Undergraduate Program

Global Affairs is an interdisciplinary major that introduces students to the processes of globalization that affect all societies. Students gain a sophisticated understanding of complex issues such as terrorism, refugee crises, global inequality, and health and environmental challenges. Core courses in the major provide a knowledge foundation of the political, economic, cultural, and environmental processes in our global and globalizing world. The choice of a thematic or regional concentration helps students tailor the degree to their particular interests and career goals. Students in this program are encouraged to participate in study abroad opportunities and internships. They can complement their major with a second major or a minor.

Global Affairs with a Second Major or Minor

Students can complement their major in global affairs with a second major. Students interested in this option are encouraged to discuss their plans with advisors in both majors. See the section AP.5.3.7 Credit for More than One Undergraduate Major in Undergraduate Policies.

Students majoring in global affairs are encouraged to complement their major with one of the many minors offered by the college. 

Minor

The undergraduate program in global affairs offers a minor in global affairs, which is available to students in any major in the university except those majoring in global affairs.

Graduate Program

The master’s degree in global affairs is an interdisciplinary program that offers students the opportunity to engage in advanced study of a broad range of international global issues.

Bachelor’s/Accelerated Master’s Program

Highly qualified undergraduates in any major are invited to apply to the accelerated master’s degree program in global affairs. If accepted, students will be able to earn an undergraduate degree in their chosen major and a graduate degree in global affairs after satisfactory completion of 138 credits, generally within five years.

Program Faculty

Professors

Jim Blevins
Peter Mandaville
Helon Habila Ngalabak
Paul Smith

Emeritus Professors

Yehuda Lukacs

Associate Professors

Jennifer Ashley
Iccha Basnyat
Johanna Bockman
Lisa C Breglia
Jason Dunick
Cortney Hughes Rinker
Younsung Kim
Mariely Lopez-Santana
Eric McGlinchey
Manjusha Nair
Agnieszka Paczynska
Jonathon Repinecz
Rashmi Sadana
Byunghwan Ben Son

Assistant Professors

Niklas Hultin
Yasemin Ipek
Ilona Moore
Laura Aileen Sauls
Matthew E. West
 

Global Affairs (GLOA)

GLOA Course Schedule

100 Level Courses

GLOA 101: Introduction to Global Affairs. 3 credits.
Surveys wide range of global topics: previous periods of globalization, international organizations and law, transnational corporations and global economy, immigration and refugees, world environmental concerns, world culture, war and peace, paradoxical presence of nationalism and fundamentalism in global world, and antiglobalization movement.Offered by Global Affairs. Limited to three attempts.
Mason Core: Mason Core (All), Global Contexts, Global Understanding, Just Societies
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

300 Level Courses

GLOA 305: Global Affairs College-to-Career. 1 credit.
Focuses on career choices and effective self-presentation for soon-to-be graduating students with majors in Global Affairs. Explores how skills typically learned in humanities majors can be leveraged for a successful transition to post-graduation employment.Offered by Global Affairs. Limited to three attempts. Equivalent to UNIV 420.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GLOA 386: Media, Technology, and Globalization. 3 credits.
This course takes media as a lens to examine the cultural, political, and economic dimensions of globalization. Begins with historical attempts to democratize the international communication systems and technologies and moves to examine a series of topics related to media globalization, such as: media in nation-building, pop culture, international news reporting, television and film production, the political-economic tensions embedded in media streaming services, information overload, and digital activism. Analyzes media technologies from an interdisciplinary perspective.Offered by Global Affairs. Limited to three attempts.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GLOA 387: Human Security, Globalization, and Development. 3 credits.
Examination of human security from an interdisciplinary perspective emphasizing critical approaches to it from fields such as development studies, anthropology, history, and geography. Human security is often articulated with non-conventional security threats. Course traces genealogy (and critiques of it) of human security including connections to the Millennium Development Goals and the Sustainable Development Goals. Students examine the sources of insecurity in today’s world and the intersection of insecurity and development, contributions of government and international actors usually not seen within the security field, and the role of grassroots actors in promoting human security.Offered by Global Affairs. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 134 or GLOA 101
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GLOA 388: Global Health and Development. 3 credits.
This course explores the intersection of health, globalization and development drawing from multidisciplinary theoretical perspectives to provide a critical perspective on global health and development research as well as practice. Will provide students an opportunity to examine and understand the historical context of global health and development; the role of contemporary global health institutions, the politics of health and global health, and behavior change and development strategies.Offered by Global Affairs. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: GLOA 101 or SOCI 120
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GLOA 396: Topics in Global Affairs. 1-3 credits.
Selected topics in global affairs. Content varies. Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic is different.Offered by Global Affairs. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 9 credits.
Specialized Designation: Topic Varies
Recommended Prerequisite: GLOA 101.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

400 Level Courses

GLOA 400: Global Affairs Capstone. 3 credits.
Students draw from interdisciplinary core and concentration coursework in order to synthesize, compare and consolidate the various approaches and theories explored throughout the major through a focus on a pressing global issue. Additionally, course is designed to further develop research, writing, presentation, and organizational skills.Offered by Global Affairs. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 6 credits.
Mason Core: Mason Core (All), Mason Apex
Specialized Designation: Research/Scholarship Intensive
Recommended Prerequisite: Completion of GLOA 101 or SOCI 120 and 18 credits in major.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GLOA 480: Study Abroad. 1-6 credits.
Study abroad under supervision of Mason faculty. Course topics, content, and locations vary. Notes: May be repeated with permission of department.Offered by Global Affairs. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 12 credits.
Specialized Designation: Topic Varies
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GLOA 490: Independent Study in Global Affairs. 1-6 credits.
Reading or research on specific topic related to globalization, under direction of faculty member. Notes: At least one written paper required. Course may involve combination of reading assignments, tutorials, presentations, or off-campus activities.Offered by Global Affairs. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 6 credits.
Specialized Designation: Topic Varies
Recommended Prerequisite: Global Affairs majors with 90 credits, GLOA 101, and permission of instructor.
Schedule Type: Independent Study
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GLOA 491: Honors Seminar in Global Affairs. 3 credits.
Emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach to the study of global affairs. Covers a variety of topics, including consideration of economic, political, and cultural forces at work in the complex interactions among global processes.Offered by Global Affairs. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: Admission to Global Affairs honors in the major.
Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GLOA 492: Honors Research Project in Global Affairs. 3 credits.
Honors-level research on specialized topic in Global Affairs culminating in substantial paper and oral presentation.Offered by Global Affairs. Limited to three attempts.
Mason Core: Mason Core (All), Mason Apex
Specialized Designation: Research/Scholarship Intensive
Recommended Prerequisite: Completion of GLOA 491 with minimum grade of B.
Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GLOA 495: Global Experiential Learning. 1-18 credits.
On-the-job training in transnational or international fields through approved internship programs. Notes: Enrollment and credits controlled by Global Affairs Program. Contact Global Affairs Program one semester before planned enrollment.Offered by Global Affairs. May be repeated within the term.
Schedule Type: Internship
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

500 Level Courses

GLOA 599: Issues in Global Affairs. 1-6 credits.
Studies current issues and debates in global affairs. Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic is different.Offered by Global Affairs. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 12 credits.
Specialized Designation: Topic Varies
Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

600 Level Courses

GLOA 600: Global Competencies. 3 credits.
Explores the nature of globalization. Students will understand the characteristics of the current global system; be familiar with key global issues and debates; have an advanced understanding of and appreciation for organizations, languages, cultures in many global contexts; and be better habituated to thinking across disciplinary lines.Offered by Global Affairs. May not be repeated for credit.
Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
GLOA 605: Interdisciplinary Research Methods. 3 credits.
Designed to provide students with an overview of basic techniques in quantitative and qualitative methods with special attention to epistemological and ethical concerns in global studies research. Course includes a discussion of the theoretical assumptions that shape research questions and design, practical exercises in research techniques, and analysis of methodology in practice.Offered by Global Affairs. May not be repeated for credit.
Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
GLOA 610: Economic Globalization and Development. 3 credits.
Focuses on the intersection of countries and firms in the arenas of international trade, investment and finance, as the lenses into understanding better today's "global" economy: countries of differing levels of economic development and economic system structure, factors of monetary union and currency disequilibria, trade liberalization or protectionism, market entry, cross-border variables, risk and relations. Offered by Global Affairs. May not be repeated for credit.
Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
GLOA 615: Case Studies in Globalization. 3 credits.
Introduces interdisciplinary, social theoretical approaches and themes useful to understanding today’s global issues and then applies them to a particular case study. Considers scholarly debates around globalization in the context of this case study.Offered by Global Affairs. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 9 credits.
Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
GLOA 690: Independent Study. 3 credits.
Reading or research on specific topic related to globalization, under directions of faculty member. Notes: At least one written paper required. Course may involve combination of reading assignments, tutorials, presentations, or off-campus activities.Offered by Global Affairs. May not be repeated for credit.
Recommended Prerequisite: 12 MA credits and permission of instructor.
Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Enrollment limited to students in the LA-MA-GLOA program.

Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Independent Study
Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
GLOA 695: Internship. 1-3 credits.
On-the-job training related to Global Affairs through an approved internship. Students may apply up to 3 credits of GLOA 695 to their specialization.Offered by Global Affairs. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 9 credits.
Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Internship
Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

700 Level Courses

GLOA 710: Seminar Abroad. 3 credits.
Intensive program in a foreign setting focusing on a deep overview of the research specialization of the supervising faculty member. Required pre-departure component to set the intellectual, logistical and culture terms of the abroad period. Locations vary from year to year. Notes: May be repeated with permission of program.Offered by Global Affairs. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 6 credits.
Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment is limited to Graduate or Non-Degree level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
GLOA 720: Capstone Research Seminar. 3 credits.
Provides students with the opportunity to engage in significant original research an analysis of a topic in global affairs. Topics vary from year to year.Offered by Global Affairs. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 6 credits.
Registration Restrictions:

Required Prerequisite: GLOA 605B-.
B- Requires minimum grade of B-.

Enrollment is limited to Graduate or Non-Degree level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.