A minor in Global Studies allows a student to add a global dimension to their program of study. By taking global awareness courses from across the University, students choosing to minor in Global Studies acquire an understanding of contemporary global issues that can complement and enrich many majors.
Become a Global Citizen
The world has perhaps never seemed so small. Economic and political events in one part of the globe echo through others in ways that present us all with new challenges as well as new opportunities. The founding of Assumption University is itself rooted in the global flow of people and ideas that resulted in Belgian Assumptionists moving first to Canada and then to Massachusetts. The Global Studies minor is thus deeply rooted in the University’s history and in its mission to create thoughtful, ethical citizens and leaders.
Global Studies students study how different societies affect, and are affected by, economic growth, migration, climate change, poverty, conflict, and geo-locational constraints. Students take core classes in geography, economics, and political science, alongside a range of electives that allow them to gain a more in-depth understanding of the issues and parts of the world in which they are most interested. Along the way, students gain valuable communication and analytical skills that are applicable to a wide range of fields.
The Global Studies Program with its interdisciplinary focus and experiential learning requirement fits perfectly with the mission of Assumption University. Working with The Center for Global Studies, the minor could include elective coursework connected to Catholic Relief Services.
Smriti Rao, Ph.D
Faculty
Experiential Learning
Assumption's Rome Campus
At Assumption's campus in Rome, Italy, the city and the country become your classroom through daily and weekend-long excursions throughout "the eternal city" and the Italian countryside. This unique study abroad experience will enrich your academic and cultural pursuits as you walk in the footsteps of emperors and gladiators then enjoy delectable Italian cuisine or perhaps a cappuccino after class in a local cafe. (Did you know that your financial aid follows you to Rome?)
Explore the Rome CampusLearn the Skills Employers Seek
Students majoring in Global Studies are required to complete one of three options to enhance their undergraduate academic experience: a semester abroad, an internationally focused internship (possibly in Washington, D.C.), or a Senior Research Project on an issue of global significance.
Faculty/Student Research
The Assumption curriculum encourages scholarly and real-world experience. With hands-on research conducted alongside faculty mentors, students gain a depth of knowledge and skills that lead to professional success and personal fulfillment. Sample research projects include “An Investigation of Renewable Energy Projects and Their Potential Applications at Assumption University: Wind Turbines and Geothermal Heat Pumps” and “Pollution of the Yangtze and Ganges Rivers: An Inside Look at How India and China Respond to Environmental Degradation and Economic Development”Study Abroad
At Assumption University, the world is your classroom. Students can study and explore abroad in over 50 places from Vienna to England, South Africa, and even our own campus in historic, yet modern, Rome, Italy. Assumption’s study abroad program offers culture, history, and a living classroom for all.Internships
Assumption starts planning for your future the day you arrive on campus. Our Career Development and Internship Center helps students secure exciting and fulfilling internships where you’ll apply knowledge obtained in the classroom in a professional setting, preparing for a future career or additional study. Assumption connects students to internship opportunities in corporations, government agencies, research hospitals, non-profit organizations, and more.Career Paths
Bloomberg LP
City of Lawrence, MA School System
City of Worcester Public Housing Administration
Coca Cola National
District Counsel U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Natick Army Labs
National Sexual Violence Resource Center
New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission
Reebok Corporation
Siemens Energy, Inc.
Sun Life Insurance International
T.J. Maxx, Corporate Legal Division
U.S. Department of State
Winter-Wyman Search Corp.
Julie D.
Global Studies 1995
Assistant District Counsel, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
“Understanding how governments and economies function in a global scale. I took classes in micro and macroeconomics as well as physical geography and economic geography. All of these classes gave me an understanding for the balance between economic growth and the protection of natural resources. It was a great career foundation.”
Patrick Williams
Global Studies 2012
Production Associate, Coulter Partners
“ “Assumption gave me a hands-on education experience with an intimate class environment where I got to know my classmates and professors quite well. The college and the professors I had fostered a culture of accountability, thoughtfulness and genuine intellectual curiosity””
Jessica Stewart
Global Studies 2010
Program Coordinator, HIV Biomedical Prevention Field at Boston Medical Center
“Without the lessons I learned from the faculty, I don’t believe I would be where I am professionally “Working in the interdisciplinary field of public health, I still drew from lessons I learned at Assumption and consequently have chosen this career because my mind was trained to think not only about “the haves” and ‘the have nots’ but also about ‘the why.' ”
Emma Salachi
Global Studies 2019
Consulting Analyst in Government & Public Services at Deloitte
“Discovering the Global Studies major at Assumption kickstarted my love for international relations. The Global Studies Department provided me with an environment to explore my interests, the interdisciplinary nature of the program encouraged me to develop knowledge in a range of subjects, and the flexibility of the program allowed me to spend a semester abroad.”
Grace Levesque
Global Studies 2017
Licensed School Psychologist, Westborough, MA
“The Global Studies major helped me develop a more expansive lens through which to see the world. I gained a greater understanding of how political and economic systems, culture, history, geography, and recent events shape how we live our everyday lives. As a school psychologist, I can evaluate the many factors and circumstances that impact the students in front of me.”
Sarah Clancey
Global Studies 2018
Special Education Paraprofessional, Dedham High School
“Global Studies taught me that education is a determining factor in a person’s quality of life. Global Studies instilled in me an appreciation for the intersectionality of the world’s biggest dilemmas, and how they translate into daily life. I majored in Global Studies because I wanted to learn more about the world around me, to make a positive change where I can.”
First-rate Academics in a Catholic University Setting
Assumption University awakens in students a sense of wonder, discovery, and purpose, forming graduates known for their intellectual seriousness, thoughtful citizenship, and devotion to the common good. Students are provided an education that shapes their souls, forms them intellectually, and prepares them for meaningful careers. Enlivened by the harmony of faith and reason, here, students’ minds and hearts are transformed.