Hobart and William Smith Colleges will offer a new global studies minor starting this spring.
The program aims to help students build cultural awareness, language skills, and the ability to collaborate across borders.
The interdisciplinary minor sits within the Institute for Global Studies and pulls together coursework in global literature, languages, and cultures. Faculty designed it to prepare students to engage with complex global issues.
“In today’s global world, students need to be competent in communicating across cultures to become true global citizens,” said Professor of Anthropology Jeffrey Anderson, director of the Institute for Global Studies.
How the minor works
Students will begin with an introductory course, followed by a 200-level core course. From there, they will complete two courses in one global area, two courses in a second global area, and one language course.
The structure focuses on both cultural understanding and language proficiency, giving students flexibility to shape the minor around their interests.
Courses launching this spring
Core offerings this spring include “Introduction to Global Studies,” which draws from the humanities and social sciences to examine global issues. This semester’s theme focuses on “The Poetics of Water,” exploring oceans in a global context.
Another core course, “Writing the World: Creative Writing from Global Inspiration,” examines poetry and fiction from regions including Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America. This spring, the course explores the role of food in Russian culture while students create their own original work.
Responding to renewed global interest
Anderson said the minor grew out of renewed student interest in global engagement following the COVID-19 pandemic. While travel and study abroad slowed during shutdowns, interest has rebounded strongly.
“There’s a new interest in studying abroad and in global studies,” Anderson said.
He also pointed to the growing need for interdisciplinary approaches to global challenges.
“The problems facing the world are too large to be addressed within individual programs,” he said. “We need conversations across disciplines.”
A broader global framework
The Institute for Global Studies includes nine academic programs, including Africana studies, anthropology, international relations, French, Francophone and Italian studies, and German area studies.
Faculty say the new minor strengthens those offerings by giving students a structured way to connect disciplines and perspectives.
Students interested in the global studies minor can contact Jeffrey Anderson for more information.
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