Complex Questions: Global Challenges & Social Justice

Pathways to Completion

Each Perspectives course falls under one of our two Areas of Inquiry: Global Challenges (G), and Justice, Equity, Identity, and Diversity (J). You will select a variety of Perspectives courses within these categories.

Both interdisciplinary and departmental programs offer courses from multiplePerspectives (for example, Music; Asian Studies; Classics; English; Environmental Science, Policy and Engineering; and Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies). Whether you discover a program through a Perspectives course or vice versa, you’re exploring connections between disciplines.

No two students are alike – your course selections will reflect your own intersecting interests. Here is how some actual Union students are working toward fulfilling their Perspectives requirements.

Biomedical Engineering major, Union Scholar

Chinese 200 (JCHF)
Modern Chinese Literature (JLIT)
Chinese 201 (JWOL)
Ordinary Differential Equations (GDQR)
Exploring Engineering (GETS)
Integrated Math and Physics (GNPS)

Double major, Managerial Economics and Visual Arts

Intro to Cultural Anthropology (JCHF)
Scientific Computing (JDQR)
The Poetic Process (JLIT)
Anthropology of Poverty (JSPE)
Environmentalism in Contemp. Art (GCAD)
Environmental Geology (GNPS)

Interdepartmental major in Computer Science and English, German minor

Interactive Fiction (JCAD)
Literature and Politics in the Caribbean (JCHF)
Can Computers Think? With Lab (JDQR)
Kafka and Mann: German Modernism (JLIT)
Queering the Hero’s Journey (JSPE)
Mohawk River Environmental Issues (GNPS)

Sociology major, minors in Creative Writing and Film Studies

Intro to Creative Writing (JCAD)
Intro to Religious Studies (JCHF)
Disability in Film (JLIT)
Arabic 100 (JWOL)
Mathematics of Sustainability (GDQR)
Intro to Sociology (GSPE)

Computer Science major, Asian Studies minor

Edo Prints and Printmaking (JCAD)
Scientific Computing (JDQR)
Japanese 100 (JWOL)
Japanese 300 (GCHF)
Exploring Engineering (GETS)
From Bombs to Buddhism (GLIT)
Integrated Math and Physics (GNPS)

Mechanical Engineering major, Music minor

Scientific Computing (JDQR)
Intro to Creative Writing (JLIT)
French 100 (JWOL)
Engineering Graphics with Lab (GCAD)
Exploring Engineering (GETS)
Integrated Math and Physics (GNPS)

Double major, Political Science and Anthropology

History of Photography (JCAD)
Queering the Hero’s Journey (JLIT)
Spanish 100 (JWOL)
Intro to Global Politics (GCHF)
The Solar System (GNPS)
Anthropology of Poverty (GSPE)

Double major, Astronomy and Theater

Intro to Creative Writing (JCAD)
Asian American Art (JCHF)
Intro to Audio Electronics (JETS)
The Global Performance Tradition (JLIT)
French 100 (JWOL)
The Solar System (GNPS)

Environmental Policy major, Studio Fine Arts minor

History of Photography (JCHF)
The Poetic Process (JLIT)
Intro to U.S. Politics (JSPE)
Environmentalism in Contemp. Art (GCAD)
Mohawk River Environmental Issues (GETS)
Diversity of Life (GNPS)

Featured Courses

All Approved Courses


Judith Lewin - Director of General Education
Sara Garrand - Program Administration

(518) 388-6056
education@union.edu


Number of Course Requirements

Entering,
Class Year
# of
Perspectives
# of Areas
of Inquiry
Entering fall 2022,
Class of 2026
62
Entering fall 2023,
Class of 2027
62
Entering fall 2024,
Class of 2028
72
Entering fall 2025,
Class of 2029
7N/A