August 16, 2018 — The Keough School of Global Affairs at the University of Notre Dame has launched a new program of study for undergraduates. A supplementary major in global affairs, designed for students interested in exploring contemporary global issues, will be offered to this year’s incoming class of 2022.

“Introducing Notre Dame undergrads to the complex and challenging world of global affairs is an exciting phase in the rapid growth of the Keough School,” said Scott Appleby, Marilyn Keough Dean. “Our students care deeply about giving back — lending their remarkable talents and enterprising spirit to the task of fighting poverty, making peace, promoting human rights and addressing climate change. They will do so through the lens of human dignity. Incorporating the expertise of our interdisciplinary institutes and centers, they will take a holistic and ethically sound approach to global ‘problem-solving.’”

About the new major

The global affairs major is a rigorous, 30-credit-hour program that provides students with foundational knowledge of the major political, economic and social institutions of the 21st century. Students choose from one of five areas of concentration, drawn from the diverse programs and scholarship within the Keough School’s institutes: Asian studies, European studies, international development studies, Irish studies and peace studies.

The global affairs coursework emphasizes the study of contemporary global issues within the context of integral human development, the centerpiece of the Keough School’s mission, advancing a holistic vision for human dignity and flourishing.

“Our students care deeply about giving back — lending their remarkable talents and enterprising spirit to the task of fighting poverty, making peace, promoting human rights and addressing climate change. They will do so through the lens of human dignity.”

— R. Scott Appleby, Marilyn Keough Dean

Global affairs, as a supplementary major, is designed to enhance and complement a student’s primary major at Notre Dame. Students are required to pair the Keough School’s global affairs major with another major from one of the University’s other colleges and schools, in fields related to the humanities, science, business, medicine or engineering. Undergraduates who study global affairs can find jobs in both the public and private sector, in embassies or international organizations like the United Nations, and in nongovernmental and service organizations.

Other global opportunities

Students who cannot fit the new supplementary major into their schedules, but are interested in contemporary global issues, may enroll in one of the supplementary majors or minors offered by the Keough School’s institutes, take courses, or pursue international research and language study with one or more of the Keough School’s nine institutes and centers.

For more information about the global affairs major or other undergraduate opportunities, visit keough.nd.edu/undergrad or contact Denise Ayo, associate director of undergraduate programs, at dayo@nd.edu.

Founded in 2014, the Donald R. Keough School of Global Affairs advances integral human development through research, policy and practice; transformative educational programs; and partnerships for global engagement.

Contact: Colleen Sharkey, assistant director of media relations, csharke2@nd.edu