Want to make a difference? Think global, act local.
Global Studies is a multidisciplinary programme that equips students with the critical knowledge required to face the challenges of globalisation, make a difference, and contribute to an inclusive and sustainable world.
Individual mentorship, applied learning, and employability are core features of this challenging and rewarding course of studies. A good fit for highly motivated 'pragmatic idealists'.
Choose from a wide range of papers to develop an individualised course of study within a specific regional focus and career pathway.
The key components of the Global Studies major
- core Global Studies (GLBL) papers
- multidisciplinary papers in your focus areas (regional and career pathway)
- language and cultural competency papers
Contact the Global Studies Director about your course of studies
To select your papers and plan your course of studies, you must contact the Global Studies Director
Global Studies at Otago
Global Studies is gaining importance in universities all around the world. We at Otago are proud to have pioneered its development in Aotearoa.
Make the most of:
The freedom to combine Global Studies with other areas of interest
Global Studies is a major subject that gives you the freedom to choose from a wide range of Humanities, Commerce and Science papers. You can combine it with other major subjects as part of the Bachelor of Arts, the Bachelor of Arts and Commerce, the Bachelor of Arts and Science, or with other degrees, such as the Bachelor of Laws.
For example, our students are choosing to combine Global Studies with Communication, Computer Science, Ecology, Education, Geography, History, Indigenous Studies, International Business, Law, Marine Science, Politics, Psychology, Tourism, and many other subjects.
Individual mentorship
Looking for personal growth and community building? Each student is mentored to build their own individualised course of studies. And we provide guidance via personal, regular course advising, and collective hands-on workshops. The workshops include career advice, CV-building, and interview mock-ups.
Internships and applied learning to enhance employability
Learning takes place both in and outside the classroom.
In your third year, the applied learning culminates in the GLBL303 Applied Research Project paper. This paper gives you the opportunity to complete an internship or an applied research project – either on campus, with a governmental institution or NGO, or in the private sector.
Details about the key components of the major
To select your papers and plan your course of studies, you must contact the Global Studies Director
Email global.studies@otago.ac.nz
Global Studies papers
The four core Global Studies (GLBL) papers are required. They provide the essential skills to build the rest of your course of studies on.
The core papers are: GLBL101 Introduction to Intercultural Communication, GLBL201 or GLBL301 Cultures of the Environment, GLBL202 or GLBL302 A World of Stories: Global Storytelling in the Digital Age, GLBL303 Applied Research Project.
The full list of Global Studies (GLBL) papers is below.
Multidisciplinary papers in your focus areas
Here's your chance to focus on what you care about: explore the many approved Humanities, Commerce and Science papers on offer and choose six papers that truly excite you.
The papers have been grouped in the following regional and career pathway areas:
- Regional areas: Asia, the Pacific, Europe
- Career pathways: communication, creative industries, environment and sustainability, government and public administration, human security and development, teaching and learning
Language and cultural competencies
Train to be culturally and linguistically literate. Choose five papers from our language and culture offerings.
Language and cultural competency papers include Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Māori, Spanish.
Career opportunities
One of the most sought-after graduate attributes employers are looking for is the ability to look at the big picture and apply it to solve specific problems.
Our Global Studies graduates are ideally qualified to respond to this challenge, as they are trained to analyse issues logically, challenge assumptions, consider different viewpoints, and act with flexibility, adaptability and creativity.
Our graduates find exciting, challenging and highly rewarding careers in a broad range of jobs in New Zealand and around the world.
Communications and creative industries, environmental and human rights organisations, tourism, commerce, foreign affairs, government and public administration are just a few of the career areas open to you.
Background required
No prior subject knowledge is required. The only thing you need is an open and inquisitive mind and a keen interest in issues of global importance.
Qualifications
Explore your study options further. Refer to enrolment information found on the following qualification pages.
- Bachelor of Arts (BA)
- Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom)
- Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc)
- Diploma in Global Cultures (DipGlobalC)
- Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad)
What to do when you enrol in Global Studies
If you are planning to enrol in Global Studies, the first thing to do is to contact the Global Studies Director | Kaituitui Mātai Ao to discuss your course of study.
Email global.studies@otago.ac.nz
Programme requirements
Diploma in Global Cultures (DipGlobalC)
| Papers |
|---|
and two of ASIA 201, ASIA 202, ASIA 301, ASIA 302, CHIN 241, CHIN 242, CHIN 243, CHIN 244, CHIN 342, CHIN 343, CHIN 344, GLBL 211 or GLBL 311, JAPA 242, JAPA 243, JAPA 244, JAPA 342, JAPA 343, JAPA 344, FREN 250, FREN 341, MFCO 316, SPAN 243, SPAN 250, SPAN 251, SPAN 341, SPAN 343, SPAN 350, SPAN 351, HIST 204, HIST 304 At least two papers must be at 300-level. |
Bachelor of Arts (BA) majoring in Global Studies
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level |
GLBL 101 Introduction to Intercultural Communication Three other approved papers at 100-level or above Two language and cultural competency papers at 100-level or above* |
18 54 36 |
| 200-level |
GLBL 201 Cultures of the Environment GLBL 202 A World of Stories: Global Storytelling in the Digital Age Two language and cultural competency papers at 200-level or above* One further approved paper at 200-level or above |
18 18 36 18 |
| 300-level |
One of: One language and cultural competency paper at 300-level or above* Two other approved papers at 300-level or above |
18
18 36 |
| Plus |
90 further points At least 270 points must be taken from the Arts. At least 180 of the 360 points must be at 200-level or above. *Notes: |
90
|
| Total | 360 |
Papers
| Paper code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GLBL101 | 2023 | Introduction to Intercultural Communication | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| GLBL201 | 2023 | Cultures of the Environment | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| GLBL202 | 2023 | A World of Stories: Global Storytelling in the Digital Age | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| GLBL211 | 2023 | Global China | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| GLBL301 | 2023 | Cultures of the Environment (Advanced) | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| GLBL302 | 2023 | A World of Stories: Global Storytelling in the Digital Age (Advanced) | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| GLBL303 | 2023 | Applied Research Project | 18 points | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
| GLBL311 | 2023 | Global China (Advanced) | 18 points | Semester 2 |
What our students say
My global studies courses have taught me how to connect my local experience with our complex, globalised world and gave me amazing opportunities to contribute to long-term sustainable development goals on campus.
Frankie Pastiroff, Majoring in Global Studies
I was able to complete a research paper regarding migrant discrimination with an amazing supervisor who was extremely hands on which greatly helped me obtain my intelligence job with immigration.
Bianca Malcolm, BA in Global Studies and Politics, currently working for the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment
Global Studies have allowed me personal freedom in channelling what I care about most and applying it. It has allowed me to feel more comfortable in knowing how I want to position myself for the future in this complex world we live in.
Liam Hansard, BA Global Studies and BCom in Economics and International Business
I loved the flexibility that came with the Global Studies major which allowed me to pursue my interests across such a wide variety of subjects in just three years.
Nina Brown, BA, Majoring in Global Studies, Minoring in Science Communication
Key information for future students
Contact us
Professor Paola Voci, Global Studies Director | Kaituitui Mātai Ao
Email global.studies@otago.ac.nz
Web otago.ac.nz/globalstudies
