Program Overview

---

What are the challenges facing the world today? How can nations work together to tackle contemporary issues? How do language barriers hinder relationships between states? Is globalisation an opportunity or a threat? Global Studies and Language Studies at Essex explores the complex modern world in which we live. You will examine how the problems and developments of today are profoundly international in character. Globalisation has led to a shrinking of borders as travel has increased and information technology has developed rapidly. Yet, the borders constituted by language communities continue to exert a strong influence on the character of the globalised world and effective inter-language communication remains as essential as ever. This course allows you to choose modules from many academic disciplines, including history, sociology, philosophy and politics, in order to gain a comprehensive understanding of the complex problems in the modern world. Within these you will examine issues such as:

• nature and the environment
• migration
• international development
• war and areas of political strain
• information technology

Language is fundamental to our thought, our relationships, and our civilisations. Alongside your Global Studies modules, you will also become fluent in your choice of one or more modern languages. By studying within our Interdisciplinary Studies Centre (ISC), you will have access to expertise in modern languages, literature, film, history of art, history, politics and sociology, and more, with contributions from experienced staff from around the University. Why we're great.

• We equip you with the necessary knowledge and skills to succeed at Essex and beyond.
• You are taught by a team of international experts in a range of subjects at Essex.
• You can gain a diverse set of skills as well as a wide-ranging knowledge of the world’s most current and significant problems.

Our expert staff

Our interdisciplinary studies staff teach in departments across the University, and specialise in a wide range of topics including history, law, literature, film, politics, and sociology. We are a team of internationally recognised writers and lecturers with expertise across the arts, humanities and social sciences. As well as being one of the UK’s leading universities for social science, and the highest ranking institution for political science, our staff research topics that stretch across the globe – we are working on issues in Latin America, North America, the Middle East, Africa and Europe. Our language and linguistics staff are internationally renowned. Their books dominate the reading lists at other universities. All our language teachers are native or bilingual speakers, we maintain excellent student-staff ratios, and we integrate language learning with linguistics wherever there is synergy. In addition to helping you acquire practical foreign language skills, our staff share their expertise with you in the areas of professional translation, interpreting and subtitling, film and art, business, and culture.

---

Specialist facilities

By studying within our Essex Pathways Department for your foundation year, you will have access to all of the facilities that the University of Essex has to offer, as well as those provided by our department to support you:

• We provide computer labs for internet research; classrooms with access to PowerPoint facilities for student presentations; AV facilities for teaching and access to web-based learning materials.
• Our Student Services Hub will support you and provide information for all your needs as a student
• Our social space is stocked with hot magazines and newspapers, and provides an informal setting to meet with your lecturers, tutors and friends.

Take advantage of our other extensive learning resources to assist you in your studies:

• Our Essex Collection of Art from Latin America (ESCALA) is the largest of its kind in Europe
• Our Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence provides a forum for pan-European research
• Our Albert Sloman Library ’s collections of Latin American, Russian and Eastern European materials are of national significance
• Access to two multimedia language teaching labs which are equipped with state-of-the-art Melissi Digital Classroom software, and fitted with computers integrating audio-visual projectors and large screens
• A new 20-position Interpreting Lab
• Extra-curricular activities are available through student societies
• Our Languages for All programme offers you the opportunity to study an additional language alongside your course at no extra cost

---

Your future

Our graduates are well-placed to address the complex issues which confront the modern world. You can gain a diverse set of skills as well as a wide-ranging knowledge of the world’s most current and significant problems. Our course provides you with an excellent basis for going on to a career in media, education, politics, the Civil Service, international organisations such as the UN and NATO or non-governmental organisations, and many other fields. Additionally, companies and organisations in the UK and abroad are struggling to find university graduates who are fluent in at least one other language, apart from English – making you even more employable as a graduate fluent in your chosen language. Our Centre’s <="" a=""> have gone on to work in a wide range of desirable roles including an events co-ordinator for Age UK, a business provision manager for BT, an accountant in London, and an account executive for Bluesky PR. <="" a=""> <="" a=""> We also work with the university's Student Development Team to help you find out about further work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities.