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Global Studies Distinction

The Horace G. Fralin Global Studies Program requires its participants to engage in group seminars on topics concerning global issues and policy, required coursework, and off-campus global events. The program also encourages students to engage in and reflect on global travel. In meeting the requirements, graduates receive a separate certificate in addition to their North Cross diploma, which recognizes them as a Global Studies Scholar. 

The Global Studies Distinction is designed to offer students new opportunities to expand their education at North Cross School. The idea of engaging critically, and curiously, with the world around them in order to be a global citizen should be the goal of each student. The program is structured in a way that encourages the students to be intellectually curious, emphasizing both academic scholarship and experiential learning. These two broad categories 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 directors to modify the program. International students who seek the diploma should work with the directors to compose a custom course of study.

Program Requirements

1. coursework

Academic coursework featuring core classes such as Ancient World History,  AP World History, AP Comparative Government, and world language courses will provide students the maximum number of points toward the goal but classes such as  AP Human Geography, Environmental Studies, and Asian Literature 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 Ancient World History 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. Courses like Environmental Studies and AP Human Geography may be taken in their sophomore, junior, or senior years. Once again, there are many paths to fulfilling the requirements, so please make an appointment with the Directors of Global Studies to make an individualized plan.

2. On-campus events

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

• 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 may 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 Day, 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 Directors.

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
• engaging in diverse international food opportunities
• tutoring refugee students
• attending the National High School Model United Nations Conference

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

4.  international travel

We encourage students to travel internationally, though it is not an absolute requirement for the distinction. These trips may 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 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 complete an extensive reflection which highlights the cultural lessons learned through their trip. The reflection must be richly detailed, examining various cultural contrasts and comparisons.

5. ​SUMMER READING

Each year, the Global Studies faculty will choose  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. Examples of themes explored have been Water, War, Women, and Disease. Some recent reading choices include:
​
2025: Everything is Tuberculosis: The History and Persistence of Our Deadliest Infection by John Green 
2024: The Underworld: Journey to the Depths of the Ocean by Susan Casey
2023: Sacred Nature: Restoring our Ancient Bond with the Natural World by Karen Armstrong

6. opportunities to flourish in the global studies program

• Traveling internationally more than once, with reflection on the travel
• Participating in National High School 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 Directors 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. 

​​
​Hannah Ewing
Upper School History; Religion, Art, Science, and Technology; Model U.N. Advisor; Global Studies Department Co-chair
University College London—B.S.
​Virginia Tech--M.A.
Appointed 2021

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​​Daniel Hood
Upper School History, Symposium Coordinator, Global Studies Department Co-chair
​Guilford College--B.A.
Boston College--M.A.
Boston College--Ph.D.
Appointed 2021

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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.

Subject	Grade 9	Grade 10	Grade 11	Grade 12	​Electives
History & Social Studies	Ancient World History*	AP World History* OR 20th Century World History	AP U.S. History OR AP European History	AP Comparative Government & Politics* OR AP European History	AP Human Geography*
English	English 9*	English 10*	AP Language or Literature* OR British Literature	AP Language or Literature*	Asian Literature, Myths, and Mythology OR Journalism
World Languages	French, Latin, or Spanish II	French, Latin, or Spanish III*	French, Latin, or Spanish IV*	AP French, Latin, or Spanish Language*	X
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