority of his or her time abroad in the presence of and learning from the individuals of that country.

OR

Alternative scenarios may be presented to the Global Studies Department Chair for consideration.

*

  “Official” Principia College abroad is defined here as one that meets all of the student learning outcomes of a Principia College Abroad. Other faculty-led Principia College study abroad programs may qualify for the Global Studies international experience; however, they must be approved by the Global Studies Department Chair.