This is the preliminary (or launch) version of the 2025-2026 VCU Bulletin. Courses that expose students to cutting-edge content and transformative learning may be added and notification of additional program approvals may be received prior to finalization. General education program content is also subject to change. The final edition and full PDF version will include these updates and will be available in August prior to the beginning of the fall semester.
312 North Shafer Street
Box 842021
Richmond, Virginia 23284-2021
(804) 827-1111
worldstudies.vcu.edu
Amy Rector, Ph.D.
Associate professor and director
The School of World Studies is an interdisciplinary unit that explores the diversity of the human experience and prepares students to contribute to a healthy, equitable and sustainable world. With training in the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences, school faculty conduct research on language, religion, film, literature, politics, economics and the environment, and their relationship to local and global movements for racial, social and environmental justice. The World School offer majors in anthropology, foreign language, international studies and religious studies, as well as a number of minors including European studies, Italian studies, Latin American studies, Middle Eastern and Islamic studies, Russian studies and world cinema. Course instruction is enriched by a range of opportunities to gain real-world experience. School of World Studies majors acquire the critical knowledge, analytic abilities, experience and communication skills to succeed in all aspects of life and participate in the project of building a generous world for all.
See what SWS students and alumni are doing to make this vision of the world real.
Experiential learning and study abroad
World ePass
The School of World Studies is committed to the premise that learning is best facilitated through engagement with the dynamic complexities and challenges of the world outside the classroom. As part of this commitment, each major within the school is required to complete a World ePass portfolio.
The intention of the World ePass is to highlight each student’s breadth of experience and skills gleaned beyond the core curriculum: cultural competencies, experiential learning opportunities, participation in student research, presentation at conferences, international engagement, multicultural campus activities, foreign language acquisition and academic achievements.
Students obtain initial information and guidance on creating their World ePass through an introductory video.
The World ePass portfolio content requirements include professional preparation, transferable skills articulation, academic career highlights, experiential learning experiences and global citizenship. Once students have started the process of ePass creation, they submit the site address through the World ePass submission site.
All experiential learning opportunities must receive prior approval from the SWS Advising Office. These include internships, service-leaning courses, certain noncredit options and study abroad.
World ePass completion
Evaluation of the World ePass is on a pass/fail basis. Prior to graduation with a degree from the VCU School of World Studies, the World ePass must be reviewed and approved, with input from SWS faculty, by the SWS advising coordinator.
Study abroad
All School of World Studies students are encouraged to participate in a study abroad program.
Opportunities range from a summer intensive program to a semester or academic year-length experience. Summer study-abroad programs provide students with opportunities for short-term immersion in the language, culture and civilization of the countries they visit. Information about all current study abroad opportunities can be found on the Global Education Office website. For more information about World Studies faculty-led study abroad programs, visit the School of World Studies website.
Students who complete the requirements for the below will receive a Bachelor of Science in Anthropology.
Students who complete the requirements for the below will receive a Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Language.
- Foreign Language, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) with a concentration in Dual languages
- Foreign Language, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) with a concentration in French
- Foreign Language, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) with a concentration in German
- Foreign Language, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) with a concentration in Spanish
Students who complete the requirements for the below will receive a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies.
- International Studies, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) with a concentration in European studies
- International Studies, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) with a concentration in general studies
- International Studies, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) with a concentration in international social justice studies
- International Studies, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) with a concentration in Latin American studies
- International Studies, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) with a concentration in world cinema
Students who complete the requirements for the below will receive a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies.
- Anthropology, minor in
- Asian and Chinese studies, minor in
- French, minor in
- French studies, minor in
- German studies, minor in
- Global environmental humanities, minor in
- International social justice studies, minor in
- Italian studies, minor in
- Latin American studies, minor in
- Middle Eastern and Islamic studies, minor in
- Religious studies, minor in
- Russian studies, minor in
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Spanish and health sciences, minor in
- Spanish, minor in
- World cinema, minor in