The Global Citizenship Program is an undergraduate certificate program that invites students to cultivate an ethical stance, a critical way of thinking, and a committed mode of intervening in a world populated by others with whom we must co-create a viable future.
It emphasizes collaboration across disciplines, professions, and the human variety of cultural, political and other experiences. We welcome students from any college or major.
Whether you plan to be an engineer or an artist, head into the start-up world or go on to med school, we believe that a global citizenship orientation can critically inform both your personal life and professional practice. As a group, we will dive into the biggest questions humanity is grappling with:
How do we live with others, respecting difference without abandoning our beliefs or forcing others to assimilate to us? How do we find peaceful ways to disagree? How do we protect our planet and its non-human residents both now and for the future?
The program:
- Offers a big picture focus around both philosophy and practice
- Provides a frame and forum in which to make sense of your many experiences at Lehigh
- Mixes coursework, experiential elements, less traditional projects and varied modes of practice
- Includes a unique cohort experience
- Culminates with two non-traditional capstone courses senior year that link self, other, practice and leadership
- Balances a critical lens with hope, seeking out positive examples of everyday and exemplary global citizenship practice
Students apply during the fall of their first year and move through the program in a cohort until graduation.
APPLICATION PROCESS
To be eligible to apply to the program, you must apply in the fall semester of your first year.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
Program requirements include coursework, study away experiences, and final projects.
- Five core courses
- GCP 010 Introduction to Global Citizenship – spring freshmen year
- GCP 185 Cosmopolitanism and Culture I – fall sophomore year
- GCP 186 Cosmopolitanism and Culture II – spring sophomore year
- GCP 385 Global Citizenship Capstone I – fall senior year
- GCP 385 Global Citizenship Capstone II – spring senior year
- Two electives in Global Studies
- Two non-US experiences
- A brief sophomore cohort seminar abroad that is embedded within the GCP 186 course
- An additional individual international experience approved by the program director
Options for the additional individual international experience include a semester abroad, a short faculty-led program, an Iacocca internship or a summer research opportunity, or a virtual experience.
While the cohort study trip takes a panoramic and multidisciplinary view of global citizenship practice in a particular place, this second experience allows you to choose a tighter focus around a theme, a particular modality, or a skillset you wish to develop. In this way, the entire cohort benefits from the learning and perspectives that each individual brings back into discussion from his or her unique experience.
Note: It is recommended that students doing a semester option do so during their junior year, but this may vary depending upon your major.
Global Citizenship Electives
While the Global Citizenship Program is open only to the accepted student cohorts, Global Citizenship electives are open to anyone. Currently there are two available electives:
- Coaching towards Joy, Meaning and Social Change (I)
- Coaching towards Joy, Meaning and Social Change (II)
Students who successfully complete both courses will earn a micro-credential.