2011-2012 University Catalog 
  
2011-2012 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.

Applicants must show a capacity for original thought in cross disciplinary research. There may be additional skills required of students applying to specific concentrations. Students will be admitted only if the program can assign to them a faculty advisor appropriate for the intended course of study.

Students can pursue one of the following structured interdisciplinary concentrations:

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 .

This has been designated a Green Leaf program.  For further information, please go to Green Leaf Programs and Courses .

For policies governing all graduate degrees, see the Academic Policies  chapter of the catalog.

Application 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 Admission chapter  this catalog. For information specific to the MA in Interdisciplinary Studies, see Application Requirements and Deadlines on the departmental web site.

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 community colleges. In addition, it may be an appropriate graduate credential for some faculty currently teaching in community colleges.

In addition to required courses and a knowledge area, students pursuing this concentration are required to take a one-credit proposal course and complete a project. The concentration in community college teaching is administered by the Higher Education Program.

Four required courses (12 credits) in college teaching


Seven required courses (21 credits) in a knowledge area chosen from the following:


Communication

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 already used to meet the 12 credit requirement.

Knowledge area total: 21 credits

English

Four to five elective courses (12-15 credits)

Electives are chosen from graduate-level English courses in consultation with a faculty advisor.

Knowledge area total: 21 credits

Information Systems

Four elective courses (12 credits)

Electives must be graduate-level INFS or INFS-related courses chosen in consultation with a faculty advisor.

Knowledge area total: 21 credits

Mathematics

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.

Knowledge area total: 21 credits

Spanish

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.

Knowledge area total: 21 credits

Teaching English as a Second Language

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.

Knowledge area total: 21 credits

Proposal (1 credit)


Project (2 credits)


Total: 36 credits


▲ Concentration in Computational Social Science (CSS)


Computational Social Science (CSS) is a relatively new interdisciplinary science in which social science questions are investigated with modern computational tools. Computational social scientists investigate complex social phenomena such as economic markets, traffic control, and political systems by simulating the interactions of the many actors in such systems on computers.  They hope to gain insights which will lead to better management of the behavior of the larger social systems, i.e., prevention of market crashes, smoothed traffic flow, or maintenance of political stability.  The intractability of many social problems calls for the new approaches provided by computational social science. 

CSS is a highly interdisciplinary field that requires teams to plan and complete projects, be they undertaken by government, industry, or non-profit entities. Project managers of such teams, overseeing all elements of project design and execution, tend to hold PhDs. The MAIS concentration will train students to be members of these project teams, able to meaningfully contribute to background research and to project design, execution, and communication.

Prior background should include a bachelor’s degree in one of the social sciences, in computer science, in engineering, or in a relevant discipline, as well as undergraduate courses in these and related areas. Bachelor’s degrees in other areas are also eligible, but the student may be required to take additional courses in social science, mathematics, or computer science as prerequisites to admission.

Six core courses (18 credits)


Three required courses (9 credits)

The required CSS courses provide an understanding of the conceptual, technical, and practical foundations of computational social science.

Three elective courses (9 credits) chosen from:

The electives provide an understanding of the technical foundations and current work in at least two subfields of computational social science.

One research course (3 credits) chosen from:


The research course provides students with exposure to the most current ongoing research in the field and allows them to further develop their computational research expertise.

Three to four elective courses (9-12 credits)


The electives allow students to acquire a substantive specialization as well as additional training in social and computational science. Because of the broad spectrum of social science phenomena, methodologies, and student backgrounds, there is a large pool of potential courses. Electives may include any Mason master’s-level course in computational social science, social science, computer science, statistics, or other quantitative methods such as data visualization, information technology, and geographic information science. Electives should be selected in conjunction with and approval of the student’s advisor and the Director of CSS Graduate Studies. If the student does not have prior coursework in multivariate statistical analysis, the electives should include at least one such course relevant for the student’s chosen specialization.

Students who elect to do a 5-credit project or a thesis take 9 elective credits. Students who do a 2-credit project take 12 credits.

Proposal (1 credit)


Project (2-5 credits) or thesis (5 credits)


Total: 36 credits


▲ Concentration in Energy and Sustainability (EAS)


This concentration is particularly relevant for students who are pursuing or interested in pursuing careers in energy and environmentally related applications in the law, national and international policy, government, print and media journalism, public and social service, teaching, advanced graduate studies, ethics, business, and basic and applied research.

Sustainability by definition aims to meet our present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. A sustainability education lies within the intersection of environmental science and engineering, economics and business, public policy, and many other areas. Energy is a crucial component of sustainability.  

Two to five courses in basic science (6-15 credits)


One required course (3 credits)

Proposal (1 credit)


Project (2-5 credits) or thesis (5 credits)


Total: 36 credits


▲ 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, 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 can also 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.

Proposal (1 credit)


Project (2 credits) or thesis (5 credits):


Total: 36 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


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.

Practicum (3 credits)


Proposal (1 credit)


Project (2-5 credits) or thesis (5 credits)


Total: 36 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 all 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 a 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.

Proposal (1 credit)


Project (2-5 credits) or thesis (5 credits)


Total: 36 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 wellfounded 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.

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.

Proposal (1 credit)


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.

Total: 36 credits


▲ 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 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)


Students chose electives in consultation with their advisor, bearing in mind the their 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.

Proposal (1 credit)


Project (2-5 credits) or thesis (5 credits)


Total: 36 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.

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.

Proposal (1 credit)


Project (2-5 credits) or thesis (5 credits)


Total: 36 credits


▲ Concentration in War and the Military in Society (WMS)


Recent events have demonstrated the degree to which military issues affect social groups, global politics, and the world economy. Understanding the ways in which armies are raised and funded, the reasons troops serve, the conditions military personnel and civilians endure during wartime, and the multifaceted and evolving ways in which nations conceive of the military apparatus has direct bearing on future policy decisions.

The MA in interdisciplinary studies with a concentration in war and the military in society emphasizes scholarship that examines issues of international security and conflict in the past, present, and future. It equips students with the skills to understand the interconnected nature of those elements and to examine critically the ways in which they have changed and continue to change over time.

Four core courses (12 credits)


Two courses (6 credits) chosen from:

Two courses (6 credits) chosen from:

HIST 615 may be repeated for credit when topics differ.

  • HIST 615 - Problems in American History Credits: 1-6 (when topics are readings in military history, the American Civil War, the Vietnam War, or other relevant topics relevant to military studies)

Six to seven elective courses (18-21 credits)


Students choose electives in consultation with an advisor, bearing in mind their specialization and proposed topic for their project or thesis. Students interested in the intellectual consideration of the military, war, and society should choose courses in anthropology, history, religious studies, and sociology. Students interested in practical applications of the study of the military, war, and society to contemporary security issues should choose courses in biodefense, geography, and government. Students may take additional courses from the core requirements as electives with permission from their advisor, but their coursework overall must include at least six credits in two or more disciplines.

Students who choose to do a project complete seven elective courses (21 credits); those who choose a thesis, six (18 credits).

Proposal (1 credit)


Project (2-5 credits) or thesis (5 credits)


Total: 36 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 related to the study of women and gender and 12-18 credits in courses in a disciplinary focus.  All courses related to the study of women and gender must be approved by the head of the concentration in women and gender studies.

Disciplinary focus (12 credits)


Students complete 12 credits in one discipline chosen in consultation with a faculty advisor, including 3 credits in a course that addresses the study of women and gender.

Elective courses (9 to 12 credits)


Students must take at least 6 credits in courses that address the study of women and gender and that are not part of the disciplinary focus.

Research methods (3 credits)


The research methods course is selected in consultation with a faculty advisor.

Proposal (1 credit)


Project (2-5 credits) or thesis (5 credits)


Total: 36 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.

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.

Project (2 credits)


Total: 36 credits