Keough School of Global Affairs

This page outlines the requirements for all students in the Keough School of Global Affairs. In some cases, courses taken for Global Affairs school requirements can satisfy Core Curriculum requirements and/or major or minor requirements.

Watch the First Year Guide to the Keough School of Global Affairs

The Keough School of Global Affairs offers a range of academic programs. Students may complete a major in global affairs as a primary or second major. Students who declare global affairs as their primary major must complete the Global Affairs school requirements, below, and the global affairs major requirements.

The Keough School of Global Affairs also offers two supplementary majors and five minors for students in any of the colleges and schools at Notre Dame. Students in other colleges or schools do not complete the following School-level requirements.

The following School-level requirements prepare students in Global Affairs for an interdisciplinary and integrated study of contemporary global issues.

Language Study (3-20 Credits)

All students must achieve intermediate proficiency in a contemporary foreign language by graduation. This requirement can be met by completing the language sequence through the fourth course (e.g., Intermediate 2 or Second-Year 2) or by demonstrating proficiency via a placement test, AP, or IB.

Students entering with proficiency must still take at least one college-level foreign language course (3+ credits). Their options include continuing in the proficient language with an advanced course, starting a new foreign language course, or taking a course in another foreign language previously studied.

Cultural Immersion Experience (4 Credits)

The CIE sequence provides students with critical training in global citizenship and service while centering studies on human dignity and flourishing. Students examine the multiple dimensions of culture and develop essential cultural competency by learning to appreciate differing perspectives. This immersive preparation empowers Global Affairs majors to communicate and work effectively across cultural boundaries in diverse global environments.

• KSGA 20000 (3 cr): This course uses culture to analyze social differences and their impact on global affairs. Students should plan to take this course in the spring of their first year or during their sophomore year.

• KSGA 27000 (0 cr): Students complete this immersion requirement through internships, research, language study, service, or eligible study abroad experience. Enrollment should occur during the summer or semester of the approved experience.

• KSGA 30000 (1 cr): This course provides a framework for students to critically reflect on their CIE and offers a forum in which to discuss the challenges they faced and what they learned about the communities and issues they engaged in.

Economics for Global Affairs (3 Credits)

KSGA 20015: This course examines how economic systems impact global policy and includes principles of microeconomics, macroeconomics, and international trade.

Ethical Practice Seminar (3 Credits)

KSGA 23000: This seminar introduces students to ethical frameworks for assessing policy-making in global affairs. Students can take this at any point in their eight semesters before graduation.

Global Affairs Course Selection Guide

Use these fall and spring semester sample schedules as a guide when planning your courses.