Programs
Pathways
Master of Arts in Globalization (M.A.)
- Length:
- 1 Year
- Required Credential:
- Honours Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent, usually in Humanities or Social Sciences
- Program Type:
- Course-Based plus Major Research Paper
- Program Options:
- Full-time, Part-time
Interdisciplinary Minor in Globalization Studies (Minor)
- Length:
- N/A
- Required Credential:
- Enrolment in an Honours program
- Program Type:
- Course-Based
- Program Options:
- Full-time, Part-time
M.A.Master of Arts in Globalization
M.A. in Globalization is an interdisciplinary program that examines the complex political, social, economic, cultural, discursive and theoretical developments related to processes of globalization and how these come to bear upon our lives, our communities, and the environment in which we live. Research areas include: contemporary culture; diasporic, transnational and multicultural communities; global governance; international trade and finance; and social, environmental and labour issues.
This unique interdisciplinary MA program provides students with the opportunity to think creatively and critically about cultural, political, social and economic globalizing processes and their effects on the human condition. It is designed to provide its students with transferable skills to pursue careers in global corporations, government agencies and non-governmental organizations. It also offers the benefit of a flexible and interdisciplinary set of courses while allowing for future study in a core discipline.
Full-time studies:
- six 3-unit (single semester) courses (or equivalent) at the graduate level, including two core courses (GLOBALST 710 in fall, GLOBALST 709 in winter), two other Globalization courses, at least one of which should be offered by IGHC, and two electives (which students may concentrate in a single discipline).
- 40-page Major Research Paper (MRP, GLOBALST 708): each student is required to prepare a proposal for his/her MRP and identify a potential supervisor and second reader during the winter term. The MRP will be completed during the spring/summer session and will be graded as a pass or a fail.
Part-time studies:
- Part-time students usually complete one course per semester to finish within three years.
- Courses are 13 weeks and students must attend one three-hour seminar on campus per course per week.
- Few courses will be taught in the evenings; if you cannot attend daytime classes you will not be able to complete the degree.
- Please note that we are unable to provide financial support or teaching assistantships (TA-ships) for part-time students.
Admission requirements:
- Four-year Honours Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in Humanities or Social Sciences. Students with degrees in undergraduate Honours programs outside the Humanities and Social Sciences where there is a component of relevant courses will also be considered.
- An average GPA of B+ or better in the final 30 units (10 senior courses), or equivalent.
- Facility in a second language and experience in another country or with an international organization are assets.
- Degrees and grades from foreign universities are evaluated for their equivalency to McMaster’s.
- These are minimum requirements and do not guarantee admission which is on a competitive basis.
- We are unable to pre-screen applications/transcripts to determine eligibility; you must apply to the program to have your application reviewed.
Required Documents:
Official Transcripts
- All post-secondary academic work completed or in progress at the time of application
- Transcripts from institutions where you completed courses on Letter of Permission and/or as part of Student Exchange Programs must also be included
- Scanned transcripts must be uploaded to the online application AND hard copies must be sent directly from the issuing institution to the Institute on Globalization & the Human Condition (IGHC)
- If the final transcript does not show that all degree requirements have been met or the degree is conferred, an official copy of your diploma is also required
Two academic references
- From instructors most familiar with your academic work
- McMaster University uses an Electronic Referencing System. By entering the email address of your referee through the online application, the system will automatically send an e-Reference request on your behalf AFTER the application is submitted. Referees may require 2-4 weeks to complete a reference report. Referees MUST complete their reference report BY THE APPLICATION DEADLINE. Please keep this in mind when you are working on your application.
- If, for some reason, your referees are unable to use the Electronic Referencing System, you can download the Reference Form and send it to your referees for completion. Completed reference forms must be sent by the referees DIRECTLY to the Program Administrator by email at globalhc@mcmaster.ca
Statement of Interest
- To be uploaded as a PDF document to your online application
- Maximum of 500 words (i.e., two double-spaced pages)
- To communicate your specific research interests and their relevance to the Globalization studies
- To explain your academic preparedness to undertake and complete your research, and predicted training outcomes
Curriculum Vitae
- To be uploaded as a PDF document to your online application
Writing Sample
- It can be a previous report, research paper, or any assignment that demonstrates your writing ability
English Language Proficiency (if applicable)
- This document is required from those whose university studies were completed at an institution where English is not deemed the official language of instruction and/or from those whose native language is not English
- One official copy of an applicant's English language proficiency exam dated within 2 years of the application due date
- The most common English Language proficiency exams:
- TOEFL: minimum score of 92 (internet-based), 237 (computer-based) or 580 (paper based), minimum of 20 per band. Please use TOEFL department code 080 other Social Sciences.
- IELTS (Academic): minimum overall score of 6.5, with at least 5.5 in each section
- Other English language tests may be accepted. More details about the University's English Language Requirements can be found in "Section 2.1.12" of the School of Graduate Studies Graduate Calendar
- Submit English Language Proficiency exam results as a scanned document uploaded through your online application
How to Apply:
Each applicant is required to complete the Graduate Studies Online Application which opens in November each year and submit the above supporting documents to complete the application. Hard copies of the transcripts and English Language Proficiency exam results are to be sent to:
Institute on Globalization and the Human Condition
C/O Leigh-Ann Sepe
L.R. Wilson Hall Room 2021
McMaster University
1280 Main Street West
Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1
Canada
Application Deadline:
- February 15 to be guaranteed consideration
- We continue to accept and review applications after this date until all of the spaces in the program have been filled. However, students are encouraged to apply in sufficient time to meet the scholarship deadlines
The majority of our students receive competitive funding package that may include:
- Graduate scholarship range from $3000 to $5000
- A teaching assistant-ship involves 130 (a half TA or for one course) or 260 (a full TA or for two courses) hours of work over the academic year and valued $5800 or $11600.
Additional Scholarships (on a competitive basis)
Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents
The Harry Lyman Hooker Senior Scholarship:
- Given to students who are entering the first year of a Master's or Doctoral program at McMaster in those Humanities or Social Sciences disciplines or fields of study that receive funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (or its successor)
- Master's award is valued at $18,000 for one year
- Students are nominated for the competition in March
CGS-M (Canada Graduate Scholarships-Master’s):
- CGS-M supports students in all disciplines and is administered jointly by Canada's three federal granting agencies: the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC, and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC).
- The selection process and post-award administration are carried out at the university level, under the guidance of the three agencies.
- Valued $17,500 for 12 months, non-renewable
- Application Deadline: December 3rd, 2018
OGS (Ontario Graduate Scholarships):
- Master's students, who apply for a CGS-M and choose McMaster as one of their institutions, will be considered for McMaster’s central competition for the OGS award, no separate application is needed.
- By answering Yes to the question, “Do you wish to be considered for the OGS” on the Graduate Program Application form, applicants are considered for faculty OGS awards no matter if they applied for SSHRC or not.
- Valued $15,000
Wilson Leadership Scholar Award (NEW)
- Recognizes and cultivates leadership potential and prepares undergraduate and graduates students to serve as Canada’s next generation of leaders.
- Graduate winners can hold the award in any year of graduate study and earn up to $25,000 in a combination of direct scholarship and experiential funding.
- The award will involve an estimated 15 hours/month commitment from September to November and January to March
- Application open in September 2018 and close at 11:59pm on May 1, 2019
International (VISA) Students
OGS:
- One per faculty
- No separate application needed
- Valued $15,000
Tuition Scholarship:
- Tuition scholarship are available to VISA students on a competitive basis
- These are awarded to help off-set the cost of tuition
- No separate application needed
For information about other major scholarships and awards competitions, please visit School of Graduate Studies: Awards & Funding
Academic Advising
- The Graduate Advisor (Director of IGHC) provides academic advising to students for course selection, MRP topics and supervisors, and any other academic related questions.
MRP Workshops
- IGHC hosts two MRP workshops in the beginning of the winter term to help students start with their MRPs.
MRP work-in-progress Colloquium
- IGHC hosts an MRP work-in-progress colloquium in May for the students to talk about their MRPs as works in progress, and to receive feedback and suggestions from their peer students and professors on how they might make improvements as they go forward with their projects. Incoming students are invited to this event for them to connect with the professors and current students early and to learn about the program in a more in-depth way.
Globalization MA Student Research Support Fund
- An Institute fund is available to support the research activities of its Globalization MA students. The fund’s primary function is to contribute toward the costs of expenses that are incurred in field research for the Major Research Paper. Other research activities (e.g. conference presentation) will also be considered, depending on available funds. Students are expected to pursue additional funds from other sources.
All courses are half courses, and not all courses will be offered annually.
Core Courses:
- Globalst 708 / Major Research Paper
- Globalst 709 / Designing Global Research: Approaches, Methods, and Techniques
- Globalst 710 / Globalization: An Introduction
Courses Offered by IGHC:
- Globalst 701 / Topics in Globalization Studies I
- Globalst 702 / Topics in Globalization Studies II
- Globalst 704 / Global Social Policy
- Globalst 712 / International Trade and Development
- Globalst 715 / Globalization and China
- Globalst 718 / Global Actors Beyond the State: Methods and Cases
- Globalst 732 / Global Health and Environment Policy
- Globalst 749 / Global health crises: An interdisciplinary perspective
Courses Cross Listed with Other Programs:
- Globalst 703 / Acts of Global Citizenship
- Globalst 705 / Global Public Policy (same as Pol Sci 705)
- Globalst 707 / Religion and Globalization (same as Relig St 768)
- Globalst 716 / Liberalism and Imperialism (same as Pol Sci 715)
- Globalst 719 / Comparative Authoritarianism (same as Pol Sci 716)
- Globalst 720 / The Politics of Desire: Engaging the “Present” through Various Domains (same as Anthrop 720)
- Globalst 723 / Global Environmental History (same as History 723)
- Globalst 725 / Political Economy of Global Climate Change (same as Pol Sci 768)
- Globalst 730 / Work and Democracy in the Global Society (same as Labrst 730)
- Globalst 731 / Anxiety Disorders: The Cultural Politics of Risk (same as Cultr St 731 and English 731)
- Globalst 741 / Theories of Political Community (same as Pol Sci 757)
- Globalst 747 / Discourses of Empire 1700-1820 (same as Cultr St 747 and English 747)
- Globalst 748 / The Qur’an in a Global Context (same as Relig St 748)
- Globalst 755 / Neoliberalism and the Limits of the Social (same as Cultr St 755 and English 755)
- Globalst 757 / The British Empire & Global Integration 1815-1960 (same as History 757)
- Globalst 758 / Cosmopolitanism and Its Critics (same as Pol Sci 758)
- Globalst 764 / Global Power, Local Cultures: Comparative Colonialism in African (same as History 764)
- Globalst 765 / Biopolitics: An Introduction (same as Cultr St 765 and English 765)
- Globalst 766 / Islamic Fundamentalism (same as Relig St 766)
- Globalst 767 / Islam in a Global World (same as Relig St 767)
- Globalst 768 / Imperialism and Medicine (same as History 766)
- Globalst 770 / Globalization and the Canadian State (same as Pol Sci 770)
- Globalst 771 / Politics of the Global South: an International Relations Perspective (same as Pol Sci 767)
- Globalst 774 / Global Political Economy (same as Pol Sci 774)
- Globalst 777 / Global Governance (same as Pol Sci 777)
- Globalst 779 / The Times We Live In (same as Cultr St 779 and English 779)
- Globalst 782 / Diasporas, Transnationalism, and Religious Identities (same as Anthrop 782 and Relig St 782)
- Globalst 784 / Decolonizing Bodies (same as Cultr St 784 and English 784)
- Globalst 786 / Global Futures: Theory, Practice and Possibility (same as Anthrop 786)
- Globalst 789 / Global Finance (same as Pol Sci 789)
*Not all these courses are offered annually.
- For more information:
-
Institute on Globalization and the Human Condition
L.R. Wilson Hall Room 2021
905-525-9140 ext. 27556
globalhc@mcmaster.ca
- Length:
- 1 Year
- Required Credential:
- Honours Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent, usually in Humanities or Social Sciences
- Program Type:
- Course-Based plus Major Research Paper
- Program Options:
- Full-time, Part-time
- Typical Entry:
- September
- Current Deadline:
- Domestic: March 1 International: February 15
MinorInterdisciplinary Minor in Globalization Studies
The minor in Globalization Studies provides students with the opportunity to explore the complex idea of globalization from a multi-disciplinary perspective. Students will have the opportunity to complete courses from the Social Sciences, Humanities, Health Sciences and Science faculties that cover a wide variety of themes related to globalization, and will be able to tailor their course selection according to their interests.
Notes
- GLOBALZN 3A03 is strongly recommended to all students interested in pursuing a Minor in Globalization Studies.
- Students who began studies prior to September 2018 may still choose to complete the Minor under previous guidelines. For additional information, please contact globalhc@mcmaster.ca or extension 27556.
Requirements
24 units total (of which no more than 6 units may be from Level 1 courses)
3 units
from
21 units
- from Course Lists 1, 2, 3 and 4 (see below). At least 9 of these units must be selected from outside the student’s own program. (See Notes)
GLOBALZN 1A03 - Global Citizenship Dr. Liam Stockdale
- This course will offer an interdisciplinary introduction to globalization through a critical engagement with the idea of "global citizenship" in the contemporary context. The political, economic, and cultural dimensions of globalization will be examined, and students will reflect upon what it means to be a "global citizen" in light of how such dynamics shape questions of identity, agency, power, and resistance.
GLOBALZN 3A03 - Globalization, Social Justice, and Human Rights Dr. Petra Rethmann
- This course examines competing theories, issues, and debates relating to the promotion of social justice and human rights in a globalizing world. Students use course-integrated social networking to interact and collaborate with peers from partner universities across the globe where versions of this course are simultaneously taught.
- Three hours (lectures); one term Prerequisite(s): GLOBALZN 1A03
Thematic Course Lists
List 1 - Environment, Sustainability, and Development
- BIOLOGY 3DD3 - Communities and Ecosystems
- BIOLOGY 3HD3 - Human Disasters
- BIOLOGY 4AA3 - Conservation Biology
- EARTHSC 2WW3
- EARTHSC 3B03
- EARTHSC 3CC3 - Earth’s Changing Climate
- ECON 2F03
- ECON 3H03 - International Monetary Economics
- ECON 3HH3 - International Trade
- ECON 3R03
- ECON 3T03 - Economic Development
- ENVIRSC 2EI3
- ENVIRSC 2WW3 - Water and the Environment
- ENVIRSC 3B03 - Ecosystems and Global Change
- ENVIRSC 3CC3
- ENVSOCTY 1HB3 - Population, Cities and Development
- ENVSOCTY 2RW3 - World Regional Geography
- ENVSOCTY 2UI3 - The Urban Experience
- ENVSOCTY 3EE3 - Energy and Society
- ENVSOCTY 3LT3 - Transportation Geography
- ENVSOCTY 3TG3 - Geographies of Globalization
- ENVSOCTY 3UW3 - Cities of the Developing World
- GEOG 1HB3
- GEOG 2RW3
- GEOG 2TC3
- GEOG 2UI3
- GEOG 3EE3
- GEOG 3LT3
- GEOG 3TG3
- GEOG 3UG3
- GEOG 3UW3
- LABRST 1C03
- LABRST 2E03
- LABRST 2G03 - Labour and Globalization
- LABRST 3G03
- LABRST 3K03 - On the Move: Workers in a Global World
- LABRST 4E03
- LIFESCI 2X03 - Environmental Change and Human Health
- PEACEST 4J03
- POLSCI 2J03 - Global Political Economy
- POLSCI 2XX3 - Politics of the Developing World
- POLSCI 3EE3 - International Relations: North-South
- POLSCI 3LL3 - Development and Public Policy
List 2 - Peace, Human Rights, and Global Citizenship
- ARTSSCI 3GJ3 - Global Justice Inquiry
- BIOLOGY 4EE3 - Human Diversity and Human Nature
- GEOG 3TP3
- GLOBALZN 3A03 - Globalization, Social Justice, and Human Rights
- HISTORY 2UV3 - American Foreign Relations since 1898
- HISTORY 3XX3 - Human Rights in History
- HISTORY 4G03
- HISTORY 4JJ3 - U.S. Foreign Relations
- PEACEST 1A03 - Introduction to Peace Studies
- PEACEST 2B03 - Human Rights and Social Justice
- PEACEST 3D03 - Globalization and Peace
- PEACEST 3Y03 - Special Topics in Peace Studies
- PEACEST 3Z03
- PEACEST 4K03
- PHILOS 3N03 - Political Philosophy
- PHILOS 3P03 - Philosophies of War and Peace
- POLSCI 2H03 - Globalization and the State
- POLSCI 2I03 - Global Politics
- POLSCI 3B03 - Honours Issues in International Relations and Global Public Policy
- POLSCI 3G03 - Ethnicity and Multiculturalism: Theory and Practice
- POLSCI 3FF3
- POLSCI 3K03 - Migration and Citizenship: Canadian, Comparative and Global Perspectives
- POLSCI 3KK3 - Genocide: Sociological and Political Perspectives
- POLSCI 3LB3 - Globalization and the World Order
- POLSCI 3X03
- POLSCI 3Y03 - Democratization and Human Rights
- RELIGST 2H03
- SOCIOL 2E06
- SOCIOL 2FF3 - The Sociology of ‘Race’ and Ethnicity
- SOCIOL 2R03 - Perspectives on Social Inequality
- SOCIOL 2RR3 - Case Studies of Social Inequality
- SOCIOL 3KK3 - Genocide: Sociological and Political Perspectives
- SOCIOL 3Z03 - Ethnic Relations
- SOCIOL 4A03 - Ethnic/Racial Tensions
List 3 - Globalization and Culture
- ANTHROP 2RP3 - Religion and Power in the Past
- ANTHROP 2WA3 - Neanderthals to Pyramids: Introduction to World Archaeology
- ANTHROP 3F03 - Anthropology and the ‘Other’
- CMST 3II3 - Intellectual Property
- CMST 4D03 - International Communication
- ENGLISH 3A03 - Critical Race Studies
- ENGLISH 3R06
- ENGLISH 4RI3 - Colonialism and Resistance in Representations of Indigenous Womanhood
- ENGLISH 4RS3 - Reading, Spirituality and Cultural Politics
- ENGLISH 4WL3 - Globalization and Postcolonial Fiction
- ENVSOCTY 1HA3 - Society, Culture and Environment
- GEOG 1HA3
- HISTORY 2A03 - Modern Middle Eastern Societies
- HISTORY 2NS3
- HISTORY 3UA3 - The History of the Future
- HISTORY 2EE3 - Science and Technology in World History
- HISTORY 2G03 - Modern Latin America Since 1820
- HISTORY 2JJ3 - Africa since 1800
- HISTORY 2MC3 - Modern China
- HISTORY 3CG3 - Canadians in a Global Age, 1914 to the Present
- HISTORY 4CG3
- HISTORY 4H03 - The Making of Modern China
- HTHSCI 4MS3 - The Social Lives of Molecules
- HTHSCI 4Y03 - Science, Culture and Identity
- PEACEST 2C03 - Peace and Popular Culture
- PHILOS 2G03 - Social and Political Issues
- PHILOS 4F03 - Issues in Continental Philosophy
- RELIGST 1B03
- RELIGST 2Q03
- RELIGST 2TA3
- RELIGST 3C03
- SCAR 1B03 - What on Earth is Religion?
- SCAR 2Q03 - Introduction to Islam
- SCAR 3C03 - Islam in the Modern World
- SCAR 2TA3 - Islam in North America
- SOCIOL 3U03 - Sociology of Sexualities
- SOCIOL 4UU3 - Global Family and Sexual Politics
List 4 - Globalization and Health
- ANTHROP 2U03 - Plagues and People
- ANTHROP 3C03 - Health and Environment: Anthropological Approaches
- ANTHROP 3HI3 - Medical Anthropology
- ANTHROP 4S03 - The Anthropology of Infectious Disease
- ECON 2CC3 - Health Economics and its Application to Health Policy
- ECON 3Z03 - Health Economics
- ENVSOCTY 2HI3 - Health and Place
- ENVSOCTY 3HP3 - Population, Health and Aging
- ENVSOCTY 4HH3 - Environment and Health
- GEOG 2HI3
- GEOG 3HP3
- GEOG 4HH3
- HLTHAGE 3R03 - Health Inequalities
- HLTHAGE 4D03 - Health, Culture and Diversity
- HLTHAGE 4G03 - Global Health
- HTHSCI 2DS3 - Global Health and the Complexities of Disease
- HTHSCI 3AH3 - Indigenous Health
- HTHSCI 3L03 - Introduction to Bioethics
- HTHSCI 4LD3 - Global Health Governance, Law and Politics
- HTHSCI 4PA3 - Global Health Innovation
- HTHSCI 4TE3 - The Teaching Hospital
- HTHSCI 4YY3 - Health Forum Practicum
- HTHSCI 4ZZ3 - Global Health Advocacy
- INDIGST 3H03 - Indigenous Medicine I - Philosophy
- INDIGST 3HH3 - Indigenous Medicine II - Practical
- PEACEST 3B03 - Peace-Building and Health Initiatives
- PEACEST 4G03 - Peace Through Health: Praxis
- PEACEST 4L03 - Peace, Environment and Health
- PHILOS 2D03 - Bioethics (or RELIGST 2C03)
- POLSCI 4RR3 - Health Policy in the Industrialized World
- RELIGST 2M03
- SCAR 3GH3 - Interdisciplinary Global Health Field Course: Maternal and Infant Health in Morocco
- SCAR 2M03 - Death and Dying: Comparative Views
- For more information:
-
Institute on Globalization and the Human Condition
L.R. Wilson Hall Room 2021
905-525-9140 ext. 27556
globalhc@mcmaster.ca
- Length:
- N/A
- Required Credential:
- Enrolment in an Honours program
- Program Type:
- Course-Based
- Program Options:
- Full-time, Part-time
- Typical Entry:
- N/A