- The Liberal Studies Core
- Global Liberal Studies B.A.
- GLS/GPH Joint Major
- Global Liberal Studies Minor
THE LIBERAL STUDIES CORE
The Liberal Studies Core is an interdisciplinary liberal arts curriculum that provides an innovative foundation for nearly 100 NYU majors. The curriculum emphasizes a highly interconnected world explored through the critical and creative study of texts and contexts, the movement of ideas and people, the confluence of material cultures, cities, crossroads, and changing modes of communication. Small, seminar-style classes and close faculty-student interaction ensure the benefits of a liberal arts college within a large urban research university. Students may begin their studies in New York, or at NYU in Florence, London, Madrid or Washington, DC. At all sites, including New York, the cultural resources and contemporary life of the city are an important part of coursework. Students extend their education outside the classroom by exploring different ethnographic spaces, attending musical and theatrical presentations, and visiting museums and sites of historical and contemporary social interest. Throughout the curriculum, interrelated courses explore critical social, cultural, and political questions through a variety of sources and global perspectives and encourage independent research and creative expression.
Curriculum Overview and Requirements
The Liberal Studies Core curriculum introduces students to the global liberal arts and sciences, providing context for future learning and fostering students’ ability to think analytically, read critically, and write effectively. During their sophomore year, LS Core students begin the process of seamless transitioning to degree programs across the University, in: Global Liberal Studies; the College of Arts and Science; the College of Global Public Health; the Gallatin School of Individualized Study; the Rory Meyers School of Nursing; the School of Professional Studies (specific programs); the Silver School of Social Work; the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development (specific liberal arts programs); and the Tandon School of Engineering (specific liberal arts programs). LS Core students may also apply for internal transfer to the following colleges and degree programs at NYU, though application and/or with additional materials (e.g. audition, portfolio): the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development (Music and Performing Arts; Art and Art Professions); the Stern School of Business; the Tandon School of Engineering (engineering programs); and the Tisch School of the Arts.
First Year Curriculum Requirements
All first year students are required to complete a two-semester writing sequence focusing on writing effectively in a variety of non-fiction genres, the presentation of argument, and the elements of research. The first year Core courses—“Arts and Cultures Across Antiquity,” “Arts and Cultures Towards the Crossroads,” “Global Works and Society: Antiquity,” and “Global Works and Society in a Changing World”— help 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. In the Arts and Cultures sequence, students study literature, the visual and performing arts, music, and other elements of material culture. In the Global Works and Society sequence, students focus on philosophy, religion, political and social theory, and history. Both sequences encourage intellectual curiosity and agility, the ability to think critically and expansively, make connections across disciplinary boundaries, embrace new perspectives, and transcend previous horizons. Students supplement these courses with classes in the natural sciences and mathematics and/or other courses that may lead to their intended majors.
Sophomore Curriculum Requirements
During the sophomore year, students complete “Arts and Cultures of Modernity” and “Global Works and Society: Modernity,” which continue to challenge students’ thinking, enhance their global perspectives, and bring these interdisciplinary studies to the present day. In the sophomore year, students also explore possible majors, begin the coursework toward those majors in the appropriate academic departments, and may complete a second science (if required by their intended transition school). LS Core students are expected to schedule meetings with their advisors early in the year, to discuss their choices of additional courses from NYU’s extensive offerings. By the end of the sophomore year, a student should be able to declare a major.
Other Requirements
Writing Proficiency Requirement
Liberal Studies requires that all LS Core students take “Writing as Exploration” and “Writing as Critical Inquiry” in the first year. Writing proficiency is required for all NYU bachelor’s degrees and is fulfilled in LS by completing Writing as Critical Inquiry with a minimum grade of C, as with all University requirements.
Quantitative Reasoning (Mathematics) Requirement
LS Core students must fulfill the mathematics and/or science requirements for the bachelor’s degree of their intended undergraduate school or college of NYU. The LS Core requires only one mathematics or one science course prior to transition; however, it is recommended that students transitioning to CAS take both science courses required by CAS while in Liberal Studies. The choice of major often determines which mathematics class is required. LS does not offer mathematics courses; students take the appropriate courses offered by CAS. Students should consult with their advisors and refer to the specific departmental web sites and bulletins for information about the mathematics requirements for their bachelor’s degree program.
Core Program Electives
While enrolled in Liberal Studies (LS), students may take courses in other NYU schools or colleges. While these courses are considered electives in LS, students will want to think about how they might fulfill either school, major, or minor requirements in the program to which they intend on transitioning. LS Core students may also take electives offered in LS; among these are Creative Writing, Economics, and multiple Global Cultures courses. Students in the LS Core may also take any of the electives open to Global Liberal Studies students, as well as Advanced Writing Studio, Global Topics, and Approaches courses (space permitting). LS Core students may not register for the Junior Independent Research Seminar, City as Text, Experiential Learning, or the Senior Colloquium/Thesis. They may petition to take a Senior Seminar.
Required Courses*
Courses and Course Numbers
First Year Core Courses | LS Course # |
Credits |
Writing as Exploration |
WREX-UF 101 |
4 |
Writing as Critical Inquiry |
WRCI-UF 102 | 4 |
Arts and Cultures Across Antiquity |
ACA-UF 101 |
4 |
Arts and Cultures Towards the Crossroads |
ACA-UF 102 | 4 |
Global Works and Society: Antiquity |
GWA-UF 101 | 4 |
Global Works and Society in a Changing World |
GWC-UF 102 | 4 |
Sophomore Core Courses |
||
Arts and Cultures of Modernity |
ACM-UF 201 |
4 |
Global Works and Society: Modernity |
GWM-UF 201 |
4 |
Science† |
4-8 |
|
(Science courses offered by Liberal Studies are: Environmental Studies, Life Science, Living in the Anthropocene, History of the Universe, Science of Technology) |
ENSTU-UF 101 LISCI-UF 101 LIVN-UF 101*** HOU-UF 101 SCTEC-UF 101
|
|
LS Elective Courses |
24-28 |
|
(Includes Mathematics** courses, courses taken in other NYU schools, or elective courses offered by Liberal Studies. Electives offered by Liberal Studies are: African Cultures, Caribbean Cultures, East Asian Cultures, Approaches to Global Studies, Latin American Cultures, Middle Eastern Cultures, South Asian Cultures, Topics in the Humanities, Creative Writing Studio Principles of Macroeconomics, Principles of Microeconomics, Fieldwork Seminar) |
AFGC-UF 101 CAGC-UF 101 EAGC-UF 101 APRGS-UF 101 LAGC-UF 101 MEGC-UF 101 SAGC-UF 101 ELEC-UF 101 CWS-UF 101 ECI-UF 101 ECII-UF 102 FWS-UF 201 |
|
Total Credits |
64 |
*LS students studying in Florence, London, Madrid, and Washington, DC take equivalent LS and NYU courses and credit hours. For more information, go to: www.nyu.edu/global/global-academic-centers/freshmen-abroad-programs.html.
†Students pursuing a prehealth track do not take LS science courses, but will be advised to take appropriate required courses at the College of Arts and Science. The LS curriculum guidelines for students transitioning to the College of Arts and Science for prehealth are posted at https://liberalstudies.nyu.edu/content/nyu-as/liberalstudies/academic-advising/core-program-advising
†**Some students take these courses during the sophomore year.
**See “Quantitative Reasoning (Mathematics) Requirement,” above, for more information.
*** “Living in the Anthropocene” fulfills the Natural Science requirement in the GLS curriculum only. It does not fulfill the Natural Science requirement in the LS Core Curriculum.
See Course Descriptions for detailed course descriptions.
GLOBAL LIBERAL STUDIES B.A.
Global Liberal Studies (GLS) is an innovative interdisciplinary bachelor’s degree grounded in the spatial, conceptual, and temporal understandings of a highly interconnected world explored through the critical and creative study of texts and their contexts, the movement of ideas and peoples, the confluence of material cultures, cities, crossroads, and changing modes 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 dynamic 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 and horizons. The GLS major is distinguished by experiential learning, study away, and independent research focused in one of six interdisciplinary concentrations. The junior year includes a semester-long internship or place-based independent study, with most students studying away for the entire year at one of nine NYU academic sites. All seniors complete a thesis, based on original research or creative production, gaining expertise that prepares them for advanced graduate studies, fellowships, or entry into a wide range of international careers, from finance, to global media, to human rights and advocacy.
Curriculum Overview and Requirements
GLS is an intellectually challenging, globally engaged four-year curriculum. All students complete the GLS core, select a concentration from among six offerings, study away for at least one year at an NYU global site, and undertake advanced language study, experiential learning and an independent research thesis or creative work in their senior year. All GLS classes are small, discussion-based, and writing-intensive. Students have sufficient elective options to complete a minor or a second major at NYU. GLS students typically spend their sophomore and senior years at the Washington Square campus in New York City.
The GLS Core Curriculum
GLS first year students enroll in GLS-specific sections of “Arts and Cultures Across Antiquity,” “Arts and Cultures Towards the Crossroads,” “Global Works and Society: Antiquity,” and “Global Works and Society in a Changing World”. They also enroll in the GLS “Global Writing Seminar” in the Fall semester of their first year. Students may begin GLS in New York or at NYU Florence, London, Madrid, or Washington, DC without disruption to the timely completion of course requirements for graduation.
The Upper Division Curriculum
Students may begin taking upper division courses as early as the spring of the first year, and they are required to take one seminar of their choosing from numerous offerings in the Global Topics and Global Cultures curricular areas. Students are also required to take one Advanced GLS Elective, which they may select from a variety of course offerings within GLS; and one Advanced Global Topics course, chosen from a variety of course offerings across NYU departments. The GLS upper division curriculum centers around students’ respective concentrations (Arts, Text, Media; Critical, Creative Production; Cultural and Social Identities; Law, Ethics, History, and Religion; Politics, Rights, and Development; and Sustainability, Health, and Environment), which they declare in the fall of sophomore year. Students take a minimum of four courses in their concentration: Approaches, Junior Independent Research Seminar, and the year-long Senior Colloquium/Thesis. This sequence of interdisciplinary courses prepares students to engage in original, independent scholarship or creative production in the broad field of Global Studies, culminating in a senior research thesis.
In addition to their concentration-specific classes, students take a variety of seminars on global topics that embrace the GLS focus on exploration, boundary crossing, research, and creative expression. Sophomores might also complete intensive language courses in preparation for their junior year away. All students must have reached at least the intermediate level of language proficiency for their global site by the end of sophomore year.
The Junior Year Curriculum
GLS juniors are generally expected to spend a full year studying at an NYU global academic center. GLS carefully selects its available sites to ensure that all required courses are available and to optimize access to experiential learning options. Locations include NYU global sites in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. (See Global Academic Centers for descriptions of every NYU global site.) Students do not just study at an international site—the site itself becomes an important subject of study. Experiential learning, special topics, and language courses immerse students in the history and contemporary culture of the site in a global context. The place-based experiential learning sequence (“CIty as Text” in the Fall, “Experiential Learning” in the Spring) in the junior year distinguishes GLS from other degree programs by emphasizing dynamic student engagement with place and space. Juniors also prepare for their senior theses by developing a substantial research essay in an online course, the “Junior Independent Research Seminar,” that connects them with classmates in their concentration at other sites to create a global perspective on issues. In addition to the place-based learning sequence, described below, students must take one Advanced Global Topics seminar, and study the language of the junior year site each semester.
The Senior Year Curriculum
During senior year, students return to New York for a year of coursework and guided research that integrates their junior year of international study with the liberal arts foundation established in the first and second years of study. Two required Senior Seminars challenge students to engage with major scholarship and advanced practices concerning an array of global issues and themes. Elective space allows students to extend their studies on topics of personal interest or to complete a minor or second major.
The full-year Senior Colloquium/Thesis sequence completes the intellectual arc of the degree program, and draws on insights from across the four years at GLS. Each section of the thesis sequence unites students in the same concentration who have spent their junior year at various locations, thus helping students gain a global perspective on their topics. The Colloquium/Thesis offers grounding in the theoretical texts relevant to advanced work in the concentration, close guidance in the composition of the thesis, and practice in the oral presentation of complex ideas. In addition to subject expertise, the skills the Colloquium/Thesis sequence teaches—defining a major project’s parameters, testing concepts against actual experience, interpreting evidence and integrating the interpretations of prior thinkers, and writing an extended argument—are all germane to almost any future career or post-graduate pursuits.
Other Requirements
Writing Proficiency Requirement
Writing proficiency is required for the NYU bachelor’s degree. The writing proficiency requirement is fulfilled by completing the Global Writing Seminar (or, for students who begin in Florence, London, Madrid or Washington, DC, where Global Writing Seminar is not available, by completing Writing as Critical Inquiry) with a minimum grade of C.
Science/Quantitative Reasoning Requirement
GLS students must complete two courses to fulfill this requirement. The options are either (1) two Science courses, or (2) one Science course and one Quantitative Reasoning course. NYU and LS offer a selection of Science courses and Quantitative Reasoning courses. Students should consult their academic advisor about which particular courses fulfill this requirement.
Intensive Language Study Requirement
Language study is a keystone of GLS, as one cannot truly understand the culture, history, politics, and challenges of societies across the globe without extended study of a language besides one’s own language; All GLS students engage in advanced foreign language study, regardless of their initial level of proficiency. GLS has a language study requirement as well as a language proficiency requirement. Students must both attain proficiency through at least the intermediate level and study in the language of their junior year international site during each semester at the site. In addition, students must have proficiency through the beginning level (normally courses I/II in a sequence, which may be taught in a single intensive semester) before studying at an international site. Thus, a student who does not speak the language of the junior year site host country will be expected to take at least one semester of the appropriate intensive language course before the junior year or one year of the language if not offered in the intensive format. But regardless of the level of prior fluency, study of the site language must continue in each semester of the junior year. Students who already have some level of proficiency in the language of the junior year site will take a placement test and either continue language study at a higher level (for example, in an advanced grammar class and one conversation class) or take one higher level language instruction class and one content class taught in the language of the host country. Students who already have advanced or near-native proficiency will take two content classes taught in the language of the host country during the junior year. Proficiency is established by testing out of the intermediate level (normally, level IV) in the language department’s placement test. Students can consult with their academic advisor or the appropriate language department with any questions about course offerings and/or placement exams.
GLS Electives
Students complement their GLS course work with a wide array of electives in GLS and in other NYU schools chosen in careful consultation with their advisor. In Liberal Studies these may include “Approaches to Global Studies,” “Principles of Macroeconomics,” “Principles of Microeconomics,” “Creative Writing Studio” the “Fieldwork Seminar” various Topics In Humanities electives, and advanced language instruction in CAS. Students also may pursue a cross-school minor, of which more than 100 are available, including languages, economics and business, media and art, writing and journalism, science and environment, among many other options. Students may also take a second major through the College of Arts and Science; GLS has agreements with a number of CAS departments to facilitate second majors by allowing up to two courses to count toward degree requirements in both the second major and GLS.
Degree Requirements
Core Curriculum Required Courses and Course Numbers
Freshman Year | LS Course # |
Credits |
Global Writing Seminar | GWS-UF 101 | 4 |
Arts and Cultures Across Antiquity | ACA-UF 101 | 4 |
Arts and Cultures Towards the Crossroads | ACC-UF 102 |
4 |
Global Works and Society: Antiquity | GWA-UF 101 | 4 |
Global Works and Society in a Changing World |
ACC-UF 102 | 4 |
Courses that may be taken any year | ||
Global Cultures (Any one of: African Cultures, Caribbean Cultures, East Asian Cultures, Latin American Cultures, Middle Eastern Cultures, South Asian Cultures) |
AFGC-UF 101 CAGC-UF 101 EAGC-UF 101 LAGC-UF 101 MEGC-UF 101 SAGC-UF 101 |
4 |
Science* (Choose from: History of the Universe, Science of Technology, Environmental Studies, Life Science, Living in the Anthropocene) | HOU-UF 0101 SCTEC-UF 0101 ENSTU-UF 0101 LISCI-UF 0101 LIVN-UF 101
|
4-8 |
Quantitative Reasoning* (Includes any department course that is approved for the CAS Quantitative Reasoning requirement from an approved list of courses) | 0-4 |
*Students are required to take either (1) two Science courses, or (2) one Science course and one Quantitative Reasoning course. For a complete list of Science and Quantitative Reasoning options, please see the following approved list of courses: bit.ly/GLSScienceQR
Upper Division Required Courses and Course Numbers
Approaches Seminar | APR-UF 201 | 4 |
Global Topics Seminar |
GT-UF 201 | 4 |
Upper Division GLS Elective (Any one of: A second Global Topics course, Advanced Writing Studio, Arts and Cultures of Modernity, Global Works and Society: Modernity) |
GT-UF 201 AWS-UF 201 ACM-UF 201 GWM-UF 201 |
4 |
Advanced Global Topics (Any one of the following site-specific AGT seminars listed here: http://bit.ly/AdvancedGlobalTopics) | AGT-UF 9301/301 | 4 |
Cit as Text |
CAT-UF 9301/301 | 4 |
Experiential Learning | EXL-UF 9302/302 | 2 |
Junior Independent Research Seminar | JIRS-UF 301 | 2 |
Senior Colloquium | SCOI-UF 401 | 4 |
Senior Thesis | SRTH-UF 402 | 6 |
2 Senior Seminars | SCAI-UF 401 | 8 |
Electives (includes language courses, courses taken in other NYU schools, or elective courses offered by Liberal Studies) |
54 |
|
Total Credits for B.A. Degree | 128 |
See Course Descriptions for detailed course descriptions.
GLS/GPH JOINT MAJOR
The joint undergraduate program in Global Liberal Studies (GLS) and Global Public Health (GPH) provides students with an opportunity to explore a wide range of academic topics that focus on public health issues and the liberal arts through a global lens. The GPH core courses engage students in the study of health issues that impact many people around the world, while the innovative GLS curriculum will enable them to explore how these discussions resonate with other areas of inquiry and human experience, such as law, ethics, religion, politics, human rights, economic development, etc.
Curriculum Overview and Requirements
A set of core liberal arts requirements (28 credits), consisting of academic content in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and quantitative study, 40 credits (10 courses) within global studies, 24 credits (6 courses) within global public health, and 8 credits of relevant elective courses in GPH or GLS (approved by GPH and GLS faculty and advisors).
GLOBAL LIBERAL STUDIES MINOR
The GLS curriculum is grounded in spatial, temporal, and conceptual understandings of a highly interconnected world, explored through the critical and innovative study of texts and contexts, the movement of ideas and peoples, the confluence of material cultures, cities, crossroads, and changing modes of communication. The Global Liberal Studies Minor embraces this interdisciplinary approach, uncovering the roots of many of our current challenges and the dynamics of our shifting social imaginaries and geopolitical realities. It allows students to strengthen their ability to analyze critical cultural, social, political and economic issues across borders, deepen their intellectual curiosity and agility, and make connections from a variety of global perspectives.
Curriculum Overview and Requirements
The GLS Minor requires a total of four courses (16 credits), some of which could be taken while studying away. Up to one course may be double-counted for the minor. For students who completed the LS Core Curriculum, the Arts and Cultures and Global Works and Society sequence will satisfy one elective for the minor.
Requirement 1: Approaches to Global Studies (4 Credits)
Approaches to Global Studies is an introduction to the study of globalization, as well as the interconnections and interdependencies that increasingly characterize contemporary life. This course is recommended as one of the first two classes a student might complete for the minor.
Requirements 2 and 3: Global Liberal Studies Elective (8 Credits)
Select two courses from the following options: Global Topics; Global Cultures (African, Caribbean, East Asian, Latin American, Middle Eastern, South Asian); Advanced Writing Studio; Senior Seminar.
Requirement 4: Additional Minor Elective (4 Credits)
Students may select an additional GLS elective from the above list. Students may also count a GLS Advanced Global Topics seminar taught at an NYU study away site as one course toward the GLS minor. LS Core students may count the Arts and Cultures and Global Works and Society sequence as one course toward the minor.
Degree Requirements
Core Curriculum Required Courses and Course Numbers
Required Course | LS Course # |
Credits |
Approaches to Global Studies | APRGS-UF 101 | 4 |
Select 2 Courses from the Following Options | ||
Global Topics Seminar | GT-UF 201 |
4 |
Advanced Writing Studio | AWS-UF 201 | 4 |
Senior Seminar |
SCAI-UF 401 | 4 |
Global Cultures (Any one of: African Cultures, Caribbean Cultures, East Asian Cultures, Latin American Cultures, Middle Eastern Cultures, South Asian Cultures) |
AFGC-UF 101 CAGC-UF 101 EAGC-UF 101 LAGC-UF 101 MEGC-UF 101 SAGC-UF 101 |
4 |
Select 1 Course from the Following Options |
|
|
One additional course from above list | 4 | |
Advanced Global Topics (Any one of the following site-specific AGT seminars listed here: http://bit.ly/AdvancedGlobalTopics) | AGT-UF 301/9301 | 4 |
LS Core Students may count the Arts and Cultures and Global Works and Society sequence as one course toward the minor | ACA-UF 101 ACC-UF 102 ACM-UF 201 GWA-UF 101 GWC-UF 102 GWM-UF 201 |
24 |
Total Credits for GLS Minor | 16 |