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2016-2017 University Catalog
Integrative Studies, BA
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Banner Code: LA-BA-INTS
Web: integrative.gmu.edu
College: College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Department: School of Integrative Studies
The bachelor of arts degree program in integrative studies 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. The degree program requires mastery of eight essential competencies: communication, global understanding, group interaction, aesthetic awareness, critical thinking, civic engagement, digital literacy, and well-being.
Students must fulfill all requirements for bachelor’s degrees as well as Mason Core requirements. Students who transfer into the School of Integrative Studies should consult with an advisor on what they need to take to complete the Mason Core requirements.
This undergraduate program offers students in select concentrations the option of applying to the accelerated master’s in curriculum and instruction (select concentrations). See Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Programs for listings and specific requirements.
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Learning communities (24 credits)
Learning communities are interdisciplinary courses that combine different subjects into a single course that is usually 3 or 6 credits. In learning communities, faculty and students explore various ways to understand a topic. Learning communities are structured to help promote a greater sense of identity with an academic community. Hallmarks of the School of Integrative Studies learning communities are team teaching, collaborative projects, emphasis on writing and critical thinking, and opportunity for independent study. They often include experiential learning, either as an integral part of the class or as an optional add on.
Experiential learning (12-24 credits)
The requirement in experiential learning reflects the School of Integrative Studies’ commitment to provide educational experiences that prepare graduates for the workplace and the demands of active and responsible citizenship. The workplace is as viewed as a site of instruction, one where students are exposed to the variety of skills needed to succeed. Through experiential learning, students combine work experience with academic study so that each will enrich the other.
Experiential learning includes internships, study abroad, community service learning, course field trips, and other field study opportunities. The learning sites may change each semester and are usually off campus. George Mason provides student liability insurance for the experiential learning internship, but students are responsible for their own transportation and health care. Accident and health insurance is available from George Mason.
No more than 24 credits of experiential learning can count toward a student’s total credits for graduation.
Electives (0-15 credits)
If students take courses that fulfill more than one degree requirement (e.g. learning communities, experiential learning, concentration, or Mason Core), they may need to take additional electives to reach the total of 120 credits required for a BA degree. Concentration (30-57 credits)
A concentration is the equivalent of a major in a traditional degree program. Students choose from an established interdisciplinary concentration below or create with faculty an individualized program of study to fit their interests and needs. The coursework for the concentration consists of traditional courses, learning communities, independent study and experiential learning. Where applicable, courses applied to a concentration can also be used to fulfill the credits required in learning communities or experiential learning. Students must present a minimum GPA of 2.00 in courses applied to the concentration.
The bachelor’s degree in integrative studies offers the concentrations in the following:
▲ Advertising (ADV)
Students complete the following course work: Ten required courses (minimum 30 credits)
Two courses (6-10 credits) chosen from:
Total: minimum 36 credits
▲ Childhood Studies (CHDS)
Students complete the following course work: Seven required courses (minimum of 23 credits)
Three courses (9-18 credits) chosen from:
Total: minimum 32 credits
▲ Early Childhood Education (ECED)
- 6 credits of ENGH, including or
- 3 credits of oral communication
- 9 credits of natural science (must include a lab science)
- 9 credits of MATH or STAT
- 3 credits of world history
- 3 credits of U.S. history
- 3 credits of ECON
- 3 credits of GGS
- 3 credits of ARTH, AVT, MUSI, or THR coursework
- 3 credits of PHIL, RELI, or FRLN coursework
- 3 credits of GOVT 103
- minimum of 9 credits of EDCI, ECED, EDUC, EDLE, EDSE, or EDRD coursework
▲ Elementary Education (ELED)
- 9 credits of ENGH, including or
- 3 credits of oral communication
- 12 credits of natural science
- 12 credits of mathematics or statistics
- 3 credits of ECON coursework
- 3 credits of U.S. history
- 3 credits of GGS coursework
- 3 credits of
- 3 credits of or
- 3 credits of ARTH, AVT, MUSI, or THR coursework
- 3 credits of PHIL, RELI, or FRLN coursework
- minimum of 9 credits of EDCI, ECED, EDUC, EDLE, EDSE, or EDRD coursework
▲ International Studies (INST)
Students complete the following course work: Language proficiency
All students must demonstrate language proficiency at the intermediate level through coursework (a Mason course numbered 210) or proficiency testing. Three foundational courses (10 credits)
One course in religious studies (3 credits) chosen from:
One course in geography (3 credits) chosen from:
One course in globalization (3 credits) chosen from:
One course in sustainability (3 to 6 credits) chosen from:
One course in politics (3 credits) chosen from:
One course in social action and conflict transformation (3 - 6 credits) chosen from:
One course (3-4 credits) in creative arts chosen from:
Three elective courses (9-12 credits)
Students take three additional courses focused on an international area of their interest with the advice and approval of an adviser. ▲ Language Arts for Education (LAED)
Students complete the following course work: Six required courses (18-19 credits)
One course (3 credits) chosen from:
One course (3 credits) chosen from:
Three elective courses (9 credits) in English
Courses used to fulfill this requirement cannot be applied to any of the other requirements for this concentration. Seven required courses (22 credits)
One course (3 credits) chosen from:
Three courses chosen from:
Total: minimum 34 credits
▲ Leadership and Organizational Development (LODV)
Two required courses (7 credits)
Understanding the interdisciplinary nature of leadership and its application to personal, organizational and societal development
One course (3 or 4 credits) chosen from:
Developing a heighted sense of self, including: inner knowledge, core values, intersecting identities, well-being, and impact on others
One course (3 or 4 credits) chosen from:
Understanding ethical approaches to leadership and change, and applying ethics in personal and organizational processes
One course (3 or 4 credits) chosen from:
Understanding team and organizational learning
One course (3 or 4 credits) chosen from:
Demonstrating competence in personal and professional communication
Four courses chosen from:
▲ Social Innovation and Enterprise (SIEN)
Students complete the following course work: One social innovation course (3-4 credits) chosen from:
One enterprise course (3-4 credits) chosen from:
One financial course (3-4 credits) chosen from:
One ethics course (3-4 credits) chosen from:
One creativity course (3-4 credits) chosen from:
One social justice course (3 credits) chosen from:
Electives (12 Credits)
Students choose 12 credits as approved by academic advisor. ▲Social Justice and Human Rights (SJHR)
Students complete the following course work: Domestic Rights and Justice (minimum of 6 credits) chosen from:
Global Rights and Justice (6 credits) chosen from:
Environmental and ecological justice (3-4 credits) chosen from:
Activism and social change (7-8 credits) chosen from:
Elective courses (9 credits) chosen from:
- Any course chosen from the above categories not already taken to meet a concentration requirement
- AFAM 390 - Special Topics in African and African American Studies Credits: 3 (when topic is relevant with prior written approval of advisor)
- ANTH 365 - Human Variation Credits: 3
- ANTH 370 - Environment and Culture Credits: 3
- ANTH 488 - Gender, Sexuality, and Culture Credits: 3
- COMM 365 - Gender, Race, and Class in the Media Credits: 3
- CULT 320 - Globalization and Culture Credits: 3
- EDUC 203 - Disability in American Culture Credits: 3
- EVPP 436 - The Human Dimensions of Global Climate Change Credits: 3
- FRLN 385 - Multilingualism, Identity, and Power Credits: 3
- GCH 496 - Violence in Today's Society Credits: 3
- GOVT 445 - Human Rights Credits: 3
- HIST 337 - Race and Gender in American Sports Credits: 3
- HIST 340 - Basketball and the American Experience Credits: 3
- HIST 462 - Women in Islamic Society Credits: 3
- INTS 210 - Sustainable World Credits: 4
- INTS 302 - Argument and Advocacy Credits: 6
- INTS 305 - Conflict Resolution and Transformation Credits: 6
- INTS 310 - Violence and Gender Credits: 3-6
- INTS 315 - Spirituality and Conflict Transformation Credits: 6
- INTS 316 - Introduction to Childhood Studies Credits: 4
- INTS 320 - Construction of Differences: Race, Class, and Gender Credits: 6
- INTS 435 - Leadership in a Changing Environment Credits: 4
- INTS 361 - Neighborhood, Community, and Identity Credits: 3-6
- PHIL 243 - Global Environmental Ethics Credits: 3
- SOCI 307 - Social Movements and Political Protest Credits: 3
- SOCI 315 - Contemporary Gender Relations Credits: 3
- SOCI 320 - Social Structure and Globalization Credits: 3
- SOCI 355 - Social Inequality Credits: 3
- SOCI 382 - Education in Contemporary Society Credits: 3
- WMST 200 - Introduction to Women and Gender Studies Credits: 3
- WMST 307 - Women and Work Credits: 3
- WMST 402 - Queer Theory Credits: 3
- other relevant course with prior written approval of advisor
Total: minimum 37 credits
▲ Social Science for Education (SSED)
Complete the following: 9 credits of upper-division HIST coursework
6 credits of GGS coursework
▲ Individualized Concentration (IND)
With approval of the assistant dean of academic affairs, students may construct an individualized concentration. Total: minimum 30 credits
Electives
Any remaining credits may be completed with elective courses to bring the degree total to 120.
Degree Total: Minimum 120 credits
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