New Challenges
Globalization processes, often accelerated by information and communication technologies, have redefined in multiple ways how individuals and communities experience and view the world. They also present new challenges to our understanding of both the contemporary era and its historical antecedents.
Globalization students at McMaster are challenged to push their limits, question the world around them and engage critically with complex global issues.
Interdisciplinarity
Students in the program can take courses and conduct research on globalization in relation to a wide range of topics such as contemporary culture; diasporic, transnational and multicultural communities; global governance; international trade and finance; and social, environmental and labour issues.
Program Features:
- interdisciplinary focus
- small cohort of Canadian and international students, admitted via a highly competitive selection process
- vibrant intellectual and collegial climate fostered by events during the year
- flexibility of course selections: students may apply to take courses from across the Humanities and Social Sciences should they wish to move on to a discipline-specific PhD
Our faculty members work together in an interdisciplinary way.
They come from departments across the Faculties of Humanities and Social Sciences including Anthropology; English and Cultural Studies; History; Labour Studies; Political Science; Religious Studies; and Social Work. The program fosters a strong sense of collegiality between faculty and students from all participating departments. The Institute is also home to a number of working groups:
Major Research Papers
The Globalization Studies MA program consists of course work plus a major research paper (MRP).
During the winter term, students prepare a proposal for their MRP and identify a potential supervisor and second reader. Students complete the MRP in the summer term. The paper has a maximum length of 10,000 words (approximately 40 pages).
Read some of the topics our students have explored.
Stephen McBride
Professor | Canada Research Chair in Public Policy and Globalization
Department of Political Science
"It is always fun to teach a course with Globalization students from the IGHC. Coming from very diverse academic backgrounds they offer new and interesting perspectives on long-standing political science issues. This challenges me and my other students to operate outside our comfort zones, rethink assumptions, and re-consider existing answers to questions. Supervising Globalization MRPs has also been a stimulating experience. The Institute also offers a supportive home for exciting new research ventures such as interdisciplinary work on austerity"
Financial Support
All full-time students admitted to the program receive an offer of financial support that includes a graduate scholarship ranging from $3000 to $5000. In addition, the majority of the students will also be awarded teaching assistantships that involve 130 or 260 hours of work over the academic year, valued $5760 or $11520.
All eligible students are also considered for OGS, SSHRC Master's and other internal awards. Additional scholarships opportunities may be available through the School of Graduate Studies and the Graduate Students Association.
IGHC Graduate Student Handbook
The IGHC Graduate Student Handbook provides prospective and current students in the MA in Globalization Studies program with comprehensive information about: the program's design, course offerings, important dates, and guidelines for Major Research Papers.
International Student Services
Canada is a great place to live and learn. McMaster University offers a number of services to help our English-as-an-Additional-Language (EAL) speakers including online learning modules that focus on the daily language needs of graduate students and postdoc learners, workshops, conversation circles, mentorship programs and social events.
Living, Working and Studying at McMaster
Graduate student life
When we think of graduate school, we usually think of seminars, conducting research, sitting for exams, and writing a thesis or dissertation. However, scholarly activities are only part of the total experience of being a grad student. See what McMaster campus life and the City of Hamilton have to offer.
Student Experience
No one can tell you more about what it’s like at McMaster University in Hamilton, than the people who matter most to us — our students. Read what they have to say about their experience in the Institute on Globalization and the Human Condition at McMaster and see where their education has taken them.
"What drew me to the MA program was the professors (their academic interests, intellectual orientations, and reputations), the courses offered (multidisciplinary, variety, and match to my interests), the impression that students would receive a great deal of attention from the faculty, and the degree of flexibility built into the program. Classes and professors have met and exceeded my expectations – and my colleagues are a really great group of students."
-Alex Diceanu, BA (Political Science), Wilfred Laurier University; MA (Globalization Studies), McMaster University
Student Testimonials
“This program taught me how to engage critically with complex global issues. Through my studies, I learned essential skills for a career in research, and developed a commitment to conducting research with social impact.”
- Charis Enns, BA (Language), MA (Globalization), PhD (Global Governance), SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Guelph“I joined the IGHC after 12 years teaching at international schools in the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and South East Asia. I became intrigued with cultural, social and political issues in the countries where I lived. The rich selection of course offerings from different disciplines covered a wide range of relevant international issues and the flexibility of the IGHC program allowed me to tailor my learning to explore my interests. I really enjoyed my time in the IGHC and would recommend it to anyone interested in knowing more about the world from a global perspective.”
- Darren Jahn, BA (Music), B.Ed (Education), MA (Globalization)"An MA in Globalization Studies has given me the tools to analyze the problems of the world and see power dynamics at play. In an era where social movements are actively organizing towards a more humane face of globalization, it is an important tool in your arsenal to understand what the current issues are and apply an anti-oppressive lens in your work of organizing for a better world."
- Jennifer Huang, BA (International Development Studies), B.Ed (Primary/Junior), MA (globalization Studies); Senior Organizer at the Toronto & York Region Labour Council“The course selection complemented each other, equipping me with relevant skills to pursue and advance a career as a public servant and local government politician.”
- Kuthula Matshazi, BA (International Development), MA (Globalization); Director, Policy and Planning, Department of Education, Government of Nunavut; City Councillor, City of Iqaluit"What has been important for me coming out of the M.A. program was not only the deeply rich and diverse knowledge, but, even more so, the novel approach to learning embraced by the Institute and its professors. The diversity of subject matters and interests coupled with the small class sizes and engaging debate gave me a way of thinking about an issue and an approach to problem solving that has really helped me develop in my career. I doubt that I would be able to contribute as much or as meaningfully as I can today without it.”
- Kristian van der Lee, BA (Comparative Literature and Political Science), MA (Globalization Studies); Senior Policy Analyst, Service Canada, Ottawa"IGHC students possess unique experiences and come from diverse academic backgrounds, yet they share a sense that this age is not one of empire, golden straightjacket, or spectacle--all borne of narrow disciplinary views and particular agendas. Instead, they seek to understand a world of interdependence, asymmetries, rapid change, complex relationships, and contingencies through interdisciplinary engagement. Setting out to remove the traditional walls raised between the fields of study in social sciences by bringing students and faculty of various specialties together with a common purpose, the Institute has repeatedly proven to be the model environment seeking new understandings and inspiring progress. We need more like it!"
- Oldrich Bubak, author and IGHC alumnus“The MA in globalization was unquestionably one of the best decisions I’ve ever made to date. The program was well-designed with courses offered in conjunction with other departments (e.g. Political Science, Religious Studies). What made the program even more intriguing were the instructors and the cohort of students in my year, both of whom were extremely knowledgeable about the various theoretical approaches to globalization. The program undoubtedly put me in an improved position to pursue my doctoral studies.”
- Patricia A-Baidoo, BA (Religious Studies); MA (Globalization Studies), PhD (Political Studies)