Globalization Studies
Globalization is the process of countries, through increasing contact, communication and trade, coming closer together to create a single global system in which developments in one part of the world can profoundly affect individuals or communities in other parts of the world. The Globalization Studies major provides an opportunity to explore from an interdisciplinary perspective the forms that globalization takes, the forces that shape them, and their consequences for the life chances of individuals and communities worldwide, as well as for the global system itself. Students will also increase their understanding of the continuously and rapidly changing international environment in which they live and the place of the United States in it.
In addition to the course requirements below, International Studies majors must be proficient in a language other than English. To learn more about the language requirement, visit the World Language Requirement page.
To learn more about major requirements, check out the links below. Requirements and course offerings do change, so if you have any questions please reach out to internationalstudies@osu.edu or contact your academic advisor.
Globalization Studies Major Requirements
Bachelor of Arts
For students admitted to OSU prior to Autumn 2023, please schedule an appointment with an advisor.
World Language Requirement: All International Studies majors must be proficient in a language other than English (2000 level)
International Studies is an 11 course major (33 hours) (World Language does not count toward this total)
Embedded Literacies: 3 courses (9 hours)
Students must complete one course each in Advanced Writing (AW), Data Analysis (DA) and Technology (TECH) as part of the major.
Required Foundations: 2 courses (6 hours)
- INTSTDS 3850 - Introduction to Globalization (AW) - ideally taken sophomore year
- INTSTDS 4852 - Research in Globalization (AW) - ideally taken senior year
Methods & Analysis: Choose one course (3 hours)
- Geography 4103 - Introductory Spatial Data Analysis (DA)
- INTSTDS 3400 - The Analysis & Display of Data (DA)
- Political Science 3780 - Data Literacy & Data Visualization (DA)
- Sociology 5650 - Presenting & Communicating Quantitative Data (DA)
Primary Specialization: any 5 courses from list below (15 hours)
Secondary Specialization: any 3 courses from list below (9 hours)
- AAAS 3310 - Global Perspectives on the African Diaspora
- ANTHROP 3597.01 - Crisis! An Anthropological Perspective of Global Issues
- ANTHROP 5602 - Women’s Health in Global Perspective
- COMM 3597.01 - International Perspectives on Communication
- COMM 3554 - Social Implications of Communication Technology (TECH)
- COMM 3668 - Intercultural Communication
- COMPSTD 3360 - Introduction to Globalization & Culture
- COMPSTD 3645 - Cultures of Medicine
- COMPSTD 4597.02 - Global Culture
- EARTHSC 3411 - Water Security for the 21st Century
- ECON 4560 - Cooperation & Conflict in the Global Economy
- GEOG 3701 - The Making of the Modern World
- GEOG 3900 - Global Climate Change: Causes & Consequences
- GEOG 5501 - Urban Spaces & the Global Economy
- GEOG 5802 - Globalization & Environment
- HISTORY 3706 - Coca-Cola Globalization: The History of American Business
- INTSTDS 3703 - Ethical Issues in Information Technology (TECH)
- INTSTDS 4532 - Food Security & Globalization
- INTSTDS 4701 - The Development & Control of Weapons of Mass Destruction (TECH)
- INTSTDS 4850 - Understanding the Global Information Society
- INTSTDS/RELSTDS 4873 - Contemporary Religious Movements in Global Context
- INTSTDS 5640 - Globalization & Latin America
- MUSIC 3348 - Music on the Move in a Globalized World
- POLITSC 4210 - The Politics of European Integration
- POLITSC 4330 - Global Governance
- POLITSC 4331 - The United Nations System
- SLAVIC 5450 - Global Human Trafficking: Realities & Representations
- SOCIOL 3302 - Technology and Global Society (TECH)
- SOCIOL 5450 - Sociology of Global Health & Illness
- SOCIOL 5525 - Global Criminology
Bachelor of Science
For students admitted to OSU prior to Autumn 2025, please schedule an appointment with an advisor.
World Language Requirement: All International Studies majors must be proficient in a language other than English (2000 level)
International Studies is an 11 course major (33 hours) (World Language does not count toward this total)
Embedded Literacies: 3 courses (9 hours)
These courses are part of the major - one course in Advanced Writing (AW); one in Technology (TECH); and complete a 3-course sequence in Data Analysis (DA).
Required Foundations: 2 courses (6 hours)
- INTSTDS 3850 - Introduction to Globalization (AW) - ideally taken sophomore year
- INTSTDS 4852 - Research in Globalization (AW) - ideally taken senior year
Data Analysis: 3 courses (9 hours)
Choose one 3-course Series, and complete the 3 courses from that one Series
- Series 1
- Geography 4103 - Introductory Spatial Data Analysis
- Geography 5103 - Intermediate Spatial Data Analysis
- Geography 5210 - Fundamentals of Geographic Information System
- Series 2
- INTSTDS 3400 - The Analysis & Display of Data or Political Science 3780 - Data Literacy & Data Visualization
- Political Science 4781- Data Literacy in Political Science I
- Political Science 4782 - Data Literacy in Political Science II
- Series 3 (check course catalog for prerequisites for 3301 and 3302)
- Statistics 2450.01 or 2450.02 Introduction to Statistical Analysis I
- Statistics 3301 - Statistical Modeling for Discovery I:
- Prerequisites: MATH 2568 and STAT 3202 and 3201
- Statistics 3302 - Statistical Modeling for Discovery II
Specialization: Choose 6 courses (18 hours)
- AAAS 3310 - Global Perspectives on the African Diaspora
- ANTHROP 3597.01 - Crisis! An Anthropological Perspective of Global Issues
- ANTHROP 5602 - Women’s Health in Global Perspective
- COMM 3597.01 - International Perspectives on Communication
- COMM 3554 - Social Implications of Communication Technology (TECH)
- COMM 3668 - Intercultural Communication
- COMPSTD 3360 - Introduction to Globalization & Culture
- COMPSTD 3645/3645H - Cultures of Medicine
- COMPSTD 4597.02 - Global Culture
- EARTHSC 3411 - Water Security for the 21st Century
- ECON/INTSTDS 4560 - Cooperation & Conflict in the Global Economy
- GEOG 3701 - The Making of the Modern World
- GEOG 3900.01/3900.02 - Global Climate Change: Causes & Consequences
- GEOG 5501 - Urban Spaces & the Global Economy
- GEOG 5802 - Globalization & Environment
- HISTORY 3706 - Coca-Cola Globalization: The History of American Business
- INTSTDS/GEOG 3650 - A World Divided? Place, Space, and Regions in World Affairs
- INTSTDS 3703 - Ethical Issues in Information Technology (TECH)
- INTSTDS/AEDECON 4532 - Food Security & Globalization
- INTSTDS 4701 - Development & Control of Weapons of Mass Destruction (TECH)
- INTSTDS 4850 - Understanding the Global Information Society
- INTSTDS / RELSTDS 4873 - Contemporary Religious Movements in Global Context
- INTSTDS/SPANISH 5640 - Globalization & Latin America
- MUSIC 3348 - Music on the Move in a Globalized World
- POLITSC 421 - The Politics of European Integration
- POLITSC 4330 - Global Governance
- POLITSC 4331 - The United Nations System
- SLAVIC 5450 - Global Human Trafficking: Realities & Representations
- SOCIOL 3302 - Technology and Global Society (TECH)
- SOCIOL 5450 - Sociology of Global Health & Illness
- SOCIOL 5525 - Global Criminology