Below are select classes taught by GIC faculty. Look across all columns for some cross-lists! See the full GIC course list here!

Here are a just a few descriptions from our Spring course offerings to get you excited for registration!

AMS/REL 341 Protestantism and the Development of American Culture

Taught by John-Charles Duffy

Special focus on "Protestants and Religious 'Others' in US Politics." Learn about the shifting political frictions and alliances between Protestant Christians and other religious groups over US history. 

Meets TR 11:40-1:00

HST 240B Ancient Aztec and Maya World

Taught by Elena Jackson Albarrán

Explore ancient Mesoamerican civilizations: political structures, engineering feats, gender and social roles, smellscapes, culinary innovations, writing technologies, sacrifice, deities, and the rise and fall of empires.  Counts towards the LAS minor. 

Meets TR 10:05-11:25

ITS 365K Cities of the Future

Taught by Indivar Jonnalagadda

Analyze real-world policies from across the world; strategize how to balance progress & freedom; synthesize technology and critical thinking; develop models for sustainable habitats. 

Meets MW 2:50-4:10

WGS 401 Capstone Women, Gender & Sexuality in a Transforming Society

Taught by Kenna Neitch

Analyze media and thought around community, visibility, and representation; strengthen communication skills while making connections with your own lived experiences and those of others. 

Meets TR 2:50-4:10

REL/SLM 271 Religion, Sport, and Policy

Taught by Nathan French

Why do athletes pray, fans believe, and nations rally behind teams? How are sport and religion an extension of policy? Explore how religion and sport shape identity, ritual, and politics as you design your own international declaration.

Meets TR 1:15-2:35

REL 376 Global Jijadism 

Taught by Nathan French

Explore how Islamist and Jihadist movements like al-Qa'ida, ISIS, Hamas, and Hizbullah emerged and challenged global politics by analyzing their origins, ideas, strategies, and rival interpretations in their own words.

Meets TR 10:05-11:25

LAS 315 Latin American Diasporas

Taught by Juan Carlos Albarrán 

Explore the histories and experiences of Puerto Rican, Mexican, Cuban, and other Latin American communities in the Midwest and beyond. 

Meets MW 4:25-5:45

ITS 302 Issues in the Global South

Taught by Indivar Jonnalagadda

Examines longstanding inequalities between high income countries who are former colonial powers (so called Global North) and middle and low income countries who were formerly colonized (so called Global South). Through in-depth case studies, policy making simulations, and multi-stakeholder analysis, students will address challenges of sustainable development and security to explore pathways toward a more equitable world.

Meets MW 10:05-11:25

LAS/WGS/HST 390 JA Gender and Sexuality in Latin America

Taught by José Amador

This course examines how gender and sexuality serve as fundamental principles shaping Latin American societies. We will explore how both influenced the development of new social identities and the various rights movements that have emerged in Latin America during the 20th and 21st centuries.

Meets TR 2:50-4:10

AMS 259 Intro to the Miami Tribe

Taught by Sande Garner

Offers an interdisciplinary examination of the Myaamia as a living people, within a living culture--a people with a past, present, and future. Explores pre-contact economy, social and political organization; the historic period of contact, treaties and federal legislation and the cultural basis of Myaamia responses; and present-day issues of concern to the dependent sovereign nation of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma.

AMS 352 Geographies of Urban Change

Taught by Damon Scott

Evaluates the impact of the urban redevelopment projects and policies on the social, cultural, economic, political and physical fabric of cities in the Americas.

Meets TR 2:50-4:10

ITS/WGS/HST 365Q Gender and Conflict in the Middle East

Taught by Kate Dannies

Focusing on periods of conflict in the Middle East over the past 150 years, this course guides students towards the historical perspective needed to interpret current conflict in the region from a gender perspective.

Meets MW 10:05-11:25

ITS 402Z Migration and Refugee Policy

Taught by Kate Dannies

This capstone course provides students the opportunity to develop advanced skills in academic reading, writing and research through the development of individualized policy research on topics related to global migration and refugee issues.

Meets MW 11:40-1:00

Spring registration opens on Wednesday, October 29. This week, GIC advisors will be especially attuned to helping students plan for the upcoming Spring 2026 semester. Drop in to faculty advisors' offices for the GIC Advising Blitz. 

Monday, October 27

Kenna Neitch (WGS) 1:15-4:15 (MacMillan 035)

Walt Vanderbush (ITS, LAS, AMS, CRE, REL, WGS) 1:30-3 pm (MacMillan 124)

Tuesday, October 28

Oana Godeanu-Kenworthy (AMS, WGS) 1:00-3:30 pm (MacMillan 127)

Dilchoda Berdieva (ITS, LAS, AMS, CRE, REL, WGS) 12:15-1 pm (MacMillan 28)

Sande Garner (ITS, LAS, AMS, CRE, REL, WGS) 1:30-3:30 pm (MacMillan 126)

Wednesday, October 29

Dilchoda Berdieva (ITS, LAS, AMS, CRE, REL, WGS) 3-5 pm (virtual)

Juan Carlos Albarrán (LAS) 1:30-2:30 pm (MacMillan 118)

Walt Vanderbush (ITS, LAS, AMS, CRE, REL, WGS) 11:30-1 pm (MacMillan 124)

Thursday, October 30

Oana Godeanu-Kenworthy (AMS, WGS) 1:00-3:30 pm (MacMillan 127)

Dilchoda Berdieva (ITS, LAS, AMS, CRE, REL, WGS) 12:15-1 pm (MacMillan 28)

Reminder: students are always welcome to visit faculty advisors during their office hours. You can always contact Dr. Berdieva for additional advising slots.

Student-Faculty Conversation and Lunch | Wednesday, October 29, 1:15 pm | MMH 012

Join GIC faculty for an open and candid conversation about the challenges, benefits, realities, and best practices of AI in the classroom. What trends have you noticed? What are your experiences or frustrations navigating changing educational technology? What questions do you have of your professors? 

Light lunch options will be served. Feel free to bring your own lunch.

Co-sponsors: Global Initiatives, Department of Spanish and Portuguese, and GIC

Thursday, October 30, 4:30 pm | MacMillan Lobby

Learn about the Mexican cultural tradition of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Enjoy light refreshments and listen to a description of the elements of the altar. Visit our "Learn and Go" table for information about other death-related traditions around the world.

The altar will be on display in the lobby from October 28-31. 

KJ Cerankowski | Wednesday, Nov. 5, 5-7 pm | Heritage Room, Shriver Center

A scholar, poet, and writer specializing in comparative American studies, asexuality, trauma theory, archive studies, queer theory, and transgender studies, Cerankowski writes about literature, film, and visual art in the book Nothing Wanting: Asexuality and the Matter of Absence. 

Reception to follow. 

The Power of a Miami Merger: How a Miami Education Launched a Global Career | Wednesday, Nov. 5, 4:30 pm | Armstrong-Joslin Senate Chambers 1062

Billy Keels '96, Founder of Billy Keels Advisor Services, wll provide his perspectives of moving from Miami to the global workplace. 

New Books at Miami | Thursday, Nov. 6, 3:00 pm | King Library 320

Come join the University Libraries, the Humanities Center, and the Howe Center for Writing Excellence for a celebration of books recently published by Miami faculty members. Featuring new books by GIC faculty Liz Wilson and Oana Godeanu-Kenworthy!

Bruiser cruises the mean streets of the Ohio/Indiana state line and Chicago, so keep an eye out. This featherweight member of the Damon Scott and José Amador family is most dangerous for his sneak cuddle attacks. He might not be able to see, but he navigates his way in the world with attitude. 

Submit newsletter content to Elena Jackson Albarrán at albarrej@miamioh.edu

Global and Intercultural Studies Contact Info

513-529-5333

MacMillan 120

Dr. Sande Garner, Chair

garners2@miamioh.edu

Martha Sapiro, Admin Assistant

sapiromc@miamioh.edu