Our Global Studies Experience

Global Studies in the Arts and Humanities focuses on cultural phenomena that express the rapidly changing values, conditions, and practices of the contemporary world. This unique academic program moves beyond common-place thinking about global cultures, and promotes a nuanced awareness of the productive and destructive effects of globalization. We are not content with simple answers to the complex problems of our high-tech, increasingly intertwined global lived experience. Students and scholars join together for an informed critical discussion of the place of the arts and humanities in representing, interpreting, and negotiating globalization.
Flexible Course Selection
Engaged Experiential Learning

Diverse & Inclusive Perspectives

Take Classes

  • Processes of global transformation
  • Complexities of our interconnected world
  • Creative responses to worldwide challenges
  • Digital tech & global cultures
  • Global identities & belonging

Develop Skills

  • Cultural awareness
  • Intercultural communication
  • Creative problem-solving
  • Critical thinking
  • Qualitative analysis
  •  Community outreach

Make Change

  • Global citizenship
  • Cultures of resistance
  • International justice
  • Decolonial anti-racism
  •  Equality across differences
  • Ecological Engagement

EVENTS

Contact

Schedule an advising appointment:

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Global Studies in the Arts and Humanities Michigan State University
619 Red Cedar Rd
B-331 Wells Hall
East Lansing, MI 48824-1027

PHONE: (517) 353-8848
FAX: (517) 355-4507

Salah D. Hassan

Director

hassans3@msu.edu

Michelle Danaj

Office Operations

danajmic@msu.edu

Amy Kroesche

Undergraduate Academic Adviser

kroesche@msu.edu

Our Mission

A degree in Global Studies in the Arts and Humanities provides students with the skills to understand the cultural forms of globalization in an accelerated, interconnected, and mediated world. Our program of study is built around a global humanities approach to critical issues, such as violence and justice, borders and migration, race and gender, climate change and environmentalism. GSAH courses emphasize the crucial role of words and images in shaping how globalization is experienced.  In parallel with sociological, political, and economic studies of “the global,” we train students to develop critical understandings and creative responses to globalization.

Our Global Studies Experience

Global Studies in the Arts and Humanities focuses on cultural phenomena that express the rapidly changing values, conditions, and practices of the contemporary world. This unique academic program moves beyond common-place thinking about global cultures, and promotes a nuanced awareness of the productive and destructive effects of globalization. We are not content with simple answers to the complex problems of our high-tech, increasingly intertwined global lived experience. Students and scholars join together for an informed critical discussion of the place of the arts and humanities in representing, interpreting, and negotiating globalization.
Flexible Course Selection
Engaged Experiential Learning

(Study Abroad, Internships, etc.)

Diverse & Inclusive Perspectives

Theoretical & Practical Approaches

Innovative Research Initiatives

Dialogue Within & Across Colleges

Study literature, film, visual arts, performance, digital cultures, and other media to understand:

  • Processes of global transformation
  • Complexities of an increasingly interconnected world
  • Innovative artistic and intellectual responses to global challenges
  • Technologies of communication shaping global cultures
  • Modes of belonging and the fashioning of global identities

Acquire critical knowledge of globalization and develop these high-demand skills:​

  • Critical and analytical thinking
  • Creative problem-solving
  • Global cultural awareness
  • International experience

Acquire critical knowledge of globalization and develop these high-demand skills:​

  • Critical and analytical thinking
  • Creative problem-solving
  • Global cultural awareness
  • International experience

Study literature, film, visual arts, performance, digital cultures, and other media to understand:

  • Processes of global transformation
  • Complexities of an increasingly interconnected world
  • Innovative artistic and intellectual responses to global challenges
  • Technologies of communication shaping global cultures
  • Modes of belonging and the fashioning of global identities

Acquire critical knowledge of globalization and develop these high-demand skills:​

  • Critical and analytical thinking
  • Creative problem-solving
  • Global cultural awareness
  • International experience

The arts and humanities play a vital role in the lives and careers of MSU students of any major. For example, what students learn in IAH might help whenever they need to:

  • Think creatively to find a solution
  • Find out more about the nuances instead of basing decisions on superficial knowledge (e.g., understand contexts) 
  • Communicate effectively
  • Know about different cultures, identities, frameworks, and experiences
  • Figure out which information to trust
  • Think through the ethical considerations of a complicated situation

Vision

Global Studies in the Arts and Humanities emphasizes the analysis of cultural phenomena that express the rapidly changing values, conditions, and practices of the contemporary world. This unique academic program moves beyond common-place thinking about global cultures, and promotes a more nuanced awareness of the productive and destructive effects of globalization. We are not content with simple answers to the complex problems of our high-tech, increasingly interconnected global world. Students and scholars join together for an informed critical discussion of the place of the arts and humanities in representing, interpreting, and negotiating globalization.

  • Flexible course selection
  • Engaged experiential learning (study abroad, internships, etc)
  • Diverse and inclusive perspectives
  • Theoretical and practical approaches
  • Innovative research initiatives
  • Expanded dialogue within and across colleges
  • Dynamic public programming

Jewish Studies Minor

The Jewish Studies Minor offered by the Serling Institute for Jewish Studies and Modern Israel introduces students to Israeli society as well as the history, religion, culture, and civilization of the Jewish people in Europe and the United States. Up to a total of three Hebrew language courses and all of the IAH course courses count towards fulfillment of the minor.

Mission

Our program of study is built around key global issues: Justice, Violence, Borders, Migration, Race, Gender, and Climate Change. Global Studies in the Arts and Humanities provides students with theoretical and practical skills to understand the cultural forms of globalization in an accelerated, interconnected, and mediated world. In parallel with sociological, political, and economic studies of “the global,” our courses emphasize critical analysis and creative responses to globalization. Our approach calls attention to the crucial role of words and images in shaping our experiences of globalization.

Study literature, film, visual arts, performance, digital cultures, and other media to understand:

  • Processes of global transformation
  • Complexities of an increasingly interconnected world
  • Innovative artistic and intellectual responses to global challenges
  • Technologies of communication shaping global cultures
  • Modes of belonging and the fashioning of global identities

Acquire critical knowledge of globalization and develop these high-demand skills:

  • Critical and analytical thinking
  • Creative problem-solving
  • Global cultural awareness
  • International experience

Vision

Global Studies in the Arts and Humanities emphasizes the analysis of cultural phenomena that express the rapidly changing values, conditions, and practices of the contemporary world. This unique academic program moves beyond common-place thinking about global cultures, and promotes a more nuanced awareness of the productive and destructive effects of globalization. We are not content with simple answers to the complex problems of our high-tech, increasingly interconnected global world. Students and scholars join together for an informed critical discussion of the place of the arts and humanities in representing, interpreting, and negotiating globalization.

  • Flexible course selection
  • Engaged experiential learning (study abroad, internships, etc)
  • Diverse and inclusive perspectives
  • Theoretical and practical approaches
  • Innovative research initiatives
  • Expanded dialogue within and across colleges
  • Dynamic public programming

Contact

Global Studies in the Arts and Humanities
Michigan State University
619 Red Cedar Rd
B-331 Wells Hall
East Lansing, MI 48824-1027

PHONE: (517) 353-8848
FAX: (517) 355-4507

Director
Russell Lucas
OFFICE: B-307 Wells Hall
PHONE: (517) 353-8848
EMAIL: relucas@msu.edu

Program Secretary
Jennifer Nelson
OFFICE: B-331 Wells Hall
PHONE: (517) 884-1516
EMAIL: nelsonje@msu.edu

Undergraduate Academic Adviser
Kate Rendi
OFFICE: 200 Linton Hall
PHONE: (517) 432-0837
EMAIL: rendikat@msu.edu

Schedule an advising appointment at https://msu.campus.eab.com