Why World Studies?

In the School of World Studies we explore what it means to be human.

Using anthropology, foreign languages, international studies and religious studies, we investigate the depth and breadth of the human experience so we can address the challenges we face as global citizens. Our programs begin with basic questions about humanity: Who are we? Where did we come from? What do we believe? How do we communicate and negotiate meaning? What is our responsibility as world citizens? 

Learn more about the value of a degree in a World Studies program.

News

The Academy Awards will be held on March 2. (Getty Images)

Feb. 27, 2025

At the movies: Professors review Oscar-nominated films through the lens of their expertise

Ahead of the Academy Awards, professors discuss what worked – or didn’t – in five of the 2025 nominees.

Iman Sikandar (left) and Samantha Mendoza-Hernandez  (right) didn’t know each other when they became roommates freshman year, but now they are inseparable. (Thomas Kojcsich, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Feb. 14, 2025

Unbreakable bonds: Just random roommates at first, Iman Sikandar and Samantha Mendoza-Hernandez are now united by ‘invisible string’

An early falling-out helped the undergrads realize how much they’d miss without each other’s sisterhood.

Jatia Wrighten, Ph.D. and Alexandra Reckendorf, Ph.D., talked to students about political and social movements during their session in the U.S. Democracy United/Divided course. (Kevin Morley, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Feb. 13, 2025

For the many layers of American democracy, new course taps into the many layers of VCU faculty expertise

Nearly three dozen specialists in the College of Humanities and Sciences are collectively teaching U.S Democracy United/Divided this semester – and organizers think the concept will evolve.

World Studies Spotlight

Events

Collaboration and sharing are at the core of our mission.

Saint Jude

Why is Saint Jude the Most Popular Catholic Saint in Mexico?

Date: Tuesday, Apr 8, 2025

Professor Andrew Chesnut explains how the Patron of Lost Causes, Saint Jude, went from obscurity on the Mexican religious landscape to become the rock star of Catholic saints in the country.