Global Studies Department

Academics | Global Studies

Global Studies

Ripon’s Global Studies program was established in 1994 because of the growing recognition of the dramatically accelerating interdependence of our world in every sphere. Students who will live the bulk of their lives in the 21st century must be prepared to take advantage of the many new opportunities for cooperation and mutually beneficial partnerships which transcend national boundaries.

They also must understand that global compression and radical increases in mobility – of people, resources and information – simultaneously will create some negative reactions and new arenas for possible conflict. If we are to maximize the possibilities and ameliorate the difficulties of this new era, the coming generation of educated men and women must have a broad and deep comprehension of the cultural, social, political, economic and scientific forces that will shape it. It is toward this goal that Ripon’s Global Studies program is directed.

 

 

Faculty

Martin Farrell

Dean Katahira

David William Scott

 

Course Guide: Global Studies

 

Advising

Ripon College encourages all students to embrace a Four-Year Career Development Plan. This plan is based on the premise that career planning is a development process that involves learning and decision-making over an extended period of time.

First Year

  • Incoming students are assigned a Faculty Mentor based on their interest area(s). Please see the FACULTY tab under your major area;
  • All Freshman are required to enroll in a First-Year Seminar, which is designed as a transition from high school to college learning, providing an interdisciplinary introduction to the liberal arts and the pursuit of in-depth study;
  • Freshman are encouraged to meet the career development staff early on and complete interest and skills inventories, and self-assessment tools; and,
  • Attend the pre-Fall Break “Major Fest” to explore the various major options and career tracks.

Third Year

  • Assume leadership positions in on-campus clubs and organizations;
  • Participate in mock interviews with the Career Development Office;
  • Attend the Wisconsin Foundation of Independent Colleges Job Fair in February and other relevant career fairs;
  • If relevant, begin to research potential graduate school programs and take the appropriate entrance exam(s);
  • Continue to meet regularly with your Faculty Mentor;
  • Continue to build a solid network and a list of work references, and build your resume;
  • Consider off-campus study: Semester and/or alternative Spring Breaks;
  • Continue to job shadow; and,
  • Gain further career experience associated with your education during the academic year and as part of a summer job or internship.

Second Year

  • Get involved with on-campus clubs and organizations, athletic teams and/or intramural sports;
  • Attend the pre-Fall Break “Major Fest” to explore the various major options and career tracks;
  • Declare a major;
  • Meet regularly with your Faculty Mentor or match your interests with a faculty member in your major department. Determine which professors have areas of expertise most similar to your interests. Talk to people in the academic department to find out about faculty research, scholarly, and creative interests;
  • Attend on-campus career workshops;
  • Work with the Career Development Office to create an approved resume;
  • Job shadow people involved in various careers and professions of interest; and,
  • Gain further career experience associated with your education during the academic year and as part of a summer job or internship.

Fourth Year

  • Complete a Senior Capstone/Thesis in your major area(s);
  • Continue to meet regularly with your Faculty Mentor;
  • Perfect your interviewing skills;
  • Expand your existing network of contacts;
  • Finalize your resume and prepare cover letter;
  • Build a credential file in the Career Development Office;
  • Interview with on-campus recruiters;
  • Set-up informational interviews with target companies;
  • If relevant, apply to graduate school programs, and if necessary, re-take entrance exams; and,
  • Practice career goal-setting.

 

What can I do with a Global Studies major?

Global Studies can lead to careers in a variety of fields in the United States and abroad. The foreign language competence and international experience our graduates possess make them attractive and valuable to employers.

Recent graduates have taken many paths, including graduate school programs in international affairs, accounting, and public service. They also continue on in careers as lawyers, international analysts, and educators.

Recent graduates of our program work for…

  • Corporate Translations, Inc.
  • Earth-Appraisal Company, Ltd.
  • Heidel House Resort
  • Lakefront Brewery
  • State of Kansas
  • TEKsystems, Inc.
  • Warshafsky Law Firm

Job titles of recent graduates include…

  • Lawyer
  • Associate Linguistic Validation Project Manager
  • Analyst – International Division
  • Flood Recovery
  • English teacher (China)

 

Study Abroad

Students may take advantage of pre-approved programs in Great Britain, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Russia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, India, China, Hong Kong, Japan and Costa Rica. Programs in other countries may be approved if they meet Ripon’s academic standards.

To learn about the numerous Off-Campus Study programs, click HERE.

Internships

Advanced students may obtain credit for work in companies, agencies and charitable organizations dealing with foreign countries or global issues.

Co-Curricular Activities

Students are invited to participate with foreign students in an active International/Multicultural Club, attend Sunday-night foreign films, eat at foreign-language tables in the dining hall and go on field trips to culturally diverse festivals, performances and exhibits.