Global Affairs Major
Requirements
The Global Affairs major is intended to appeal to students who want to better understand and eventually impact the world around them.
The Global Affairs major offers two tracks: international development and international security. Courses from Global Affairs and other undergraduate programs are designated as electives in either track. Majors must select one of the two tracks as their focus, but all are required to take the core course for each track.
The international development track focuses on economic development and poverty, including global public health, in all but the world’s wealthiest countries. The international security track focuses on international relations, foreign policy, and diplomacy and includes topics relevant to national and human security.
Global Affairs majors are required to demonstrate proficiency in one language other than English by the time of graduation. This requirement is normally met by the successful completion (including "credit" in the credit/d/fail grade mode) of one course at the L5 level.
The senior capstone project is in the fall of the student's senior year.
The Jackson Institute has created the following tools to help current and prospective majors understand the requirements:
- Rubric of Requirements
- Recommended Plan of Study
- Approved Courses, Spring 2013
- Approved Courses, Fall 2012
- Approved Courses, Spring 2012
- Approved Courses, Fall 2011
Advice to Applicants
The Global Affairs major is by application in the sophomore year, with an entering class of about 50 students. In the Spring 2011 term, the Jackson Institute admitted the first cohort of Global Affairs majors from the Yale College Class of 2013.
Current underclassmen should review the requirements of the major and select courses with an eye toward the economics courses, language proficiency, and quantitative analysis requirement (GLBL 121). Students interested in the international development track who have already completed introductory economics, may also consider intermediate microeconomics in their semesters' courses.
Current sophomores who have already identified the track which encompasses their specific interest in global affairs, may also want to consider a course relevant to that intended track.
How to Apply
Current sophomores apply via the Application link at left.
During Shopping Period, appointments with the Director of Student Affairs and DUS are open only to students currently in the major.
