Global Development, major

Owned by Jenni Piper
Last updated: Apr 10, 2024 by Amber Tobey
2 min read

Contact: Timothy Seidel
Degree: Bachelor of Arts
Semester Hours: 37-40
Core Intensives: Fulfills all Core intensives.

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.

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, structural violence, and justice and who are preparing to work in the fields of community or international development. 

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. Participation in 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.

Foundation (14-16 SH)

  • PXD 151 Exploring Conflict and Peace (3) OR SOC 101 Intro to Sociology (3)  

  • PXD 225 Theories of Social Change (3)  

  • PXD 431 Peacebuilding and Development Practicum (1-3)  

  • SOC 336 Methods of Social Research (3)  

  • SSC 490 Social Sciences Capstone (2) 

  • STAT 120 Descriptive Statistics (2)  

Theory (12 SH)

  • ECON 201 Survey of Economics (3) OR ECON 212 Principles of Macroeconomics (3)  

  • PXD 365 Social and Political Economy (3) OR *ECON 401 Development Economics (3)  

  • PXD 375 Globalization and Justice (3)  

  • PXD 485 Global Development (3)  

Practice/Skills (6 SH)
Choose two courses from this list:

  • 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 (5-6 SH)
Choose two courses from this list:

  • Any PXD course not taken above

  • BUAD 331 Organizational Behavior (3)  

  • *ECON 311 Contemporary Economic Issues (3)  

  • POL 113 International Relations (2) OR an approved PPX course

  • REL 323 Jesus, Justice, and Violence

  • SOC 201 Sociology of Health (3) 

  • *SOC 255 Social Movements (3)  

  • SOWK/SOC 210 Social Stratification (3) 

  • SOWK 360 Race and Gender (3) 

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

For information about the BA in Peacebuilding and Development, Peacebuilding, or Global Development to MA in Conflict Transformation or MA in Restorative Justice accelerated program, refer to this page, which falls after the Peacebuilding and Development major.

* indicates the course is offered in alternate years