MAJOR (31-34 credits) The central dynamic of the GIS major is the emphasis on the interdisciplinary and the global through a specialization in one of the following areas and thematic studies, namely: Africana Studies, Arab & Islamic Studies, Asian Studies, Cultural Studies, Irish Studies, Latin American Studies, and Russian Area Studies. A student may also consider an Individually Designed Specialization after meeting some requirements, including meeting with the Chair of the department. Each specialization emphasizes the core tenets of the major: Interdisciplinary research, global impact through the local, and the application of knowledge to world affairs.
Required Major Courses:
• GIS 2000: Introduction to Global Interdisciplinary Studies (3 cr)
• GIS 5011: Team-taught Topics Student takes two different topics, the first of which counts as the Junior Research Seminar for the Major (6 cr)
• GIS 6500: Senior Capstone 1: Research (3 cr)
• GIS 6600: Senior Capstone 2: Thesis (3 cr)
• GIS 5000: Special Topics (1 cr)
• One semester of Study Abroad
One specialization from those listed below (15-18 cr)
Program Notes:
Seven Area Specializations:
- GIS offers seven specializations in interdisciplinary areas of study – Africana Studies, Arab and Islamic Studies, Asian Studies, Cultural Studies, Irish Studies, Latin American Studies, and Russian Area Studies. The additional requirements of each specialization are listed below. Students must indicate their specialization at the time of declaring the GIS major.
• Individually Designed Specialization:
A student may opt to design a 15-credit specialization of their choosing. This specialization must be proposed at the declaration of the major, with a clear rationalization for all selected courses. The proposal must be approved by a faculty mentor and the Department Chair and include at least three courses regularly offered at Villanova University.
• The Department of Global Interdisciplinary Studies also offers minors in the following programs: Arabic Language and Cultural Studies, Chinese Language and Cultural Studies, Japanese Language and Cultural Studies, Russian Language and Cultural Studies. Visit these individual pages to view their requirements.