Certain problems migrate across national boundaries to become global issues. Population growth and the movements of peoples, energy use, environmental challenges, the spread of disease, hunger, the control of weapons of mass destruction -- all are examples of problems that need to be addressed by all nations. The focus of this course is on understanding how certain problems are addressed (or go unaddressed) by nation states, international organizations, and non-governmental organizations. Students learn processes for finding out about these issues and applying those methods through group and individual projects. Students will be encouraged to reflect on how these issues may affect them personally and what they can do about them.
The present-day character of the world?s major regions?Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Latin America?has been shaped by centuries of history, not only specific events such as wars, elections and peace treaties but also long-term developments in culture, language, religion and politics. This course will provide a framework for thinking about general historical trends in selected regions of the world, while emphasizing case histories of countries in each region. By examining these national histories, students will not only deepen their knowledge of key regions around the world, but will also gain analytical skills that will enable them to continue learning about other cultures and societies, and the many ways in which the past shapes the present.
This course begins with a review of fundamental economic concepts, such as supply and demand, cost analysis, money and banking, saving and investment, and the nature and limitations of markets. The emphasis is on how basic economic factors influence all types of organizations and what organizations do to manage their financial affairs through budgets, financial controls, investments, and collaborations with other organizations. The role of international and financial institutions, such as the World Trade Organization, World Bank Group, and International Monetary Fund, will also be examined. How globalization has altered the economic and financial arrangements between countries is also explored. Students learn to utilize economic and financial tools to identify and analyze international business opportunities.
Basic concepts of international economics are reviewed to explore how economic factors, such as exchange rates, balance of payments, inflation, labor, tariffs, and the flow of capital, affect trade. Using existing data sources, students explore what countries and regions trade with each other, to what extent, and in what products and services. Students will be able to analyze the international trade interactions of a particular state, country, or region, as well as the historical and current factors that impact these patterns. Students will also explore legal constraints to engaging in international trade, such as requirements for export licenses and screening for individuals and countries where trade is illegal.
What will the global political landscape look like in the next 10, 25, 50 years? Which countries will dominate the political order? Will there be any dominant Superpowers, or will power be distributed among a variety of nations? In this course, students examine the shifting role of government as the world becomes more interconnected through global trade, communication and travel. Historical theories of international relations are contrasted with new theories that attempt to describe the complex interdependence between countries. What strategies do nation-states employ to advance their global interests? How do nation-states and international organizations interact? What is global governance? In addition to answering these questions, this course also focuses on the changing role of people, of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and of multinational businesses in this interconnected world.
This course explores the challenges of international security, peace and conflict. In helping students make sense of headlines from around the world, this course first presents major theories of conflict and peace, then examine some of the most important issues currently on the global agenda: terrorism, nuclear weapons, ethnic and religious conflict, the promises and problems of collective security, economic interdependence, global information flows and the rising political power of networked individuals in the digital age. The course challenges students to discover the complex relationships between these issues, question their own assumptions about peace and security, and reflect on how their own identities and futures are affected by the forces explored in the course.
Artistic modes of expression such as fil, and literature offer a lens for understanding the forces and concerns that have shaped, and are continuing to shape, countries, regions, and peoples. Literary and artistic movements arise because of the particular confluence of history and the creative choices or artists, reflecting the issues that are at the vanguard of the times. Students analyze key works of literature and film in order to learn how these works can provide a concrete understanding of society's cultural values and political events. Simultaneously, students will also learn how their own values and history as well as their assumptions about artistic creators and observers are present in their interactions with the work being studied and how these factors affect their understanding and region, area, or people they wish to study in this manner.
Human geography analyzes people and places and how they interact across broad expanses of history and multi-continental distances. This course examines the roles geography and humanity has played in shaping one another in space and time. The course pays special attention to how and why cultures have developed in particular spaces. Global, regional, and national factors are emphasized in considering how a specific place shapes one's identity, values, and traditions. The course also provides an introduction to GIS mapping, and consider issues of global health, eco-refugees, climate change, poverty, sustainability, war, and economics. Students gauge the influence of media and governments on issues of geographic importance.
In this course, globalization is studied from historical and contemporary perspectives. Structures of community and organizations, governmental and nongovernmental, are examined and compared. Students study cases of global conflict and cooperation. Global issues are introduced, and students examine the role of the United States in the world across issues, borders, and cultures.
In building a global perspective, it is essential to be able to position oneself culturally and interact with people from other cultural backgrounds. This course addresses the question of how to learn about different regions and cultures and how to assess the similarities and differences with one's own. Students learn about how to define culture. They develop skills to research countries, regions, and cultures through history, human geography, religion, and artistic traditions. They use the knowledge gleaned through research to build cross-cultural communication skills.
In a global marketplace, working internationally is very common. There are many legal, corporate, and cultural issues that individuals and corporations in the international workplace encounter on a regular basis. This course addresses legal issues ? such as contracts and agreements, import/export regulations, intellectual property, and human resources ? that affect how business is done across national and cultural lines. In addition, workers need to be able to assess the business and social cultures in another country in order to navigate the business climate and networking protocols.
A growing world population, climate change, and scarce resources have many implications on hunger, food, and health. Floods and droughts, conflict and migration affect food supplies, which create hunger. Cultural norms and practices, famine, forced migration, and conflict contribute to health concerns. New strains of disease threaten global pandemics. Students in this course examine current issues of hunger, food, and health in a global context. Social, political, cultural, and economic aspects of these issues are analyzed. The role of governmental and non-governmental organizations and agencies in issues of hunger, food, and health are discussed. Students debate the causes and solutions of global hunger, food, and health issues, using case examples to support their arguments.
Economic development, ecology and democracy are three dynamic, powerful and volatile forces in the world today. Players in the tension between them include nations, large corporations, and a groundswell of farmers, workers, and ordinary people. This course looks at the model of sustainable development as a way for countries to make long-term and ethical decisions about how to use resources: earth, water, air, energy, as well as the most important resource, people. Contrasts are drawn between Western economies and the emerging world attempting the leap from an agricultural paradigm to industrialization, while trying to avoid falling into the Malthus trap of overpopulation. Students develop an understanding of the complex, intertwined relationship between economic growth, environment and humanity.
In the 21st Century, terror has taken on a new meaning. War has become linked with terror, whether as a "War on Terror" or a tactic used in war or to breed war. What is the meaning of terror in today's world? Who are the terrorists, and what are the causes of the use of terror? In this course, students define modern terrorism in a context of war and peace. They examine the connections between war and terrorism, as well as the context of peace and peace initiatives. They analyze and debate current events through the frameworks of war, terror, and peace and in the context of governments and the media.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1948. With this international recognition of human rights is a responsibility to promote and protect those human rights. In this course, those rights and the organizations that promote and protect them are studied. The philosophical and theoretical bases for the concept of human rights is examined. In addition, students delve into women's human's rights and perspectives, including feminist perspectives on international human rights and issues such as trafficking, refugees, economic and social rights. The role of women in promoting and defending universal human rights is highlighted.
This course is a study of history from the perspective of human geography. Students examine where humans have concentrated geographically and the connections between geography, economics, society, culture, and politics. Trends in geographical change, human migration, and socio-political change are analyzed. Links between globalization and changing human geography throughout history, along with the implications of this changing geography for the global population, are discussed.
This course examines the religions of the world and their roles in defining cultures and societies. Major world religions are examined and discussed in this course, including their varied beliefs, rituals, and institutions. Comparisons and distinctions are drawn between the various Western and non-Western traditions. In addition to major religions, smaller religious movements and distinct religions from around the world are also discussed.
In this course, students study philosophies, cultures, and events of competition and conflict across the globe and throughout history. Theories of the dialectic, competition, and struggle for advancement are analyzed. Social and belief systems of nationalism, capitalism, and survival of the fittest are among those that create boundaries and encourage competition and, at times, conflict. Students delve into and analyze various conflicts and cultures throughout history marked by ideals of competition, individualism, and power.
In this course, students examine world cultures, ideas, and events across history through a lens of community and cooperation. Philosophies of community, social cooperation, and unity for societal progress are analyzed. The philosophies of socialism and communism, their various modes of implementation, and their success are assessed. International organizations that foster cooperation and community, such as the United Nations and the European Union are investigated. Social movements for change that create communities across borders are analyzed and discussed.
This course provides a review of translation and interpretation theories, the link between linguistic and cultural factors, and their relevance to the translation and interpretation task. The course covers the different aspects of translation and interpretation as different yet often complimentary professions; survey translation tools and reference materials; discuss professional roles and modes and public perception of the professions. Standard business practices and professional code of ethics are examined. General practice in translation and interpretation is provided. Fundamental translation and interpreting theories are emphasized at the beginning of the course and are conveyed in the form of assigned readings, lectures, class discussions, and independent research. Language Generic. Prerequisite: Admission to the Master of Liberal Studies in Global Affairs with a Translation Studies specialty or the Certificate of Advanced Study in Translation Studies.
This is an introductory course in translation covering a variety of registers: commercial, journalistic, legal, literary, medical, and technical. Students learn to apply text analysis, text typology, and contrastive analysis of their working languages to identify, analyze, and resolve translation problems while independently developing an efficient and rational approach to the process of translation. In addition, course assignments include practice and graded exercises in translation and sight translation, utilizing authentic texts drawn from an extensive variety of text categories that include, but are not limited to, current events, general political economy, general legal documents, and scientific and technical topics for general audiences. Language Specific. Prerequisites: GS 4300 Theory & Practice of Translation and Interpretation and admission to the Master of Liberal Studies in Global Affairs with a Translation Studies specialty or the Certificate of Advanced Study in Translation Studies.
This course provides an introduction to translation memory software and terminology management software. Translation theory or field-specific terminology are not covered. Students become familiar with the concept of translation memory, learn to use the main features (create, import, export, analyze, clean up) of some of the applications available, and use translation memory in the translation process as necessary to create a translation project workflow from start to finish. Students also learn to use terminology tools to create and edit a term base that can be used during translation as a main reference. Language Generic. This course may be taken concurrently with GS 4300. Prerequisite: Master of Liberal Studies in Global Affairs with a Translation Studies specialty or the Certificate in Translation Studies.
Application of the knowledge, skills, and attitudes attained in the classroom by apprenticing under qualified translators, translation agencies, law firms, government agencies (e.g. school districts, the IRS, police departments, social services agencies), and/or healthcare and community-based organizations in a variety of general work situations. Interns shadow their mentors and the move into actual translation assignments in monitored situations. The nature of the professions easily accommodates the completion of the Translation Practicum online for distance students. The Practicum helps students develop and establish an identity as professional translators, as it builds a practical knowledge of translation as a profession. Its goal is to empower students to identify and pursue professional development opportunities and specializations. Initiation into the translation industry through interaction with members of the profession, professional organizations, and institutions in the language industry are encouraged. Students are expected to prepare a final project based on their practicum experience following the University College Internship Handbook. The practicum should be taken as one of the last two translation classes. Prerequisites: GS 4301 and admission to the Master of Liberal Studies in Global Affairs with a Translation Studies specialty or the Certificate of Advanced Study in Translation Studies.
Because a legal document bears legal liabilities, the translation of a legal document has the same legal effect as the original. As a result, the requirements for accuracy in legal translation (meaning, tone, and style) are quite high. This course provides an overview of the nature of legal translation and an introduction to the principles of comparative law, such as how to research legal issues in the countries of the language pair. The concepts of equivalence and zero equivalence are analyzed. Participants translate different types of agreements; certificates; and affidavits, as well as a wide array of documents focusing on probate, family, poverty, and criminal law. Students are given assignments on the research approach, steps, and skills needed to tackle a legal translation project from start to finish. Fundamental legal translation theory is emphasized at the beginning of the course and conveyed in the form of assigned readings, lectures, class discussions, and independent research. Language specific. Prerequisites: GS 4301 and admission to the Master of Liberal Studies in Global Affairs with a Translation Studies specialty of the Certificate of Advanced Study in Translation Studies.
This course provides students with a general overview of the field of web page translation and an introduction to software localization. Class topics range from technical discussions on computer architecture to tips for managing localization projects. Students gain a thorough understanding of the basic components of a localization project (web, software, online help, and documentation) and insight into the larger context of software/web localization and internationalization processes. Using real-life examples and hands-on exercises, students explore the cultural, technical, and organizational challenges in the adaptation of culturally sensitive elements. Language generic. Prerequisites: GS 4301 and admission to the Master of Liberal Studies in Global Affairs with a Translation Studies specialty of the Certificate of Advanced Study in Translation Studies.
This course covers medical terminology involving patient education, medical research, drug development, the human body and systems, major diseases, as well as the most common injuries. Students translate documents used in general medical practice and are introduced to the common roots, prefixes and suffixes in medical terminology. Translation skills are reinforced by analyzing different levels of difficulty in medical texts, by translating, and by addressing requests for editing and rewriting translated materials for patient populations and audiences of different education levels. Students practice translating medical office correspondence, informational brochures, patient letters, discharge information, hospital intake questionnaires, living wills, patient outreach/educational materials, instructions for taking medications, laboratory tests, and medical disability reports, among others. Language specific. Prerequisites: GS 4301 and admission to the Master of Liberal Studies in Global Affairs with a Translation Studies specialty of the Certificate of Advanced Study in Translation Studies.
This course gives students the opportunity to address both translation and non-translation related issues associated with planning, executing, controlling, and delivering a final translation for a client (either direct or as an agency). Particular focus is given to hands-on practice of the various communications between the parties. The course outlines an effective project management methodology that can be applied to large or small translation/localization projects. Language generic. Prerequisites: GS 4301 and admission to the Master of Liberal Studies in Global Affairs with a Translation Studies specialty of the Certificate of Advanced Study in Translation Studies.
The content of this course varies each time it is offered. Specifc course content is detailed on quarterly schedule. Depending on the subject matter, students may be required to have vompleted prerequisite courses.
The Capstone Project provides students the opportunity to research a topics, problem, or issue within their field of study, and work individually with a Capstone advisor. Similar in weight to a thesis, but more flexible, this final project synthesizes and applies core concepts acquired from the program. The student selects an appropriate Capstone advisor who is knowledgeable in the field of study to work closely with and whom can guide the research project. Evaluation will be focused on the quality and professionalism of applied research and writing; critical and creative thinking; problem-solving skills; knowledge of research design, method, and implementation; and contribution to the field and topic of study. View the Capstone Guidelines for additional details. Prerequisites: A Capstone Proposal that has been approved by both the Capstone Advisor and the Academic Director, unconditional acceptance as a degree candidate, completion of at least 40 quarter-hours (including all core courses) with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better, and a B or better in MALS 4020. A final grade of B or better must be earned in this course to meet degree requirements.
The Capstone Seminar is a graduate seminar in which students utilize the knowledge and skills gained through the degree program to create a culminating work that critically addresses a problem or issue in the degree field of study. The student produces a paper of 7000-8000 words that presents a position on a relevant problem or issue, supports the position with professional and academic work in the field, analyzes and tests the paper position, and discusses the role of the findings within the field of study. The seminar is dependent upon collegial discussion of student research and work under the facilitation of a faculty member, and it is governed by the quality of participation and contributions of the students. The course structure, facilitated by the faculty member, guides the students through the process of independent research and writing of a capstone paper; the instructor provides intensive feedback on the capstone process and papers. Students are responsible for generating the course content through ongoing discussion of and peer feedback on the capstone process and individual papers, as well as the analysis and contextualization of focused students papers within the wider degree field of study. Students professionally and academically communicate their findings through written work and oral presentations. Students must have: unconditional acceptance as a degree candidate, completion of at least 40 quarter-hours (including all core courses) with a cumulative GPS of 3.0 or better, and a B or better in MALS 4020. A final grade of B or better must be earned in this course to meet degree requirements. Students must complete the Capstone Seminar in one quarter; no incomplete grades are assigned.
This is an advanced course for students wishing to pursue an independent course of study. The student must be accepted in a degree program, have earned a grade point average of 3.0 or better, obtained the approval of the department director, and have completed the Independent Study form and filed the form with all appropriate offices before registering for the independent study. Independent Study is offered only on a credit basis and only for degree candidates.