This is the preliminary (or launch) version of the 2026-2027 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.
14 North Laurel Street
Box 842021
Richmond, Virginia 23284-2021
worldstudies.vcu.edu
Matthew Pawlowicz, 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 culture, religion, film, literature, politics, economics and the environment, and their relationship to local and global movements for racial, social and environmental justice. The school offer majors in anthropology and international studies, as well as a number of minors including anthropology, global environmental humanities, international social justice studies, religious 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.
Degree programs
The School of World Studies offers baccalaureate degrees in the following fields:
Anthropology – Bachelor of Science
International Studies– Bachelor of Arts
Minors are awarded in these areas:
- African studies
- Anthropology
- Arabic and Middle Eastern studies
- Asian and Chinese studies
- Catholic studies
- European studies
- International social justice studies
- Islamic studies
- Judaic studies
- Latin American studies
- Mediterranean studies
- Religious studies
- World cinema
Undergraduate certificates are awarded in these areas:
- International management studies (in conjunction with the School of Business)
- Spanish/English translation and interpretation
Information regarding curricula is provided on the respective program pages.
Experiential learning and study abroad
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 some form of experiential learning, such as an internship, research assistantship, field school, service-learning course or study abroad program.
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.