Minors (Prior to 2016)

Global and International studies minor  Jasmine Hollman pictured with Dr. Thomas Kostrzewa

The global and international studies program in the College of Arts and Sciences at Western Michigan University offers minors in global and international studies, Asian studies, Latin American studies and Modern European studies. Please see the global and international studies academic advisor for guidance in selecting courses.

Courses

Global and international studies minor (20 credits)

The global and international studies minor encourages a broad study of global conditions and change across multiple disciplines and on a comparative basis. The minor requires a minimum of 20 credit hours of globally-related coursework with at least half at the 3000 level or above.

All coursework for the minor must carry a grade of C or above.

Required courses

  • GIST 2000 - Introduction to Global and International Studies (three credits)
  • Electives: globally-focused courses (17-25 credits)

Examples include: ANTH 2040–The Principles of Anthropology, ECON 2020–Principles of Macroeconomics, ENVS 3000–Introduction to Sustainability, GEOG 2050–Human Geography, HIST 3030–World History Since 1500, PSCI 2400–Comparative Politics, REL 2000–Thinking About Religion, and SOC 3040–Nonwestern World

Note: The above list is not all-inclusive. Several courses offered at Western Michigan University may apply towards your Global and International Studies minor. Please see the global and international studies academic advisor for details.

Additional international minors offered by the global and international studies program

Asian studies minor (20 credits)

This minor may be organized around a general study of Asia, one of its regions, or specific countries. The minor requires:

  • 20 credit hours with a minimum grade of C in all courses.
  • At least half of the courses to be at the 3000 level or above.
  • Completion of at least four courses in one of the following tracks:
    • China
    • General Asia/East Asia
    • Japan
    • South Asia
    • Southwest Asia/Islamic

Up to eight hours of study in a single Asian language (Arabic, Chinese, Japanese) may be included in the minor requirements. See the global and international studies academic advisor for suggestions of recommended courses.

Latin American studies minor (18 credits)

This minor may be organized around a general study of Latin America or specific countries. The minor requires:

  • 18 credit hours with a minimum grade of C in all courses.
  • At least half of the courses must be at the 3000 level or above.
  • At least one course from at least three different departments is chosen from an approved list of courses.

Please see the global and international studies staff for suggestions of recommended courses.

Modern European studies minor (18 credits)

This minor may be organized around a general study of Europe, one of its regions, or some specific countries. The minor requires 18 credit hours, a minimum grade of C in all the courses and at least half the courses at the 3000 level or above, including two of the following:

  • HIST 3640 - Modern Europe: Culture and Society (three credits)
  • PSCI 3400 - European Politics (four credits)
  • PSCI 3440 - Russian and Central Asian Politics (four credits)