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Facts on Global Studies Major and Minor
South Dakota State University
Nels H. Granholm, Coordinator, Global Studies Program, October 2004
THE WORLD IS FLAT says Mr. Tom Friedman, one of the world’s most thoughtful and comprehensive experts on globalization. Mr. Friedman proposes in his new book, The World is Flat that the third wave of globalization (i.e., software shared by all people) is currently upon us with the consequence that the globe’s playing field for international trade is now level and therefore accessible to all peoples of all global nations.
With that global market accessibility we can anticipate an acceleration of the forces of globalization – “….interaction of markets, nation-states, and technologies to a degree never witnessed before—in a way that is enabling individuals, corporations, and nation-states to reach around the world faster, deeper, and cheaper than ever before” (one of Friedman’s definitions of globalization from his book - “Lexus and the Olive Tree”).
“A RISING TIDE LIFTS ALL BOATS” is the primary metaphor of globalization; this assumes that increased wealth, elevated standard of living, and enhanced social well-being result from globalization. It also assumes that greatly increased world trade is the most efficient means to elevate the world’s standard of living and to bring stability, wealth, and harmony to our globe.
As Tom Friedman has remarked, “….. Countries that are entering the global marketplace are also the ones that are becoming politically more open, with more opportunities for their people, and with a young generation more interested in joining the world system than blowing it up”. In this sense, globalization is seen to be a good thing.
However, going back to the metaphor, the rising tide will never lift some boats. Globalization may increase the spread of disease internationally (AIDS, SAARS, West Nile, and others). It’s difficult to assess the role of globalization on global terrorism, tourism, and the enhanced flow of the world’s peoples. World trade limits the sovereignty of nation-state trading partners.
We witness the homogenization of traditional cultures – the “McDonaldization” of the globe. The loss of jobs to overseas markets, massive urban migrations, end of import tariffs, and other wrenching economic dislocations are thought to be temporary short-term costs of more permanent long-term benefits of globalization. Finally, globalization is associated with human rights abuses and long-term environmental resource depletion and degradation. In short, Global Studies majors will be conversant with the arguments surrounding and deeply embedded in concepts of globalization.
I. THE CASE FOR GLOBAL STUDIES (GS) AT SDSU:
There are profound changes ahead in our world. We at SDSU, by virtue of our Global Studies major and minor, our minors in European Studies, Latin American Studies, and Global Agriculture as well as our established curriculum in foreign languages, political science, history, and many others are privileged to provide students with an up-to-date understanding of the components of global studies, appraisals of the current status of global events, and job opportunities in small international businesses, global corporations, various governmental agencies within the USA and abroad, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and others.
Your mastery of theory and content of global issues as GS majors and/or minors (coupled with another major) at SDSU will be instrumental in preparing for our global future. Because GS is an interdisciplinary venture, it is imperative that we recognize, learn, and embrace the multidisciplinary facets of Global Studies and take a “systems” rather than a highly specialized, piecemeal approach. We have designed the GS curriculum with just that in mind (see below). The global world is upon us; we at SDSU stand ready to respond constructively and productively to these sweeping and profound global changes.
II. SDSU’S MISSION AND GLOBAL STUDIES:
As South Dakota’s Land-Grant University, SDSU has its central mission in teaching, research, and service plus a secondary contributing mission to be pluralistic, i.e., to value diverse ethnic, racial, religious, and cultural perspectives in our world. Because of this global vision, the University encourages students and faculty to seek global understanding and to participate in international exchange opportunities. One of our primary goals is to educate students regarding global perspectives – thus the Global Studies major and minor.
III. GLOBAL STUDIES (GS) MAJOR AND MINOR:
A major or minor (M/m) in Global Studies will provide content, skills, and experiences to enable SDSU students to become competent and responsible global citizens as well as to compete and succeed in a diverse world.
Our expectations are high; our course work and other academic experiences will be rigorous. We are determined to provide our Global Studies students with an understanding of what’s going on in the real world and will work to acquire fundamental and accurate clarity with respect to global institutions and how they function.
Global Studies’ unique concentration of courses, our required cross-cultural experience, and language training (see below) should provide GS students with a solid global background beyond the international perspective provided to SDSU students in general education courses.
Global Studies students have great flexibility in designing their particular major, minor, and selecting courses to complete their degree. For example one could combine a major in Global Studies with minors in Latin American Studies, European Studies, and/or Global Agriculture.
Or one could major in related fields like Spanish, economics, civil engineering, or journalism and support that major with a minor in Global Studies. Thus, the GS Program offers tremendous flexibility in tailoring students’ particular interests for our 21st century global world. In its entirety, the Global Studies Program at SDSU, important and visionary, will serve our students, state, region, nation, and world. We are privileged to have this opportunity.
IV. GENERAL OBJECTIVES OF SDSU’S GLOBAL STUDIES PROGRAM:
1. Global citizen training and general learning essential for understanding and appreciating the relationship of the individual to the world community.
2. Student self-development in international and intercultural understanding consistent with rapid globalization of culture, politics, national security, financial markets, technology, and environmental concerns.
3. A clear understanding of the wide range of global institutions and how they function to promote the interests of our global citizenry.
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