Global and Area Studies

Global and Area Studies focuses on global systems and how they play out in different world regions. Students gain knowledge of particular world regions (including foreign languages) or of global themes that are important across regions, depending on the concentration they choose. Areas of study include:

• World conditions and historical trends
• Geography and geopolitics
• Global and national interdependence 
• Processes of continuity and change in different world regions
• The varied and changing nature of global realities and the complexities of addressing world problems
• Diverse ideas, practices, worldviews, and cultural expressions of people from different cultures

Students select a concentration of a specific region of the world or a global topical area in order to deepen their understanding of critical issues that affect the lives of many people in the world and the interrelation between the United States and the rest of the world.

GLAS Major Requirements
— University requirements
— College of Social Science requirements
— Introductory and Survey course requirement
— Capstone experience
— Tier II Writing requirement (see specific concentration or topical area for a list of courses)

Areas of concentration:

World Regions

• African Studies — list of courses
• Asian Studies — list of courses
• European Studies — list of courses
• Latin American and Caribbean Studies — list of courses
• Russian and Eurasian Studies — list of courses

Global Topical Areas

• International Development — list of courses
• Gender and Global Change — list of courses

The College offers the following degrees in Global and Area Studies:

• B.A., Global and Area Studies
• B.S., Global and Area Studies
• Additional major - Global and Area Studies
• Second degree - Global and Area Studies

More information

List of courses for GLAS cognate requirements
Sample course plan for GLAS major
Facebook group link: "GLAS Students MSU"

To make an appointment, please contact the program advisor.

College of Social Science
302 Berkey Hall
East Lansing, MI 48824
Telephone: (517) 432-2212
nicolas.gisholt@ssc.msu.edu

Academic Advisor: Nicolas Gisholt
Make an Appointment

Area Studies Centers
African Studies Center
Asian Studies Center
Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies
Center for European and Russian/Eurasian Studies
Center for Advanced Study of International Development
Center for Gender in Global Context