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Program Requirements
Note: University regulations apply to all students at Laurier. If there is any discrepancy between the program or progression requirements outlined on this page and those in the university's academic calendars, the academic calendars are the official sources of information. The information below is from the latest calendar, and you may be following progression requirements from an earlier calendar. Students are responsible for checking the appropriate calendar. Contact your program coordinator should you notice any discrepancies.
Academic Advising
Email any advising questions or requests to gsadvisor@wlu.ca.
Declaring as a Global Studies Major
Want to declare as a Global Studies major? Learn how to change your program.
The Honours BA in Global Studies (GS) program consists of 20.0 credits, including a minimum of 10.0 credits in Global Studies. Not more than 6.0 credits may be in 100 level courses (refer to exceptions below).In addition to the required GS credits, students are required to complete 1.0 language credit.
Global Studies Credit Requirements (10.0 credits)
- GS101
- GS102
- 9.0 senior credits in Global Studies courses, which must include the following:
- GS201
- GS202
- 2.0 additional credits at the 200 level
- 1.0 credit at the 300 level
- 1.0 credit at the 400 level
- 4.0 additional senior Global Studies credits
A maximum of 1.0 credit of the following courses may be counted as GS senior credits: AN345, AN348, RE211, RE227, WS306, PS492*.
Degree Program Electives
An additional 10.0 credits toward the degree total of 20.0 credits, which includes not more than 2.0 senior GS credits and 5.0 100-level credits.Language Credit Requirement
In addition to the Global Studies course requirements above, students must also complete a 1.0 credit in non-English language study. Language courses may be taken (a) at Laurier, (b) at other recognized universities in Canada on a letter of permission, or (c) abroad on a letter of permission and with the prior written consent of the Department of Global Studies. Courses taught in English may not be counted as a substitute for this requirement.
Notes:
- Global Studies single majors who have taken 1.0 credit of junior language study may count up to 1.0 credit of senior language study toward the senior GS credit requirements for the degree.
- Global Studies combined majors who have taken 1.0 credit of junior language study may count up to 0.5 credit of senior language study toward the senior GS credit requirements for the degree.
- For Global Studies majors who take 100 level language courses during Year 2, Year 3 or Year 4, and who have already accumulated 6.0 junior credits, these courses (up to a maximum of 1.0 credit) will not be counted toward the maximum 6.0 limit on 100 level credits.
- Students who are studying in English as a Second Language may apply to have the 1.0 language credit requirement waived by the GS department. In the very specific cases where the language requirement is waived, alternate credits will normally be required in its place, as determined by the GS undergraduate advisor.
Arts Global Experience
Global Studies strongly encourages students to extend their education beyond the classroom. One way to do this is to complete the Arts Global Experience, which offers students the opportunity to create an active link between academic learning and hands-on experience in the field. The Global Studies Experience is optional.
Notes
- With department approval, a quantitative methods course taught in another department may count toward senior GS credit requirements, up to a maximum of 0.5 credit.
- Students who consider pursuing graduate studies in the area of international development or public policy should consider taking introductory courses in Micro and Macroeconomics.
The combined Honours BA in Global Studies degree has the same requirements as the single honours degree (see above), but the total number of required Global Studies (GS) credits is 7.0.
Global Studies Course Requirements (7.0 credits)
- GS101
- GS102
- 6.0 senior credits in Global Studies courses, which must include the following:
- GS201
- GS202
- 2.0 additional credits at the 200 level
- 1.0 GS credit at the 300 level
- 1.0 GS credit at the 400 level
- 1.0 additional senior GS credits.
Students doing a Combined Honours in Global Studies are also required to complete the language credit, as outlined in the single Honours Global Studies section (see above).
A maximum of a 0.5-credit of the following courses may be counted as a GS senior credit: AN345, AN348, RE211, RE227, WS306, PS496*.
Degree Program Electives
An additional 13.0 credits toward the degree total of 20.0 credits, including the second honours BA major.
The minor consists of 3.0 credits, including GS101, GS201 and 2.0 additional senior GS credits.
Note: 300- and 400-level courses are normally closed to non-Global Studies students. Students conducting a minor may be admitted to higher level Global Studies courses if space permits.
Note: 300- and 400-level courses are normally closed to non-Global Studies students. Students conducting a minor may be admitted to higher level Global Studies courses if space permits.
To explore the program concentrations, specializations, and options available to tailor your Global Studies degree to your primary interests, please see the Concentrations and Specializations page.