International and Global Studies

Middlebury’s International and Global Studies Program prepares students for a world requiring a global perspective.

International and global education encourages students to transcend the confines of their own backgrounds and upbringing, apprehend the world through others' eyes, and in the process become more informed global citizens.

The program draws faculty from departments and programs across the College and offers nine areas of specialization: African Studies, East Asian Studies, European Studies, Global Gender and Sexuality Studies, Global Security Studies, Latin American Studies, Middle East Studies, Russian and East European Studies, South Asian Studies.

What is the major in International and Global Studies?

Launched in 1996, International Global Studies (IGS) is today one of the most popular majors at Middlebury College. International and Global Studies takes advantage of the College’s historic and renowned strengths in foreign language education and area studies coverage. Contributing faculty are active, well-known scholars and dedicated, experienced teachers.

Students majoring in International and Global Studies attain:
advanced competency in one of the non-English languages taught at Middlebury, sufficient to read scholarly materials and engage in complex interactions with native-speaking professionals;
broad exposure to the chosen region from multiple perspectives and disciplines;
study abroad for at least one semester, normally at one of the Middlebury schools abroad;
deep engagement in critical thinking about global questions.

The results are cosmopolitan and informed graduates who are well prepared for the business world, the nonprofit sector, and graduate school.