Global Development Major

Owned by Laura Lehman (Deactivated)
Last updated: Dec 16, 2021
2 min read

Degree: Bachelor of Arts
Semester Hours: 36-38
Advisor: Timothy Seidel

Whereas the peacebuilding and development (PXD) major is designed for students who want a focus in both peacebuilding and development, the global development major is designed as a stand-alone major for students particularly interested in careers addressing social, political, and economic inequality and justice and who are preparing to work in the fields of community or international development. 

Global development studies explores long-term efforts aimed at bringing improvements in the economic, political, and social well-being, environmental stability, and the quality of life of all segments of a population--from local to state to international. Courses in this major approach the phenomenon of development in its broadest sense as the study of change, with attention to global justice, equity, and the historical links between development, colonialism, and global capitalism. Global development studies explores perspectives on and responses to international trade, global finance, labor, poverty and development, health and the environment, and the prospect of a more environmentally healthy and sustainable world.

This major benefits students with bi-vocational interests. It cannot be taken as a double major with the PXD major or the peacebuilding major. Global development majors have the option of taking Summer Peacebuilding Institute (SPI) courses that may substitute for a major requirement when approved by the PXD advisor. Exposure to the Summer Peacebuilding Institute of the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding provides students with a unique opportunity to connect with professionals in justice and peacebuilding and related areas of practice.

The major consists of the following 36-38 SH.

Foundation (12-14 SH)

  • PXD 151 Exploring Conflict and Peace  OR SOC 101 Intro to Sociology - 3  
  • PXD 225 Theories of Social Change - 3  
  • PXD 431 PXD Practicum - 1-3  
  • SOC 336 Methods of Social Research - 3  
  • STAT 120 Descriptive Statistics - 2  

Core theory (12 SH)

  • ECON 201 Survey of Economics   OR ECON 212 Principles of Macroeconomics - 3  
  • PXD 365 Social and Political Economy   OR *ECON 401 Development Economics - 3  
  • PXD 375 Globalization and Justice - 3  
  • PXD 485 Global Development - 3  

 Core practice/skills (6 SH)

Choose two of the following courses:

  • BUAD 465 Project Management and Grantwriting - 3  
  • *PXD 261 Community and Conflict Analysis Techniques - 3  
  • *PXD 451 Program Evaluation Through Qualitative Methods- 3  
  • SOWK 330 Social Policy Analysis - 3  

Electives (6 SH)

  • Any course not taken above
  • BUAD 331 Organizational Behavior - 3  
  • *ECON 311 Contemporary Economic Issues - 3  
  • NURS 432 Community Health - 3  
  • POL 113 International Relations - 2  
  • *PXD 335 Understanding Violent Conflict - 3  
  • PXD 345 Peacebuilding Theory and Action - 3  
  • *SOC 255 Social Movements - 3  

Summer Peacebuilding Institute

Students have the option of choosing one course to replace one core course as approved by a PXD advisor.