Global South Studies
Global South Studies provides an understanding of the changing economies and politics of the Global South and its relationships to the West.
The mission of Global South Studies is threefold:
- To introduce statements to the concept of the "Global South," as well as the "Third World," and interrogate their origins in political struggle and cultural production.
- To introduce students to the various historical, cultural, political, and economic perspectives on the Global South and its relationship with the Global North.
- To teach students the stories, concerns, and issues of Global South communities.
People
Program Director
Daniel Widener
Professor, Department of History
Director, Global South Studies (AY 26-27)
Program Coordinator and Academic Advisor
Sheriyan Bradford
Arts and Humanities Building, 6th floor
globalsouth@ucsd.edu
UC San Diego Undergraduate Students:
Submit all inquiries via the Virtual Advising Center (VAC).
To schedule a one-on-one advising appointment, please book here through Calendly.
Affiliated Faculty and Lecturers
- Laura Acosta Gonzalez, Sociology
- Abigail Andrews, Sociology
- Carol Arcos, Literature
- Gabriel Bámgbóṣé, Literature
- Amanda Batarseh, Literature
- John D. Blanco, Literature
- Amy Sara Carroll, Literature
- Luis Martin-Cabrera, Literature
- Matilde Córdoba Azcárate, Communication
- Claire Edington, History
- Ivan Evans, Sociology,
- José Fusté, Ethnic Studies
- Mariana Katz, History
- Troy Kokinis (bio), Latin American Studies
- Nancy Kwak, History
- Kelema Lee Moses, Urban Studies and Planning
- Silpa Mukherjee, Literature
- David Pedersen, Anthropology
- Nydia Pineda de Avila, History
- Babak Rahimi, Literature
- Joy Siapno (bio), Global South Studies
- Saiba Varma, Anthropology
- Ameeth Vijay, Literature
- Nadia Villafuerte, Literature
- Matthew Vitz, History, Director of Global South Studies
- Danny Widener, History
- Oumelbanine Zhiri, Literature
- Elana Zilberg, Communication
In Memoriam
Major
Global South Studies Major
The major is unavailable to declare from Spring 2026 through the end of Spring 2029. A minor is recommended at this time.
Students interested in Global South Studies may focus on a theme, problem, or geo-historical area. A Global South Studies program of study must be interdisciplinary, with courses from at least 3 different departments. For background information, read the Global South Studies learning outcomes (PDF).
On the UC San Diego campus, courses numbered 001-099 are lower-division (LD) and 100-199 are upper-division (UD). Transfer coursework may have different numbering, and students may check the level of courses in their Academic History.
Requirements
- 3 lower-division courses from the Global South Studies sequence (GSS-020, 021, 022, 023, 025, 026 or 027).
- Please note that GSS courses are equivalent to the former TWS courses with the same numbers effective Fall 2021.
- Eleanor Roosevelt College students may substitute up to 2 courses, MMW-013 and 014, for 2 of the 3-course lower-division sequence, but must take at least 1 course in the GSS-020-026 sequence.
- 12 upper-division courses.
- Students must choose course offerings from at least 3 disciplines/departments.
- Courses must be taken for a letter grade except for when P/NP was accepted during COVID in Fall 2020, Winter 2021, and Spring 2021.
Download a GSS MAJOR checklist (Fillable PDF)
UC San Diego Academic Planning Worksheet (PDF)
Sample Academic Plans (4 year, 2 year transfer)
The chart below also outlines the requirements.
Lower Division |
|
| GSS | |
| GSS / MMW* | |
| GSS / MMW* | |
Upper Division Electives |
| 1. |
| 2. |
| 3. |
| 4. |
| 5. |
| 6. |
| 7. |
| 8. |
| 9. |
| 10. |
| 11. |
| 12. |
Minor
Global South Studies Minor
Requirements- 2 courses from the lower-division Global South Studies sequence (GSS-020, 021, 022, 023, 025, 026 or 027). Please note that GSS courses are equivalent to the former TWS courses with the same numbers effective Fall 2021.
- 5 upper-division courses in disciplines dealing with the Global South.
- Courses must be taken for a letter grade except for when P/NP was accepted during COVID in Fall 2020, Winter 2021, and Spring 2021.
Global South Studies faculty members offer courses in the Departments of Anthropology, Communication, Literature, Political Science, Sociology, History, and in the Global South Studies Program. Appropriate courses in other departments may also be counted toward the minor. Students should consult departmental and program listings for Global South area offerings.
The chart below outlines the requirements.
Download a GSS MINOR checklist here (Fillable PDF).
Lower Division |
| GSS |
| GSS |
Upper Division Electives |
| 1. |
| 2. |
| 3. |
| 4. |
| 5. |
Course Offerings
Course Offerings
Refer to the official UC San Diego General Catalog for a complete list of approved courses that will count toward a minor in Global South Studies.
Course offerings are constantly changing. Please refer to the Schedule of Classes for the most up-to-date listing.
(*) Indicates course may be petitioned for credit. Instructions on How to Petition Courses.
Global South Studies (GSS) Courses
Academic Year 2026 - 2027
| Quarter | Course | Instructor |
| Fall 2026 | GSS-020. Intro to Global South Studies (x2) | Joy Siapno |
| Winter 2027 |
GSS-022. Latin American and Caribbean History and Culture GSS-025. Middle East: History, Culture, and Politics GSS-027. Southeast Asian History and Culture |
Troy Kokinis Amanda Batarseh Joy Siapno |
| Spring 2027 |
GSS-020. Intro to Global South Studies GSS-026. South Asia: History, Culture, and Politics GSS-027. Southeast Asian History and Culture |
Joy Siapno Silpa Mukherjee Joy Siapno |
Upper Division Elective Courses (can be counted toward GSS major/minor. Relevant courses not listed can be petitioned to count toward the major/minor.)
Fall 2026
- ANSC-142. Anthropology of Latin America
- ANTH-108. Indigenous Peoples, Extractive Development, and Climate Change
- ETHN-119. Race in the Americas
- ETHN-155. US Militarism
- GSS-020. Intro to Global South Studies
- HIAF-111. Modern Africa since 1880
- HIEA-137. Women and Family in Chinese History
- HILA-122. From Colony to Socialist Republic: Cuba
- HILA-132. Modern Mexico: From Revolution to Drug War Violence
- LTAF-120. Literature and Film of Modern Africa
- LTAM-110. Latin American Literature in Translation
- LTSP-175. Feminisms, Gender, and Sexuality in Latin America
- SOCI-187. African Societies through Film
- SOCI-188D. Latin America: Society and Politics
- SOCI-188E. Community and Social Change in Africa
Winter 2027
Spring 2027
- ANSC-137. Chinese Popular Religion
- ANSC-166. Film and Culture in Asia
- ETHN-142. Medicine, Race, and the Global Politics of Inequality
- ETHN-170. Slavery and the Atlantic World
- GSS-020. Intro to Global South Studies
- GSS-026. South Asia: History, Culture, and Politics
- GSS-027. Southeast Asian History and Culture
- HIAF-113. Small Wars and the Global Order: Africa and Asia
- HIGL-114. History of Modern Vietnam
- HILA-101. Nation-State Formation, Ethnicity, and Violence in Latin America
- HILA-122. From Colony to Socialist Republic: Cuba
- HILA-132. Modern Mexico: From Revolution to Drug War Violence
- HINE-120. The Middle East in the New Century
- LTAM-111. Comparative Caribbean Discourse
- LTEA-110C. Contemporary Chinese Fiction in Translation
- LTSP-135A. Mexican Literature before 1910
- SOCI-139. Social Inequality: Class, Race, and Gender
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Please see below for responses to commonly asked questions. If you have further questions, please contact the Global South Studies program through the Virtual Advising Center (VAC).
Can I double major in Global South Studies?
Students interested in Global South Studies as a double major must have at least 10 upper-division courses that are unique to each departmental major. Approval from both departments is required for overlaps. Students should consult a Global South Studies faculty member or program advisor for approval of a major program. Learn more about the requirements and process for declaring a double major.
How can I study abroad as a Global South Studies major or minor?
Most convenient, depending on the area, is the University of California's Education Abroad Program, whereby students can gain UC credit for study at foreign universities. This is especially convenient for students who cannot find sufficient courses at UC San Diego pertaining to such regions as the Caribbean and the Indian subcontinent. Moreover, Latin America, Asia, and Africa coursework is available in these regions through the Education Abroad Program and various programs available through other U.S. universities.
Interested in Studying Abroad? Consider UC Education Program, Opportunities Abroad Program or UC San Diego Global Seminars!
I took a course not listed on the course catalog. Can I count it toward my major or minor?
You will need to petition the course to see if it will apply towards your Global South Studies minor.