Frequently Asked Questions

When does the “New” Global Studies major become an option for students?

The “New” Global Studies major curriculum rolls out as option for students Fall 2021.

Does this have anything to do with the new School of Global Studies and Languages?

“Yes” and “No.” “Yes” in the sense that the Department of Global Studies will be situated within the new School, but “No” in the sense that the new School is not the reason for the “New” major. These curriculum changes for the “New” major have been underway for several years and we’re very excited to be sharing this with students now, coincidentally in sync with the reveal of the new School of Global Studies and Languages.

I’m currently a pre-International Studies (PINS) or pre-Global Studies (PGLB) major – does the “New” pre-major change my current pre-major requirements?

No, the “New” major does not change current pre-major requirements for current pre-majors (students who added the pre-major Summer 2021 and prior). The pre-requirements for the “New” major are slightly different, but students who enrolled in the pre-major Summer 2021 and prior can fulfill their current pre-major requirements and choose to apply either to the “Old” Global Studies major, or to the “New” Global Studies major.

I’m adding the pre-major this Fall 2021 term – will I have to fulfill the “New” pre-major requirements, and apply to the “New” major?

Yes – all students who add the pre-major Fall 2021 and onward will be required to apply to the “New” major (only students who added the pre-major Summer 2021 or earlier will have the option to apply to the “Old” Major.

There are pathways for students who were working on the “Old” pre-major requirements to use that course work towards the “New” pre-major requirements.

Do I have to apply to the “New” Global Studies major?

This depends on when you added/declared as a pre-major, officially (with the pre-major reflecting on your Degree Guide):

When did you add the pre-major?

• Summer 2021 or earlier?
  • You are eligible to apply for the “Old” Global Studies major or to the “New” Global Studies major
• Fall 2021 or later?
  • You should plan to apply for the “New” Global Studies major.

What is the new/additional Gateway course?

The new/additional Gateway Courses is “GLBL 102, “Foundations for Intercultural Competence.” It was offered in past terms under a different course number and name (offered Fall 2019 as INTL 199, “International Skills” and Winter 2021 as GLBL 199, “Navigating Cultures”)

Are there now two required Gateway courses?

In addition to GLBL 101, “Introduction to International Issues,” students will take GLBL 102, “Foundations for Intercultural Competence.” This means the “New” major requires 56 total credits required (rather than 52 required).

Do I have to take two Gateway courses as a pre-major before applying to the major?

Only one Gateway course must be taken as a pre-major, either GLBL 101 or GLBL 102 (before you apply to the Global Studies major); the second Gateway Course can be taken after you’ve been admitted to the major.

What are the Updated Core Foundation (Block A) courses?

The update Core Foundation (Block A) courses are as follows:

• GLBL 230, “Global Wellbeing”
• GLBL 240, “Perspectives on International Development”
• GLBL 250, “Value Systems in Cross-Cultural Perspective”
• GLBL 270, “Globalization and the Global Economy”

What’s different about the new Core Foundation (Block A) courses?

Rather than choosing four out of 5+ courses, some of which were permanently offered and some of which were not, all students will now be strongly encouraged to take the same four Core Foundation courses listed above.

All of these courses have been offered before, but some were offered prior with the “experimental” GLBL 199 course number. Now all four Core Foundation courses are permanent courses that will be regularly offered by the department with the same course number and course title. (So, think: less mystery when it comes to, “What should I do with this GLBL 199 course?”

Can I still submit a petition to use upper-division courses to satisfy my Block A requirement?

Yes, you can still submit a petition to utilize two upper-division (300 or 400-level) GLBL courses (8 credits) in place of two courses (8 credits) of the four course (16 credits) Core Foundation requirement. Seeking a substitution? Talk to a Global Connections Advisor!

I’ve already taken the Core Foundation courses that were on the Block A course list prior – can I use those towards the “New” major Block A?

Yes – during AY21-22 and AY22-23 only, for PINS/PGLB students who added pre-major prior to Fall 2021, advisors may substitute GLBL 260 and/or GLBL 280 to Block A.

What’s different in the “New” major Professional Concentration Areas?

First off, you’ve got options! You can pick an “Internal” Professional Concentration Area from our department which outlines a curated course list for each option, or if you’re pursuing a minor at UO, you can use that as your Professional Concentration Area and take four additional upper-division GLBL courses to complete the requirement.

Students will now be able to fulfill their Block B requirement in a variety of new ways, which include updated Global Studies Professional Concentration Areas and an option to use any minor at the UO, combined with any four GLBL upper-division courses, to fulfill the requirement.

• Option 1: Choose an “Internal” Block B Professional Concentration Area from the following list of internal options:
  • Environmental Justice and Resilience
  • Development Studies
  • Migration, Refugees, and Humanitarian Assistance
  • Diplomacy, Peace, and Conflict Studies
  • Media and Communications
  • Business, Trade, and Tourism
  • Arts and Identity
  • Gender, Race, and Equality
  • Law and Human Rights
  • Food Studies
  • Global Health
  • Global Education
• Option 2: Choose an “External” Block B Professional Concentration Area by pairing any minor at the UO with any four upper-division (300 or 400-level) Global Studies (“GLBL” prefix) courses.

But I really wanted to have “International Nonprofit Management” or “SLAT” be my Professional Concentration Area, and those aren’t on this new “Internal” list – can I still focus in those areas?

With the “New” major’s “External” Block B Professional Concentration Area option, students interested in Nonprofit management can pursue a minor in “Nonprofit Administration” and take four additional upper-division GLBL courses and complete their Block B requirement with “Nonprofit Administration” as their “External” Block B Professional Concentration Area in their Global Studies major! Click here to learn more about the Minor in Nonprofit Administration.

“SLAT” or “Second Language Acquisition and Teaching” is a certificate program separate from the Department of Global Studies that interested Global Studies students still can pursue, just not as a Block B option, specifically. That being said, students may find that the SLAT requirements in the language they are interested in may have its own minor program that could overlap well with SLAT requirements. If that is the case, students could minor in the chosen language and use that minor, plus four additional upper-division GLBL courses and thus complete their Block B requirement with that minor as their “External” Block B Professional Concentration Area in their Global Studies major! Click here to learn more about that SLAT certificate program.

I’m currently an International Studies or Global Studies major (I applied and was accepted into the major Spring 2021 or earlier) – can I switch to the “New” major?

You may be able to switch to the “New” major if you are able to complete the “New” major requirements prior to graduation. Please meet with a Global Connections Advisor regarding this and if feasible, work with them to submit a request to switch to the “New” major requirements.

If I choose the “External” Block B Professional Concentration option, I have to take four upper-division GLBL courses. Can I use any of those four courses towards any other Block / Global Studies major requirement?

The four GLBL courses for your Block B cannot count towards other course/credit requirements for other portions of the GLBL major. Each portion of the major requirements has a specific credit requirement and overlap within the major of courses counting towards multiple sections of the major requirements is not allowed.

If a GLBL course counts towards the minor requirements for the minor I am pursing for my “External” Professional Concentration Area, can that GLBL course also be used towards the four GLBL courses required for the “External” Professional Concentration Area?

Yes, if a GLBL course is counted towards the minor you are pursuing as your “External” Professional Concentration Area, that course can count towards the four GLBL courses required for your Block B/“External” Professional Concentration Area.

If a course counts towards the minor requirements for the minor I am pursing for my “External” Professional Concentration Area, and is also an approved course for a Block C Elective, can that course be used both to complete my minor requirement and towards my Block C Electives?

Yes, if a course is counted towards the minor you are pursuing as your “External” Professional Concentration Area, and that course is an approved Elective (or required) course option for your Block C, yes, you can count that course towards your Block C. There can be overlap between what courses count towards your minor and what courses count towards your GLBL major requirements. However, there cannot be overlap within the major. For instance, a course cannot count towards both your Block B and your Block C. Likewise, though you may use an upper-division course to count towards your Block A, you cannot use that upper-division course both towards your Block A and towards your Block B (or C). A single course can only satisfy one course requirement within the Global Studies major requirements (though there may be overlap between what courses you use to fulfill your minor requirements, if you are pursuing the “External” Professional Concentration Area option).

Could I use a second major in place of a minor for the “External” Block B Professional Concentration option?

No, a second major cannot be used in place of a minor for the “External” Block B Professional Concentration option. The UO Catalog outlines that, for the “External” Block B option, students may complete “any minor or certificate in any other UO department” (meaning not a “Global Studies” minor), in addition to four upper-division GLBL courses.