Global Studies Course Booklet

Advising Information and Course Offerings for Spring 2026

 

Advising Notes for Students:

Students are encouraged to contact the Director of the Global Studies Program, Dr. Donna Lybecker, at donnalybecker@isu.edu for more information about these courses. You may reach out by email to ask questions or to schedule an advising appointment.

 

Spring 2026 Course Offerings

 

GLBL 1107: Nature of Language (Objective 7)

Section 01: Full Term | Fully Online | TR 11-12:15pm on Zoom with Dr. Liz Redd (CRN: 23598)

General survey of structure and use of natural and constructed languages. Topics include language origins, language structures, including sound systems and word- and sentence-building, language and culture, and language use in community. Taught in English. Satisfies Objective 7 of the General Education Requirements. Equivalent to ANTH 1107 and ENGL 1107. F, S.

 

GLBL 2202: The World Today: Introduction to Global Issues (Objective 9)

Section 01: Full Term | TR 9:30-10:45 In Person with Dr. King Yik (CRN: 21913)

Section 02: Full Term | TR 9:30-10:45am on Zoom with Dr. King Yik (CRN: 23245)

Section E1: Full Term | Reserved for High School students only |TR 9:30-10:45am In Person with Dr. King Yik (CRN: 22624)

This course takes a thematic approach to highlight major Global issues including health, politics, sports, terrorism, women's empowerment, human rights, science, technology, poverty, etc., and how various regions of the world have responded to the stress and storm that often characterize these life challenges with particular focus on the past two decades. Students will critically analyze how cultural, social, economic, and/or environmental exchanges between people from different regions interact in our globalized world today. Satisfies Objective 9 of the General Education Requirements. F, S, Su.

 

GLBL 2203: International Organizations Today: Conflicts and Cooperation (Objective 6)

Section 01: Full Term | MWF 10-10:50am In Person with Dr. King Yik (CRN: 21914)

Section E1: Full Term | Reserved for High School students only | MWF 10-10:50am In Person with Dr. King Yik (CRN: 21925)

This course examines the role of international organizations in resolving conflicts and promoting cooperation among countries. Students will take a behind the scenes look at international organizations such as the United Nations, NATO, World Bank, WTO, OPEC, etc. We will explore their impact on peace, human rights, trade, and development via current events. Partially satisfies Objective 6 of the General Education Requirements. F, S, Su.

 

GLBL 2208: Cultures of the Spanish Speaking World (Objective 9)

Section 01: Full Term | Fully Online, No Set Times, with Tamra Bassett (CRN: 23246)

Section E1: Full Term | Reserved for High School students only | Fully Online, No Set Times, with Tamra Bassett (CRN: 23668)

Topics in art, history, literature and film of Spain, Spanish-America and Latino USA. Taught in English. Satisfies Objective 9 of the General Education Requirement. 

 

GLBL 2209: Cultures of East Asia (Objective 9)

Section 01: Full Term | Fully Online, No Set Times with Dr. King Yik (CRN: 23247)

Section E1: Full Term | Reserved for High School students only | Fully Online, No Set Times with Dr. King Yik (CRN: 23560)

Overview of the cultures of China, Japan, and Korea, intended to help the student understand each within the framework of East Asian civilization, their historical importance and the crucial role they play in the world today. Satisfies Objective 9 of the General Education Requirements.

 

GLBL 2270: World Regional Geography and Cultures (Objective 9)

Section 01: Full Term | Fully Online, No Set Times with Dr. Ann Frazier (CRN: 23669)

This course provides an introduction to world regions with an emphasis on geography scholarship, regional analysis, and spatial thinking skills. Students will learn more about the diversity of contemporary global cultures and environments and gain a deeper appreciation of world regions through their environmental, social, cultural, geopolitical, and economic characteristics. Satisfies Objective 9 of the General Education Requirements. F, S.

 

GLBL 3300: Travel and Study Abroad (Upper Division)

Section 01: Full Term | Other with Dr. Donna Lybecker (CRN: 21915)

Travel and study abroad through student exchange programs and other supervised experience.

PREREQ: Approval of the Director of International Studies. F, S, Su.

 

GLBL 3350: Frank Church Symposium (Upper Division)

Section 01: Full Term | MWF 12-12:50pm In Person with Dr. Colin Johnson (CRN 24721)

Active participation in organizing the annual Frank Church Symposium for the International Affairs, and attendance at the sessions. May be repeated for up to 9 credits. S

 

GLBL 3400: Simulation for Global Affairs (Upper Division)

Section 01: Full Term | TR 2:30-3:45 In Person with Dr. King Yik (CRN: 22178)

Ever wonder how international negotiations work and how international agreements are struck? In this course, students will participate in a series of mock negotiations to achieve the best outcome for the country they are representing. Students will gain insight into the many facets of global and domestic politics that influence a country's decision on trade, conflict and war, or climate change among others. S

 

GLBL 4444 Art and Ideas (Upper Division)

Section 3: Full Term | MW 4-5:15pm on Zoom with Dt. Jonathan Fardy (CRN: 24359)

Section 04: Full Term | MW 4-5:15pm In Person with Dr. Jonathan Fardy (CRN: 24362)

Upper level credits to support a comprehensive understanding of various issues in Global Studies. May be repeated for up to 6 credits. F, S, Su

 

GLBL 4493: Senior Thesis/Capstone (Upper Division)

Section 01: Full Term | Other with Dr. King Yik and Dr. Donna Lybecker (CRN: 21916)

Global Studies majors can either write and present a senior thesis under direction of one of the faculties affiliated with the Global Studies Program or prepare and present a capstone project outlining how their learning outcomes from coursework and study abroad or internships line up with professional goals. F, S

 

Global Culture and Identity Concentration

 

ANTH 4425: Food and Culture (Upper Division)

Section 01: Full Term | Fully Online, No Set Times with Dr. Katherine Reedy (CRN: 24810)

A global examination of the role of food in human culture as a necessity and symbolic reflection of cultural processes. Among topics considered are the ways food shapes identity, culinary meaning and belief, development and change of food habits through cultural interaction, identity, ritual uses of food, taboos, diet, health, and globalization, drawing on historical and modern case studies. D

 

ART 4424: Modern Art (Upper Division)

Section 01: Full Term | MWF 12-12:50pm In Person with Iris Gray (CRN: 23215)

Section 02: Full Term | MWF 12-12:50pm on Zoom with Iris Gray (CRN: 23218)

Study of art and art theories from the emergence of Realism to WWII (1840-1940), focusing largely on Western Europe and the Untied States. S

 

SPAN 3302: Introduction to Hispanic Literature (Upper Division)

Section 01: Full Term | Fully Online, No Set Times with Dr. Eduardo Villalobos Graillet (CRN: 20687)

Focus on reading strategies and comprehension and analysis of texts in Spanish. Various literary genres, time periods and authors will be explored. Conducted in Spanish. S

PREREQ: SPAN 2202 or equivalent.

 

SPAN 3342: Survey of Latin American Cultures (Upper Division)

Section 01: Full Term | TR 1-2:15pm In Person with Dr. Carmen Febles (CRN: 23444)

Section 02: Full Term | TR 1-2:15pm on Zoom with Dr. Carmen Febles (CRN: 23445)

Comprehensive overview of a variety of currents in Latin American history, politics, and cultural production. Conducted in Spanish. S

PREREQ: SPAN 2202 or equivalent.

 

THEA 4400: Theatre History I (Upper Division)

Section 01: Full Term | MW 9-10:15am In Person with Jeffrey Petersen (CRN: 24930)

A study of Western and world theatre from origins to the Renaissance. The course covers the development of dramatic forms, theatre architecture, and plays. F

 

Global Health and Environment Concentration

 

ANTH 4408: Anthropology of Reproduction (Upper Division)

Section 01: Full Term | Fully Online, No Set Times with Dr. Luis Madrigal Marroquin (CRN: 23692)

Rotating topics, including international health issues, ethno-psychiatry, ethnomedicine and non-western healing systems. May be repeated for up to 6 credits. D

 

POLS 4455: Environmental Politics and Policy (Upper Division)

Section 01: Full Term | TR 2:30-3:45pm In Person with Dr. Donna Lybecker (CRN: 25354)

Section 02: Full Term | TR 2:23-3:45pm on Zoom with Dr. Donna Lybecker (CRN: 25480)

Study of the political forces affecting environmental policy and investigation of several specific policies affecting the environment, such as: pollution control, energy production, hazardous chemicals, and the public lands. D

 

Global Politics and Economic Development Concentration

 

HIST 4470: Historical Geography of the Atlantic World (Upper Division)

ANTH 1102: Cultural Anthropology (Objective 6)

Section 01: Full Term | TR 1-2:15pm On Zoom with Dr. Luisa Madrigal Marroquin (CRN: 21961)

Explores cultural and biocultural behavior including cross cultural examination of enculturation, culture and personality, social organization, kinship and marriage, economics, politics, and ideology. Focus on cultural dynamics and contemporary issues in cultural anthropology. Partially satisfies Objective 6 of the General Education Requirements. F, S

 

ENG 2215: Survey of World Mythology

Section 01: Full Term | TR 11-12:15pm In Person with Dr. Roger Schmidt (CRN: 23255)

Section 02: Full Term | MWF 1-1:50pm In Person with Dr. Michael Stubbs (CRN: 23256)

Section 03: Full Term | MWF 1-1:50pm on Zoom with Dr. Michael Stubbs (CRN: 25196)

Section E2: Full Term | MWF 1-1:50pm Reserved for High School students only | In Person with Dr. Michael Stubbs (CRN: 25195)

Section E3: Full Term | MWF 1-1:50 pm Reserved for High School students only | on Zoom with Dr. Michael Stubbs (CRN: 25197)

This course is a broad survey of mythologies from multiple cultures and regions of the word from ancient times to the present. Students will analyze, discuss, and write about world mythologies and their relationship to contemporary cultures. D

 

POLS 2231: Introduction to Comparative Politics (Objective 9)

Section 01: Full Term | MWF 10-10:50am In Person with Dr. Colin Johnson (CRN: 22671)

Section 02: Full Term | MWF 10-10:50am on Zoom with Dr. Colin Johnson (CRN: 22675)

Learn through comparison and contrast how nation-states develop distinct identities, different forms of government, and how these shape politics within a nation and relations between nations. Satisfies Objective 9 of the General Education Requirements. F, S, Su