Institute of Humanitites and Social Sciences

Undergraduates at the Global Center for Advanced Studies have access to first-rate online education through the Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences Sciences (IHSS). The IHSS fulfills three critical functions as the only Institute of GCAS devoted solely to undergraduate education.

Students, lifelong learners, and professionals all around the globe can take advantage of the Institute’s first priority: providing a high-quality, reasonably priced, and innovative online education.

Secondly, the GCAS students are better prepared for the more advanced graduate-level courses offered by the other Institutes thanks to the IHSS, which is responsible for providing a well-designed, methodical basis in the subjects.

The third goal is for the IHSS to grow into a full-fledged undergraduate institution by the time it graduates, offering a well-rounded, accredited college education that leads to degrees.

Institution Details:

Philosophy is the IHSS’s inaugural disciplinary program. In the 2023–2024 academic year, a rigorous philosophy program will be offered, and the first cohort of students to earn the GCAS Certificate in Philosophical Studies is expected to graduate in the spring of 2024. 

In the coming years, plans are afoot to expand undergraduate programs and curricula into additional areas of the social and human sciences. Philosophy will always have a strong presence inside the IHSS because it is fundamental to GCAS’s mission, ethos, and aspirations.

Exceptional instructors who design courses and instruct students at the Institute are sourced from a variety of sources. Teachers at the IHSS are hand-picked for their extensive experience both in and out of the classroom, as well as their demonstrated commitment to their fields of study and expertise in teaching. 

They also get ongoing professional development opportunities and training in areas such as online education best practices, intentional course design, authentic assessment of student learning, and high-impact pedagogical strategies. 

The faculty at GCAS work together across departments to improve their own programs, gain insight from one another, and create a unified curriculum for students all over the globe.

Taking classes at the Institute will equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary for cultural literacy and civic engagement in the modern world, as well as a solid foundation in their chosen field of study. 

Emphasizing research and information literacy, information analysis, writing effectively, critical thinking, problem solving, ethics and moral reasoning, and community and workplace relevance, students build a foundation of knowledge and skills that can be applied in various contexts.