Program Overview

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Global Affairs, BA

Overview

Global affairs is an interdisciplinary major that introduces students to the processes of globalization that affect all societies. Students gain a sophisticated understanding of complex issues such as terrorism, refugee crises, global inequality, and health and environmental challenges. Core courses in the major provide a knowledge foundation of the political, economic, cultural, and environmental processes in our global and globalizing world. The choice of a thematic or regional concentration helps students tailor the degree to their particular interests and career goals. 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.

Policies

Students pursuing this degree must complete 36-39 credits within the major, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00. Students completing the Smithsonian-Mason semester program will have a total of 40-43 credits. Students must have a minimum grade of C in each of the core courses, including the capstone course (GLOA 400), and a minimum grade of C- 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.

Global Affairs majors fulfill the Mason Core Apex requirement by successfully completing GLOA 400 or GLOA 492.

For policies governing all undergraduate degrees, see AP.5 Undergraduate Policies.

Degree Requirements

Total credits: minimum 120

Core Courses in the Major

• GLOA 101: Introduction to Global Affairs (Mason Core) (3 credits)
• CONF 340: Global Conflict Analysis and Resolution (Mason Core) (3 credits)
• CULT 320: Globalization and Culture (Mason Core) (3 credits)
• ECON 385: International Economic Policy (3 credits)
• EVPP 337: Environmental Policy Making in Developing Countries (Mason Core) (3 credits)
• or INTS 334: Environmental Justice (Mason Core) (3 credits)
• GOVT 322: International Relations Theory 1 (3 credits)
• Total Credits: 18

Capstone Course

• Select one of the following:
  • GLOA 400: Global Affairs Capstone (Mason Core) (3 credits)
  • GLOA 492: Honors Research Project in Global Affairs (Mason Core) (3 credits)

GLOA Foreign Language Requirement

(6 credits of language study beyond intermediate proficiency)

All BA students in CHSS are required to demonstrate intermediate proficiency in one foreign language. After meeting the college requirement, to fulfill the Global Affairs foreign language requirement, an additional six credits of courses taught in a foreign language are required. Students can meet this requirement by continuing the study of the foreign language used to meet the college requirement beyond the intermediate level, or by choosing to study other languages. Students who are already proficient in a second foreign language may be eligible for a waiver of the GLOA language requirement.

Concentrations in the Major

Students select one concentration and complete the requirements therein. Courses applied to the concentration must include at least three credits of GLOA coursework (not including GLOA 495). In addition to the courses listed with each concentration, 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.

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. GLOA 400 cannot be used toward a concentration.

Available Concentrations

• Concentration in the Environment (EVT)
• Concentration in Global Economy and Management (GEM)
• Concentration in Global Governance (GLGV)
• Concentration in Global Inequalities and Responses (GIR)
• Concentration in Human Security (HMSC)
• Concentration in International Development (IDEV)
• Concentration in Media, Communication, and Culture (MCC)
• Concentration in Africa (AFR)
• Concentration in Asia (ASA)
• Concentration in Europe (EU)
• Concentration in Latin America (LA)
• Concentration in Middle East and North Africa (MNA)
• Concentration in North America (NA)
• Concentration in Russia and Central Asia (RCA)
• Individualized Concentration (IND)

Concentration in the Environment (EVT)

Students may complete this concentration through 12 credits of regular coursework or through the Smithsonian-Mason Semester Program (15-16 credits).

Concentration in Global Economy and Management (GEM)

In this concentration, students explore marketing, managing, financing, and networking dimensions of the globalizing world economy. Students will take classes on economic policies of national governments and international organizations as well as operations of non-government market actors.

Concentration in Global Governance (GLGV)

In this concentration students explore how national governments, international organizations, and non-governmental organizations interact to identify, understand, and address global issues. Coursework covers such topics as transnational challenges, theories of international relations, global institutions, international law and ethics, international security, and conflict. Students are expected to garner theoretical and practical understanding of the ways in which national and transnational actors approach global problems.

Concentration in Global Inequalities and Responses (GIR)

This concentration addresses global social issues and the steps actors such as non-profits, social movements, and international organizations take to address these issues. Courses cover human rights, refugee crises, gender violence, racial discrimination, and economic inequality from both historical and contemporary perspectives and in different parts of the world. Students are expected to acquire the skills to analyze complex social problems and to be able to formulate effective strategies to address these.

Concentration in Human Security (HMSC)

This concentration is designed to conceptualize security beyond the boundaries of national security and to promote a more comprehensive understanding of "human security" in its multiple facets, including: food and health (famine and infectious disease), environmental security (natural disasters and climate change), and economic security (development). Coursework addresses these and other themes and draws on government, sociology, criminology, environmental science and policy, and other fields. Students are expected to garner an understanding of the sources of insecurity in today's world.

Concentration in International Development (IDEV)

In this concentration, students examine international development, its challenges, and how these are addressed by governments, international organizations, and non-governmental organizations. Coursework covers development economics, the politics of developing regions and transitional economies, the social consequences of global inequality, public health and health-related development issues, humanitarian relief, and more. Students are expected to gain the knowledge and skills to prepare them for work in the development sector or for further specialized studies in international development.

Concentration in Media, Communication, and Culture (MCC)

In this concentration, students examine historic trends and recent changes in media and communication technologies as well as their cultural contexts. Coursework includes critical analysis of media content, comparison of global media infrastructures and systems of political communication, discussion of the foundations of intercultural communication, and more. Students are expected to gain an understanding of the role of media and communication in shaping and responding to global issues of concern.

Concentration in Africa (AFR)

This concentration focuses on the societies of Africa, their history, culture, economics, and politics, including the pre-colonial, colonial, and post-colonial experiences. Course options include African diaspora experiences. Upon completion of this concentration, students will have an in-depth understanding of Africa as an international actor, African contributions (past and present) to global society, the political and economic challenges facing the continent today, and African solutions to problems such as civil wars and inequality.

Concentration in Asia (ASA)

This concentration emphasizes Asia's increasingly significant role in contemporary global issues as well as its historical contexts. The courses in this concentration cover the economic, social, and political issues that confront the Asia-Pacific region (that is, East and Southeast Asian countries). Students interested in anthropology, history, art history, government, and religious studies should consider this concentration.

Concentration in Europe (EU)

This concentration is designed to equip students with a deep and broad understanding of politics, history, culture, religion, and the arts in Europe as well as Europe's lasting legacies across the globe. Coursework includes broad surveys on government, geography, literature, and economics as well as special topics courses on the Renaissance, World Wars I and II, and nationalism in Eastern Europe. Upon completion of this concentration, students will have the ability to think critically about how historical processes and current events in Europe not only impact Europeans, but also the global community at large.

Concentration in Latin America (LA)

This concentration is designed to provide students with an overview of Latin America and its diaspora. Course options include broad surveys of Latin American history, art, literature, music, culture, and politics, as well as courses that provide in-depth exploration of topics such as colonialism, economic development, political movements, race and ethnicity, migration, and aesthetic trends. Upon completion of this concentration, students will have an in-depth understanding of Latin America as an international actor, Latin American contributions (past and present) to global society, and the political and economic challenges faced by the region.

Concentration in Middle East and North Africa (MNA)

This concentration provides students with a contemporary and historical perspective on the politics, economics, and religious diversity of the Middle East and North Africa. Coursework includes broad surveys as well as courses on specific topics such as the Arab-Israeli conflict, francophone literature from North Africa, politics and Islam, and art and archeology of the ancient Near East. Upon completion of this concentration, students are expected to have an in-depth understanding of the current state of the Middle East and North Africa and how this state has developed historically.

Concentration in North America (NA)

In this concentration, students explore the multifaceted development of the United States and its relationship with its North American neighbors. Coursework includes historical examinations of pre-American culture, as well as in-depth surveys of political, economic, cultural, and artistic developments in United States. Upon completion of this concentration, students will have the ability to critically assess how the US has influenced and been influenced by European and non-European societies and traditions, knowledge of the development of American government and its consequences within and beyond North America, and an appreciation of the role of arts and literature in American culture.

Concentration in Russia and Central Asia (RCA)

This concentration provides students contemporary and historical perspectives on the political, economic, and cultural climates and trends in Russia and Central Asia. Upon completion of this concentration, students will not only have the skills to critically assess the impacts of Soviet-era legacies on newly independent political systems, economies in transition, and re-emerging cultural traditions, but also knowledge of pre-Soviet sociocultural and political environments in Russia and Central Asia.

Individualized Concentration (IND)

Students who wish to design their own concentration must submit a one-page proposal and create a curriculum plan to be approved by the director.

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 Environmental Policy Making in Developing Countries (Mason Core) or INTS 334 Environmental Justice (Mason Core).

Upper Level Requirement

Students seeking a bachelor’s degree must apply at least 45 credits of upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above) toward graduation requirements.

Additional Electives

Any remaining credits may be completed with elective courses to bring the degree total to 120.

College Level Requirements in the BA Degree

In addition to the Mason Core program, students pursuing a BA degree must complete the coursework below. Except where expressly prohibited, a course used to fulfill a college level requirement may also be used simultaneously to satisfy other requirements (Mason Core requirements or requirements for the major).

Philosophy or Religious Studies

• Select 3 credits from the following:
  • PHIL
  • RELI

Social and Behavioral Sciences

• Select 3 credits of social and behavioral sciences from the following (additional to the Mason Core social and behavioral sciences requirement):
  • ANTH
  • CRIM
  • ECON
  • GOVT
  • HIST
  • LING
  • PSYC
  • SOCI
  • Or choose from the following GGS courses:
    • GGS 101: Major World Regions (Mason Core)
    • GGS 103: Human Geography (Mason Core)
    • GGS 110: Introduction to Geoinformation Technologies
    • GGS 301: Political Geography (Mason Core)
    • GGS 303: Geography of Resource Conservation (Mason Core)
    • GGS 304: Population Geography (Mason Core)
    • GGS 305: Economic Geography
    • GGS 306: Urban Geography
    • GGS 315: Geography of the United States
    • GGS 316: Geography of Latin America
    • GGS 320: Geography of Europe
    • GGS 325: Geography of North Africa and the Middle East
    • GGS 326: Geography of Eastern Europe and Russia
    • GGS 357: Urban Planning
    • GGS 380: Geography of Virginia

Foreign Language

• Intermediate-level proficiency in one foreign language, fulfilled by:
  • Completing 3 credits in a foreign language (including American Sign Language) numbered 202 or higher taught in the language
  • Or achieving a satisfactory score on an approved proficiency test

Non-Western Culture

• Select 3 credits of an approved course in the study of a non-Western culture (additional to the Mason Core requirement in global contexts)

Mason Core

Some Mason Core requirements may already be fulfilled by the major requirements listed above. Students are strongly encouraged to consult their advisors to ensure they fulfill all remaining Mason Core requirements.

Program Outcomes

• Students will be able to summarize essential questions, debates, and issues in globalization and global studies.
• Students will be able to identify and break down assumptions made about global processes or dynamics.
• Students will be able to integrate theoretical concepts and methodological approaches from more than one academic discipline or field to analyze global challenges, problems, and issues.
• Students will be able to apply knowledge gained through coursework to propose informed and appropriate solutions to address problems in the human and natural worlds.
• Students will be able to recognize the historical and contemporary effects that human actions have on global systems.
• Students will be able to develop a well-informed research project using necessary analytical skills and to conduct research in an ethical manner.
• Students will be able to construct work in oral and written forms that integrates information from different credible sources to support an original argument.
• Students will be able to produce projects that adhere to academic standards and are able to be understood by a wide audience inside and outside of the university.

Related Programs

• Asia-Pacific and Northeast Asian Studies Minor
• Global Affairs Minor
• STEM in Society Minor (CHSS)