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George Mason University
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2016-2017 University Catalog 
  
2016-2017 University Catalog

School of Integrative Studies


Phone: 703-993-1436
Web: integrative.gmu.edu

Faculty

Professor: Garner

Associate professors: Eby, Freeman, Gilmore, Gorski, Gring-Pemble, Lucas, Muir, Owen, Wood, Wingfield, Unruh

Assistant professors: Chen, Erakat

Term professor: Scott-Constantine

Term associate professor: Fuertes

Term assistant professors: Dunne, Perilla, K. Scott

Adjunct faculty: Andere, Cairnie, Carter, Guenther, Holder, Johnson, Klinger, Lennon, McCarron, Niedzwiecki, Petersen, Ryan, Sweetman, Underwood, Villa, Vlaun, Zelensky

Administration

Kelly Dunne, Interim Associate Dean
Misty Krell, Director of Student Services
Marlon Dortch, Associate Director of Student Services
Carrie Drummond, Director of Public Relations, Marketing and Outreach
Patricia Mathison, Director, Social Action and Integrative Learning (SAIL)

Courses

The School of Integrative Studies offers all courses designated INTS in the Courses  section of this catalog.

About the School of Integrative Studies

The School of Integrative Studies offers a distinctive experience that addresses contemporary social, global, and environmental challenges. Students connect academic interests with hands-on learning to prepare for a life and career with meaning and impact. Based in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, SIS focuses on critical and creative thinking, engaged scholarship and diversity in thought. Graduates will lead the way as a new brand of professionals whose understanding of the liberal arts and commitment to a just world can build the cross-sector approaches necessary to solve pressing global, social and environmental problems.

An integrative, interdisciplinary learning environment, SIS offers the benefits of small, discussion-based courses while providing access to the academic resources of a large public research university. Drawing on its award-winning faculty, SIS provides students with transformative experiential learning opportunities including internships, field and international study, and independent research and service. Both the structure and curriculum of SIS prepares graduates who are engaged, well-rounded scholars who consistently assume leadership roles in the fields of business, law, government, healthcare, education, and the non-profit sector, among others.

Undergraduate Programs

The School of Integrative Studies offers a bachelor of arts and a bachelor of science degree in integrative studies, and a bachelor of arts in environmental and sustainability studies (joint degree with Environmental Science and Policy in the College of Science).

The integrative studies curriculum is based on intensive, interdisciplinary learning communities, coordinated with traditional academic programs. The result is an integrated program of study that emphasizes collaboration, experiential learning, and self-reflection. All students complete their degree programs with an interdisciplinary concentration. See the programs of study below. Students develop mastery of eight essential competencies: communication, global understanding, group interaction, aesthetic awareness, critical thinking, civic engagement, digital literacy, and well-being.

The environmental and sustainability studies degree provides students with theoretical and practical knowledge of three aspects of environmental and sustainability studies: people, prosperity, and planet. In addition to required core courses, students develop more in-depth knowledge in one of four concentrations. This degree prepares students for employment and graduate study in fields related to social justice, business and public policy, and environmental protection as they relate to the environment and sustainability.

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

Transfer Students

The School of Integrative Studies welcomes transfer students from other four-year institutions or community colleges, as well as from other academic units within Mason. Academic advisors work with students to utilize transfer credits and create a plan for timely completion of the bachelor’s degree. All transfer students are required to take INTS 391 - Introduction to Integrative Studies  within their first two semesters and meet with an academic advisor as soon as possible.

Minors

The School of Integrative Studies offers minors in childhood studies, consciousness and transformation, leadership, multimedia, nonprofit studies, and social justice. All are available to students in any major in the university. See Minors and Interdisciplinary Minors  in this section.

The Sustainability Studies Minor  is offered jointly by the Department of Environmental Science and Policy and the School of Integrative Studies. For details, see the Department of Environmental Science and Policy  in the College of Science  section of this catalog.

Centers

The School of Integrative Studies houses Social Action and Integrative Learning (SAIL), which serves all students and faculty in the university.

Programs

    Undergraduate Degree(s)Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Minor(s)