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Program Details
We live in a world on the move. Not only are there more than 200 million people now living outside their country of their birth, but new technologies have allowed for the movement of ideas around the world and connections between communities like never before. Behind the statistics are the lived experiences of migrants themselves, the contributions they make to their new societies and the links that they sustain with their countries and communities of origin.
This multidisciplinary specialization is the first undergraduate program in Canada to address the intertwined phenomena of refugees, migration, mobility and diasporas that shape the modern world. It brings together a broad spectrum of practitioners and academics from the humanities and the social sciences to examine the cultural, social, economic and political implications of the movement and transnational settlement of people. It supports historically informed and forward looking accounts of cultural and social identities, diversity and integration, exile and memory, forced migration and refugee communities.
It prepares globally conscious students for journeys of intellectual discovery and rewarding careers in public service, creative industries, cultural institutions such as museums, migration and humanitarian INGOs, and migration and settlement-related agencies, as well as for Law School and graduate programs in a variety of disciplines.
Language Requirement
The BGInS program features a second-language requirement that can be taken, for example in Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and/or American Sign Language. Students may also take other languages at other institutions of higher education with prior approval.
International Experience Requirement
The BGInS program features an international experience requirement as an integral part of the program. The options for fulfilling this requirement include: studying abroad under one of Carleton’s international exchange agreements, undertaking an international internship, completing a Carleton University course abroad, or taking our international group project course at Carleton.
Work Experience
A Co-op option is available. Co-op is the opportunity to get a head start on a career. Co-op work terms allow for the development of key employability skills, exploration of career options and graduation with tangible, workplace experience.
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Career Outcomes
Explore your passions, refine new skills and discover the career that’s right for you.
The critical skills gained from BGInS will prepare you for a wide variety of careers.
Sample Careers
- Administration
- Advocacy
- Business
- Civil Service
- Conservation
- Consulting
- Diplomacy
- Education
- Finance
- Foreign Service
- Government
- International Development
- International Relations
- Journalism
- Law
- Lobbying
- Media
- Museums and Historical Sites
- Non-Governmental Organizations
- Non-Profit Sector
- Policy Analysis
- Politics
- Polling
- Public Service
- Research
- Teaching
- Tourism
Sample Courses
GINS 1020 - Ethnography, Globalization and Culture
Introduction to the intersection of globalization processes with social and cultural diversity as examined through ethnography and ethnographic methods. Topics may include cultural survival, growing economic inequality, ecological vulnerabilities, health practices, human rights, and shifting racialized, gendered, religious, ethnic, and national identities.
MGDS 2000 - Global Migration and Transnationalism
Introduction to the social, cultural, economic and political implications of the movement of people with a multidisciplinary and multiscale approach to topics such as migration and immigration, diaspora identities, global culture, and transnationalism.
Visit the Undergraduate Calendar to view a comprehensive list of course offerings for this program and discover the exciting things Carleton students are learning in the classroom!
Global and International Studies allowed me to explore various aspects of global issues while honing my communication skills. I worked on a project with an international NGO based out of Italy that made direct impact to the local communities. My international experience allowed me to engage with various stakeholders from Nairobi, Nigeria, Germany, Italy and many other surrounding regions focusing on advocacy. I worked on communication strategies to raise awareness about providing education for immigrants, refugees and those living in war-torn countries — an opportunity that had opened many doors for me. It was incredibly rewarding to apply the theoretical knowledge gained in my program to real-world issues and make a tangible impact. Being exposed to diverse perspectives and global issues enhanced my cultural competence and adaptability, preparing me for a wide range of future career opportunities in fields such as international relations, journalism or public relations and stakeholder engagement.
