Department of Global Studies

Professors Emeriti	Joan T. Grimbert; J-M Heimonet; Stefania Lucamante; Mario A. Rojas
Professor	Alexander T. Russo
Associate Professors	Niki Akhavan, Glenn Østen Anderson; Mario A. Ortiz; Julia G. Young, Chair
Clinical Assistant Professors	Cybèle Arnaud; Katharina Rudolf; Anastasiya Stoyneva
Clinical Instructors	Yung-Yung Chang
Research Associate Professors	DanielGarcía-Donoso

The Department of Global Studies offers Bachelor of Arts degrees Global Studies and Media and Communications Studies as well as minors in Global Studies and Media Studies and a Certificate in Video Production and Digital Storytelling. The Department also offers an array of language courses including beginning and intermediate-level courses in Modern Standard Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, French, German, Italian, and Spanish, as well as introductory courses in American Sign Language (ASL). The Department also offers foundational courses in Explorations of Literature, Explorations in Fine Arts, and Foundations in History/Politics as outlined under the B.A. degree requirements.

Foreign Language Requirement

The foreign language requirement for degrees in the School of Arts and Sciences may be fulfilled by satisfactorily completing the intermediate level (103-104) in Modern Standard Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, French, German, Italian, or Spanish. In Spanish students may complete the requirement with SPAN 111, for heritage speakers only, or SPAN 113. SPAN 113 (6 credits) is an accelerated intermediate-level equivalent to 103-104, open by departmental permission only to highly-qualified students. In addition to placement, a prerequisite for continuing enrollment in 102, 103, and 104 is a minimum grade of C- in the previous course in the sequence. For 113, a B- or better is required.

Depending on background or placement, elementary-level language courses may be required to reach the intermediate level. Elementary language courses are numbered 101 and 102. Elementary language courses 101 and 102 count as free electives only.

Note: All entering first-year students with three years of high school Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, or Spanish who wish to continue in that language are strongly urged to take a placement examination. Students who wish to place out of the language requirement are required to take the placement examination and have an oral examination with the placement coordinator or a faculty member designated by the placement coordinator. The resulting placement will be valid up to one year after the date of the examination. See the Department's Website for more information.

Global Studies

The Global Studies B.A. and minor are designed to meet the demands of students who wish to obtain language skills that will serve them well in the workplace, to gain cultural competence in one or more regions of the world, and to acquire the expertise to address one or more global issues through the lens of Catholic social teaching.

Students who complete a Global Studies major or minor will be prepared to understand and address the most pressing global issues of the day, to communicate with speakers of languages other than English, and to live and work abroad if they choose to do so. Internships and study abroad are strongly encouraged. As a result, graduates with a Global Studies degree will be ready to embark on a wide array of careers or graduate study in areas including: foreign affairs and diplomacy, international business, the non-profit and NGO sector, international human rights organizations, research and investigation, risk analysis, peace and conflict resolution, environmental advocacy, and many more.

The Department administers the Global Studies major and minor and will offer the majority of its required courses. At the same time, students are strongly encouraged to take at least two classes from departments and programs across the University that offer courses on global and region-specific issues. As a result, the Global Studies major is not only highly interdisciplinary, but also functions very well as a double major. The Global Studies minor, for its part, is similarly flexible and interdisciplinary and will offer students the opportunity to explore their interests in global languages, regions, and issues, and to incorporate cultural competence into their undergraduate degree and professional skill set.

Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies

The requirements for the major can be found at Global Studies - Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

The Global Studies major at Catholic University consists of ten courses. It is designed to be robust but also flexible, with opportunities for students to double count courses with second majors in other departments. All Global Studies majors will take the core class, Introduction to Global Studies, which introduces students to the study of global languages, regions, and issues. It also serves as an introduction to the concept of cultural competence, and prepares students to study and work in diverse cultural, ethnic, and linguistic contexts.

Students are required to reach intermediate proficiency in one language of their choice. This proficiency can be demonstrated by passing intermediate level modern language classes (103 and 104) with a C- or above or by testing out of a language. Students who test out of the language focus are required to add two electives, or could opt to take courses in a second language instead. Students choose to add either a) an advanced language class to their language focus in order to develop practical real-world skills or b) a class on cultural competence related to their language focus area. They can also add a course in a second language related to their regional focus (for example, students studying Spanish and Europe could add a German readings course). Students also take three regional focus courses, so that they can specialize in a specific region or global community by learning about its culture, history, and society. Regions and global communities include but are not limited to: Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, and Multi-regional. The requirement can also be fulfilled with approved courses taken during study abroad in the region of focus. Students narrow their focus of study further with the addition of two courses on a global issue of their choice. These courses need not be explicitly located within a student’s focus region, but they should cover issues that are relevant to that focus region.

Students can also propose other issues within their areas of interest for approval by the advisor. These courses can be cross-listed from other departments, and also be fulfilled with approved courses taken during study abroad.

Internship and capstone project. Students are encouraged to expand their experiential learning and professional development by taking an internship course and working at an organization whose mission centers on global issues and global service. The internship course can substitute to a regions or issues course as appropriate.

Students will finish their major by completing a senior capstone project, designed in conjunction with the senior thesis professor, in which they conduct significant research into a global issue in their region or global community of focus.

Bachelor of Arts in French and Francophone Studies

**Admission to the French and Francophone Studies major is currently suspended**

The requirements for the major can be found at French and Francophone Studies - Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

The Major in French and Francophone Studies offers an interdisciplinary approach to the study of the French-speaking world. It is designed to provide students with a solid background in the cultural history of France and the Francophone countries. Students combine language, culture, and practical skills courses in the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures with a practical immersion experience in a French-speaking country. Students are encouraged to supplement their studies with courses dealing with the Francophone world in areas such as Anthropology, Art, Drama, History, Media and Communication Studies, Philosophy, Politics, Psychology, and Sociology.

Education Abroad

French and Francophone Studies Majors are required to spend a semester studying abroad in a French-speaking country. All credits earned abroad are eligible for transfer if the student is enrolled in affiliated programs. FREN 300 and FREN 489 must be taken at Catholic University. Under special circumstances students may petition that the study abroad requirement be waived. In these cases the department will consider summer abroad programs, approved cultural immersion experiences, or internships instead.

Free Electives and Liberal Arts Courses

French and Francophone Studies Majors are strongly advised to complete the course work for the Certificate in European Studies. Students are also strongly encouraged to add minors or a second major in related disciplines, such as Art, Drama, History, International Business, Media and Communication Studies, Philosophy, or Politics.

Bachelor of Arts in Spanish for International Service

**Admission to the Spanish for International Service major is currently suspended**

The requirements for the major can be found at Spanish for International Service - Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

The Major in Spanish for International Service (SIS) is a pre-professional career-oriented program designed to prepare students for service in government or private agencies and business in Spanish-language related fields. In addition to providing a solid background in the cultural history of Latin America, Spain, and the Hispanic and Latino communities in the United States, the major emphasizes the development of practical skills to prepare students for careers in international service.

Education Abroad

Spanish for International Service Majors are required to spend a semester studying abroad in a Spanish-speaking country. All credits earned abroad are eligible for transfer if the student is enrolled in affiliated programs. SPAN 300, SPAN 302, and SPAN 489 must be taken at Catholic University. Under special circumstances students may petition that the study abroad requirement be waived. In these cases the department will consider summer abroad programs, approved cultural immersion experiences, or internships instead.

Free Electives and Liberal Arts Courses

SIS Majors are strongly advised to complete the course work for either the Certificate in European Studies or the Certificate in Latin American and Latino Studies. Students are also strongly encouraged to add minors or a second major in related disciplines, such as Art, Drama, History, International Business, Media and Communication Studies, Philosophy, or Politics.

Minor Programs

Minor in Global Studies

The requirements for the minor can be found at Global Studies - Minor

A Global Studies minor is a flexible and valuable complement to any major, minor, or certificate across the University. Adding a Global Studies minor offers students the opportunity to develop linguistic expertise and a comprehensive understanding of global issues, while incorporating cultural competence into their undergraduate degree and professional skill set.

The Global Studies minor requires six courses. Two of these courses must be intermediate-level (103 and 104) language courses. The remaining four courses will emphasize the diverse skill sets required for working in an increasingly globalized world: one is the core course (GS 101); one must fulfill the practical language skills focus; one must fulfill the regional focus; and one must fulfill the global issues focus.

Minor in French

**Admission to the Minor in French is currently suspended.**

The requirements for the minor can be found at French - Minor

N.B. Native speakers of French (francophones) may not enroll in any 200-level course in French. Upper-level literature and culture courses as well as 200-level courses in English are open to qualified native speakers with permission from the instructor.

Minor in German Studies

**Admission to the Minor in German Studies is currently suspended.**

The requirements for the minor can be found at German Studies - Minor

No more than 2 courses taught in English count toward the minor. In consultation with the academic advisor, study abroad courses may be counted toward the minor.

Minor in Italian Studies

**Admission to the Minor in Italian Studies is currently suspended.**

The requirements for the minor can be found at

Students should consult the advisor in Italian concerning combinations of courses. Study abroad courses may also be approved by the advisor.

Minor in Hispanic Studies

**Admission to the Minor in Hispanic Studies is currently suspended.**

The requirements for the minor can be found at Hispanic Studies - Minor

Certificate Program

Certificate in Spanish for Health Care

The requirements for the certificate can be found at Spanish for Health Care - Certificate

Program Director: Anastasiya Stoyneva, Clinical Assistant Professor (stoyneva@cua.edu)

This program is designed for students to gain competence in medical Spanish and cultural awareness to better serve the health needs of the Hispanic community. Following the prerequisite of one semester of Beginning Spanish (or the equivalent), a total of 5 courses are required for the certificate. Depending on placement as determined by the program director, students may begin with SPAN 103HC, Spanish for Health Care I, SPAN 104HC Spanish for Health Care II or SPAN 207 Advanced Spanish for Health Care I. The CUA language requirement is fulfilled by completing SPAN 104HC. The remainder of the courses for the certificate (5 total) are selected with the director’s approval from the approved list.

Media and Communications Studies

Television, cinema, radio, newspapers, and the Internet all profoundly influence our lives. Our programs provide students with tools to analyze and create media texts. An interdisciplinary field, Media and Communication Studies at Catholic University is rooted in traditions of rhetorical and historical criticism across the humanities.

Core courses promote understanding of film, television, and related media in their varied aesthetic, social, historical, and cultural contexts. After completing the core, majors may choose to emphasize advanced work in either critical studies (beginning their electives with a course in critical approaches to media) or media production (beginning their electives with a course in video filmmaking). Students emphasizing their elective courses in either area may still take electives in both. Majors in the program also have opportunities to gain professional experience through internships. With its humanities orientation and liberal arts commitment, the program emphasizes writing and critical thinking skills. By requiring rigorous study of the intersections of media theory, history, technology, and cultures while providing access to state-of-the-art digital production tools, the program engages students as both critics and creators. Students learn how to read cultural texts critically, partly by gaining firsthand knowledge of how such texts are produced. Media and Communication Studies majors develop a relationship to media that is both critically aware and socially responsible, one that prepares them for a wide variety of careers in fields as diverse as film and video, broadcasting, journalism, public relations, advertising, law, or teaching and scholarship in the humanities.

Majors take six core courses: MDIA 201 Introduction to Media and Communication Studies, MDIA 202 Media and History, MDIA 301 Critical Methods in Media and Communication Studies, MDIA 302 Introduction to Video Production: Media Rhetoric and Aesthetics, MDIA 399 Junior Seminar, and MDIA 499 Senior Seminar. Students then take seven advanced electives, generally focusing on either critical studies or production. Up to two approved courses from other departments (e.g., ART 309, Introduction to Photography) may count as in-major electives, and up to two approved internships may receive academic credit. The full list of approved interdisciplinary electives is available on the Cardinal Station Advising Report.

Important Requirements

Students may declare the major as incoming freshmen. Students who wish to transfer into the major after the beginning of freshman year should complete at least one introductory course (MDIA 201, MDIA 202 or MDIA 301) first before being considered for acceptance.

All majors must earn a 2.5 GPA average in MDIA 201 and MDIA 202. All students failing to achieve this level of academic performance will be dismissed from the major; they may re-take either course within two semesters, meet the 2.5 requirement, and then reapply for acceptance to the major.

No course in the major may be re-taken more than once. Additionally, all students must maintain a 2.3 (C+) GPA average in the major. Students dropping below this level will be given one semester to restore their in-major GPA, or face dismissal from the major.

MDIA 201 is a prerequisite for many advanced electives; MDIA 399 (Junior Seminar) is a prerequisite for MDIA 499 (Senior Seminar, both production and critical studies sections); MDIA 312 is a prerequisite for the production-centered section of MDIA 499 (Senior Seminar).

Bachelor of Arts in Media & Communication Studies

The requirements for the major can be found at Media and Communication Studies - Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

Minor in Media Studies

The requirements for the minor can be found at Media Studies - Minor

Certificate in Video Production and Digital Storytelling

The requirements for the certificate can be found at Video Production and Digital Storytelling - Certificate

This certificate offers any undergraduate student at Catholic University the ability to complement his or her major area of study with comprehensive training in video production and audio-visual storytelling. By combining course offerings in three main departments — Media and Communication Studies, Art, and Drama — students develop technical skills in lighting, videography, motion graphics, digital audio, and video editing. In addition to building technical proficiencies, this certificate guides students toward developing a creative voice through digital storytelling.