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Return to: Mason Core
Core Requirements (22 credits)
Core requirements help ensure that students become acquainted with the broad range of intellectual domains that contribute to a liberal education. By experiencing subject matter and ways of knowing in a variety of fields, students will be better able to synthesize new knowledge, respond to fresh challenges, and meet the demands of a complex world.
The course list reflects approved courses as of press time. For the most current list, go to masoncore.gmu.edu
Note: Beginning Fall 2014, certain courses within the Mason Core can count for more than one category, if approved by the Mason Core committee. Students will be allowed to double count two courses (up to six credit hours) to fulfill their Mason Core requirements. Courses that qualify for double counting will be listed in their individually approved sections. Students may not double count credits in Oral Communication, Written Communication, or Quantitative Reasoning categories.
Arts (3 credits)
Mason courses in the film making, visual and performing arts stress generative, inquiry based learning through direct aesthetic and creative experience in the studio environment. Art history courses address the intrinsic relationship of personal and cultural creativity, and the manifestation of aesthetics, visual culture and visual narrative within historical contexts.
Learning Outcomes:
Students who successfully complete a course in the Arts category must meet the first learning outcome and a minimum of two of the remaining four learning outcomes:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between artistic process, and a work’s underlying concept, and where appropriate, contexts associated with the work.
- Identify and analyze the formal elements of a particular art form using vocabulary and critique appropriate to that form.
- Analyze cultural productions using standards appropriate to the form, as well as the works cultural significance and context.
- Analyze and interpret the content of material or performance culture through its social, historical, and personal contexts.
- Engage in generative artistic processes, including conception, creation, and ongoing critical analysis.
Required: One approved course.
Global Understanding (3 credits)
Learning Outcomes:
The goals of Global Understanding are accomplished through disciplinary or inter-disciplinary study with the following three learning outcomes:
- Demonstrate understanding of global patterns and processes;
- Demonstrate understanding of the interconnectedness, difference, and diversity of a global society;
- Explore individual and collective responsibilities within a global society through analytical, practical, or creative responses to problems or issues, using resources appropriate to the field.
Required: One approved course.
Literature (3 credits)
Learning Outcomes:
- Students will be able to read for comprehension, detail, and nuance.
- Identify the specific literary qualities of language as employed in the texts they read.
- Analyze the ways specific literary devices contribute to the meaning of a text.
- Identify and evaluate the contribution of the social, political, historical, and cultural contexts in which a literary text is produced.
- Evaluate a critical argument in others’ writing as well as one’s own.
Required: One approved course.
Natural Science (7 credits total)
The Mason Core natural sciences courses engage students in scientific exploration; foster their curiosity; enhance their enthusiasm for science; and enable them to apply scientific knowledge and reasoning to personal, professional and public decision-making. Lab courses must meet all five learning outcomes. Non-lab courses must meet learning outcomes 1 through 4.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand how scientific inquiry is based on investigation of evidence from the natural world, and that scientific knowledge and understanding: a) evolves based on new evidence, and b) differs from personal and cultural beliefs.
- Recognize the scope and limits of science.
- Recognize and articulate the relationship between the natural sciences and society and the application of science to societal challenges (e.g., health, conservation, sustainability, energy, natural disasters, etc.).
- Evaluate scientific information (e.g., distinguish primary and secondary sources, assess credibility and validity of information).
- Participate in scientific inquiry and communicate the elements of the process, including: a) making careful and systematic observations, b) developing and testing a hypothesis, c) analyzing evidence, and d) Interpreting results.
Required: Two approved science courses. At least one course will include laboratory experience.
Non-lab (3 credits):
Lab (4 credits):
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Social and Behavioral Science (3 credits)
Learning Outcomes:
The following three learning outcomes are required goals of disciplinary or interdisciplinary courses:
- Explain how individuals, groups or institutions are influenced by contextual factors;
- Demonstrate awareness of changes in social and cultural constructs;
- Use appropriate methods and resources to apply social and behavioral science concepts, terminology, principles and theories in the analysis of significant human issues, past or present.
Required: One approved course.
Western Civilization/World History (3 credits)
Learning Outcomes:
Courses must meet at least three of the five learning outcomes.
- Demonstrate familiarity with the major chronology of Western civilization or world history.
- Demonstrate the ability to narrate and explain long-term changes and continuities in Western civilization or world history.
- Identify, evaluate, and appropriately cite online and print resources.
- Develop multiple historical literacies by analyzing primary sources of various kinds (texts, images, music) and using these sources as evidence to support interpretation of historical events.
- Communicate effectively— through speech, writing, and use of digital media—their understanding of patterns, process, and themes in the history of Western civilization or the world.
Required: One approved course.
Transfer students may substitute one of the following for HIST 100
Transfer students may substitute one of the following for HIST 125
Total: 22 credits
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