At which campus can I study this program?
Program Description
The certificate gives students an appreciation of the world in which they will live and work. By introducing students first to the broad contours of the globalizing world and then adding more narrowly focused courses, the certificate will give students a sense of the diversity and complexity of the modern world.
What is Global Awareness?
No one can become an expert on the nearly 200 countries in the world. However, it is possible— essential, really— to gain an appreciation of the huge diversity and sweep of countries, cultures, and languages on our tiny planet. While you can’t learn it all, you can gain an understanding of how the U.S. fits into the jigsaw puzzle that is the modern world.
You Might Like This Program If...
- You are curious about other countries and other cultures.
- You envision working outside the United States.
- You’d like to add liberal arts balance to a business or technical major.
Program Requirements
To earn an undergraduate certificate in Global Awareness, a minimum of 12 credits is required.
All 12 credits must be taken at Penn State; a C or higher is required in each course. Students taking a language can only apply the third level of proficiency when fulfilling the requirement. The third level of proficiency must be demonstrated through class work rather than by testing out of the class. In addition to the six required credits, students must complete six credits that focus on matters outside the United States.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Prescribed Courses | ||
| Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| HIST 11 | World History since 1500  | 3 |
| PLSC 14 | International Relations | 3 |
| or PLSC 3 | Comparing Politics around the Globe | |
No Prerequisites Required.
Certificate Learning Objectives
- List and describe the major inflection points in world history, ~ 1750-present.
- Describe the diversity and complexity of the post-1945 world.
- Recognize linguistic and cultural differences among countries.
- Describe the central role of international organizations, e.g., WTO and European Union, in the modern world.
- Describe the changing role of the U.S. in the "new world order."
Academic Advising
The objectives of the university's academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.
Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee's unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.
READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY
Erie
Lena Surzhko-Harned, Ph.D.
Assistant Teaching Professor of Political Science
149 Kochel
Erie, PA 16563
814-898-6074
lms557@psu.edu
Career Paths
The certificate in Global Awareness can be pursued by students in most Penn State Behrend degree programs. Penn State Behrend has a comprehensive support system to help you identify and achieve your goals for college and beyond. Meet with your academic adviser often and take advantage of the services offered by the Academic and Career Planning Center beginning in your first semester.
Careers
Given our increasingly globalizing world, the certificate in Global Awareness is desirable, if not essential, for any career path. Cultural competency—the ability to communicate effectively and appropriately with people of other cultures—is highly valued in most organizations.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT POTENTIAL CAREER OPTIONS FOR GRADUATES WITH A CERTIFICATE IN GLOBAL AWARENESS
Opportunities for Graduate Studies
A certificate in the liberal arts, particularly when added to a major program outside of the liberal arts, demonstrates to graduate school admissions committees your commitment to interdisciplinary thinking.
Contact
Erie
SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
170 Irvin Kochel Center
4951 College Drive
Erie, PA 16563
814-898-6108
HSSOffice@psu.edu
https://behrend.psu.edu/school-of-humanities-social-sciences