Biology alumnus receives Fulbright-National Geographic Award
The College of Wooster biology alumnus Sateesh Venkatesh ’10 was recently named one of five recipients to earn a prestigious Fulbright-National Geographic Award for […]
Overview
Why major in Global & International Studies?
Issues like climate change, migration, peace, restorative justice and reconciliation, financial crisis, poverty, or terrorism cannot be fully understood with one discipline. They require us to explore the same topic from multiple perspectives. We must integrate ways of knowing to find solutions. If you see yourself as someone that connects ideas when you are trying to understand an issue, this is a major for you! Students who major in Global and International Studies have gone on to successful careers in the United Nations System, international NGOs, foundations and research institutes and think tanks, the diplomatic corps or foreign service, government, journalism, consulting, and finance.
Global & International Studies at The College of Wooster
The College of Wooster’s Global & International Studies Program is an interdisciplinary program drawing on faculty, courses, and other resources from the economics, history, and political science departments. Students pick one of these social sciences as a concentration in the sophomore year to ground their methodology in the work of a department. They are often assigned an advisor who has conducted interdisciplinary research. Small class sizes allow faculty to develop strong mentoring relationships with their mentees. Students are also required to focus on a cultural or regional area of the world through the enhanced language requirement and design their own elective specialization. Required participation in an overseas term gives students a well-rounded understanding of regional and global issues and perspectives. Our program design prepares our students for a variety of career paths and elite graduate programs in international relations.
The College of Wooster is recognized as Ohio’s most global campus because of the number of international students who make up the student body and the robust interest our students have in studying abroad. In addition to classes that build skills in critical analysis and research, all students at The College of Wooster complete a three-semester thesis under the guidance of a faculty member. This one-on-one approach to interdisciplinary inquiry is unique for international studies programs and gives a motivated student ample time to make connections across disciplines.
Overseas Term
Every Global & International Studies major has the exciting opportunity to enrich their education through a semester of overseas study. The Global Engagement Office works with you to find and enroll in a program that aligns perfectly with your passions and goals. These overseas experiences allow you to immerse yourself in cultures around the globe, whether you dream of living and learning in Kenya, Spain, India, Costa Rica, Australia, Nicaragua, France, China, or beyond. Many students find that their time abroad becomes a pivotal part of their academic journey. It serves as the foundation for their senior thesis and more. With the College’s support, it is possible to return to the region or country to continue your research or intern abroad.
Faculty & Staff
Harry Gamble
Inez K. Gaylord Professor of French and Francophone Studies and Pathway Liaison (On Leave for Fall 2024)
Katherine Holt
Aileen Dunham Professorship in History; Latin American Studies; Global and International Studies; Co-Liaison to Digital and Visual Storytelling Pathway (On Leave for Fall 2024)
Brooke Krause
Department Chair and Associate Professor of Economics & Business Economics
Hernán Medina Jiménez
Associate Professor of Spanish; Global and International Studies (On Leave for Fall 2024)
Amyaz Moledina
Professor of Economics & Business Economics and Department Chair of Global & International Studies; Co-Founder of Social Entrepreneurship Program
Margaret Ng Wee-Siang
Associate Professor and Chair of History; Archaeology; Chinese Studies; Program Chair of East Asian Studies; Co-Liaison to the Public Health Pathway
Peter Pozefsky
Michael O. Fisher Professor of History, Global and International Studies; Russian Studies
Angela Sponsler
Administrative Coordinator of Political Science, Global and International Studies, History, Latin American Studies and Urban Studies
Christina Welsch
Robert Critchfield Chair of English History (On Leave Fall 2024)
Latest Global and International Studies News
French and cultural area studies alumna uses skills to teach cultural competency across diverse sectors
Kennedy Schultz ’91 loved that The College of Wooster had a community that was both diverse and tight knit. Coming from a large high […]
Two new Wooster grads earn Fulbright Awards to serve as English teaching assistants
Two new graduates from The College of Wooster, Julie Larick ’24 and Abby Thomson ’24, have received Fulbright Awards to teach English abroad for […]
I.S. research inspires John Trainor ’16 to advocate for information transparency
In a world filled with information, it becomes more important and harder to determine what is true. For John Trainor ’16, a history alumnus […]
Major
At Wooster, our Global & International Studies major is designed to offer you a truly enriching and comprehensive experience: A strong global focus and an interdisciplinary approach. We invite you to explore diverse perspectives through courses in Economics, History, and Political Science, allowing you to build a well-rounded understanding of global issues.
In your sophomore year, you will have the opportunity to work closely with the Chair of Global and International Studies during a series of personalized advising sessions, where you will choose one of these three departments as your home base. This choice enables you to dive deeply into a specific methodology, helping you develop expertise that will serve you well in your future endeavors.
In addition to your core studies, we encourage linguistic and cultural immersion by requiring you to complete at least one foreign language course beyond the foundational levels. This is more than just a requirement—it’s a chance to broaden your communication skills and deepen your connection to the world.
What truly sets our program apart is our commitment to global engagement. We are proud to be the only major that requires participation in an Overseas Term, providing you with invaluable firsthand experience in an international setting. This immersive opportunity is designed to complement your academic learning and prepare you to make a meaningful impact on the global stage.
We are here to support you every step of the way as you embark on this exciting and transformative journey.
View Courses for Economics Focus
View Courses for History Focus
View Courses for Political Science Focus
Independent Study
Like all Wooster students, Global & International Studies majors complete independent research guided by faculty mentors in their home department. After completing the methods coursework required by the home department, and, in most cases, the Overseas Term, each student researches and then writes a senior thesis on a topic of particular interest. Recent projects have included: The European Union and the Limits of Cooperation, The Reversal of Development in Argentina, Intervention in Genocide, Economic Satisfaction: Public Opinion and War Proneness, States vs. Terrorists, Analysis of the Deterioration of U.S.-Cuban Relations, Globalization and Political Violence in Italy, and The Impact of Women’s Leadership at the United Nations.
Search the I.S. Database
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The Power of Narratives: Exploring the Influence of Propaganda Narratives on U.S. Ethiopian Migrants’ Remittance-Sending Behavior Post 2020 Ethiopia/Tigray Conflict
Name: Alegnta Dawit Mezmur Major: Global and International Studies, Economics Concentration Minor: Data Science Advisors: Edward Teather-Posadas, Philip Mellizo This thesis examines the impact […]
Corporate Pressure Makes Regime Diamonds: An Analysis of the Impact of Multinational Corporations on International Environmental Regime Effectiveness
Name: Katie Harvey Major: Global and International Studies Minor: Environmental Studies Advisors: Dr. John Valdez, Dr. Matt Krain Despite the tendency for multinational corporations […]
Marco Roccato Attends Athens Democracy Forum
Marco Roccato reflects upon the opportunity to “bring the Wooster spirit into the Athens Democracy Forum" again. The senior global and international studies major recently returned from the event that brings together global leaders to discuss current topics in relation to democracy.
Alumni
Graduates of the Global & International Studies Program at Wooster choose a wide variety of career paths. Several recent graduates have entered directly into careers with international agencies, businesses, or non-governmental organizations. Alumni have taken positions in the Peace Corps, at multinational corporations, in the State Department, various relief agencies, advocacy groups or other types of non-governmental organizations, and the United Nations.
Some Wooster graduates have chosen professional degree programs in international business or journalism, while others have gone on to law school for the study of international and environmental law. Global & International Studies students have been accepted to prestigious universities such as the Harvard, London School of Economics, American University Law School, Columbia SIPA, McGill Law, INSEAD, the University of California-Berkeley, the University of Michigan, and the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.
Regardless of the path they choose, Global & International Studies alumni report that they are using skills developed and refined at Wooster. The rigorous nature of the major program helps prepare our graduates for productive lives of service as global citizens. The Independent Study experience provides special training in writing, research, critical thinking and communication skills—all of which empower graduates in their positions in the corporate world or nonprofit organizations. And the program’s commitment to global engagement helps empower our graduates to seek out additional opportunities to live and work abroad.
Related Articles
Biology alumnus receives Fulbright-National Geographic Award
The College of Wooster biology alumnus Sateesh Venkatesh ’10 was recently named one of five recipients to earn a prestigious Fulbright-National Geographic Award for […]
French and cultural area studies alumna uses skills to teach cultural competency across diverse sectors
Kennedy Schultz ’91 loved that The College of Wooster had a community that was both diverse and tight knit. Coming from a large high […]
I.S. research inspires John Trainor ’16 to advocate for information transparency
In a world filled with information, it becomes more important and harder to determine what is true. For John Trainor ’16, a history alumnus […]
Seeds planted at Wooster propel international relations alumna to support marginalized communities around the world
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