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Bachelor of Arts, Majors and Minors

Global Studies

General Description

Globalization is changing who we are and how and where we live and work. To act responsibly in this new world it is becoming increasingly important to be able to view it globally, and to develop knowledge and skills oriented toward ecological and social sustainability.

The Global Studies program examines the causes and effects of, and responses to, globalization from a multidisciplinary perspective, drawing on insights from the academic disciplines of anthropology, economics, geography, political science, and sociology. Courses are individually and/or team-taught by faculty from these social science disciplines and create an inclusive learning and social environment that provides, by its nature, an opportunity for students from diverse backgrounds to learn from each other.

The program is designed to impart skills and knowledge to understand, live and work in an increasingly interdependent and changing world, and focuses on:

  • International flows of capital and labour, emergence of transnational corporations, trading blocs, international economic organizations, international business practices and issues, current and alternative economic indicators.
  • Social and cultural changes, inequality and social justice concerns, ethnic and intercultural relations, population and health issues, technology and society, social movements, community and international development alternatives.
  • World regions of the biophysical and human environments; distribution, supply, and use of natural resources; environmental change, sustainability and human impact; land, agriculture and water development issues; environmental analysis methods.
  • Contemporary political systems, prospects for state sovereignty and political change, international conflict, international governmental and non-governmental organizations, prospects for world order, and the continuing development of international law in a variety of key areas, including the environment, human rights, and non-governmental organizations.

Research will be undertaken in applied settings such as fieldwork abroad and service with non-governmental organizations.

Vancouver Island University also provides students with opportunities for international experience and skill development both in Canada and abroad through:

  • internships with governmental, non-governmental, and private organizations engaged in international development work;
  • work study abroad;
  • language training abroad;
  • field school experience.

Global Studies provides excellent preparation for further study or careers in fields such as law, journalism, international business and marketing, international economic and social development, and areas of human rights and social justice.

Suggested Global Studies Specializations

The following four specializations and associated clusters of electives have been suggested by the Faculty for Global Studies Majors and Minors. Each of these provides a different topical focus and related career emphasis.

1. Human Security and Global Governance:
This specialization would prepare students who seek employment in governmental/intergovernmental institutions and NGOs. Human security is at the centre of the Canadian Government's foreign policy agenda and its main application has been "the responsibility to protect" which was adopted by the United Nations. This concept encompasses international policies to solve civil wars, ethnic conflicts, child soldiers, crimes against humanity and war crimes and development.

Suggested electives:

2. Human Development
This specialization will provide a specialization opportunity for students who would like to work in public, non-profit, or private sector organizations focusing on social, cultural, and economic development issues. The focus will include community development, education, and health programs, and poverty reduction initiatives. An additional focus is on conducting research as a basis for evaluating social programs and policies.

Suggested electives:

3. Environment, Sustainable Development and Resource Management
This specialization would address the needs of students who want to pursue careers or academic interest in addressing problems of global climate change, bio diversity loss, global pollution, deforestation, desertification, and other environmental and sustainable development issues. Global Studies courses would address resource management issues from an international and global perspective, including institutions and strategies for addressing emerging crises. Students would also take courses in other departments depending on their area of interest, e.g., resource management, fisheries, or other related disciplines.

Suggested Electives:

4. International Economic Relations
This specialization would address globalization issues related to trade, trade liberalization, foreign aid, international debt, transnational corporations, and similar issues. Global Studies would provide courses addressing international institutions, supplemented by courses in business, geography, economics, political science and other departments.

Suggested Electives:

Requirements for a Major

Students must fulfill all the Institutional B.A. degree requirements, including Degree English Requirements and courses listed below:

Years 1 and 2:

  • Minimum of 54 credits with minimum 2.0 (“C”) grade point average over the last 24 credits attempted, including ECON 211, 212;  POLI 200, 201;
  • 12 credits of post-secondary language (other than English) and/or culture studies, or equivalent;
  • 3 credits of statistics/research methodology must be chosen from SOCI 250 or GEOG 324 ; another recommended methodology course is ANTH 326;
  • Recommended courses include: HIST 101, 102;  GLST 210, 211.

Note: Students should choose elective courses carefully in order to complete prerequisites of upper-level courses.

Language Requirement: knowledge of a language (other than English) can be met as follows:

OR

  • grade 11 secondary language (not Introductory) and 6 credits of post-secondary language (other than English);

OR

  • grade 12 secondary language (other than English);

OR

  • mother tongue different from English.

Years 3 and 4: GLST 390, 391, 490, 491 and a minimum of 18 additional credits chosen from:

or other approved upper-level courses with an international focus.

Requirements for a Minor

Students must fulfill all the Institutional B.A. degree requirements, including Degree English Requirements and courses listed below:

Years 1 and 2:

  • Minimum of 54 credits with minimum 2.0 (“C”) grade point average over the last 24 credits attempted, including GLST 200 (students are exempt from GLST 200 if completed ECON 211 and 212 prior to Fall 2006), POLI 200, and POLI 201;
  • 3 credits of statistics/research methodology must be chosen from SOCI 250 or GEOG 324 ; another recommended methodology course is ANTH 326;
  • Recommended courses include: HIST 101, 102;  GLST 210, 211.

Note: Students should choose elective courses carefully in order to complete prerequisites of upper-level courses.

Years 3 and 4: GLST 390, 391, 490, 491 and a minimum of 6 additional credits chosen from:

 or other approved upper-level courses with an international focus.

Updated February 29, 2012