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.
This is a Green Leaf program.
Policies
Students pursuing this degree must complete 36-39 credits within the major, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00. Students completing the Smithsonian-Mason semester program will have a total of 40-43 credits. Students must have a minimum grade of C in each of the core courses, including the capstone course (GLOA 400), and a minimum grade of C- in each of the courses used to fulfill the concentration and the language requirement for Global Affairs majors. Students who major in Global Affairs may not also earn the minor in Global Systems.
Global Affairs majors fulfill the Mason Core Apex requirement by successfully completing GLOA 400 or GLOA 492.
For policies governing all undergraduate degrees, see AP.5 Undergraduate Policies.
Degree Requirements
Total credits: minimum 120
This is a Green Leaf program.
Students should be aware of the specific policies associated with this program, located on the Admissions & Policies tab.
Core Courses in the Major
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GLOA 101 | Introduction to Global Affairs (Mason Core) | 3 |
| CONF 340 | Global Conflict Analysis and Resolution (Mason Core) | 3 |
| CULT 320 | Globalization and Culture (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ECON 385 | International Economic Policy | 3 |
| EVPP 337 | Environmental Policy Making in Developing Countries (Mason Core) | 3 |
| or INTS 334 | Environmental Justice (Mason Core) | |
| GOVT 322 | International Relations Theory 1 | 3 |
| Total Credits | 18 | |
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Note the prerequisite for this course: GOVT 132 Introduction to International Politics (Mason Core) or GOVT 133 Introduction to Comparative Politics (Mason Core)
Capstone Course
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Global Affairs Capstone (Mason Core) | ||
| Honors Research Project in Global Affairs (Mason Core) | ||
GLOA Foreign Language Requirement
(6 credits of language study beyond intermediate proficiency)
All BA students in CHSS are required to demonstrate intermediate proficiency in one foreign language1. To fulfill the Global Affairs foreign language requirement, students can continue the study of one language beyond the intermediate proficiency level required for all BA degrees in the college or choose to study other languages. After demonstrating intermediate proficiency in one foreign language, an additional six credits of courses taught in a foreign language, at any level, are required.
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Intermediate proficiency is achieved by completing a course in a foreign language numbered 202 (or higher level courses taught in the language) or achieving a satisfactory score on an approved proficiency test. A three course sequence in American Sign Language (EDSE 115 American Sign Language (ASL) I, EDSE 116 American Sign Language (ASL) II, and EDSE 219 American Sign Language (ASL) III) will also meet the foreign language requirement. Students who are already proficient in a second language may be eligible for a waiver of this requirement.
Concentrations in the Major
Students select one concentration and complete the requirements therein. Courses applied to the concentration must include at least three credits of GLOA coursework (not including GLOA 495). In addition to the courses listed with each concentration, other relevant courses, including special topics courses, study abroad, and internships (maximum 3 credits), may be applied to a concentration with prior written approval from the director.
Concentration courses must be unique to the concentration: they cannot be simultaneously used to fulfill any Mason Core or college requirement for the bachelor's degree. They cannot be applied to any other major, minor, concentration, or certificate. GLOA 400 cannot be used toward a concentration.
Available Concentrations
- Concentration in the Environment (EVT)
- Concentration in Global Economy and Management (GEM)
- Concentration in Global Governance (GLGV)
- Concentration in Global Inequalities and Responses (GIR)
- Concentration in Human Security (HMSC)
- Concentration in International Development (IDEV)
- Concentration in Media, Communication, and Culture (MCC)
- Concentration in Africa (AFR)
- Concentration in Asia (ASA)
- Concentration in Europe (EU)
- Concentration in Latin America (LA)
- Concentration in Middle East and North Africa (MNA)
- Concentration in North America (NA)
- Concentration in Russia and Central Asia (RCA)
- Individualized Concentration (IND)
Concentration in the Environment (EVT)
Students may complete this concentration through 12 credits of regular coursework or through the Smithsonian-Mason Semester Program (15-16 credits).
Regular Coursework
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 12 credits from the following: | 12 | |
| Environment and Culture | ||
| Biology and Society (Mason Core) | ||
| Environmental Economics 1 | ||
| Economics of Energy (Mason Core) | ||
| Ecosphere - Introduction to Environmental Science I-Lecture (Mason Core) | ||
| Tackling Wicked Problems in Society the Environment (Mason Core) | ||
| Applied Ecology | ||
| Global Biodiversity Governance | ||
| Oceanography | ||
| Global Environmental Hazards | ||
| Geography of Resource Conservation (Mason Core) | ||
| Geographic Approaches for Sustainable Development | ||
| Geographic Information Systems | ||
| Global Health and Development | ||
| Introduction to Environmental Policy | ||
or EVPP 361 | Introduction to Environmental Policy | |
| Intermediate Environmental Policy | ||
or EVPP 362 | Intermediate Environmental Policy | |
| Environmental Justice (Mason Core) | ||
| Global Environmental Ethics (Mason Core) | ||
| Topics in Environmental Philosophy (Mason Core) | ||
| Sustainable Tourism | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
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Note the prerequisites for this course: ECON 103 Contemporary Microeconomic Principles (Mason Core) and ECON 104 Contemporary Macroeconomic Principles (Mason Core)
Smithsonian-Mason Semester Program
Students complete 16 credits offered through the Mason Center for Conservation Studies in cooperation with the Smithsonian National Zoo Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute. Students may choose to focus their study on "Conservation, Biodiversity and Society", "Wildlife Ecology and Conservation", or "Endangered Species Conservation". Students take the courses in the selected focus area together in one semester, living on site at the institute in Front Royal, VA. Students who apply this coursework to the concentration cannot also apply it to the minor in Conservation Studies.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following focus areas: | 16 | |
Conservation, Biodiversity and Society option (16 credits): | ||
| Conservation in Practice | ||
| Conservation Theory | ||
| Applied Conservation | ||
| Human Dimensions in Conservation (Mason Core) | ||
| RS: Integrated Conservation Strategies (Mason Core) | ||
Wildlife Ecology and Conservation option (16 credits): | ||
Offered only in Fall semesters, students complete four required courses: | ||
| Conservation Seminar | ||
| Biodiversity Monitoring | ||
| Landscape and Macrosystems Ecology | ||
| Research in Conservation (Mason Core) | ||
Endangered Species and Conservation option (16 credits) | ||
Offered only in Spring semesters, students complete four required courses: | ||
| Conservation Seminar | ||
| Small Population Management | ||
| RS: Conservation Management Planning (Mason Core) | ||
| Research in Conservation (Mason Core) | ||
| Total Credits | 16 | |
Concentration in Global Economy and Management (GEM)
In this concentration, students explore marketing, managing, financing, and networking dimensions of the globalizing world economy. Students will take classes on economic policies of national governments and international organizations as well as operations of non-government market actors.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 12 credits from the following: | 12 | |
| Money and Banking | ||
| Economics of Developing Areas (Mason Core) | ||
| Economic Development of Latin America (Mason Core) | ||
| African Economic Development (Mason Core) | ||
| Economies in Transition (Mason Core) | ||
| International Economics | ||
| International Financial Management | ||
| Media, Technology, and Globalization | ||
| International Political Economy | ||
| Money, Markets and Economic Policy (Mason Core) | ||
| Cross Cultural and Global Management | ||
| Global Marketing | ||
| Introduction to International Business (Mason Core) | ||
| Special Topics: Business Minor | ||
| Legal Environment of Business 1 | ||
| Commercial Law 1 | ||
Or other course approved by the program director | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
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BULE courses require the approval of the director.
Concentration in Global Governance (GLGV)
In this concentration students explore how national governments, international organizations, and non-governmental organizations interact to identify, understand, and address global issues. Coursework covers such topics as transnational challenges, theories of international relations, global institutions, international law and ethics, international security, and conflict. Students are expected to garner theoretical and practical understanding of the ways in which national and transnational actors approach global problems.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 12 credits from the following: | 12 | |
| Political Anthropology (Mason Core) | ||
| Foundations of Intercultural Communication (Mason Core) | ||
| Law and Justice around the World (Mason Core) | ||
| Theory and Politics of Terrorism | ||
| Global Biodiversity Governance | ||
| Political Geography (Mason Core) | ||
| Human Security, Globalization, and Development | ||
| Diplomacy | ||
| International Political Economy | ||
| American Foreign Policy | ||
| American Security Policy | ||
| International Security | ||
| Politics and the Mass Media | ||
| Democracy in Global Perspective | ||
| Human Rights | ||
| International Law and Organization | ||
| Revolution and International Politics | ||
| Ethics and International Politics | ||
| Conflict Resolution and Transformation | ||
| Refugee and Internal Displacement (Mason Core) | ||
| Power, Politics, and Society | ||
Or other course approved by the program director | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Concentration in Global Inequalities and Responses (GIR)
This concentration addresses global social issues and the steps actors such as non-profits, social movements, and international organizations take to address these issues. Courses cover human rights, refugee crises, gender violence, racial discrimination, and economic inequality from both historical and contemporary perspectives and in different parts of the world. Students are expected to acquire the skills to analyze complex social problems and to be able to formulate effective strategies to address these.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 12 credits from the following: | 12 | |
| Scientific Racism and Human Variation (Mason Core) | ||
| Human Rights and Inequality | ||
| Law and Justice around the World (Mason Core) | ||
| Health and Disease | ||
| Culture, Sexuality and the Global AIDS Epidemic | ||
| Population Geography (Mason Core) | ||
| Global Health and Development | ||
| Politics of Race and Gender | ||
| Comparative Slavery | ||
| Social Movements and Community Activism (Mason Core) | ||
| Refugee and Internal Displacement (Mason Core) | ||
| Social Movements and Political Protest | ||
| Race and Ethnicity in a Changing World (Mason Core) | ||
| Contemporary Gender Relations (Mason Core) | ||
| Social Inequality (Mason Core) | ||
| Global Representations of Women (Mason Core) | ||
| Introduction to Women and Gender Studies (Mason Core) | ||
Or other course approved by the program director | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Concentration in Human Security (HMSC)
This concentration is designed to conceptualize security beyond the boundaries of national security and to promote a more comprehensive understanding of "human security" in its multiple facets, including: food and health (famine and infectious disease), environmental security (natural disasters and climate change), and economic security (development). Coursework addresses these and other themes and draws on government, sociology, criminology, environmental science and policy, and other fields. Students are expected to garner an understanding of the sources of insecurity in today's world.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 12 credits from the following: | 12 | |
| Refugees (Mason Core) | ||
| Social Dynamics of Terrorism, Security, and Justice | ||
| Theory and Politics of Terrorism | ||
| Economics of Developing Areas (Mason Core) | ||
| Politics of Climate Change Governance | ||
| Health and Disease | ||
| Global Health Interventions: History and Systems | ||
| Geographic Information Systems | ||
| Human Security, Globalization, and Development | ||
| American Security Policy | ||
| International Security | ||
| Surveillance and Privacy in Contemporary Society | ||
| Conflict Resolution and Transformation | ||
| Conflict, Trauma and Healing | ||
| Refugee and Internal Displacement (Mason Core) | ||
| Globalization and Social Change (Mason Core) | ||
Or other course approved by the program director | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Concentration in International Development (IDEV)
In this concentration, students examine international development, its challenges, and how these are addressed by governments, international organizations, and non-governmental organizations. Coursework covers development economics, the politics of developing regions and transitional economies, the social consequences of global inequality, public health and health-related development issues, humanitarian relief, and more. Students are expected to gain the knowledge and skills to prepare them for work in the development sector or for further specialized studies in international development.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 12 credits from the following: | 12 | |
| Refugees (Mason Core) | ||
| Economics of Developing Areas (Mason Core) | ||
| Economic Development of Latin America (Mason Core) | ||
| African Economic Development (Mason Core) | ||
| Global Biodiversity Governance | ||
| Global Health (Mason Core) | ||
| Global Health Interventions: History and Systems | ||
| Geography of Resource Conservation (Mason Core) | ||
| Geographic Approaches for Sustainable Development | ||
| Human Security, Globalization, and Development | ||
| Global Health and Development | ||
| Democracy in Global Perspective | ||
| Human Rights | ||
| International Law and Organization | ||
| Health Interventions for Vulnerable Populations | ||
| Conservation Biology (Mason Core) | ||
| Refugee and Internal Displacement (Mason Core) | ||
| Ethical Issues in Global Health | ||
| Sustainable Tourism | ||
Or other course approved by the program director | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Concentration in Media, Communication, and Culture (MCC)
In this concentration, students examine historic trends and recent changes in media and communication technologies as well as their cultural contexts. Coursework includes critical analysis of media content, comparison of global media infrastructures and systems of political communication, discussion of the foundations of intercultural communication, and more. Students are expected to gain an understanding of the role of media and communication in shaping and responding to global issues of concern.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 12 credits from the following: | 12 | |
| Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Globalization (Mason Core) | ||
| Language and Culture | ||
| Work, Technology, and Society: An IT Perspective (Mason Core) | ||
| Hip Hop Culture | ||
| Media and Society | ||
| Foundations of Intercultural Communication (Mason Core) | ||
| Issues in Intercultural Communication | ||
| Media Criticism | ||
| Politics and the Mass Media | ||
| Global Dance Perspectives II (Mason Core) | ||
| Folklore and Folklife (Mason Core) | ||
| Global Voices (Mason Core) | ||
| The Idea of a World Literature (Mason Core) | ||
| World Literatures in English | ||
| Topics in World Literature (Mason Core) | ||
| Contexts for Global Cinema (Mason Core) | ||
| Media, Technology, and Globalization | ||
| Modern Telecommunications | ||
| Digital Futures | ||
| Applied Cross-Cultural Psychology (Mason Core) | ||
| Sociology of Culture | ||
| World Stages (Mason Core) | ||
or other course approved by the program director | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Concentration in Africa (AFR)
This concentration focuses on the societies of Africa, their history, culture, economics, and politics, including the pre-colonial, colonial, and post-colonial experiences. Course options include African diaspora experiences. Upon completion of this concentration, students will have an in-depth understanding of Africa as an international actor, African contributions (past and present) to global society, the political and economic challenges facing the continent today, and African solutions to problems such as civil wars and inequality.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 12 credits from the following: | 12 | |
| Survey of African Art (Mason Core) | ||
| African Economic Development (Mason Core) | ||
| Topics in Francophone African Literature and Culture | ||
| Geography of North Africa and the Middle East | ||
| Survey of African History (Mason Core) | ||
| Survey of African History (Mason Core) | ||
| The African American Experience in the United States: African Background to 1885 | ||
| The African American Experience in the United States: Reconstruction to the Present | ||
| History of South Africa (Mason Core) | ||
Or other course approved by the program director | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Concentration in Asia (ASA)
This concentration emphasizes Asia's increasingly significant role in contemporary global issues as well as its historical contexts. The courses in this concentration cover the economic, social, and political issues that confront the Asia-Pacific region (that is, East and Southeast Asian countries). Students interested in anthropology, history, art history, government, and religious studies should consider this concentration.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 12 credits from the following: | 12 | |
| Peoples and Cultures of India (Mason Core) | ||
| Survey of Asian Art (Mason Core) | ||
| Arts of India (Mason Core) | ||
| Arts of Southeast Asia (Mason Core) | ||
| Arts of China (Mason Core) | ||
| Arts of Japan (Mason Core) | ||
| Survey of Chinese Literature (Mason Core) | ||
| Modern Chinese Literature in Translation (Mason Core) | ||
| Major Chinese Writers (Mason Core) | ||
| Asian American Women Writers (Mason Core) | ||
| Contemporary Chinese Film | ||
| Special Topics in Chinese Studies | ||
| Politics of East Asia | ||
| Politics of Eurasia | ||
| Chinese Foreign Policy | ||
| Political Economy of East Asia | ||
| Survey of East Asian History (Mason Core) | ||
| Survey of East Asian History (Mason Core) | ||
| History of Traditional China | ||
| Modern China (Mason Core) | ||
| Modern Japan (Mason Core) | ||
| Postwar Japan (Mason Core) | ||
| Post-1949 China (Mason Core) | ||
| Japanese Culture in a Global World (Mason Core) | ||
| Japanese Cinema | ||
| Traditional Korean Literature in Translation | ||
| Introduction to Religions of Asia (Mason Core) | ||
| Hinduism (Mason Core) | ||
| Chinese Philosophies and Religious Traditions | ||
| Buddhism (Mason Core) | ||
| Daoism | ||
| Russian Civilization (Mason Core) | ||
Or other course approved by the program director | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Concentration in Europe (EU)
This concentration is designed to equip students with a deep and broad understanding of politics, history, culture, religion, and the arts in Europe as well as Europe's lasting legacies across the globe. Coursework includes broad surveys on government, geography, literature, and economics as well as special topics courses on the Renaissance, World Wars I and II, and nationalism in Eastern Europe. Upon completion of this concentration, students will have the ability to think critically about how historical processes and current events in Europe not only impact Europeans, but also the global community at large.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 12 credits from the following: | 12 | |
| Early Renaissance Art in Italy, 1300-1500 (Mason Core) | ||
| Nineteenth-Century European Art (Mason Core) | ||
| Twentieth-Century European Art (Mason Core) | ||
| Continental Fiction, 1880-1950 | ||
| Major French Writers (Topic Varies) (Mason Core) | ||
| French and Francophone Cinema | ||
| Major Writers (Mason Core) | ||
| Topics in German Literature and Film | ||
| Geography of Europe | ||
| Politics of Europe | ||
| Ethnic Politics in Western Europe and North America | ||
| Politics of Eurasia | ||
| Western Europe in the Middle Ages | ||
| The Renaissance | ||
| The Reformation | ||
| Old Regime and Revolutionary Europe | ||
| Nineteenth-Century Europe (Mason Core) | ||
| Europe in Crisis: 1914-1948 | ||
| Nationalism in Eastern Europe | ||
| History of Germany (Mason Core) | ||
| Modern Britain | ||
| Russian Civilization (Mason Core) | ||
| Introduction to Spanish Culture | ||
| Major Hispanic Writers (Mason Core) | ||
| Spanish Civilization and Culture | ||
| Medieval and Early Modern Literature of Spain | ||
| Modern and Contemporary Literature of Spain | ||
Or other course approved by the program director | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Concentration in Latin America (LA)
This concentration is designed to provide students with an overview of Latin America and its diaspora. Course options include broad surveys of Latin American history, art, literature, music, culture, and politics, as well as courses that provide in-depth exploration of topics such as colonialism, economic development, political movements, race and ethnicity, migration, and aesthetic trends. Upon completion of this concentration, students will have an in-depth understanding of Latin America as an international actor, Latin American contributions (past and present) to global society, and the political and economic challenges faced by the region.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 12 credits from the following: | 12 | |
| Peoples and Cultures of Latin America (Mason Core) | ||
| Ancient Mesoamerica (Mason Core) | ||
| Survey of Latin American Art (Mason Core) | ||
| Twentieth-Century Latin American Art (Mason Core) | ||
| Economic Development of Latin America (Mason Core) | ||
| Geography of Latin America | ||
| Politics of Latin America | ||
| Survey of Latin American History (Mason Core) | ||
| Survey of Latin American History (Mason Core) | ||
| Revolution in Latin America (Mason Core) | ||
| Conquest and Colonization in Latin America (Mason Core) | ||
| Introduction to Latin American Culture (Mason Core) | ||
| Major Hispanic Writers (Mason Core) | ||
| Introduction to Latina/o Studies (Mason Core) | ||
| Introduction to Hispanic Literary Analysis | ||
| Latin American Civilization and Culture (Mason Core) | ||
| The Literature of Spanish America | ||
Or other course approved by the program director | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Concentration in Middle East and North Africa (MNA)
This concentration provides students with a contemporary and historical perspective on the politics, economics, and religious diversity of the Middle East and North Africa. Coursework includes broad surveys as well as courses on specific topics such as the Arab-Israeli conflict, francophone literature from North Africa, politics and Islam, and art and archeology of the ancient Near East. Upon completion of this concentration, students are expected to have an in-depth understanding of the current state of the Middle East and North Africa and how this state has developed historically.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 12 credits from the following: | 12 | |
| Peoples and Cultures of the Middle East (Mason Core) | ||
| Art and Archaeology of the Ancient Near East (Mason Core) | ||
| Art of the Islamic World (Mason Core) | ||
| Geography of North Africa and the Middle East | ||
| Politics of the Middle East and North Africa | ||
| Islam and Politics | ||
| Survey of Middle Eastern Civilization (Mason Core) | ||
| Survey of Middle Eastern Civilization (Mason Core) | ||
| Arab-Israeli Conflict | ||
| Women in Islamic Society (Mason Core) | ||
| The Middle East in the 20th Century | ||
| Introduction to Religions of the "West" (Mason Core) | ||
| Judaism (Mason Core) | ||
| Islam (Mason Core) | ||
| Qur'an and Hadith | ||
| Sufism | ||
| Judaism from Exile to Talmud | ||
| Islam, Democracy, and Human Rights (Mason Core) | ||
Or other course approved by the program director | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Concentration in North America (NA)
In this concentration, students explore the multifaceted development of the United States and its relationship with its North American neighbors. Coursework includes historical examinations of pre-American culture, as well as in-depth surveys of political, economic, cultural, and artistic developments in United States. Upon completion of this concentration, students will have the ability to critically assess how the US has influenced and been influenced by European and non-European societies and traditions, knowledge of the development of American government and its consequences within and beyond North America, and an appreciation of the role of arts and literature in American culture.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 12 credits from the following: | 12 | |
| American Architecture and Material Culture (Mason Core) | ||
| Studies in 18th- and 19th-Century Art of the United States (Mason Core) | ||
| Studies in 20th-Century Art of the United States (Mason Core) | ||
| Contemporary Fiction | ||
| Contemporary Poetry | ||
| Geography of the United States | ||
| Public Law and the Judicial Process | ||
| Legislative Behavior | ||
| The American Presidency | ||
| Ethnic Politics in Western Europe and North America | ||
| American Political Thought | ||
| The African American Experience in the United States: Reconstruction to the Present | ||
| U.S. Women's History | ||
| History of the Old South | ||
| The South since 1865 | ||
| War and American Society | ||
Or other course approved by the program director | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Concentration in Russia and Central Asia (RCA)
This concentration provides students contemporary and historical perspectives on the political, economic, and cultural climates and trends in Russia and Central Asia. Upon completion of this concentration, students will not only have the skills to critically assess the impacts of Soviet-era legacies on newly independent political systems, economies in transition, and re-emerging cultural traditions, but also knowledge of pre-Soviet sociocultural and political environments in Russia and Central Asia.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 12 credits from the following: | 12 | |
| Economies in Transition (Mason Core) | ||
| Politics of Eurasia | ||
| Central Asian Politics | ||
| Revolution and International Politics | ||
| The Soviet Union and Russia Since World War II | ||
| Rise of Russia (Mason Core) | ||
| Modern Russia and the Soviet Union (Mason Core) | ||
| Major Russian Writers (Mason Core) | ||
| 19th-Century Literature in Translation (Mason Core) | ||
| 20th-Century Literature in Translation (Mason Core) | ||
| Russian Civilization (Mason Core) | ||
| Contemporary Post-Soviet Life (Mason Core) | ||
| Russian Drama and Theater | ||
| Russian Poetry | ||
| Topics in (Post) Soviet Film | ||
Or other course approved by the program director | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Individualized Concentration (IND)
Students who wish to design their own concentration must submit a one-page proposal and create a curriculum plan to be approved by the director.
Writing-Intensive Requirement
The university requires all students to complete at least one course designated "writing intensive" in their majors at the 300 level or above. Students majoring in global affairs may fulfill this requirement by successfully completing EVPP 337 Environmental Policy Making in Developing Countries (Mason Core) or INTS 334 Environmental Justice (Mason Core).
Upper Level Requirement
Students seeking a bachelor’s degree must apply at least 45 credits of upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above) toward graduation requirements.
Additional Electives
Any remaining credits may be completed with elective courses to bring the degree total to 120.
College Level Requirements in the BA Degree
In addition to the Mason Core program, students pursuing a BA degree must complete the coursework below. Except where expressly prohibited, a course used to fulfill a college level requirement may also be used simultaneously to satisfy other requirements (Mason Core requirements or requirements for the major).
Philosophy or Religious Studies
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 3 credits from the following: | 3 | |
PHIL 1 | ||
- 1
Note that the following courses may not be used to fulfill this requirement:
- PHIL 323 Classical Western Political Theory
- PHIL 324 Modern Western Political Theory
- PHIL 327 Contemporary Western Political Theory
- PHIL 393 Humanities College to Career
- PHIL 460 Senior Seminar in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics
Additionally, PHIL 253, RELI 235, RELI 333, and RELI 339 cannot be used to fulfill both the philosophy/religious studies requirement and the Mason Core literature requirement.
Social and Behavioral Sciences
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 3 credits of social and behavioral sciences from the following (additional to the Mason Core social and behavioral sciences requirement) 1 | 3 | |
| ANTH | ||
| CRIM | ||
| ECON | ||
| GOVT | ||
| HIST 2 | ||
| LING | ||
| PSYC | ||
| SOCI | ||
| Or choose from the following GGS courses: | ||
| Major World Regions (Mason Core) | ||
| Human Geography (Mason Core) | ||
| Introduction to Geoinformation Technologies | ||
| Political Geography (Mason Core) | ||
| Geography of Resource Conservation (Mason Core) | ||
| Population Geography (Mason Core) | ||
| Economic Geography | ||
| Urban Geography | ||
| Geography of the United States | ||
| Geography of Latin America | ||
| Geography of Europe | ||
| Geography of North Africa and the Middle East | ||
| Geography of Eastern Europe and Russia | ||
| Urban Planning | ||
| Geography of Virginia | ||
- 1
The two courses used to fulfill the combined college and Mason Core requirements must be from different disciplines in the social and behavioral sciences.
- 2
HIST 100 and HIST 125 may not be used to fulfill this requirement.
Foreign Language
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Intermediate-level proficiency in one foreign language, fulfilled by: 1 | ||
Or achieving a satisfactory score on an approved proficiency test | ||
Or completing the following ASL three course sequence: | ||
| American Sign Language (ASL) I | ||
| American Sign Language (ASL) II | ||
| American Sign Language (ASL) III | ||
- 1
Students who are already proficient in a second language may be eligible for a waiver of this requirement. Additional information on waivers can be found at the Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs.
Non-Western Culture
Select 3 credits of an approved course in the study of a non-Western culture (additional to the Mason Core requirement in global understanding)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 3 credits (additional to Mason Core Global Understanding requirement) 1 | ||
| ANTH 114 | Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ANTH 300 | Civilizations | 3 |
| ANTH 302 | Peoples and Cultures of Latin America (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ANTH 307 | Ancient Mesoamerica (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ANTH 308 | Peoples and Cultures of the Middle East (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ANTH 309 | Peoples and Cultures of India (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ANTH 313 | Myth, Magic, and Mind (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ANTH 314 | Zombies | 3 |
| ANTH 317 | East Asian Cultures | 3 |
| ANTH 330 | Peoples and Cultures of Selected Regions: Non-Western | 3 |
| ANTH 332 | Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Globalization (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ANTH 381 | Medical Anthropology | 3 |
| ANTH 396 | Issues in Anthropology: Social Sciences (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARAB 360 | Topics in Arabic Cultural Production | 3 |
| ARAB 365 | Black and Minority Cultures in Arabic Literature (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARAB 420 | Survey of Arabic Literature | 3 |
| ARAB 440 | Topics in Arabic Religious Thought and Texts (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 203 | Survey of Asian Art (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 204 | Survey of Latin American Art (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 206 | Survey of African Art (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 317 | The Black Pharaohs: Art and Archaeology of Ancient Nubia (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 318 | Art and Archaeology of Ancient Egypt | 3 |
| ARTH 319 | Art and Archaeology of the Ancient Near East (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 320 | Art of the Islamic World (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 382 | Arts of India (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 383 | Arts of Southeast Asia (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 384 | Arts of China (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 385 | Arts of Japan (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 482 | RS: Advanced Studies in Asian Art (Mason Core) | 3 |
| CHIN 318 | Introduction to Classical Chinese (Mason Core) | 3 |
| CHIN 320 | Contemporary Chinese Film | 3 |
| CHIN 325 | Major Chinese Writers (Mason Core) | 3 |
| CHIN 470 | Special Topics in Chinese Studies | 3 |
| DANC 118 | Global Dance Perspectives I (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ECON 361 | Economic Development of Latin America (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ECON 362 | African Economic Development (Mason Core) | 3 |
| FREN 454 | Topics in Caribbean Francophone Literature and Culture | 3 |
| GGS 101 | Major World Regions (Mason Core) | 3 |
| GGS 316 | Geography of Latin America | 3 |
| GGS 317 | Geography of China (Mason Core) | 3 |
| GGS 325 | Geography of North Africa and the Middle East | 3 |
| GGS 399 | Select Topics in GGS | 3 |
| GOVT 332 | Politics of the Middle East and North Africa | 3 |
| GOVT 333 | Politics of East Asia | 3 |
| GOVT 338 | Politics of Eurasia | 3 |
| GOVT 340 | Central Asian Politics | 3 |
| GOVT 341 | Chinese Foreign Policy | 3 |
| GOVT 345 | Islam and Politics | 3 |
| GOVT 433 | Political Economy of East Asia | 3 |
| HIST 251 | Survey of East Asian History (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 252 | Survey of East Asian History (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 261 | Survey of African History (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 262 | Survey of African History (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 271 | Survey of Latin American History (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 272 | Survey of Latin American History (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 281 | Survey of Middle Eastern Civilization (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 282 | Survey of Middle Eastern Civilization (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 326 | Stalinism | 3 |
| HIST 327 | The Soviet Union and Russia Since World War II | 3 |
| HIST 328 | Rise of Russia (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 329 | Modern Russia and the Soviet Union (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 353 | History of Traditional China | 3 |
| HIST 354 | Modern China (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 356 | Modern Japan (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 357 | Postwar Japan (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 358 | Post-1949 China (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 360 | History of South Africa (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 364 | Revolution in Latin America (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 365 | Conquest and Colonization in Latin America (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 366 | Comparative Slavery | 3 |
| HIST 377 | The Vietnam War (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 384 | Global History of Christianity (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 387 | Topics in Global History (Mason Core) | 3-6 |
| HIST 461 | Arab-Israeli Conflict | 3 |
| HIST 462 | Women in Islamic Society (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 465 | The Middle East in the 20th Century | 3 |
| JAPA 310 | Japanese Culture in a Global World (Mason Core) | 3 |
| JAPA 340 | Topics in Japanese Literature (Mason Core) | 3 |
| JAPA 380 | Japan in Motion | 3 |
| KORE 300 | Korean Culture and Society | 3 |
| KORE 320 | Korean Popular Culture in a Global World | 3 |
| KORE 385 | Introduction to Korean Linguistics | 3 |
| MUSI 103 | Musics of the World (Mason Core) | 3 |
| RELI 211 | Introduction to Religions of the "West" (Mason Core) | 3 |
| RELI 212 | Introduction to Religions of Asia (Mason Core) | 3 |
| RELI 312 | Islam (Mason Core) | 3 |
| RELI 313 | Hinduism (Mason Core) | 3 |
| RELI 314 | Chinese Philosophies and Religious Traditions | 3 |
| RELI 315 | Buddhism (Mason Core) | 3 |
| RELI 317 | Daoism | 3 |
| RELI 318 | Korean Philosophy and Religions | 3 |
| RELI 338 | Qur'an and Hadith | 3 |
| RELI 342 | Comparative Study of Mysticism | 3 |
| RELI 344 | Muhammad: Life and Legacy | 3 |
| RELI 358 | Islamic Thought (Mason Core) | 3 |
| RELI 367 | Islamic Law, Society, and Ethics | 3 |
| RELI 368 | Islam, Democracy, and Human Rights (Mason Core) | 3 |
| RELI 384 | Global History of Christianity (Mason Core) | 3 |
| RELI 490 | Comparative Study of Religions (Mason Core) | 3 |
| RUSS 353 | Russian Civilization (Mason Core) | 3 |
| RUSS 354 | Contemporary Post-Soviet Life (Mason Core) | 3 |
| WMST 407 | Transnational Sexualities | 3 |
- 1
A course used to fulfill the Mason Core global understanding requirement may not be simultaneously used to satisfy this college-level requirement. A course used to fulfill this requirement may be used simultaneously to fulfill any other requirements (Mason Core requirements, college-level requirements, or requirements for the major). Additional information on waivers can be found at the Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs.
Mason Core
Some Mason Core requirements may already be fulfilled by the major requirements listed above. Students are strongly encouraged to consult their advisors to ensure they fulfill all remaining Mason Core requirements.
Students who have completed the following credentials are eligible for a waiver of the Foundation and Exploration (lower level) requirement categories. The Integration category (upper level) is not waived under this policy. See Admissions for more information.
- VCCS Uniform Certificate of General Studies
- VCCS or Richard Bland Associate of Science (A.S.), Associate of Arts (A.A.), Associate of Arts and Sciences (A.A.&S.), or Associate of Fine Arts (A.F.A.)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation Requirements | ||
| Written Communication (lower-level) | 3 | |
| Oral Communication | 3 | |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 3 | |
| Information Technology and Computing | 3 | |
| Exploration Requirements | ||
| Arts | 3 | |
| Global Contexts | 3 | |
| Global History | 3 | |
| Literature | 3 | |
| Natural Science | 7 | |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3 | |
| Just Societies (optional) 1 | ||
| Integration Requirements | ||
| Written Communication (upper-level) | 3 | |
| Writing Intensive 2 | 3 | |
| Mason Apex 3 | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 40 | |
- 1
In addition to covering content related to the designated category, Exploration level courses marked with a Just Societies "flag" are specifically designed to help students learn how to interact effectively with others from all walks of life, including those with backgrounds and beliefs that differ from their own. Courses marked with the Just Societies flag are available for students starting in Fall 2024. Students admitted prior to the Fall of 2025 are not required to take courses with a Just Societies flag but may wish to do so to increase their knowledge and skills in this important area. Students interested in this approach to completing their Mason Core Exploration Requirements should work closely wiht their advisor to identify the appropriate Just Societies-flagged courses.
- 2
Most programs include the writing-intensive course designated for the major as part of the major requirements; this course is therefore not counted towards the total required for Mason Core.
- 3
Minimum 3 credits required.
Bachelor of Arts in Global Affairs Sample Plan of Study
A sample four year graduation plan and degree planning worksheet can be found at https://academicaffairs.chss.gmu.edu/undergraduate-students/advising/advising-sheets. The plan is a recommended sequencing of courses based on prerequisites and scheduling. This may not fit every student's needs and is a guideline, not a requirement. Students should confirm major requirements with their academic advisor each semester and with their PatriotWeb Degree Evaluation to ensure they enroll in the proper courses and are on track to graduate.
Honors in the Major
Highly qualified students may pursue advanced work leading to graduation with honors in the major. Global affairs majors who have completed 75 credits with an overall GPA of 3.50 and a GPA of 3.50 in courses for the major are eligible to apply to graduate with honors.
Students pursuing honors in the major must complete the two-course honors sequence, GLOA 491 Honors Seminar in Global Affairs and GLOA 492 Honors Research Project in Global Affairs (Mason Core), with a minimum GPA of 3.50 in the sequence. Not all applicants who meet the minimum requirements are guaranteed acceptance.
The accelerated master's program listed below specifies the BA in global affairs as a feeder degree for its program. Many other accelerated master's programs are also available for any bachelor's degree at Mason. See the full list of degrees with accelerated programs at George Mason. In addition, as a student with a BA in global affairs you may be particularly interested in the accelerated MA in global affairs.
Bachelor's Degree (any)/Global Affairs, Accelerated MA
Overview
Highly qualified undergraduates may be admitted to the bachelor's/accelerated master's program and obtain a BA/BS in a chosen major and an MA in Global Affairs in an accelerated time-frame after satisfactory completion of a minimum of 138 credits.
See AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degree for policies related to this program.
Students in an accelerated degree program must fulfill all university requirements for the master's degree. For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.
BAM Pathway Admission Requirements
Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions Polices and Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degree policies. For information specific to the accelerated MA in global affairs, see Application Requirements and Deadlines on the departmental website.
Students will be considered for admission into the BAM Pathway after completion of a minimum of 60 credits, and after meeting the following:
- Minimum overall GPA of 3.25
- Enrolled in or have completed a foreign language course 202 or higher with a minimum grade of C- prior to graduation with the BA (or other evidence of proficiency in foreign language).
Students who are accepted in the BAM Pathway will be allowed to register for graduate level courses after successful completion of a minimum of 75 undergraduate credits.
Accelerated Master's Admission Requirements
Students already admitted in the BAM Pathway will be admitted to the MA program, if they have met the following criteria, as verified on the Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Transition form:
- Minimum overall GPA of 3.25
- Successfully met Mason's requirements for undergraduate degree conferral (graduation) and completed the application for graduation.
Accelerated Pathway Requirements
To maintain the integrity and quality of both the undergraduate and graduate degree programs, undergraduate students interested in taking graduate courses must choose from the following:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Standing courses (up to 12 credits) | ||
| Required Course | ||
| GLOA 600 | Global Competencies | 3 |
| Additional Optional Courses | ||
| GLOA 610 | Economic Globalization and Development | 3 |
| GLOA 615 | Case Studies in Globalization 1 | 3 |
| GLOA 599 | Issues in Global Affairs 2 | 1-6 |
| Other specialization course after GLOA 600 and GLOA 605 have been completed with the permission of the program. | ||
| Reserve Graduate Credit courses (up to 6 credits) taken while an undergraduate and will only count for the graduate degree program | ||
| GLOA 599 | Issues in Global Affairs 2 | 1-6 |
| GLOA 605 | Interdisciplinary Research Methods | 3 |
| GLOA 615 | Case Studies in Globalization | 3 |
| 500- or 600-level courses approved for student's specialization | ||
- 1
First 3 credits taken to fulfill the GLOA 615 requirement. May be repeated one time for another 3 credits as a specialization course, with permission of program.
- 2
As a specialization course.
For more detailed information on coursework and timeline requirements see AP.6.7 Bachelor's Accelerated Master's Degree policies.
Bachelor's Degree (selected)/Environmental Science and Policy, Accelerated MS
Overview
This bachelor's/accelerated master's degree program allows academically strong undergraduates with a commitment to advance their education to obtain a Green Leaf-designated bachelor's degree and the Environmental Science and Policy, MS degrees within an accelerated timeframe. Upon completion of this 141-credit accelerated program, students will be exceptionally well prepared for entry into their careers or into a doctoral program in the field or in a related discipline.
Students are eligible to apply for this accelerated program once they have earned at least 60 undergraduate credits and can enroll in up to 18 credits of graduate coursework after successfully completing 75 undergraduate credits. This flexibility makes it possible for students to complete a bachelor's and a master's in five years.
For more detailed information, see AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees. For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6 Graduate Policies. For more information on undergraduates enrolling in graduate courses, see AP.1.4.4 Graduate Course Enrollment by Undergraduates.
Admission Requirements
Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in the Graduate Admission Policies section of this catalog.
Important application information and processes for this accelerated master's program can be found here.
The GRE exam is not required for this accelerated master's program.
Students should submit three letters of recommendation (at least one from a former professor or someone with a PhD), a recent resume, a statement of interest/research goals and interests (including information on the candidate's proposed MS research), and a letter from their advisor (Perspective Advisor Form) stating that the advisor agrees to take on the candidate as an MS student, how the candidate would be a good fit for them and why candidate's research topic would be suitable.
Students with an overall GPA of at least 3.20 who are pursuing any Green Leaf-designated major or minor may apply to this accelerated master's program after completing two semesters of chemistry (including CHEM 211 General Chemistry I (Mason Core) and CHEM 212 General Chemistry II (Mason Core) and three semesters of biology, including a course in ecology, or the equivalent, for example:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following options: | 13 | |
Option 1: | ||
| Cell Structure and Function (Mason Core) | ||
| Biostatistics for Biology Majors | ||
| Foundations of Ecology and Evolution (Mason Core) | ||
Option 2: | ||
| Environmental Biology: Molecules and Cells | ||
| Environmental Science: Biological Diversity and Ecosystems | ||
| Environmental Science: Biomes and Human Dimensions | ||
| Environmental Microbiology Essentials | ||
| Environmental Microbiology Essentials Laboratory | ||
Option 3: | ||
| Conservation Theory | ||
| Applied Conservation | ||
6 credits of BIOL or CONS electives | ||
Graduate Advisor
By at least the beginning of their senior year, students should seek out a faculty member in the Department of Environmental Science and Policy who is willing to serve as their advisor. This advisor will aid the student in choosing the appropriate graduate courses to take and help to prepare the student for graduate studies. Admission into a research-oriented master's concentration is dependent upon securing the agreement of a faculty advisor. Faculty from a variety of departments and colleges at George Mason University (called "program faculty") can serve as master's advisors. Potential students are encouraged to speak with the graduate program coordinator in the department to obtain guidance on this issue.
Accelerated Option Requirements
After the completion of 75 undergraduate credits, students may complete 3 to 12 credits of graduate coursework that can apply to both the undergraduate and graduate degrees.
In addition to applying to graduate from the undergraduate program, students in the accelerated program must submit a bachelor's/accelerated master's transition form (available from the Office of the University Registrar) to the College of Science's Office of Academic and Student Affairs by the last day to add classes of their final undergraduate semester. Students should enroll for courses in the master's program in the fall or spring semester immediately following conferral of the bachelor's degree, but should contact an advisor if they would like to defer up to one semester.
Students must maintain an overall GPA of 3.00 or higher in all graduate coursework and should consult with their faculty advisor to coordinate their academic goals.
Reserve Graduate Credits
Accelerated master's students may also take up to 6 graduate credits as reserve graduate credits. These credits do not apply to the undergraduate degree, but will reduce the master's degree by up to 6 credits. With 12 graduate credits counted toward the undergraduate and graduate degrees plus the maximum 6 reserve graduate credits, the credits necessary for the graduate degree can be reduced by up to 18.
Graduate Course Suggestions
The following list of suggested courses is provided for general reference. To ensure an efficient route to graduation and post-graduation readiness, students are strongly encouraged to meet with an advisor before registering for graduate-level courses.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EVPP 518 | Conservation Biology | 3 |
| EVPP 529 | Environmental Science Communication | 3 |
| EVPP 621 | Overview of Biodiversity Conservation | 3 |
| EVPP 635 | Environment and Society | 3 |
Program Outcomes
- Students will be able to summarize essential questions, debates, and issues in globalization and global studies.
- Students will be able to identify and break down assumptions made about global processes or dynamics.
- Students will be able to integrate theoretical concepts and methodological approaches from more than one academic discipline or field to analyze global challenges, problems, and issues.
- Students will be able to apply knowledge gained through coursework to propose informed and appropriate solutions to address problems in the human and natural worlds.
- Students will be able to recognize the historical and contemporary effects that human actions have on global systems.
- Students will be able to develop a well-informed research project using necessary analytical skills and to conduct research in an ethical manner.
- Students will be able to construct work in oral and written forms that integrates information from different credible sources to support an original argument.
- Students will be able to produce projects that adhere to academic standards and are able to be understood by a wide audience inside and outside of the university.