Minor in Global Systems

Overview

Global systems have become increasingly important to the way we live and work, and a global perspective makes us more aware of how we are connected to others around the world and to the whole of nature.

The interdisciplinary minor in global systems is designed to complement virtually any undergraduate major. It works well for majors in business disciplines, economics, languages, geography, government and international politics, history, and other disciplines that take a global view. Students in professional programs learn to connect their professional concerns to global issues of health care, trade and finance, or technology. Students in the liberal arts gain insights into their disciplines as they learn how the arts, humanities, sciences, and social sciences are affected by global issues such as demographic change, telecommunications, and environmental protection.

Other globally oriented courses may also fulfill or substitute for the requirements of this program with written permission of the coordinator prior to registration.

This program of study is an interdisciplinary minor offered by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Opportunities

All students have opportunities to

conduct independent research
engage in globally-related activities through coursework and language study at Mason and abroad
participate in many forms of public service
prepare for their future careers through internships, career-focused minors and other college-to-career activities

Minor Requirements (Catalog Year 2018-2019)

In addition to meeting the following requirements, students must meet the university requirements for all minors.

Students pursuing this minor must complete 18 credits with a minimum GPA of 2.00. At least 9 credits must be at the 300 level or above. Eight credits of course work must be unique to the minor.

One required course (3 credits) chosen from:

GLOA 101 – Introduction to Global Affairs (Mason Core) Credits: 3
GOVT 132 – Introduction to International Politics (Mason Core) Credits: 3
HIST 125 – Introduction to World History (Mason Core) Credits: 3

Five elective courses (15 credits) chosen from at least two of the following fields:
Other globally-oriented courses may also be applied to this requirement with written approval of the director.

Field A: Government, geography, and administration of justice

GOVT 132 – Introduction to International Politics (Mason Core) Credits: 3
GOVT 444 – Issues in International Studies Credits: 1-3
CRIM 405 – Law and Justice around the World (Mason Core) Credits: 3
GGS 101 – Major World Regions (Mason Core) Credits: 3
GGS 301 – Political Geography Credits: 3
GGS 303 – Geography of Resource Conservation (Mason Core) Credits: 3
GGS 304 – Population Geography (Mason Core) Credits: 3
GGS 305 – Economic Geography Credits: 3

Field B: Economics, anthropology, marketing, history, and sociology

Field C: Environmental science, global health, systems engineering, urban and suburban studies, civil and infrastructure engineering

BIOL 377 – Applied Ecology Credits: 3
CEIE 100 – Environmental Engineering around the World (Mason Core) Credits: 3
CEIE 450 – Environmental Engineering Systems Credits: 3
GCH 543 – Global Health Credits: 3
USST 301 – Urban Growth in a Shrinking World Credits: 3

Field D: Modes of communication

COMM 305 – Foundations of Intercultural Communication (Mason Core) Credits: 3
COMM 456 – Comparative Mass Media (Mason Core) Credits: 3
DANC 118 – World Dance (Mason Core) Credits: 3
MUSI 103 – Musics of the World (Mason Core) Credits: 3
MUSI 431 – Music History in Society III (Mason Core) Credits: 3
THR 359 – World Stages (Mason Core) Credits: 3

Total: 18 credits
Requirements may be different for earlier catalog years. See the University Catalog archives.