About Global Liberal Studies

Global, Interdisciplinary, and Engaged

Global Liberal Studies (GLS) is an interdisciplinary bachelor’s degree grounded in spatial, temporal, and conceptual understandings of a highly interconnected world. It explores the critical and creative study of texts and contexts, the movement of ideas and peoples, the confluence of material cultures, cities, crossroads, and changing media of communication. This framing, drawing on philosophy, history, politics, literature, and the arts helps to uncover the historical legacies in which so many of our current crises are rooted and the dynamics of our shifting social imaginaries and geopolitical realities. It encourages intellectual curiosity and agility, the ability to think critically and expansively, make connections across disciplinary boundaries, embrace new perspectives, and transcend barriers.

GLS students study away for at least one academic year (and up to two or more), undertake advanced language study, pursue internships, and conduct independent research as part of their academic program. NYU’s Global Network is an essential part of this educational landscape and the architecture of our global intellectual engagement. 

All GLS classes are discussion-based seminars, enhanced by experiential learning with visits to museums, theaters, and landmarks in multiple locations, engaging with the city as a laboratory of global learning and taking advantage of multiple opportunities to participate in research, creative production, and public seminars and lectures. Students also pursue a myriad of social justice initiatives, service projects, and community activities on and off campus.

As they move through the sophomore year, students select one of our seven concentrations to define the intellectual framework for their further global study. Senior year, GLS students complete their major with a capstone independent research project, bringing together their experiences abroad, rigorous interdisciplinary studies, lively discussions in the classroom, journeys through New York and other global cities, and the expertise of our outstanding faculty of deeply committed teachers and scholars.

GLS students can also double major in Global Public Health and a number of other disciplines in Arts and Sciences, elect minors in disciplines across the University, and take advantage of combined offerings with various graduate and professional programs at NYU.

GLS students graduate with unique global and interdisciplinary lenses for addressing the pressing challenges of  our evolving world and contributing to creative solutions and effective social change. They are well poised to take on critical leadership roles as global citizens in the Twenty-First Century.