History, Politics, and Global Cultural Studies, BA

The Major

The History, Politics, and Global Cultural Studies major is an interdisciplinary program that integrates history, political science, religion, philosophy, and modern language and culture. The program prepares students to become engaged global citizens with the knowledge, skills, and values to address complex challenges in a rapidly changing world. Students are exposed to core concepts and theories while engaging in opportunities to apply interdisciplinary thinking to diverse situations. Students can personalize their major through thematic tracks that align with their academic interests and career goals. The HPGCS major also emphasizes transferable skills, including critical thinking, communication, intercultural competence, digital literacy, and global citizenship, thereby preparing students for diverse careers and advanced studies. Students gain hands-on experience through experiential learning opportunities, including study abroad, internships, Model UN, community engagement, and faculty-mentored research. 

Primary Student Learning Outcomes 

1. Historical Analysis: Students shall analyze historical events, processes, and ideas within their specific social, political, economic, and cultural contexts, utilizing primary and secondary sources effectively.
2. Governance and Belief Systems: Students shall analyze the development and impact of various systems of governance and belief, including their historical roots and contemporary manifestations.
3. Global Cultural Understanding: Students shall demonstrate an understanding of diverse global cultures, including their religious traditions, philosophical underpinnings, and linguistic expressions, recognizing both their unique characteristics and interconnectedness.
4. Interdisciplinary Synthesis: Students shall synthesize knowledge and methodologies from history, politics, and global cultural studies to analyze complex global issues from multiple perspectives.
5. Research and Inquiry: The student shall integrate methodological, communication, and digital literacy skills to effectively analyze diverse cultural topics and produce academic research that demonstrates proficiency across humanities and social science disciplines.
6. Career Preparedness: The student shall demonstrate preparedness to enter graduate programs and/or to pursue careers as engaged global citizens, having developed knowledge, skills, and values through personalized thematic tracks aligned with their academic interests and career goals.