Global Studies Vancouver Island University

Overview

The Global Studies program from Vancouver Island University examines the causes and effects of, and responses to, globalization from a multi-disciplinary perspective, including the academic disciplines of anthropology, economics, geography, political science and sociology. The program also includes a robust internship component, allowing successful applicants to work in a variety of international environments.

Graduates have gone on to stimulating careers in international development and globalization, international relations, government policy analysis and various positions with non-governmental organizations, to name a few. 

The program is designed to impart skills and knowledge to understand, live and work in an increasingly interdependent and changing world, and focuses on:

• International flows of capital and labour, emergence of transnational corporations, trading blocs, international economic organizations, international business practices and issues, current and alternative economic indicators.

• Social and cultural changes, inequality and social justice concerns, ethnic and intercultural relations, population and health issues, technology and society, social movements, community and international development alternatives.

• World regions of the biophysical and human environments; distribution, supply, and use of natural resources; environmental change, sustainability and human impact; land, agriculture and water development issues; environmental analysis methods.

• Contemporary political systems, prospects for state sovereignty and political change, international conflict, international governmental and non-governmental organizations, prospects for world order, and the continuing development of international law in a variety of key areas, including the environment, human rights, and non-governmental organizations.