Global Affairs
Phone: 703-993-9185
Administration
Bockman, Christensen, Dudley, Jones, Lukacs, Mandaville, Paczynska, Robers, Smith, Sussan, Vallas, Wan (director)
Course Work
The Global Affairs Program offers all course work designated GLOA in the Course Descriptions chapter of this catalog.
Undergraduate Programs
Global Affairs, BA
Global affairs is an interdisciplinary major that introduces students to the global processes affecting all societies. Drawing on the broad international expertise of Mason faculty, the BA in global affairs incorporates courses from across the university. Global affairs majors examine transnational and international processes in a wide range of areas, including politics, economics, culture, peace and conflict, and the environment. Majors also study specific regions and languages and investigate the ways particular parts of the world experience and influence global processes. Study abroad and internships are strongly encouraged. Students can complement their major with a second major or a minor.
Degree Requirements
In addition to satisfying the university-wide general education requirements and requirements for the BA degree in CHSS, students majoring in global affairs must complete 36 credits distributed as follows.
- Six required core courses (18 credits): GLOA 101 or SOCI 120, CONF 340, CULT 320, ECON 385, EVPP 337, and GOVT 322
- Four courses (12 credits) in an approved concentration (see below)
- 9 credits of language courses beyond intermediate-level proficiency (Intermediate-level proficiency is demonstrated by completing a course in a foreign language course numbered 210 or achieving a satisfactory score on an approved proficiency test. After demonstrating intermediate-level proficiency in one foreign language, global affairs majors must complete either 9 credits beyond 210 conducted in that foreign language or 9 credits conducted in any foreign language.)
Students must have a minimum grade of C (2.00) in each of the core courses and a minimum grade of C- in each of the courses used to fulfill the concentration and global affairs language requirement. Students must achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher in all course work to receive a baccalaureate degree. Students who major in global affairs are not eligible to earn the global systems minor or receive credit for ECON 390.
Approved Concentrations
Courses applied to a global affairs concentration must come from at least two different departments or programs and cannot be applied to any other major, minor, concentration, or certificate. In addition to the courses listed below, other relevant courses, including special topics courses, study abroad, and internships, may be applied to a concentration with prior written approval from the director. (Registration in courses at the 500 level requires approval of the department offering the course.)
By Global Topic
The Environment
BIOL 301, 371; EVPP 110, 336, 377; GEOG 303, 311; GEOL 309; TOUR 312, 340
Global Communications and Technology
ANTH 332; COMM 202, 305, 306, 307, 350, 375, 412, 431, 456, 506, 554; IT 221, 300, 341, 353, 462, 488; PSYC 379
Global Economy and Management
ECON 360, 361, 380; FNAN 440; GOVT 343; MSOM 303, 305; NCLC 423 (6 credits); BULE 302, 402 (BULE courses require the approval of the director.)
Global Governance
ADJ 405, 475; ANTH 312; COMM 305; GEOG 301; GOVT 342, 343, 344, 347, 445, 446, 447, 448; HIST 345; NCLC 305 (6 credits), 422, 424; PHIL 429; SOCI 340
Global Inequalities and Responses
ADJ 405; ANTH 365, 488; ECON 321; GEOG 304, 318, 414, 446, 448; HIST 366; NCLC 304, 424; SOCI 307, 308, 315, 401, 475; WMST 100
International Development
ANTH 331, 333; ECON 360, 361, 362; GEOG 303; GOVT 434, 445, 446; HSCI 150; HEAL 350; NCLC 401; PHIL 429; SOCI 350; SOCW 351; TOUR 340
World Arts
ARTH 203, 362, 380, 382, 383, 384, 385, 394; AVT 372; CHIN 311, 320; CL 300, 514; DANC 391, 418 (1-3 credits); ENGL 333, 349, 350, 380, 439; FREN 325, 378, 451, 452, 470; FRLN 330; GERM 325, 340, 451; JAPA 320; RUSS 325, 327, 470; SPAN 321, 325; THR 359
By World Region
Africa
ARTH 380; FREN 451; GOVT 430; HIST 261, 262, 335, 336, 466, 565
Asia
ANTH 304, 306, 309, 311; ARTH 203, 382, 383, 384, 385; CHIN 311, 320; GOVT 333, 341, 433; HIST 252, 354, 357, 555; JAPA 320; RELI 212
Europe
ARTH 362; FREN 325, 378, 470; GEOG 320; GERM 325, 340, 451; GOVT 334, 337; HIST 309, 314, 322, 436, 524; PHIL 450; SPAN 321, 325
Latin America
ANTH 302, 385; ECON 361; GEOG 316; GOVT 331; HIST 271, 272, 364, 365, 525
Middle East and North Africa
ARTH 319, 320; FREN 453; GEOG 325; GOVT 332; HIST 282, 461, 465, 585; RELI 211
North America
ANTH 301; ENGL 380, 390; FREN 452; GEOG 315; GOVT 301, 307, 308, 335, 337; HIST 330, 416, 418; USST 401
Russia and Central Asia
GEOG 330; GOVT 338, 340, 447; HIST 329; RUSS 325, 327, 354, 470
Individualized Concentration
Students may construct an individualized concentration with the director's help and written approval.
Writing-Intensive Requirement
The university requires all students to complete at least one course designated as "writing intensive" in their major at the 300 level or above. Students majoring in global affairs should consult the program advisor for courses that can be used to fulfill this requirement.
Global Affairs in a Double Major
Students interested in designing a double major are encouraged to discuss their plans with an advisor in their major and the advisor for global affairs.
Minor in Global Affairs
The minor in global affairs provides students with a global perspective that can enhance many different majors. The minor is not available to students majoring in global affairs or minoring in global systems. To receive a minor in global affairs, students must complete 15 credits of course work: GLOA 101 or SOCI 120, CULT 320, ECON 385, GOVT 322 and CONF 340 or EVPP 337. For policies governing all minors, see the Academic Policies chapter of this catalog.