Global Studies Certificate

The interdisciplinary certificate is similar to a minor but rather than limiting courses to one department, it requires students take courses from a variety of departments clustered around one global concentration. This interdisciplinary requirement is reflective of the approach needed to address global concerns and facilitates inquiry from a variety of disciplines. The certificate requires 18 credits of coursework, language study and completion of a digital portfolio. Although a study abroad experience is not required we highly encourage our students to do so.

Enroll in the certificate

Objectives:

• Recognize the ongoing impact and effects of neoliberal globalization
• Make analytical connections between the local and the global in ways that enrich both
• Appreciate the value of cultural, racial, regional, sexual, religious, class difference on both a local and global scale
• Articulate an interdisciplinary approach to problem-based learning that encourages an intersectional, transnational, transhistorical outlook
• Critique different discourses of the global and globalization (e.g. cultural, policy, anthropological, medical) and communicate effectively about these issues orally and in writing to an interdisciplinary audience.

Requirements:

Global Studies Courses

Students begin by identifying a global concentration they want to focus on from the five offered. The descriptions of the global concentrations emphasize overarching themes and concerns; students might pursue a wide variety of questions, contemporary or historical, within these concentrations.

All students must take PS 0550 Introduction to Global Studies and 15 credits of coursework from their selected global concentration, earning a C or better in each of the courses.  At least two of the five must be 1000 level courses. Students can double count up to six credits from their major, use general education requirements, or take as electives. Relevant courses taken during a study abroad experience may also be counted. To ensure interdisciplinary learning, students take three courses in two departments other than their major. Courses are updated each semester. View the course list.

Learn about the Global Concentrations

Language Study

Global Studies students may continue with a language they have previously studied, or study a new language, or both! Typically for a certificate students must take four semesters of a language or reach the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) range of proficiency of intermediate-mid for less commonly taught languages (Arabic, Chinese, etc.) and intermediate – high for commonly taught languages (French, Spanish, German).

Information about specific language programs can be found by contacting the language departments listed below:

• Department of East Asian Languages & Literatures
• Department of German
• Department of French & Italian Languages and Literatures
• Department of Slavic Languages & Literature
• Department of Spanish and Portuguese
• Less Commonly Taught Languages Center

Digital Portfolio

Each student is required to create a succinct yet dynamic portfolio that illustrates their studies and interests pertaining to their global studies concentration. The e-portfolio will demonstrate how students are informed about, as well as engaged with, global studies through their various curricular and co-curricular experiences at Pitt.  Students learn how to build a website and personalize it using images, testimonies, and prose, which will facilitate the portrayal of the breadth and depth of themselves as individuals and aspiring scholars/professionals. The e-portfolio is similar to an online resume and can be shared with employers, and graduate schools.

Sample Global Studies Certificate Digital Portfolios