The study of global affairs examines the interdependence of nations, economies, societies and cultures in a rapidly changing world. The interdisciplinary field includes the study of international relations, political science, history, economics, geography and sociology. Students gain a sophisticated understanding of global issues such as the refugee crisis, inequality and climate change. The major offers a wide range of courses, giving students the flexibility to tailor their program to their interests and ambitions. Students may choose a thematic or regional concentration and complete an internship in the field.
The United Nations is the foremost forum to address problems that transcend national boundaries and can be addressed by no single country acting alone, such as safeguarding peace, protecting human rights, establishing the framework for international justice and promoting economic and social progress. Its activities are as diverse as its membership and influenced by changing circumstances, including the rise of rogue states, terrorist groups and the spread of infectious diseases.
The term also encompasses the study of the international connections between nations — their diplomacy, trade and security, cooperation on global issues such as peacekeeping, development and security, and the influence of regional power centers like Europe and Asia. Increasingly, the field is postcolonial and critical-theoretical in its approach, critiquing perspectives of eurocentrism and orientalism found in traditional conceptual frameworks.