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Global Studies Distinction

The Horace G. Fralin Global Studies Program requires its participants to engage in global travel, required coursework, and group discussions on topics concerning global issues and policy. Once the requirements are met, the graduate will receive a separate certificate in addition to their North Cross diploma, recognizing them as a Global Studies Scholar.

Faculty designed the Global Studies Distinction to offer students new opportunities to expand their education at North Cross School. The idea of being a global citizen- not simply fulfilling requirements to earn an advanced diploma or to enhance a college application- should be the goal of each student. Nonetheless, it seems important to structure the program in a way that will make clear the expectations of the school. Because the program emphasizes both academic scholarships and experiences, these two broad categories will each contain half of the qualifications for the diploma. Students who aspire to graduate as a Global Studies Scholar should declare their intention in the first year at North Cross (and no later than the end of the sophomore year). Those who will not spend four years at North Cross in the program must see the director to modify the program. International students who seek the diploma should work with the director to compose a custom course of study. 

Program Requirements

1. coursework

Academic coursework featuring core classes such as Introduction to Global Studies, AP World History, AP Comparative Government, AP Human Geography, Environmental Studies, and world language courses will provide students the maximum number of points toward the goal but electives will be essential to fulfilling the scholarship element of the program. Students must earn at least a B in each course that will count toward the diploma.

​Most global studies scholars begin their four-year sequence of study with Introduction to Global Studies and a world language. Tenth-graders may take AP World History while they advance to another level in a second language. Eleventh-graders may be taking AP Literature in addition to an AP world language course in Spanish, French or Latin. Seniors take AP Comparative Government, Environmental Studies, and electives like AP Human Geography. Once again, there are many paths to fulfilling the requirements, so please make an appointment with the Director of Global Studies to make an individualized plan.

2. On-campus events

On-campus events include seminars, guest speakers, and participation in International Night.

• Seminars will be held each month and students must attend at least three seminars in which they actively participate by reading and discussing the topic of the month. Students must submit a reflection to the seminar leader prior to the group discussion.
• Monthly guest speakers will bring fresh perspectives on world events. Students must prepare and form questions for at least three speakers and are join the speakers for an additional small group discussion during lunch.
• Students are also required to help organize and participate in North Cross's International Night, which introduces our students and their families to diverse cultures through the preparing and sharing of food. 
• In addition, students have the opportunity to contribute to the Global Studies journal through photojournalism documented at these various events. 

For each event, scholars must submit a paragraph reflection to the Global Studies Director.

3. off-campus events

Students are required to attend off-campus events at least three times per year to better understand their own Roanoke community. Because larger, global communities have settled in Roanoke, students do not have to travel far to immerse themselves in what were once considered distant cultures; they can do so through getting to know the immigrants who have enriched southwest Virginia. Examples of off-campus activities include:

• attending lectures, performances, or cultural festivals
• tutoring refugee students
• attending the Harvard Model United Nations or Ivy League Model United Nations Conference

​Each activity requires a written reflection along with photo documentation sent by email to the Director of Global Studies.

4.  international travel

Students must travel internationally for at least two weeks total on a GS-approved trip. We encourage students to choose trips that include home-stays with families, emphasis on service, or focus on language immersion. Students who want credit for trips abroad independently or with family must get approval for the credit before the travel happens. (Any student who breaks North Cross School rules or the Honor Code while on a trip will not receive any credit for the travel component of the diploma requirements.)

Upon returning to Roanoke, students will be required to educate their peers on the cultural lessons learned through their trips in the form of a presentation made at the Upper School morning assembly. In addition, students will also compose a five-page essay about their experiences. The essay must be richly detailed in examining various cultural contrasts and comparisons. Ideally, the essay will be a culminating experience completed in the spring of the senior year.

5. ​SUMMER READING

Each year, the Global Studies faculty will confer on a book to be read in common among all global studies scholars. The book will help students focus on the theme that has been chosen for the year. At least one seminar will address the summer reading. Additionally, students may choose other global studies readings chosen by specific faculty. Examples of themes explored have been Cosmpolitanism, Water, War, and Women. 

2020: Global Studies: 21 Lessons for the 21st Century by Yuval Noah Harari
2019: Factfulness: Ten Reasons We're Wrong About the World – and Why Things Are Better Than You Think by Hans Rosling 
2018: The Silk Roads: A New History of the World by Peter Frankopan
2017: The Cosmopolites: The Coming of the Global Citizen by Atossa Araxia Abrahamian
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6. GLOBAL STUDIES-RELATED DEHART PROJECT

The Senior Project at North Cross School, renamed in 2010 in honor of retired English teacher Gates DeHart, has been an
enduring North Cross tradition for over four decades. Student presentations take place during Morning Assembly before
the entire upper school and members of the broader North Cross community. This focused academic research, which may
include experiential field work and interaction with experts in the chosen topic, will be codified first in a research paper of at
least ten pages. The DeHart Project represents the capstone of the Upper School curriculum and is designed to showcase
the cumulative education of a North Cross Senior. Successful completion is required for graduation.

7. ​OPPORTUNITIES TO FLOURISH IN THE GLOBAL STUDIES PROGRAM

• Travelling internationally more than once
• Participating in Harvard Model United Nations more than once
• Participating in tutoring more than three times per year for multiple years
• Hosting an exchange student for the summer or partial year
• Working as a Summer Camp Counselor with the China Summer Program
• New initiatives: Please see the Director of Global Studies with any new ideas or opportunities for studies and experiences. All initiatives must be approved by the director

​Students who go beyond the fundamental expectations of the program will be eligible to earn distinction for their commitment and contributions to the program. One of the students in this category may be offered the opportunity to represent the global studies program at graduation as a speaker.

Ryan DeMarco
Director of Global Studies, History Department Chair, Upper School History
Birmingham-Southern College—B.A.
University of Edinburgh—M.Sc. 
Appointed 2018

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Global Studies Distinction Overview

Sample Coursework for a Global Studies Scholar

Asterisk (*) denotes the course is a Global Studies core class.

Value	Grade 9	Grade 10	Grade 11	Grade 12	​Electives
History & Social Studies	*Introduction to Global Studies*	AP World History* OR 20th Century World History	AP U.S. History	AP Comparative Government & Politics*	AP Human Geography*
English	English 9*	English 10*	AP Language or Literature* OR British Literature	AP Language or Literature*	Value
World Languages	French, Latin, or Spanish II	French, Latin, or Spanish III*	French, Latin, or Spanish IV*	AP French, Latin, or Spanish Language*	Value
Science	Physics	Chemistry	Biology	Environmental Studies*	AP Chemistry, Biology, or Physics
Math	Geometry	Algebra II	Pre-Calculus	AP Calculus	AP Calculus BC or Statistics
Arts	Symphonic Band, Chorale, or Fine Art	Symphonic Band, Chorale, or Fine Art	Symphonic Band, Chorale, or Fine Art	​Symphonic Band, Chorale, or Fine Art	AP Studio Art