Core Courses

Surveys wide range of global topics: previous periods of globalization, international organizations and law, transnational corporations and global economy, immigration and refugees, world environmental concerns, world culture, war and peace, paradoxical presence of nationalism and fundamentalism in global world, and antiglobalization movement.Limited to three attempts.

Examines and analyzes important global issues and processes. Considers historical development of globalization and implications for different societies and cultures. Investigates perceptions of global processes by different cultures and nations, and efforts of international institutions to address social, political, economic, and cultural changes in global society. Limited to three attempts.

Nature of international politics, approaches to study of international politics, state and nonstate actors in international system, patterns of action and interaction between nation-states, international institutions, and major global issues.Limited to three attempts.

Discusses methods and subject matter of comparative political analysis. Includes political systems, politics, participation in politics, government structures, policy-making process, and evaluation of political performance.Limited to three attempts.

Focuses on career choices and effective self-presentation for soon-to-be graduating students with majors in Global Affairs. Explores how skills typically learned in humanities majors can be leveraged for a successful transition to post-graduation employment.Equivalent to UNIV 420.

Examines cultures in globalization, with special attention to the role of technologies and new media. Provides historical and contemporary contexts for understanding the relationships among circuits of production and consumption; population flows; social inequalities and collective identities; globalizations from "above" and "below;" built and natural environments. Limited to three attempts.

Advanced inquiry into international relations. Studies theories, concepts of international relations, and major forces and issues in international politics.Limited to three attempts.

Overview of environmental policy process in developing countries around the world. Major focus on understanding distinctive problems and dynamics of environmental policy making in poor countries to generate better policy decisions and management. Limited to three attempts.

Why is conflict more likely to occur in some places and times and not others? Why do certain groups use violence against civilians more than others? What connects local and global challenges? How can communities devastated by violence build peace? In this course you will examine globalization and structural causes of conflict and analyze the circumstances that aggravate old conflicts or lead to the emergence of new ones. You will also explore the conditions that promote peace and different methods of conflict intervention and resolution in international conflicts. Global conflict may involve sovereign states, international and non-government organizations, non-state armed groups, crime syndicates, and nonviolent protest movements; you will examine the roles these play in both conflict and peace. This course will develop your ability to compare and apply major approaches to understanding the origins of global conflicts and critically evaluate opportunities for peacebuilding. Limited to three attempts.

Introduces economic way of thinking on trade and international finance. Presents historical and current information on consequences of trade and protectionism. Notes: May not be applied toward the elective course requirement needed for a major or minor in economics. Limited to three attempts.

This course takes media as a lens to examine the cultural, political, and economic dimensions of globalization. Begins with historical attempts to democratize the international communication systems and technologies and moves to examine a series of topics related to media globalization, such as: media in nation-building, pop culture, international news reporting, television and film production, the political-economic tensions embedded in media streaming services, information overload, and digital activism. Analyzes media technologies from an interdisciplinary perspective.Limited to three attempts.

Examination of human security from an interdisciplinary perspective emphasizing critical approaches to it from fields such as development studies, anthropology, history, and geography. Human security is often articulated with non-conventional security threats. Course traces genealogy (and critiques of it) of human security including connections to the Millennium Development Goals and the Sustainable Development Goals. Students examine the sources of insecurity in today’s world and the intersection of insecurity and development, contributions of government and international actors usually not seen within the security field, and the role of grassroots actors in promoting human security.Limited to three attempts.

This course explores the intersection of health, globalization and development drawing from multidisciplinary theoretical perspectives to provide a critical perspective on global health and development research as well as practice. Will provide students an opportunity to examine and understand the historical context of global health and development; the role of contemporary global health institutions, the politics of health and global health, and behavior change and development strategies.Limited to three attempts.

Students draw from interdisciplinary core and concentration coursework in order to synthesize, compare and consolidate the various approaches and theories explored throughout the major through a focus on a pressing global issue. Additionally, course is designed to further develop research, writing, presentation, and organizational skills.May be repeated within the term for a maximum 6 credits.

Selected topics in global affairs. Content varies. Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic is different.May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 9 credits.

Study abroad under supervision of Mason faculty. Course topics, content, and locations vary. Notes: May be repeated with permission of department.May be repeated within the term for a maximum 12 credits.

Reading or research on specific topic related to globalization, under direction of faculty member. Notes: At least one written paper required. Course may involve combination of reading assignments, tutorials, presentations, or off-campus activities.May be repeated within the term for a maximum 6 credits.

Emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach to the study of global affairs. Covers a variety of topics, including consideration of economic, political, and cultural forces at work in the complex interactions among global processes.Limited to three attempts.

Honors-level research on specialized topic in Global Affairs culminating in substantial paper and oral presentation.Limited to three attempts.

On-the-job training in transnational or international fields through approved internship programs. Notes: Enrollment and credits controlled by Global Affairs Program. Contact Global Affairs Program one semester before planned enrollment.May be repeated within the term.