Global Studies

A topical course designed to investigate relevant subject matter not included in any standard courses. The title and the content will be determined by current mutual interests of students and faculty. This course may be offered to meet a requirement for a major only by approval of the department chair.

This is a research course. The student initially meets with the department chair to select a study topic and review research methods. At this time the student will be assigned a faculty resource person to guide his or her work and assist in an advisory capacity. A copy of the student's work is filed in the archives for the department. Independent Study may not duplicate courses described in the catalog.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of the department chair.

Supervised individual projects for students on topics selected by the student in consultation with the instructor. Special Projects may not duplicate courses described in the catalog.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.

An on-the-job experience oriented toward the student’s major interest. The student is to secure a position in an organization that satisfies the mutual interests of the instructor, the sponsor, and the student. P/F Only.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of the department chair.

This course will prepare students who are considering going abroad for study, work, or volunteer/service learning by investigating the many facets of facing life in another culture. Topics to be covered include practical travel information, intercultural communication, cross-cultural value systems, foreign academic systems, and cultural self-awareness. This course will give students the tools to make their experience more successful and rewarding. The course is designed for both the student who has already applied for a program and for the student just beginning to explore the idea of going abroad.
Pass/Fail only.

An introduction to the culture and contemporary society of Mexico with an overview of the country's history, political system, art, festivals and religious celebrations, and cuisine. Students will read a recent novel and view a contemporary film in order to catch the full "flavor" of the vitality and richness of Mexican culture.

An introduction to the culture and contemporary society of Spain with an overview of language and communication, religion, tradition and celebration, art and architecture, film, literature, and government. The course is designed to highlight the strong sense of identity that contemporary Spaniards feel at being part of the "New Spain" and members of the European Community.

A course dealing with the literature, culture, and contributions of France to civilization, leading to an understanding of contemporary French culture and society. Included are surveys of art and architecture, the main periods of French history, French literature, and film. The course emphasizes the current state of French society.

An introduction to culture and daily life in contemporary Germany, providing an overview of language customs, social interaction, the arts, history, politics, the economy, and Germany's role in the European Union. Students should gain insight into how these factors affect the lives of Germans today.

By meeting at a place with a casual atmosphere, we attempt to recreate the Greek taverna or family restaurant, a place where Greeks go to eat and talk and dance and "be Greek." During our meetings, we too will eat and dance and (primarily) explore the history, art, literature, politics, and folk traditions of modern Greece.

By visiting urban and rural sites and surveying public discourse, students will be introduced to ancient and modern Greece in order to discover how and why Greeks preserve the religious, political, literary, and artistic elements of their culture's past.

This course provides the opportunity to study the Indian culture from the perspective of social structure and contemporary society, politics, economics and the arts of contemporary India with an emphasis on the tensions created by rapid social and economic changes. The course will examine the role of religion, the caste system and how it is viewed by various social groups, the film industry, both Bollywood and Tollywood, and India's goals for itself in the global economy of the twenty-first century.

This course invites students to explore the complexities of the modern Japanese experience through the study of major literary texts and films. Students will learn key features of modern Japanese culture, know major authors and directors, and become familiar with critical methods of inquiry and analysis. No previous knowledge of Japanese culture or language is required.

This course will serve as an introduction to the culture and contemporary society of Japan, with an overview of topics such as cultural and religious traditions and celebrations, economics, art, architecture and history.

This course delves into the uniqueness of Rwandan history to explore the complexities of this country whose politics and history have generated much debate. Through films and readings, we will explore the pre-colonial era to post-conflict transition with an emphasis on the defining moment of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. Artistic expression of film and literature respond to traumatic collective experiences, but Rwanda is more than genocide. We will analyze globally applauded successes such as women's representation in government and peaceful co-existence of survivors and perpetrators; topics may also include controversies surrounding genocide denial, freedom of expression, political power, and the transition to English.

Though Rwanda is known mainly for the 1994 genocide, this trip gives you the chance to witness a post-conflict country in the process of reconstruction. The international community recognizes Rwanda for having the world's largest number of women in parliament as well as strong governance, low rates of corruption, and low crime rate. Gerise Herndon, Professor of Gender Studies and Global Studies who lived in Rwanda during her sabbatical, will accompany students from University of Missouri-Columbia under the leadership of Rwandan professor of French and Gender Studies, Dr. Rangira Bea Gallimore. We will visit genocide memorials, reconciliation communities, and women's cooperatives. Presentations and testimonials will provide the historical context leading up to the genocide, including the media's role, the responsibility of the international community (UN, France, U.S., etc.), and the Catholic Church's role. Post-conflict issues include memory, genocide denial, and justice systems (regular, Gacaca, and international). Although mostly remaining in the capital, Kigali, we will take brief trips to rural areas. Participants will have a unique opportunity to visit local villages and organizations to observe efforts at recovery and social transformation, including forgiveness and reconciliation. The internship portion will depend on students' major or academic interest. Examples: pre-med students may shadow doctors; psychology students may shadow counselors; future teachers may help teach English as a Foreign Language.

A topical course designed to investigate any relevant subject matter not included in any of the standard courses. The title, content, and credit will be determined by current, mutual interests of students and faculty. This course may be offered to meet a group requirement for a major only by approval of the department chair.

An opportunity for a student to engage in an individually arranged research project supervised by a Global Studies faculty member. Special Projects may not duplicate courses described in the catalog.
Pass/Fail only.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.

Supervised individual projects for students on topics selected by the student in consultation with the instructor. Special Projects may not duplicate courses described in the catalog.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.

An on-the-job experience oriented toward the student’s major interest. The student is to secure a position in an organization that satisfies the mutual interests of the instructor, the sponsor, and the student. P/F Only.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of the department chair.

This class is for students who have successfully completed a semester or year of study abroad and who would like to process that experience further by analyzing specific cultural and educational experiences and interacting with students who have had similiar experiences abroad.
Pass/Fail only.
Prerequisite(s): One to two semesters of NWU study abroad experience and permission of instructor.

A topical course designed to investigate any relevant subject matter not included in any of the standard courses. The title, content, and credit will be determined by current, mutual interest of students and faculty. This course may be offered to meet a group of requirements for a major only by approval of the program director.

An opportunity for a student to engage in an individually arranged research project supervised by a member of the Global Studies faculty. Independent Study may not duplicate courses described in the catalog.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of the Global Studies program director.

Supervised individual projects for students on topics selected by the student in consultation with the instructor. Special Projects may not duplicate courses described in the catalog.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.

An on-the-job experience oriented toward the student’s major interest. The student is to secure a position in an organization that satisfies the mutual interests of the instructor, the sponsor, and the student. P/F Only.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of the department chair.

A topical course designed to investigate any relevant subject matter not included in any of the standard courses. The title, content, and credit will be determined by current, mutual interest of students and faculty. This course may be offered to meet a group of requirements for a major only by approval of the program director.

An opportunity for students, under the supervision of a faculty member, to investigate material not covered in other coursework.

An opportunity for a student to engage in an individually arranged research project supervised by a member of the Global Studies faculty. Independent Study may not duplicate courses described in the catalog.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of the Global Studies program director.

Supervised individual projects for students on topics selected by the student in consultation with the instructor. Special Projects may not duplicate courses described in the catalog.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.

An on-the-job experience oriented toward the student’s major interest. The student is to secure a position in an organization that satisfies the mutual interests of the instructor, the sponsor, and the student. P/F Only.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of the department chair.

A research seminar in which students conducting their research to satisfy the senior comprehensive requirement meet regularly to share insights, progress, and problems encountered along the way.

With the approval of the Global Studies chair, a student may elect an interdisciplinary thesis as a separate project under the directions of at least two faculty members, one of whom has expertise in the emphasis area.