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Global Cultural Studies

Examine diverse cultures and become a gifted navigator of complex social relationships in an increasingly connected world. Explore our global cultural studies degree.

Program Snapshot

Undergraduate Bachelor of Arts

Major, Minor

124

4 Years

Salem Campus

A group of students smiling in a classroom

Our Global Cultural Studies Major & Minor

Whether you explore a major or minor in Global Cultural Studies, you'll learn how connected the world is. Discuss topics like social relations, power structures, mass media, rituals, health practices, languages, literature, art, and history.

Why choose Global Cultural Studies at Willamette?

  • On-campus clubs. Students can learn more about cultures outside the classroom. Explore student clubs like Alianza, Black Student Union, and Hawai'i Club.
  • Supportive study abroad resources. We encourage students to study abroad and experience a different culture. We've partnered with top colleges to expand your classroom education into real-world lessons.
  • Research options that create change. Through coursework and summer grants, students have the option to explore questions and present their findings. Focus on one question during senior year and work closely with faculty to address complex issues.

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Alumni Stories

Our alumni have explored careers in health, medicine, non-profits, museums, government, education, and business. By understanding diverse cultures and developing critical thinking skills, there are plenty of career options to choose from. Learn what paths our alumni have explored.

  • Conor Foley '12

    As Chronic Disease Prevention Program coordinator, this alum educates youth about vaping harms.
    Conor Foley '12, leveraging his public health studies, fights adolescent tobacco use at Marion County Health and Human Services. From Rwanda to Oregon, Foley's journey reflects his commitment to community service instilled at Willamette.

    Young man leaning against a brick wall, wearing a patterned sweater, and smiling at the camera.
  • Qilin Xie headshot.

    Qilin Xie ‘23

    Global Culture Studies alum enhances tech education at Goodwill Qilin Xie ‘23, a Global Culture Studies graduate, is making a significant impact as a Career Center Instructor at Goodwill, specializing in software skills training. Fluent in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese, Xie brings a multicultural perspective to their work. Combining their Global Culture Studies with a passion for teaching, Xie is dedicated to helping others and living Willamette's motto.

Curriculum

Global Cultural Studies students learn skills in close reading, pattern detection, critical analysis, and original thinking. They also focus on promoting cross-cultural understanding through a variety of core courses and special topic courses. Explore gender and sexuality, learn about African cinema, or take a class about fashion history.

  • GCS 105 Introduction to Global Cultural Studies

    Discover the rich diversity of cultures, languages, and societies from around the world. Dive into fascinating themes like language, power, race, and gender to explore cultural understanding.

  • GCS 250 W Narratives of Migration: From Islamic Spain to the US/Mexico Border

    Explore powerful themes of displacement, imperialism, and racism through translated Spanish literary works. Delve into historical and modern issues and engage in discussions that inspire activism.

Program Requirements

Our Global Cultural Studies major requires 36 semester hours to complete the degree. This includes 8 semester hours of core courses, 4 semester hours of Anthropology courses, and 24 hours of Cultural Electives.

Students pursuing a Global Cultural Studies minor will need to complete 20 semester hours in Global Cultural Studies core courses.

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Admissions Information

Our Global Cultural Studies program is open to first-year students, transfer students and international students. Learn more about Willamette’s undergraduate admissions process to get started.

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Financial Aid and Scholarships

Willamette University is committed to supporting Global Cultural Studies majors with generous merit scholarships and financial aid. There is no separate application required for these scholarships. All admitted undergraduate applicants are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships, starting at $26,000 per year. These scholarships are awarded based on academic excellence, taking into account cumulative GPA and SAT or ACT scores, if provided.

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FAQs

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Global Cultural Studies