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Home Catalog Programs of Study List of Programs Global Studies

Global Studies

Overview

This degree provides an understanding of international issues and the impact of globalization on developed and developing economies. It covers a number of issues, including trade, economic development, war and conflict, and foreign relations and diplomacy.

Degrees Offered

  • A.A.-T. in Global Studies
  • A.A. in International Studies

Associate Degrees for Transfer

A.A.-T. in Global Studies

The Associate in Arts in Global Studies for Transfer (AA-T) provides an understanding of international issues and the impact of globalization on developed and developing economies. It covers a number of issues, including trade, economic development, war and conflict, and foreign relations and diplomacy.

The AA-T in Global Studies also provides students with a major that fulfills the general requirements for transfer to a California State University. Students with this degree will receive priority admission with junior status to the California State University system. Students should work closely with their American River College counselor to ensure that they are taking the appropriate coursework to prepare for majoring in Global Studies, International Studies, or International Relations at the institution they wish to transfer to because major and general education requirements may vary for each CSU and the degree may only transfer to specific institutions.

Students must complete the following Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) requirements (pursuant to SB1440, §66746):
• 60 semester or 90 quarter CSU-transferable units
• the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) pattern
• a minimum of 18 semester or 27 quarter units in the major or area of emphasis as determined by the community college district
• obtain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0

All ADTs also require that students must earn a “C” or better in all courses required for the major or area of emphasis. A "P" (Pass) grade is also an acceptable grade for courses in the major if the course is taken on a Pass/No Pass basis.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2026

Degree Requirements
Course Code Course Title Units
Required Core:
GLST 301 Introduction to Global Studies 3
GLST 302 Global Issues 3
List A:
A minimum of 15 units from the following: 15
Select five courses from a minimum of four of the following areas
Political Science
POLS C1000 American Government and Politics (3)
   or POLS C1000H American Government and Politics - Honors (3)
POLS 302 Comparative Politics (3)
POLS 310 Introduction to International Relations (3)
   or POLS 480 Introduction to International Relations - Honors (3)
POLS 320 Introduction to Political Theory (3)
POLS 342 Women and Politics from a Global Perspective (3)
Culture and Society
ANTH 310 Cultural Anthropology (3)
   or ANTH 481 Honors Cultural Anthropology (3)
ANTH 320 Introduction to Archaeology and World Prehistory (3)
ANTH 341 Introduction to Linguistics (3)
HIST 300 History of Europe and the Mediterranean to 1500 (3)
   or HIST 480 History of Western Civilization - Honors (3)
HIST 302 History of Europe Since 1500 (3)
   or HIST 481 History of Western Civilization - Honors (3)
HIST 307 History of World Civilizations to 1500 (3)
HIST 308 History of World Civilizations, 1500 to Present (3)
HIST C1001 United States History to 1877 (3)
   or HIST C1001H United States History to 1877 - Honors (3)
HIST C1002 United States History since 1865 (3)
   or HIST C1002H United States History since 1865 - Honors (3)
HIST 325 History of Asian/Pacific Americans (3)
Economics
ECON C2002 Principles of Macroeconomics (3)
ECON C2001 Principles of Microeconomics (3)
Geography
GEOG 300 Physical Geography: Exploring Earth's Environmental Systems (3)
GEOG 310 Human Geography: Exploring Earth's Cultural Landscapes (3)
GEOG 320 World Regional Geography (3)
Humanities
ARTH 308 Renaissance Tradition in Art (3)
ARTH 310 Modern Art (3)
ARTH 322 Art History of the Non-Western World (3)
DEAF 314 American Sign Language III (4)
DEAF 316 American Sign Language IV (4)
ENGLT 340 World Literature I (3)
ENGLT 341 World Literature II (3)
GERM 401 Elementary German I (4)
GERM 402 Elementary German II (4)
GERM 411 Intermediate German (4)
GERM 412 Intermediate German (4)
ITAL 411 Intermediate Italian (4)
ITAL 412 Intermediate Italian (4)
RLST 301 Introduction to World Religions (3)
SPAN 402 Elementary Spanish II (4)
SPAN 411 Intermediate Spanish (4)
SPAN 412 Intermediate Spanish (4)
SPAN 413 Spanish for Native Speakers I (4)
SPAN 415 Spanish for Native Speakers II (4)
Total Units: 21

The Associate in Arts in Global Studies for Transfer (AA-T) degree may be obtained by completion of 60 transferable, semester units with a minimum 2.0 GPA, including (a) the major or area of emphasis described in the Required Program, and (b) the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) Requirement.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • evaluate their role as a member of a global network of interdependent societies.
  • formulate a cohesive understanding of world issues and events by incorporating that knowledge into their daily life and career.
  • analyze various social-scientific perspectives that explain the causes and consequences of globalization.
  • apply various social-scientific perspectives to daily life and the work environment.
  • recognize people's socio-economic, political, and geographical background.
  • analyze local and societal issues and problems within a global context.

Career Information

Completing an AA-T in Global Studies will prepare students to apply a global understanding to careers in trade, law, diplomacy, food production, education, human rights, development, relief, and marketing. Students completing this degree will be able to continue their studies in any of the above listed areas and to apply a global perspective to any field of study or work.

Associate Degrees

A.A. in International Studies

This degree provides an understanding of international issues and the impact of globalization on developed and developing economies. It covers a number of issues, including trade, economic development, war and conflict, and foreign relations and diplomacy.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2026

Degree Requirements
Course Code Course Title Units
ANTH 310 Cultural Anthropology (3) 3
   or ANTH 481 Honors Cultural Anthropology (3)
ECON C2002 Principles of Macroeconomics 3
HIST 308 History of World Civilizations, 1500 to Present 3
POLS 310 Introduction to International Relations (3) 3
   or POLS 480 Introduction to International Relations - Honors (3)
SOC 300 Introductory Sociology (3) 3
   or SOC 480 Introductory Sociology - Honors (3)
A minimum of 6 units from the following: 6
GLST 301 Introduction to Global Studies (3)
GLST 302 Global Issues (3)
IS 305 Introduction to Middle East Studies (3)
IS 310 Peace and Conflict (3)
IS 312 Current Global Development Issues (3)
A minimum of 8 units from the following: 8
GERM 401 Elementary German I (4)
GERM 402 Elementary German II (4)
GERM 411 Intermediate German (4)
GERM 412 Intermediate German (4)
ITAL 401 Elementary Italian (4)
ITAL 402 Elementary Italian (4)
ITAL 411 Intermediate Italian (4)
ITAL 412 Intermediate Italian (4)
RUSS 401 Elementary Russian (4)
RUSS 402 Elementary Russian (4)
SPAN 401 Elementary Spanish I (4)
SPAN 402 Elementary Spanish II (4)
SPAN 411 Intermediate Spanish (4)
SPAN 412 Intermediate Spanish (4)
Total Units: 29

The International Studies Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, and either (a) the Local General Education Pattern or (b) the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC), plus sufficient electives for a total of at least 60 units. See ARC graduation requirements.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • evaluate his/her role as a member of a global network of interdependent societies.
  • formulate a cohesive understanding of world issues and events and incorporate that knowledge into his/her daily life and career.
  • analyze various social-scientific perspectives that explain the causes and consequences of globalization.
  • apply various social-scientific perspectives to daily life and work environment.
  • recognize people's socio-economic, political, and geographical background.
  • analyze local and societal issues and problems within a global context.

Career Information

This degree provides career opportunities with local, state, federal agencies, and in the private sector. The core courses provide students with diverse knowledge to work in a variety of fields, including international business, law, government and non-governmental service, social services, natural sciences, health fields, and education.

Global Studies (GLST) Courses

GLST 299 Experimental Offering in Global Studies

  • Units:0.5 - 4
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This is the experimental courses description.

GLST 301 Introduction to Global Studies

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Advisory:Eligibility for ENGL C1000/C1000H (formerly ENGWR 300/480) or ESLW 340.
  • Transferable:CSU; UC
  • General Education:Local GE L4; Cal-GETC Area 4
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course is an introduction to the interdisciplinary and multi-dimensional field of Global Studies. Students will examine the process of globalization through the lenses of history, economics, political science, geography, environment, and culture. This course utilizes globalization theories to provide a scientific framework for understanding various aspects of globalization and transnational social problems. This course was formerly known as IS 301 and is not open to students who have completed that course.

GLST 302 Global Issues

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Advisory:Eligibility for ENGL C1000/C1000H (formerly ENGWR 300/480) or ESLW 340.
  • Transferable:CSU; UC
  • General Education:Local GE L4; Cal-GETC Area 4
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course introduces students to the origins, current status, and future trends of major transnational issues confronting the global community. Topics include economic development and inequality, environmental issues and challenges, human rights, human security (for example food, water, and health care), international conflict and security issues, migration, and population trends. This course also focuses on global governance, including the study of collective global responsibility. This course was formerly known as IS 302 and is not open to students who have completed that course.

GLST 499 Experimental Offering in Global Studies

  • Units:0.5 - 4
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This is the experimental courses description.

International Studies (IS) Courses

IS 305 Introduction to Middle East Studies

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Advisory:Eligibility for ENGL C1000/C1000H (formerly ENGWR 300/480) or ESLW 340
  • Transferable:CSU; UC
  • General Education:Local GE L4; Cal-GETC Area 4
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course introduces the contemporary Middle East from global and interdisciplinary perspectives. It covers the major developments and events that have shaped the socio-economic and political institutions and structures within a distinct geopolitical area. This course examines processes of state formation, colonialism, independence movements, major power players in the region, and the modern challenges of globalization. It also covers the consequences for foreign policy. Countries may include but are not limited to: Algeria, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Tunisia. This course provides a foundation in Middle East Studies in the context of a globally interconnected world system.

IS 310 Peace and Conflict

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Advisory:Eligibility for ENGL C1000/C1000H (formerly ENGWR 300/480) or ESLW 340
  • Transferable:CSU; UC
  • General Education:Local GE L4; Cal-GETC Area 4
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course examines the political and socioeconomic causes and consequences of peace and conflict from different theoretical views. It includes an analysis of inter- and intra-state conflicts and wars, terrorism, ethnic and sectarian conflicts, and gender issues and conflicts. Additional topics include war theory, "negative peace," post-conflict reconciliation, policy recommendations and proposed solutions for conflict resolution, and achieving peace through the engagement of the global community. This course is formerly known as SOCSC 310.

IS 312 Current Global Development Issues

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Advisory:Eligibility for ENGL C1000/C1000H (formerly ENGWR 300/480) or ESLW 340
  • Transferable:CSU; UC
  • General Education:Local GE L4; Cal-GETC Area 4
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course covers current socio-economic and political issues in developing countries in a global context. It presents alternative theories pertaining to the causes and consequences of development, underdevelopment, and uneven development with a particular focus on the issues of globalization including political and social change. It also includes proposed solutions to various development problems from various scientific perspectives.

Catalog