Global systems have become increasingly important to the way we live and work, and a global perspective makes us more aware of how we are connected to others around the world and to the whole of nature.

The interdisciplinary minor in global systems is designed to complement virtually any undergraduate major. It works well for majors in business disciplines, economics, languages, geography, government and international politics, history, and other disciplines that take a global view. Students in professional programs learn to connect their professional concerns to global issues of health care, trade and finance, or technology. Students in the liberal arts gain insights into their disciplines as they learn how the arts, humanities, sciences, and social sciences are affected by global issues such as demographic change, telecommunications, and environmental protection.

Other globally oriented courses may also fulfill or substitute for the requirements of this program with written permission of the coordinator prior to registration.

This is an interdisciplinary minor offered by the Schar School of Policy and Government and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Faculty

Lopez-Santana (minor advisor)

Policies

Students must complete all coursework with a minimum GPA of 2.00. At least 9 credits must be at the 300 level or above. Eight credits of coursework must be unique to the minor.

For policies governing all minors, see AP.5.3.4 Minors.

Banner Code: GLOS

Minor Requirements

Total credits: 18

Required Course

Select one course from the following:3
Introduction to Global Affairs (Mason Core)
Introduction to International Politics (Mason Core)
Introduction to Global History (Mason Core)
Total Credits3

Electives

Select five electives from at least two of the following fields: 115
Field A: Government, geography, and administration of justice
Introduction to International Politics (Mason Core)
Issues in International Studies
Law and Justice around the World (Mason Core)
Major World Regions (Mason Core)
Political Geography (Mason Core)
Geography of Resource Conservation (Mason Core)
Population Geography (Mason Core)
Economic Geography
Field B: Economics, anthropology, marketing, history, and sociology
Civilizations
Political Anthropology (Mason Core)
Refugees (Mason Core)
ANTH 375
Economics of Developing Areas (Mason Core)
Economic Development of Latin America (Mason Core)
Economies in Transition (Mason Core)
International Economics
Topics in Global History (Mason Core)
Global Marketing
The Urban World (Mason Core)
Field C: Environmental science, global health, systems engineering, urban and suburban studies, civil and infrastructure engineering
Applied Ecology
Environmental Engineering around the World (Mason Core)
Environmental Engineering Systems
Global Health
USST 301
Field D: Modes of communication
Foundations of Intercultural Communication (Mason Core)
COMM 456
(Mason Core)
Global Dance Perspectives I (Mason Core)
Musics of the World (Mason Core)
Music History in Society III (Mason Core)
World Stages (Mason Core)
Total Credits15
1

Other globally-oriented courses may also be applied to this requirement with written approval of the director.