The highlight of the Global Studies major is the requirement to study, work, intern, or volunteer abroad for 15 weeks in an approved Cultural Immersion Experience. Not mere tourism, this requires students to make genuine efforts to engage with the society and culture of their host country. Students work closely with a Cultural Immersion Mentor to plan, carry out, and reflect on their activities abroad.

Becoming immersed in a culture different from one’s own, together with language study and the required Global Studies coursework, encourages students to gain meaningful insights that allow them to act knowledgeably and effectively as participants in that country—and in other countries, as opportunities and careers emerge.

See the Cultural Immersion Contract and Guidelines to learn more or to begin planning for your experience abroad.

For more information, see the Global Studies Coordinator Professor Carrie Waara, or see below for more information about the Global Studies Major, Minor, and Certificate.

The Global Studies Major at Castleton provides an opportunity to acquire information, knowledge, and interpretive paradigms that enhance students’ understanding of the changing world order and enable them to live more fulfilling and useful lives. This multidisciplinary major requires coursework that trains students to analyze the world in a variety of contexts— geographic, historical, economic, environmental, political, cultural, social, religious, philosophical, and aesthetic. Through their courses and study abroad, students develop the critical skills they will need to achieve their goals in our increasingly integrated local, national, and world communities.

Upon completion of the Global Studies major, students will be able to demonstrate:

1. The ability to identify and analyze patterns of human interdependence, including 
• the contested notion of globalization, and the multiple and cumulative impacts of the powerful forces driving this process;
• the global variety of organizational structures, institutions, and processes;
• the ways in which cultures and peoples structure and frame common and competing interests in—and understandings of—the world;
• interrelationships among cultures, environments, places, and technologies;
• global environmental problems and mitigation strategies.
2. In-depth knowledge and analysis of concepts, theories and information gained through a concentrated exploration of one particular global theme.
3. In-depth knowledge and analysis of one particular region and its relationship to the rest of the world.
4. Understanding of multiple worldviews derived from academic study, proficiency in a modern foreign language, and cultural immersion abroad.

All majors must complete 51 credits:

• 18 credits in required core courses
• 9 credits in one thematic concentration
• 9 credits in one regional concentration
• 12 credits in a foreign language, 
• 0-2 credits in GLB 3810 Cultural Immersion Experience (Study Abroad)
• 3 credits in GLB 4610 Global Studies Capstone Seminar

The Minor in Global Studies allows students to deepen their understanding of our globally integrated world through coursework on Castleton’s campus.  It does not require study abroad.

The Certificate in Global Studies provides an opportunity for interested degree-seeking students in any major to strengthen their understanding and engagement with our world through coursework and globally oriented experiential learning.

1.  Complete 12 credits to include the following:

• GLB 1010 Introduction to Global Studies 3 cr
• Complete three of the following 9 cr

ANT 1010 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology 

ECO 1040 Global Economic Issues 

GEO 2020 World Regions and Cultures 

HIS 1112 World History II

POS 1030 Comparative Politics 

2.  Complete 30 hours of community service with a global focus. Prior approval by the Global Studies Coordinator is required.