The Digital Global Studies (DGS) certificate is a 15 credit-hour project-oriented interdisciplinary undergraduate program. The DGS certificate is designed to prepare students from any discipline for our new global reality, and equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to be successful in today’s highly competitive global job market.
While working on the certificate, students will examine the phenomenon of globalization from different viewpoints, most of them interdisciplinary and outside their immediate field of study. Students will gain a better understanding of the nature of the transformational impact of globalization and innovative digital technologies on society and modern life and develop an understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity. The DGS certificate will enhance students’ scholarship and graduate school applications, strengthen their resumé and engage prospective employers.
The goal of this certificate program is to develop new courses as well as connect to an array of new courses, networks, and internships that involve the MU campus and the local community, as well as business and communication partners nationwide and abroad.
Course Requirements
- Two Interdisciplinary Core Seminars (3 cr. each, both honors eligible): one of the two can be substituted with an equivalent course in any discipline – the two core courses are
- DST 3510W GER 3510W JOURN 3510W PEAST 3510 TAM 3010 Fundamentals of Globalization and Digital Technology
- DST 4805 GER 4810 PEAST 4810 TAM 4810 Case Studies in an Inter/Multi-cultural World
- Two Elective Courses (3 cr. each) – should have a digital and/or global focus
- Experiential Learning (3 cr.) – a “hands-on” learning experience that can be study abroad, service learning, volunteer work or internship (national or international), mission work, etc.
The core courses for the Digital Global Studies certificate at the University of Missouri are designed to educate students in any discipline on contemporary global issues, with a focus on how to evaluate the current political, social, economic, and environmental trends through a critical multi-disciplinary approach. Some of the themes explored in these courses are global political and economic issues, including world poverty; global political and economic disparities; women’s rights; human rights; Islam in Europe; global movements; theories of globalization, and so forth.
Program Director Monika Fischer (Teaching Professor of German, Director of Digital Global Studies Certificate, Director of Undergraduate Studies in German)
Goals of the Program
- Give all MU students opportunities to add an international/global component to their degree thus allowing them to put their knowledge to work as well as learn about the global community
- Connect and cooperate with all MU programs/colleges that have an international component through classes offered, social networking, conferences, guest speakers, etc.
- Identify and pursue existing and new study abroad and internship/volunteer work opportunities
- Develop interdepartmental connections across the MU campus
- Establish connections with universities around the world
- Further internationalizing the MU campus
- Identify and pursue research collaboration and funding opportunities
- Establish MU as a leader in the area of studies and networking on digital and global issues
- Connect with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and corporations that sponsor educational programs or offer educational opportunities