Transnational Studies 

Why Study Transnational Studies at Westminster?

• Transnational studies is a new, dynamic, and innovative academic departure that moves beyond the traditional realm of international studies to focus on issues that transcend political, economic, social, and cultural borders.
  
• This program is at the heart of helping Westminster to support and realize its mission to develop leaders in a global community.

Major Highlights

Since the challenge of the future is to identify global problems that exceed both nations and nation-states,  transnational studies develop students ‘ abilities to discover interdisciplinary and flexible approaches and solutions to global problem solving and decision-making.  Students will take course work in global economic development, environment and health, global justice and human rights, international relations and diplomacy, international institutions, and global cultures.

Cool Classes

Students can choose from courses dealing with such fascinating subjects as jazz in Japan, cross-cultural leadership, Model United Nations, introduction to transnational studies, and American foreign relations.

Other Experiences

Students may choose to take experiential courses such as Biology in Belize or trips to such exciting places such as Greece, China, Russia, and Mongolia.  All students will be required to present a portfolio of their work, containing at least three papers or comparable projects submitted for courses in the major as well as a reflective piece on how the student has integrated the different components of the major.  Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.30 or higher may elect to write a senior thesis for honors recognition.

Career Opportunities

Transnational studies majors will have the ability to attend graduate school in diplomacy, work as researchers and policy analysts or take executive positions in global governance in the United Nations.  Career options in global business are also popular in the transnational studies major.  Majors have gone to graduate school in diplomacy at the Maxwell School at Syracuse University and the Whitehead School of Diplomacy at Seton Hall University in New Jersey.  Some have gone on to study international relations in graduate school.  Others are working in global health-related professions.

This new program has helped to build the international understanding that is present on our campus.  It seeks to deliver an educational experience rooted in the analysis of global affairs.  Students who complete the program will have a thorough understanding of the connection between a liberal arts education and a greater awareness of the global context in which we live.

Contact
Name: Kurt Jefferson
Position: Director for Center for Engaging the World, Professor of Political Science,
Office: Room 202, Tuttle House
E-mail: Kurt.Jefferson@westminster-mo.edu
Phone: 573-592-5266