Liberal Arts - Global Studies

Through a variety of writing projects requiring competence in clear, correct, and effective English, students will use inferential and critical skills in the process of composing documented essays. Extensive reading materials serve as structural models and as the bases for discussion and for the writing of essays involving response, analysis, and synthesis.

This course is a survey of world history from the emergence of human settlements to the 15th century c.e. The course emphasizes social, cultural, economic, and political developments on the Asian, American, European, African and Pacific island landmasses. A special emphasis is given to comparing cultures over time and geographic space. The rise and decline of major civilizations, the transition from an agrarian to an urban economy, the role of women, and the origins of globalization are some of the major features discussed.

This course is a survey of world history from the 15th century c.e. to the present. The course emphasizes social, cultural, economic, and political developments on the Asian, American, European, African and Pacific island landmasses. A special emphasis is given to comparing cultures over time and geographic space. The rise and decline of major empires and states, the transition to a modern political economy, the role of women, the cause and effects of colonialism and imperialism and world wars, and the rise of globalization are some of the major features discussed.

This course is designed to introduce the student to the concepts and key questions concerning globalization. The objective of this course is to survey multiple disciplinary perspectives on such aspects of globalization as the global economy, politics, transnational migration, global-local connections and the impact of globalization on the entire world. The positive and negative consequences of globalization will be explored. Students will examine such issues as: social justice and the extent to which globalization is a force for economic growth and democratization or a contributor to economic inequality and the suppression of basic human rights.

Terrorism as a political tool will be examined through a comprehensive study of international terrorism and the problems confronting the global world as it tries to formulate and implement strategies to combat terrorism. This course will focus on the definition of terrorism within its social contexts and will examine the juxtaposition of terrorists and counter-terrorists as they interact. A section of the course will deal with the psychology of terrorists; explorations of changes in terrorism across the globe will be explored with the focus on Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and other areas. Homeland security options and the future of terrorism will be examined.

For many years, the United States has been the global world economic power; both politically and culturally its influence has been felt around the world. More recently other countries are thriving economically, and emerging markets in Brazil, India, Russia, Singapore and Turkey are influencing global economics. Cultural and political events around the world are more than ever interconnected. This course provides students with the opportunity to explore the various regions of the world by focusing on both the spatial distribution of physical factors and the cultural (historical, political and economic) factors that affect countries. This course will also provide students with the knowledge of diverse world patterns-for example, the impacts of increased energy usage around the world and its effect on global warming and climate change, terrorism and globalization.

Physical/Health Education Elective