COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor of Arts in Global Development Studies (Joint-Major General) at Trent University is a 15.0-credit program that provides students with an interdisciplinary understanding of global change, inequality, and development. Students complete 5.0 credits in Global Development Studies (GDST), beginning with core courses such as GDST 1001H, 1002H, 2001H, 2251H, and 3001H, which introduce foundational concepts in development theory, global systems, and social analysis. The program requires at least 1.0 credit at the 3000 level or beyond from Category A, ensuring engagement with more advanced and specialized topics in global development. An additional 1.5 GDST credits allow students to further explore areas of interest within the discipline, while maintaining academic breadth. Students in a joint-major with Anthropology may substitute specific GDST-ANTH courses for certain Anthropology requirements, providing flexibility in course selection and interdisciplinary learning. The program also limits the use of GDST reading courses toward degree requirements to ensure academic depth and rigor. Students are strongly encouraged to include introductory economics courses such as ECON 1010H and 1020H to strengthen their understanding of global economic systems. In addition to program requirements, students must fulfill overall university degree requirements, including completion of an Indigenous course credit, ensuring a well-rounded and socially aware academic foundation.