School of Global Studies B.A. Expands with Eight Specialized Emphases

Established in the fall of 2024, the School of Global Studies in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Arizona brings together a remarkable range of programs, perspectives, and expertise under one academic roof. 

The school’s redesigned Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies, which launches in fall 2026, reflects the way students increasingly want to learn: by engaging with big global questions while developing expertise in a particular region, community or thematic area. 

Through the B.A. in Global Studies, students examine the historical and contemporary cultural, economic, social and political forces that shape our world. The interdisciplinary curriculum provides a broad foundation while giving students the flexibility to pursue subjects that align with their interests and goals.

In addition to the foundational curriculum, students can choose from eight specialized emphases: Global Cultures; Global Human Rights and Social Movements; Global Political Economy and Institutions; Global Latin America; Middle Eastern and North African Studies; Gender, Difference, and Power; Jewish and Israel Studies: Cultures and Communities; and a General emphasis that allows students to build a customized course of study.

“Students can combine that focused study with language learning and an international immersion experience, giving them both intellectual breadth and meaningful depth,” said David Pietz, director of the School of Global Studies. “It is a flexible degree designed to prepare students to think critically, communicate across cultures, and address complex problems in whatever careers they choose to pursue.”

The eight emphases allow students to pursue a wide range of interests—from culture, identity and global politics to human rights, social movements and regional studies.

Global Studies Emphases            

General Emphasis: Build a customized course of study around the global issues and questions that interest them most, drawing across regions and disciplines.
Global Political Economy and Institutions: Examine how governments, businesses and other organizations influence the world economy — and how issues of wealth, inequality, labor and power shape international affairs.
Global Cultures: Discover how people around the world express identity and make meaning through language, art, media, literature, religion and other forms of culture.
Gender, Difference, and Power: Investigate how gender, race, identity and other forms of difference influence people’s lives, opportunities and experiences of power — and consider how societies might change.
Middle Eastern and North African Studies: Study the diverse histories, cultures, languages, religions and politics of the Middle East and North Africa, from ancient societies to contemporary issues.
Jewish and Israel Studies: Cultures and Communities: Study Jewish history, culture and traditions across different places and periods, with opportunities to explore modern Israel and develop language skills.
Global Latin America: Gain a deeper understanding of Latin America through topics such as migration, democracy, inequality, Indigenous rights, health, the environment and political change.
Global Human Rights and Social Movements: Examine human rights issues around the world and learn how individuals and communities organize to challenge injustice, defend rights and create social change.

Connecting Interests Across Disciplines

“My experience in the Global Studies program has been exceptional. It has provided me so many opportunities to tailor my education towards my interests,” said Dorothy Stocks, a Global Studies major with a Global Cultures emphasis and a second major in Spanish. “I have been able to center my courses around Latin American culture and politics while pursuing Spanish as a second major. This major has allowed many freedoms in choosing what I learn rather than a more traditional standardized course of studies.”

That ability to connect different interests is one of the strengths students see in the program.

“One of the things I value most about Global Studies is how interdisciplinary it is,” said Anusha Sharma, a Global Studies major with a thematic minor in South Asian Studies and a certificate in Human Rights Practice. “I’ve been able to combine my interests in global health, human rights, and international affairs while learning how complex global challenges require solutions that cross traditional academic boundaries.”

The result is a degree that gives students room to shape their studies around their interests while preparing them to apply that knowledge in a range of fields. 

“We’re thrilled by the wide range of emphases our program offers, giving students the opportunity to build global expertise,” said Kathleen O’Brien, director of undergraduate studies in the School of Global Studies. “Our program prepares students for careers in international and nonprofit organizations, education, government, research, and beyond.”

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