About
The Center for Global Studies (CGS) is dedicated to fostering language excellence, international studies expertise, and global literacy in the Pacific Northwest and throughout the nation with the overall objective of enhancing the nation’s capacity to address contemporary global challenges. The Center is especially focused on increasing the diversity of students engaged in international studies and supporting practice-based and applied learning experiences that will prepare the next generation of global experts in government, education, non-profits, and business.
The Center for Global Studies’ activities range from developing interdisciplinary undergraduate and graduate curriculum at home at the University of Washington through to K-12 and community college teacher training across the nation. Many of the Center’s activities focus on the key themes of 1.) Disability inclusive health and education, 2.) Environmental justice and climate change; 3.) Technology, democracy, and security; and 4.) Migration, displacement, and refugees. Some of the CGS flagship activities for 2021-2026 include:
- Launching the new Global Engagement: Research, Work, and Study Abroad course in partnership with the UW Undergraduate Advising Office to support first-year students in connecting to global opportunities throughout their college career.
- Promoting expertise in including students with disabilities, first generation college students, racial and ethnic minorities, and other historically underrepresented groups in university and community college study abroad by establishing the Diversity & Inclusion in Study Abroad Workshop.
- Sponsoring dialogue about indigenous culture and lived experiences through the Indigenous Knowledges & Community Conversations Series with local partners.
- Training community college educators in developing global studies curriculum through the annual Community College Master Teachers Institute.
- Ensuring language expertise critical to national security needs by establishing a new Professional Chinese language course in partnership with the UW CIBER and supporting a new Arab Media course at the UW.
As one of five Title VI National Resource Centers housed in the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies at the University of Washington, the Center for Global Studies provides resources and programming for enhancing interdisciplinary international studies through research, teaching, language study, general public programs, media outreach, and professional development opportunities for educators.