The Diether H. Haenicke Institute for Global Education, in collaboration with the College of Arts and Sciences, houses a family of interdisciplinary programs and courses devoted to the study of global and international issues and major regions and cultures of the world.

Globalization is leading to greater interconnectedness through economics, technology, communication, and society. Regardless of where you live, or the subjects you choose to study, globalization will affect your future career. The process of globalization is so vast that every academic discipline is involved and has a role to play. When you graduate, be sure you are prepared to take advantage of the opportunities unfolding before you in our fast-moving world by focusing on global and international issues.

Undergraduate programs

• Global and international studies
  Western Michigan University’s global and international studies program offers a broad, integrative approach to the study of global and international issues, supported by the methods and theories of several disciplines, language study and regional case studies. Students build an individualized, interdisciplinary major or minor, which may include a study abroad experience, international internships, or other related experiences and opportunities.

  Major information

  Minor information

  Faculty and advising

• Asian studies minor
  Requires a minimum of 20 hours, with at least half at the 3000 level or above. All course work for the minor must carry a grade of “C” or better. The minor may be organized around a general study of Asia, one of its regions, or some specific countries, through completion of at least four appropriate courses in one of several tracks available in the program, including:
  

  General Asia/East Asia
  Japan
  China
  South Asia
  Southwest Asia/Islamic

  Up to eight hours of study in a single Asian language (such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, etc.) may be included in the minor requirements as appropriate to the track selection.

• Canadian studies minor
  Minimum of 18 credits; at least half must be at the 3000 level or above.  All coursework for the minor must carry a grade of “C” or better.

  Required courses – 9 credits
  INTL 2000    Introduction to Global and International Studies
  HIST 3300    Introduction to Canadian History and Culture
  GEOG 3800    United States and Canada

  Elective courses - 9 credits

  ANTH 4900     Archaeological Field School, if conducted at Fort St. Joseph
  FREN 2750    Life and Culture of the Francophone World
  FREN 3230    Life and Culture of the Francophone World
  FREN 4770    Study Abroad in Quebec
  HIST 4010    Great Lakes History
  HIST 3101    Colonial America
  And other courses, as approved by Canadian studies advisors.

  For Quebec studies emphasis within the proposed Canadian studies minor:

  French language competence required at the level of FREN 2010. Intermediate French II or equivalent and at least one of
  FREN 2750, FREN 3230 or FREN 4770 with a study abroad experience in Quebec strongly recommended. 

• Latin American studies minor
  Minimum of 18 hours, with at least half at the 3000 level or above, chosen from approved courses in at least three departments. All course work for the minor must carry a grade of “C” or better.
• Modern European studies minor
  Minimum of 18 hours, with at least half at the 3000 level or above. All course work for the minor must carry a grade of “C” or better. Courses must include two of the following:

  ANTH 343   Cultures of Europe
  HIST 364    Modern Europe
  PSCI 340    West European Political Systems
  PSCI 344    Russian and East European Politics

  The minor may be organized around a general study of Europe, one of its regions, or some specific countries, through completion of at least three appropriate courses in one of several tracks available in the program, including:

  General/Western Civilization (four courses required in track)
  Spain/Hispanic Civilization
  France/Francophone Civilization
  Germanic Civilization
  Britain/British Isles
  Russia/Eastern Europe