New degree goes global

The Bachelor of Global Studies, offered for the first time in New Zealand, is a brand new interdisciplinary programme with four possible majors: Global Environment and Sustainable Development, Global Politics and Human Rights, International Relations and Business, and Translational Cultures and Creative Practice.

As well as taking papers that span disciplines across the University, students will learn a language and be expected to spend time working and studying overseas.

“Global Studies is an established field of study at a number of overseas universities, notably in Asia, Australia and the United States,” says the new degree’s founder and director, Dr Hilary Chung.

“We hope to attract students who want to become engaged global citizens; who care about the planet and want to do something about it; who want to be different and make a difference.”

Hosted by the Faculty of Arts, Global Studies is a cross-faculty degree that draws on the combined expertise of the faculties of Arts, Business, Creative Arts and Industries, Education, Engineering, Law and Science. It has input and support from government, business and the non-profit sector.

As part of the programme, Dr Chung says students will have “opportunities to develop practical employment skills and on-the-job experience through internships, workshops and research projects”.

The degree has been designed to provide graduates with the kind of skills needed for the fast changing world of work in the 21st century, including language proficiency, intercultural competence, critical thinking, problem solving, and teamwork as well as a broad understanding of significant global issues.

Dr Chung expects graduates to aspire to work in fields as diverse as foreign affairs and diplomacy, trade, teaching, tourism international media and human services, the creative and not-for-profit sectors.