The global south and diasporic studies track provides an exciting opportunity to study cultures and people in diverse geographical locations: from Africa and Asia to the Caribbean and Latin America. This track invites you to examine the uniqueness of each cultural environment while also considering the many linkages between people and places. This track focuses on those areas of the world that were affected by European colonialism, and you might be surprised to learn that—in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries—a few European nations controlled more than 85 % of the world as colonies, protectorates, and dominions. As a result, many people were displaced from their original homeland and formed new networks (diaspora) in other parts of the world. Now that the period of colonialism has ended and formerly colonized territories have become politically independent (postcolonial), the encounter between cultures takes on many new forms: from the global movement of people in search of professional opportunities, to the shared concern for environmental and health issues, to our ever increasing connectivity via social media.

Courses in this track offer you a gateway to the diversity of human cultures in the postcolonial world, to the historical and contemporary linkages between people and places, and to the many exciting ways in which we can think about cross-cultural encounters. Courses that count towards the track cover different historical periods and geographical areas; they also introduce students to a variety of cultural and artistic expressions that range from African cinema to Latin American music and the material culture of Native Americans. Students can focus their studies on a particular postcolonial region or they can opt for a comparative perspective that allows for equal consideration of several regions. Many of the instructors have personal experience in different postcolonial locations and their expertise translates into the unique courses and perspectives they share with their students.

Students who choose the Global South and Diasporic Studies track can find opportunities in governmental and civic organizations that specialize in social justice and human rights; global cultures and arts; international politics; global health; and immigration. Students in this track are also well prepared for a career in business- and media-related fields that require knowledge of different geographical and cultural environments.

World Language Study

Students should choose a world language depending on their interest in particular geographical areas. Students interested in African cultures can select from Kiswahili (East Africa), Arabic (North Africa), French (West, Central, and North Africa) and Portuguese (Southeast and Southwest Africa). Students with an emphasis on the Caribbean should select Spanish or French; while Spanish and Portuguese are the most appropriate choices for those with an interest in Latin America. The University also offers suitable languages for those with a focus on East Asia (Korean, Chinese, and Japanese) and South Asia (Hindi and Sanskrit).

The Language Media Center is an option for students who wish to study languages which are not currently taught at the University. This allows students to build language skills but because the Language Media Center does not offer credit, this language study does not satisfy the International Studies B.A. language requirement. 

Track Requirements

The global south and diasporic studies track requires a minimum of 18 s.h. of coursework, including at least 12 s.h. earned in courses numbered 2000 or above. Students may not count their foundation courses toward track requirements.