|
|
2010-2011 University Catalog
Interdisciplinary Studies, MAIS
|
|
Banner Code: LA-MAIS-ISIN
Web: mais.gmu.edu
The MA in interdisciplinary studies is for students who seek a master’s degree that integrates knowledge from several disciplines. It addresses the rapidly evolving demand for unique graduate study by promoting advanced scholarship that transcends traditional disciplinary boundaries.
Students can pursue one of the following structured interdisciplinary concentrations:
- Community college teaching (in communication, English, information systems, math, Spanish, or TESL)
- Folklore
- Higher education (administration or student affairs)
- Neuroethics
- Religion, culture, and values
- Video-based production
- Women and gender studies
- Zoo and aquarium leadership
Students also have the opportunity to design an individualized concentration to meet the special needs of their careers.
This program of study is offered by the Interdisciplinary Studies Program .
For policies governing all graduate degrees, see the Academic Policies chapter of the catalog. |
Application Requirements
Applicants must show a capacity for original thought in cross disciplinary research and must meet George Mason admission standards and application requirements for graduate study. See the Admission chapter of this catalog. Additional requirements may vary by concentration. Students will be admitted only if the program can assign to them a faculty advisor appropriate for the intended course of study. Degree Requirements
Students pursuing this degree must successfully complete 36 credits of graduate course work in one of the concentrations below. Students must submit a curriculum contract that has been approved by their faculty adviser and the director.
Courses applied to the degree are subject to the following restrictions: a maximum of 6 credits may be earned through independent study or directed readings and research courses; a maximum of 6 credits may be taken through the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area; a maximum of 15 credits may be transfer credits; a maximum of 6 of the transfer credits may be from other accredited institutions (12 for students in the zoo and aquarium leadership concentration).
Transfer credits include credits taken before first enrolling as an admitted degree-seeking student (at another institution, in another Mason graduate program, or in Mason nondegree status) or credits taken at another institution after admission to the degree program (which requires prior written approval of the director and the dean).
All students complete their work in the program with a project or thesis. Students admitted under this catalog are required to take MAIS 797 Proposal (1 credit) and either MAIS 798 Project (2–5 credits) or MAIS 799 Thesis (5 credits). ▲ Concentration in Community College Teaching (CCT)
This concentration qualifies students to teach entry-level courses in rapidly growing fields at in community colleges. In addition, it may be an appropriate graduate credential for some faculty currently teaching in community colleges. Four required courses (12 credits) in college teaching:
Seven required courses (21 credits) in a knowledge area:
Four core courses (12 credits):
Three elective courses (9 credits):
Electives are chosen from graduate-level communication courses in consultation with a faculty advisor. They may include core courses listed above not that are not use to meet the 12 credit requirement. Two to three core courses (6-9 credits):
Four to five elective courses (12-15 credits):
Electives are chosen from graduate-level English courses in consultation with a faculty advisor. Three core courses (9 credits):
Four elective courses (12 credits):
Electives must be graduate-level INFS or INFS-related courses chosen in consultation with a faculty advisor. Two core courses (6 credits):
Five elective courses (15 credits):
Electives are from graduate-level courses in mathematics and related disciplines (including statistics) chosen in consultation with a faculty advisor. Three core courses (9 credits):
Four elective courses (12 credits):
At least three elective courses (9 credits) must be graduate-level SPAN courses; one (3 credits) may be a graduate-level FRLN course. Electives should be chosen in consultation with a faculty advisor. Teaching English as a Second Language
Six core courses (18 credits):
One elective course (3 credits):
Elective should be from graduate-level courses in linguistics or a related area chosen in consultation with a faculty advisor. ▲ Concentration in Folklore (FLK)
This concentration explores the processes of tradition that move through multiple expressive forms, such as folktales, folk beliefs, folk medicine, folk art, folksong, and literature. A discipline based on ethnographic fieldwork, folklore offers students a chance to work in communities and collect living traditional materials that are critical to human identity and values. Interdisciplinary by nature, folklore thrives on local particularities and compelling global connections. Internships in the many Washington, D.C., metropolitan area folklore organizations are central to students’ experiences. This course of study prepares students for careers in cultural agencies, governmental organizations, and teaching institutions, and advanced study in the humanities.
Students pursuing this concentration must complete at least 6 credits of courses from outside the English Department. Six core courses (18 credits):
Special topics in folklore (9 credits) chosen from:
Courses may be repeated. Pathways in folklore scholarship (3 credits)
Internship in folklore (3 credits)
Research methodology course (3 credits) chosen from:
Specialization (9 credits):
Students choose an area of specialization which must be approved by a faculty advisor. Specialization topics include public folklore (museums, archives, arts and humanities councils, and nonprofit organizations); folklore (ethnicity and immigration); folklore and literature; folklore and the teaching of writing and literature; folklore and history; and folklore and conflict resolution. Students also can opt for open specialization, with courses chosen in consultation with advisor. Possibilities include folklore and editing, applied storytelling, folklore and mythology, folklore and art history, folklore and gender studies, and folklore and communication. One to two elective courses (3 to 6 credits):
Electives require the prior written approval of a faculty advisor. Project (2-5 credits) or thesis (5 credits):
▲ Concentration in Higher Education (HEDU)
This concentration prepares individuals for administrative and leadership positions in colleges and universities, associations, and government agencies whose activities affect higher education. Within the concentration, students may choose to emphasize administration or student affairs. Four core courses (12 credits)
One course (3 credits) chosen from:
Three additional core courses (9 credits)
Students choose relevant courses in consultation with an advisor. One course (3 credits) of research methodology
One course (3 credits) of specialization:
Three to four elective courses (9-12 credits)
Students chose electives in consultation with their advisor. The number of elective credits will vary depending on the number of project credits. Project (2-5 credits) or thesis (5 credits)
▲ Individualized Concentration (IND)
This concentration is for students who wish to design a graduate program to meet the special needs of their careers and life plans. Students usually choose this option because traditional graduate programs do not meet their specific goals. Students, with help from their faculty advisor, design a unique program of study that includes courses from several academic departments.
Students have access to most graduate courses offered by Mason but must meet alll course prerequisites. Each student must submit a curriculum contract approved by the student’s advisor and director during the first semester enrolled. Any subsequent amendments must have the approval of the student’s advisor and the director. Disciplinary focus (12 to 18 credits):
Students must complete minimum of 12 and a maximum of 18 credits in one discipline. Complementary disciplines (9 to 18 credits):
Students take 9-18 courses in complementary disciplines. These require the approval of faculty advisor and MAIS director. Research methods (3 credits):
Students take a research methods course approved by faculty advisor and MAIS director. Project (2-5 credits) or thesis (5 credits):
▲ Concentration in Neuroethics (NETH)
The concentration in neuroethics offers students the opportunity to study ethical issues arising from recent scientific and medical advances in conjunction with advanced training in neuroscience. The curriculum helps students develop their skills in critical, analytical, and imaginative thinking and to make well‑founded ethical decisions. Students will become familiar with the basic theories of current neuroscience, as well as the philosophical issues raised by these theories.
The degree is intended for students interested in doctoral work in neuroscience, cognitive science, or bioethics. It also can help students who will work on medical and scientific research projects in government or the private sector.
This concentration is offered jointly by the Department of Philosophy and the Neuroscience Program .
Admission to the neuroethics concentration is open to students with undergraduate degrees in any field. All students should have taken the following basic courses in life science and philosophy (or their equivalents) before admission to the program or should complete them shortly thereafter: PHIL 173, BIOL 213, BIOL 482, CHEM 314.
Students without the biology and chemistry pre-requisites can fill these requirements once admitted to the program by taking NEUR 600 and other courses recommended by the concentration director. These courses cannot be applied to degree requirements. Six core courses (18 credits) in ethics and neuroscience:
12 credits of electives
Students must take at least 3 credits of philosophy and 3 credits of science. Other philosophy or neuroscience courses may be used to meet this requirement with prior written approval of the director of the program. Project or thesis (5 credits)
Students cap their study of neuroethics by writing a master’s thesis or completing a two-semester project in neuroethics. The project involves student observation and involvement in scientific research, clinical work, or policy setting. ▲ Concentration in Religion, Culture, and Values (RCV)
This concentration is particularly relevant for students who are interested in careers in law, national and international government, print and media journalism, library sciences, archives and museums, public and social service, teaching, advanced graduate studies, and religious communities and institutions. Two core courses (6 credits) chosen from:
Two or three courses (6 to 9 credits) in religious studies chosen from:
One course in research methodology (3 credits) chosen from:
Two or three courses in a specialization (6 to 9 credits):
Specialization in religion, culture, and communication:
Students take the course below and one or two other relevant courses chosen in consulation with an advisor. Specialization in religious traditions and conflict analysis and resolution:
Specialization in religion, culture, and ethics:
Specialization in religion, values, and international politics:
One to four elective courses (3 to 12 credits):
Electives are chosen in consultation with the student’s advisor, bearing in mind the student’s specialization, project, or thesis topic. Any of the courses under the specializations listed above or courses from other disciplines listed below may be used as electives. Project (2-5 credits) or thesis (5 credits):
▲ Concentration in Video-Based Production (VBP)
The concentration emphasizes video production and its components including videoconferencing, multimedia, and editing. As low-end, high-quality video equipment becomes more affordable, more organizations (for profit and nonprofit) are investing in in-house production studios and staff. Their needs include traditional videography, videoconferencing, web design, multimedia, and digital editing.
Five academic units offer courses relevant to the concentration: Within the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, the Communication Department offers courses in the theory and practice of video production, and the English Department offers a course in film theory. College of Education and Human Development offers courses in interactive and distance learning, which provide a background for pedagogy and a wide spectrum of interactive skills. Within the College of Visual and Performing Arts, the Art and Visual Technologies Department offers courses on computer-mediated visual applications, including the study of multimedia tools and design, digital and electronic art, animation, and virtual reality, and the Theater Department offers scriptwriting.
Students must have a basic knowledge of video production. Students with little or no video experience must take COMM 590 Seminar in Video Production within the first 9 credits of the program. Students with video experience who wish to waive this requirement must provide a demo reel of their past work. One required introductory course (3 credits):
This requirement may be waived by the director for students with a video production background. They take an additional 3 credits of electives. Five required core courses (15 credits):
Three to five elective courses (9 to 15 credits):
The number of elective credits will vary depending on whether required introductory course is waived and whether the student chooses to do a 2-credit project or a 5-credit thesis. Project (2-5 credits) or thesis (5 credits):
▲ Concentration in Women and Gender Studies (WGST)
Of the coursework required for this concentration as described below, at least 15 credits must be in courses in women and gender studies and 12-18 credits in courses in a disciplinary focus. Two core courses (6 credits):
Disciplinary focus (12 credits)
Students complete 12 credits in one discipline chosen in consultation with a faculty advisor, including 3 credits in a women and gender studies course in the discipline. Elective courses (9 to 12 credits)
Students must take at least 6 credits in women and gender studies courses that are not part of the disciplinary focus. Research methods (3 credits)
The research methods course is selected in consultation with an advisor. Project (2-5 credits) or thesis (5 credits):
▲ Concentration in Zoo and Aquarium Leadership (ZAL)
This program prepares students for advanced careers in modern professional zoos and aquariums. The curriculum is designed to enhance relevant social and analytical skills involving critical thinking, problem solving, information technology, and group interaction, as well as to advance necessary skills in leadership and fiscal and personnel management. Students in this program must be members of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (aza.org).
Students who wish to take a course at another accredited institution and apply the credit to this concentration must receive prior approval from the ZAL program director, the MAIS program director, and the dean. Four core courses (12 credits):
2-3 courses in an area of emphasis (6-9 credits)
Students choose an area of emphasis and appropriate coursework for that emphasis in consultation with an advisor and with the prior written approval of the ZAL director. Elective courses (12 - 15 credits)
Elective courses should be chosen to enhance the area of emphasis. They are selected in consultation with a faculty advisor and require the written approval of the ZAL director. Proposal preparation (1 credit)
Students must complete a minimum of 30 credits before enrolling in the proposal preparation course. |
|
|
Print-Friendly Page