What is Global Studies? Ultimate Guide

What is Global Studies? Ultimate Guide

Did you ever dream of becoming a superhero as a child? Maybe you related to traditional superhero comics or movies, imagining yourself having super speed or strength to solve problems around the world or in your hometown. 

While the world may not have heroes with supernatural powers in real life, there are ways to solve real-world issues that affect global citizenship. Global Studies does not require traditional superhero powers (or a cape), but it does give you a better understanding of connections between countries and cultures across the globe.

What if you could study ways to problem-solve global issues, then put that perspective to use in your career? Part of being a “citizen of the world,” global studies prepares you to pursue solutions that cross borders and impact communities around the world—whether that’s oceans away or in your own neighborhood.

Before exploring the many types of global studies careers, let’s take a closer look at global studies as a field of study.

Understanding Global Studies

First, you may be wondering: what is global studies? A global studies major program is interdisciplinary, examining concepts from a variety of fields. Course topics often include: 

• World history 
• Social science
• Social justice
• International business
• Economics
• International development
• Political science
• Comparative politics
• Cultural studies

Depending on your area of interest, you may also study more specific topics, like: gender studies, Latin American studies, African studies or Middle East and Asia studies. Global studies students may even participate in international study, like a study abroad program, to learn more about a particular culture or simply to gain international experience.

Well-rounded study offers students “the broad knowledge and analytical skills to understand the world’s problems,” according to C.J. Trent-Gurbuz writing for U.S. News. Having this interdisciplinary knowledge is essential to building a global perspective. 

Why is Global Studies Important?

Certainly, international studies offers students a better understanding of globalization. That understanding helps create solutions to issues that affect the global community. 

For example, what if you were evaluating a global issue occurring in East Asia? Leaning on your global education, you could apply your knowledge of international relations and global politics to devise a compromise to satisfy the needs of those involved.

Having a global studies perspective also strengthens your understanding of how this issue would impact the global economy, as well as other communities and cultures—even specific regions. The significance of global studies has a “trickle-down” effect because we are all a part of global citizenship.

That is why global studies is also important regionally. Global studies majors and minors can use their global understanding locally, guiding leaders in international relations to better their communities.

Skills in Global Studies

For pursuing global studies, there are many skills you will find useful in your career. One attribute crucial to global studies is curiosity—a passion for exploring other cultures. Global studies majors and minors will spend a great deal of time discovering the history, people, and culture of nations around the world. A knack for wanting to learn more about cultures around the world is a good start to your global studies career.

Another essential skill a global studies student can develop is proficiently communicating in a foreign language proficiently. Some career paths in global studies may not require you to use another language frequently, especially if you work with issues in an area of the world that speaks a language you are already familiar with. However, having the ability to proficiently communicate in another language would be beneficial to your career since global studies considers issues from various international angles.

Additionally, finding innovative solutions is also important to global studies. Per U.S. News, “Students who enjoy creative problem-solving and who are invested in tackling complex problems, such as economic inequality or human rights issues, should consider [global studies].” Those working in global studies will be challenged to create solutions for an ever-changing world, making for an exciting career.