Learning Goals
The International and Global Studies Program aims at educating majors in both regional affairs and global issues.
Using different disciplinary perspectives, students majoring in international and global studies will be exposed to the historical, cultural, political, and economic dimensions of a particular geographic region and to global processes and themes.
Central Components
- Advanced competency in a foreign language
- Broad exposure to the chosen region from multiple perspectives and disciplines
- Deep engagement in critical thinking about global questions
- Study abroad
- Capstone senior experience
Goals and Assessment
Foreign Language
Students must demonstrate competency in a language by the following:
- Meeting minimum language requirements for study abroad (usually the equivalent of two years of college courses, but for some languages the requirement is higher).
- Completing an upper-level language course at Middlebury.
Region of the World
Students must demonstrate knowledge of a region of the world by the following:
- Successfully completing multiple courses from a variety of disciplines that concentrate on a region.
- Successfully completing at least one semester of study abroad.
Global Understanding
Students must demonstrate ability to think critically about global issues by successfully completing multiple courses on global themes offered by a variety of departments/programs.
Interconnected Nature of the World
Students must demonstrate their understanding of the contemporary world by successfully completing the program’s introductory course. This course exposes students to an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the major contemporary issues facing the world.