Global Studies Certificate

The MLA certificate in Global Studies will introduce students to global perspectives on issues that affect our world today, ranging from the political and economic to the artistic and cultural, covering causes, consequences, processes and institutions of today across the world. The certificate is designed to help students address two principles formulated in “The Penn Compact:” to integrate international knowledge from different disciplines, and to prepare students to become citizens of the world.  It offers students the opportunity to familiarize themselves with diverse cultures and world views, to appreciate the uneven impact of globalization around the world; to apprehend the history and possible future of cross-cultural interaction; and to acquire the tools and enable them to act effectively in specific geographical areas different from that of their national cit p. This certificate also offers students the perspectives and knowledge to reach out globally and immerse themselves in the study of diverse cultures to better understand globalization, cultural difference and the history as well as the future of cross-cultural interaction.
The Global Studies certificate is designed to meet the academic interests of:

• Students seeking greater familiarity with the Global issues
• Students interested in graduate-level research in Global Studies
• Professionals whose careers require in depth knowledge of globalization and cross-cultural communication
• Students interested in preparing themselves for work in the global marketplace or in international non-profits
• Educators who wish to add Global Studies subject matter to their classroom teaching

Program Requirements

• One MLA Proseminar focusing on Global Studies
• Five courses focusing on Global Studies
• A Capstone Project on a Global Studies topic
• Two MLA seminar electives

Global Studies Tracks

The MLA Global Studies certificate will be designed by the student and advisors to satisfy individual academic interests. The MLA program envisions two tracks within this Certificate in which students would pursue the study of globalization through the social sciences or global culture in the humanities. Thus, students may develop unique programs of study ranging from global arts and culture, historical perspectives on cultural difference, and the relationship between politics, economy and sociology in the developing countries of the third world.

Application Procedure

Students wishing to pursue a certificate in Ancient Studies through the Master of Liberal Arts Program should complete an MLA Application.