2014-2015 University Catalog 
  
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2014-2015 University Catalog

Global Affairs, BA

Banner Code: LA-BA-GLOA

Web: globalaffairs.gmu.edu

Global affairs is a transdisciplinary major that introduces students to the global processes affecting all societies. 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 program of study is offered by the Global Affairs program .

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

For policies governing all undergraduate degrees, see the Academic Policies  section of the catalog.

This undergraduate program offers students the option of applying to an accelerated master’s degree program in International Commerce and Policy . See listing for specific requirements.

Degree Requirements

Students must fulfill all requirements for bachelor’s degrees , including Mason Core  requirements. Students pursuing a BA in global affairs must complete additional college requirements for the BA degree  in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. Students pursuing this degree must complete 36 credits with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00.  Students must have a minimum grade of 2.00 in each of the core courses and a minimum grade of 1.67 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 or receive credit for ECON 390 .

Six core courses (18 credits)

6-9 credits of language study beyond intermediate proficiency

To fulfill this 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 a student has demonstrated intermediate proficiency in one language, the remainder of the requirement may be fulfilled by taking any courses taught in a foreign language, at any level. Students are required to complete:

  • 9 credits beyond the completion of 210 or the receipt of heritage language waiver
  • 6 credits beyond the completion of 202

Four courses (12 credits) in an approved concentration

Courses applied to a global affairs concentration must come from at least two different departments. 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.

In addition to the courses listed below, 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.

By Global Topic

▲ The Environment (EVT)

Students may complete this concentration through 12 credits of regular coursework or through the Smithsonian-Mason Semester Program (16 credits).

Regular Coursework

Choose 12 credits from the following:

Total: 12 credits
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”, or on “Wildlife Ecology and 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.

Students may choose one of the following focus areas:

Conservation, Biodiversity and Society option
Wildlife Ecology and Conservation option
Total: 16 credits
▲ Global Economy and Management (GEM)

In this concentration, students explore marketing, managing, and developing world economies. Students interested in economics, business, and management should consider this concentration.

Choose 12 credits from the following:

Note:

BULE courses require the approval of the director.

Total: 12 credits
▲ Global Governance (GLGV)

In this concentration students explore how national governments, international organizations, and non-governmental organizations work together to identify, understand, and address global issues. Coursework covers diplomacy, international law and organizations, international security, and conflict resolution.

Choose 12 credits from the following:

Total: 12 credits
▲ Global Inequalities and Responses (GIR)

This concentration provides students with a historical perspective regarding international issues such as stratification, gender roles, race relations, and social movements. Students interested in government, anthropology, sociology, and women and gender studies should consider this concentration.

Choose 12 credits from the following:

Total: 12 credits
▲ Human Security (HMSC)

This concentration is designed to conceptualize security beyond the boundaries of political security (violence and conflict) to promote a more comprehensive understanding of “human security” in its multiple facets: food and health (famine and infectious disease), environmental security (natural disasters and climate change), and economic security (development).

Choose 12 credits from the following:

Total: 12 credits
▲ International Development (IDEV)

In this concentration, students explore the many facets of development work as practiced by national governments, international organizations, and non-governmental organizations today. Students learn about economic development, environmental conservation, sustainable tourism, democratization, human rights, international ethics, and humanitarian relief.

Choose 12 credits from the following:

Total: 12 credits
▲ Media, Communication, and Culture (MCC)

This concentration addresses the historic trends and recent explosion in media and communication technologies as well as their cultural contexts. Students interested in the fields of cultural studies, communications, sociology and anthropology, and information technology should consider this concentration.

Choose 12 credits from the following:

Total: 12 credits

By World Region

▲ Africa (AFR)

This concentration challenges students to understand the historic, economic, social, and political issues confronting all of Africa. Course options include African diaspora experiences. Students interested in art history, French, and government should consider this concentration.

Choose 12 credits from the following:

Total: 12 credits
▲ Asia (ASA)

This concentration emphasizes Asia’s history and increasingly significant role in contemporary world issues. The courses in this concentration cover the economic, social, and political issues that confront the Pacific, India, China, and mainland Asia. Students interested in anthropology, history, art history, government, and religious studies should consider this concentration.

Choose 12 credits from the following:

Total: 12 credits
▲ Europe (EU)

This concentration focuses on Europe’s long history of art, innovation, and imperialism. Students who are interested in art history, foreign languages, government, history, and philosophy should consider this concentration.

Choose 12 credits from the following:

Total: 12 credits
▲ Latin America (LA)

This concentration provides students with a historical understanding of the economic, social, and political issues of Latin America. Students interested in the anthropology, history, government, or economics of this region should consider this concentration.

Choose 12 credits from the following:

Total: 12 credits
▲ Middle East and North Africa (MNA)

This concentration provides students with an historical perspective on the political, social, and artistic issues in the Middle East and North Africa. Courses include the Arab-Israeli conflict, francophone literature from North Africa, and art and archeology of the ancient Near East. Students interested in the anthropology, history, or religion of this region should consider this concentration.

Choose 12 credits from the following:

Total: 12 credits
▲ North America (NA)

This concentration provides students with insight into the political, economic, social, and artistic history of North America. Students interested in the language, government, or history of this region should consider this concentration.

Choose 12 credits from the following:

Total: 12 credits
▲ Russia and Central Asia (RCA)

This concentration focuses on the social, political, and economic climates of Russia and Central Asia historically and today. Students interested in the culture, politics, economics, or history of this region should consider this concentration.

Choose 12 credits from the following:

Total: 12 credits

▲ Individualized Concentration (IST)

Students interested in creating their own concentration can work with the director or advisor to decide upon a 12 credit curriculum that will fulfill the BA in global affairs.

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 .

Total: 36 credits

Degree Total: Minimum 120 credits