ABOUT UCSB GLOBAL & INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
January 2004 marked the fifth anniversary of the establishment of UCSB’s pioneering global studies major. When it was established in early 1999 it was widely recognized as one of the first interdisciplinary undergraduate majors in international studies in the country to focus on globalization. Former Secretary of State Warren Christopher presided over the inaugural occasion.
Within those five years, the numbers of global studies majors grew to over 700 per year—60% focusing on the socioeconomic and political aspects of globalization, and 40% emphasizing the cultural and ideological side. Most students choose Europe as their geographical area, and Spain is the most popular venue for studies abroad.
More majors from Global Studies participate in Education Abroad experiences than from any other department or program on campus.
The first student to enroll in global studies was Safeed “Titu” Asghar. After graduation Titu attended the American University School of International Service in Washington DC. Now married, he is employed in government service in the Washington area.
Other graduates of the program have attended Columbia University’s School of International Affairs, the George Washington University School of Foreign Service, UC-San Diego School of International Relations and Pacific Studies, other graduate programs in international studies, law schools, business schools, and medical schools. Some have gone directly into business, public service agencies, and government service. Many have traveled abroad. Several have gone into the Peace Corps and some have taken the foreign service exam. The Alumni Page of the our website provides letters from alums reporting on their diverse and fascinating experiences around the world.
Faculty related to the global studies program include several whose positions are partially or wholly in global and international studies and who teach the core required global studies courses in the curriculum. These faculty are augmented by affiliate faculty who teach courses related to the global studies major, and by distinguished visiting faculty such as Richard Falk and Hilal Elver, Barbara Bodine, Paul Orfalea, and Ann Louise Bardach. A total of over thirty faculty participate directly in the program. (See our Faculty page.)
In Fall 2003 a graduate-level PhD Emphasis in Global Studies was created, supported by the departments of Anthropology, English, History, Political Science, Religious Studies, and Sociology departments, and coordinated by Global & International Studies.