Social Justice and Human Rights Concentration
Imagining and applying strategies for creating and sustaining a more equitable, just, and humane world
Other Concentrations
Catalog Year: 2023-2024
Banner Code: LA-MAIS-ISIN-SJHR
The MAIS in interdisciplinary studies is for students who seek a master's degree that integrates knowledge from several disciplines. It addresses the rapidly evolving demand for unique graduate study by promoting advanced scholarship that transcends traditional disciplinary boundaries. Students can pursue one of the following structured interdisciplinary concentrations and also have the opportunity to design an individualized concentration to meet the special needs of their careers.
The MAIS in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Energy and Sustainability is a Green Leaf program.
The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on program requirements and courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes. Requirements may be different for earlier catalog years. See the University Catalog archives.
Degree Requirements
Total credits: 36
Students should be aware of the specific policies associated with this program, located on the Admissions & Policies tab.
Students pursuing this degree must successfully complete 36 credits of graduate coursework. Students must submit a curriculum worksheet that has been approved by their concentration head and the director. Some concentrations require a project or thesis.
Concentration in Social Justice and Human Rights (SJHR)
The social justice and human rights concentration is designed to cultivate a deep theoretical understanding of the social, political, cultural, historical, and economic implications of a wide array of social injustices and human rights issues. Students are engaged in the applied process of imagining and actualizing holistic and complex strategies for creating and sustaining a more equitable, just, and humane world.
Core Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Foundational Course | ||
| INTS 540 | Contemporary Issues in Social Justice Human Rights | 3 |
| Social Justice and Human Rights Courses | ||
| INTS 537 | Critical Race Studies | 3 |
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| Queer Theory | ||
| Feminist Theories | ||
| Social Justice and Human Rights Issues and Movements | ||
| Select one course from the following: | 3 | |
| Social Justice and Equity in International Education | ||
| Access and Social Justice | ||
| Representations of Race | ||
| Racial and Ethnic Relations: American and Selected Global Perspectives | ||
| Gender, Sexuality, and Disability | ||
| Gender, Sexuality, and Human Rights | ||
|
other relevant course chosen in consultation with the concentration head
|
||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Emphasis Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 6 credits of courses with an emphasis on a specific social justice or human rights issue or context or a specific region, chosen in consultation with the concentration head. The theme of the emphasis courses should be reflected in the student's experiential learning project. 1 | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 6 | |
| 1 |
Examples of issue emphases include racial justice, human trafficking, or children's rights. Context emphases examples include the education, corporate, or government sector. Regional emphases examples include the Middle East, Latin America, or Southeast Asia. |
Experiential Learning
Students will seek out and/or create an opportunity for experiential learning that deepens their understanding of social justice and/or human rights. Experiential learning opportunities can include internships, service-learning, consulting projects, and field studies or research (including overseas). The experiential learning requirement should be met through an opportunity that advances the student's understanding of their chosen emphasis. Because the intention is to develop and apply newly acquired skills, students may not use work done previously or their current employment to fulfill this requirement. All experiential learning projects must be approved by the social justice and human rights concentration head in the semester before registering for the course. Students may register for an individualized section of MAIS 695 Experiential Learning or another graduate-level internship or practicum course to fulfill this requirement.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MAIS 695 | Experiential Learning | 3 |
| Total Credits | 3 | |
Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Students complete 6 elective credits from the following or other relevant courses chosen in consultation with the concentration head. | 6 | |
| Culture, Power, and Conflict | ||
| Intercultural Communication | ||
| Climate Change and Sustainability Communication Campaigns | ||
| Special Topics in Communication 1 | ||
| Diversity and Difference in Conflict Analysis and Resolution | ||
| Principles of Environmental Conflict Resolution | ||
| Peace Studies | ||
| Gender and Violence | ||
| Identity and Conflict | ||
| Ethnic and Cultural Factors in Conflict Resolution | ||
| Conflict and Race | ||
| Conflict and Gender | ||
| Human Rights Theory and Practice in Comparative Perspective | ||
| Structural Sources of Conflict | ||
| Introduction to Culturally Linguistically Diverse Learners | ||
| Education and Culture | ||
| Advanced Topics in Education 2 | ||
| The Achievement Gap | ||
| School Reform in the United States: Politics and Policies | ||
| Neighborhood, Community, Education Policy | ||
| Social Justice and Equity in International Education | ||
| Seminar in Multicultural Education | ||
| Special Topics in the History and Criticism of Children's Literature 3 | ||
| Human Dimensions of Climate Change | ||
| Cultural Pluralism in Higher Education | ||
| Access and Social Justice | ||
| Special Topics in Higher Education 4 | ||
| Problems in American History 5 | ||
| Representations of Race | ||
| Experiential Learning 6 | ||
| Special Topics in Nutrition and Food Studies 7 | ||
| Environmental Ethics | ||
| Environmental Policy | ||
| Advocacy and Lobbying | ||
| Social Institutions and Public Policy | ||
| Human Smuggling and Trafficking | ||
| Islam and Human Rights | ||
| Racial and Ethnic Relations: American and Selected Global Perspectives | ||
| International Migration in the Age of Globalization | ||
| Special Topics in Sociology 8 | ||
| Social Networks, New Media, and Inequality | ||
| Institutions and Inequalities | ||
| Sociology of Human Rights | ||
| Influencing Social Policy | ||
| Social Policy for Children and Youth | ||
| Global Human Rights Policy | ||
| Empowering Communities for Change | ||
| Gender, Sexuality, and Disability | ||
| Transnational Sexualities | ||
| Sexuality, Race, and Immigration | ||
| Policing Black Bodies | ||
| Current Topics in Women and Gender Studies 9 | ||
| Special Topics 10 | ||
| Gender, Sexuality, and Human Rights | ||
| Feminist Theories | ||
| Transnational Issues of Gender and Race | ||
| Total Credits | 6 | |
| 1 |
When topic is New Media and Democracy. |
| 2 |
When topic is Gender, Education, and Schooling |
| 3 |
When topic is Disability in Children's Literature. |
| 4 |
When topic is Contemporary and Critical Social Theories. |
| 5 |
When topic is Gender and Racial Ideology in Jim Crow. |
| 6 |
Chosen in consultation with concentration head. |
| 7 |
When topic is Urban Agriculture. |
| 8 |
When topic is Women and Global Issues. |
| 9 |
When topic is Women, Law, and Justice. |
| 10 |
When topic is Narratives of Human Rights: Violations Against Women and Girls. |
Research Methods Course
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select one course from the following | 3 | |
| Interdisciplinary Research Methods | ||
| Research Methods in Higher Education | ||
| Research for Social Change | ||
| Feminist Research Methods | ||
|
Other relevant course in consultation with an advisor
|
||
Integrated Learning Experience Course
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MAIS 793 | Integrated Learning Experience | 3 |
Project or Thesis
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select one from the following: | 3 | |
| Interdisciplinary Studies Project (take 3 credits) | ||
| Interdisciplinary Studies Thesis (take 3 credits) | ||
- Global Affairs, MA and Interdisciplinary Studies, MAIS (concentration in women and gender studies) Dual Degree
- Philosophy, MA and Interdisciplinary Studies, MAIS (Concentration in women and gender studies) Dual Degree
- Sociology, MA and Interdisciplinary Studies, MAIS (concentration in women and gender studies) Dual Degree
Students interested in pursuing a dual master's program linking global affairs or interdisciplinary studies (concentration in women and gender studies) with a discipline other than that listed below should discuss their interest with the graduate program directors of both programs and review the university policies in AP.6.9.6.
Global Affairs, MA and Interdisciplinary Studies, MAIS (concentration in women and gender studies) Dual Degree
The Global Affairs and Interdisciplinary Studies Programs offer a dual master's program where a student can earn both a Global Affairs MA and the Interdisciplinary Studies MAIS (concentration in women and gender studies) in 54 credits rather than 66 credits. This program is governed by university policy AP.6.9.6
Application Requirements
Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions. For information specific to this dual master's program see Application Requirements and Deadlines.
Requirements
Total credits: 54
Required Global Affairs Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GLOA 600 | Global Competencies | 3 |
| GLOA 610 | Economic Globalization and Development | 3 |
| GLOA 615 | Case Studies in Globalization | 3 |
| GLOA 710 | Seminar Abroad | 3 |
| Select three courses from the chosen specialization for the global affairs MA | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 21 | |
Required Women and Gender Studies Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| WMST 630 | Feminist Theories | 3 |
| WMST 640 | Transnational Issues of Gender and Race | 3 |
| Select one course in critical race studies from the following: | 3 | |
| Critical Race Studies | ||
| Representations of Race | ||
| Genealogy of Black Feminist Thought | ||
| Policing Black Bodies | ||
| Policing Black Bodies | ||
| Current Topics in Women and Gender Studies | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Select one course in bodies and sexualities from the following: | 3 | |
| Gender, Sexuality, and Disability | ||
| Current Topics in Women and Gender Studies | ||
| Queer Theory | ||
| Select one course in transnational and global perspectives from the following: | 3 | |
| Transnational Sexualities | ||
| Gender, Sexuality, and Human Rights | ||
| Sexuality, Race, and Immigration | ||
| Sociology of Globalization | ||
| Social Justice and Equity in International Education | ||
| Select 9 credits in elective courses chosen from the following and not used to fulfill another requirement: | 9 | |
| Gender, Sexuality, and Disability | ||
| Transnational Sexualities | ||
| Sexuality, Race, and Immigration | ||
| Current Topics in Women and Gender Studies | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Queer Theory | ||
| Gender, Sexuality, and Human Rights | ||
| Internship | ||
| Total Credits | 24 | |
Required Methods Course
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select one from the following: | 3 | |
| Interdisciplinary Research Methods | ||
| Feminist Research Methods | ||
| Total Credits | 3 | |
Capstone
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Capstone Research Seminar | ||
| Integrated Learning Experience | ||
| Total Credits | 3 | |
Project or Thesis
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Interdisciplinary Studies Project (take 3 credits) | ||
| Interdisciplinary Studies Thesis (take 3 credits) | ||
| Total Credits | 3 | |
Total Credits: 54
Students interested in pursuing a dual master's program linking philosophy or interdisciplinary studies (women and gender studies concentration) and a discipline other than that listed below should discuss their interest with the graduate program directors of both programs and review the university policies in AP.6.9.6.
Philosophy, MA and Interdisciplinary Studies, MAIS (Concentration in women and gender studies) Dual Degree
The Department of Philosophy and the Interdisciplinary Studies Program offer a dual master's degree program where students can earn both the MA and the MAIS (concentration in women and gender studies) in 55 credits rather than 67 credits. This program is governed by university policy AP.6.9.6.
Application Requirements
Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions. For information specific to this dual master's degree see Application Requirements and Deadlines.
Requirements
Students pursuing dual master's study linking the Philosophy MA and the Interdisciplinary Studies MAIS with a concentration in women and gender studies will complete WMST 630 Feminist Theories across the Disciplines/PHIL 658 Feminist Theory and 3 additional credits of WMST courses approved by the Department of Philosophy to apply to the philosophy degree as elective credit. Six credits of approved PHIL credits will apply to the MAIS degree as elective credit.
Students interested in pursuing a dual master's program linking sociology or interdisciplinary studies (concentration in women and gender studies) with a discipline other than that listed below should discuss their interest with the graduate program directors of both programs and review the university policies in AP.6.9.6.
Sociology, MA and Interdisciplinary Studies, MAIS (concentration in women and gender studies) Dual Degree
The Department of Sociology and Anthropology and the Interdisciplinary Studies Programs offer a dual master's program where a student can earn both a Sociology MA and the Interdisciplinary Studies MAIS (concentration in women and gender studies) in 57 credits rather than 69 credits. This program is governed by university policy AP.6.9.6.
Application Requirements
Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions. For information specific to this dual master's degree see Application Requirements and Deadlines.
Requirements
Total credits: 57
Required Sociology Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SOCI 601 | Proseminar in Public and Applied Sociology | 3 |
| SOCI 620 | Methods and Logic of Social Inquiry | 3 |
| SOCI 711 | Classical Sociological Theory | 3 |
| SOCI 712 | Contemporary Sociological Theory | 3 |
| Elective Methodology and Analysis Course | 3 | |
| Survey Research | ||
| Evaluation Research for Social Programs | ||
| Special Topics in Sociology | ||
| Qualitative Research Methods | ||
| Statistical Reasoning | ||
| Feminist Theory | ||
| Ethnography | ||
| Historical and Comparative Sociology | ||
| Analytic Techniques of Social Research | ||
| Methods in Anthropology | ||
| Select three advanced courses (500-800 level) in sociology | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 24 | |
Required Women and Gender Studies Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| WMST 630 | Feminist Theories | 3 |
| WMST 640 | Transnational Issues of Gender and Race | 3 |
| MAIS 793 | Integrated Learning Experience | 3 |
| Select one course in critical race studies form the following: | 3 | |
| Critical Race Studies | ||
| Representations of Race | ||
| Genealogy of Black Feminist Thought | ||
| Policing Black Bodies | ||
| Policing Black Bodies | ||
| Current Topics in Women and Gender Studies | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Select one course in bodies and sexualities from the following: | 3 | |
| Gender, Sexuality, and Disability | ||
| Current Topics in Women and Gender Studies | ||
| Queer Theory | ||
| Select one course in transnational and global perspectives from the following: | 3 | |
| Transnational Sexualities | ||
| Gender, Sexuality, and Human Rights | ||
| Sexuality, Race, and Immigration | ||
| Sociology of Globalization | ||
| Seminar for Supervision in Teacher Education | ||
| Social Justice and Equity in International Education | ||
| Select three courses from the following that address the study of women and gender and that are not taken as part of the core focus. | 9 | |
| Gender, Sexuality, and Disability | ||
| Transnational Sexualities | ||
| Sexuality, Race, and Immigration | ||
| Current Topics in Women and Gender Studies | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Queer Theory | ||
| Gender, Sexuality, and Human Rights | ||
| Internship | ||
|
Other relevant courses from other disciplines chosen in consultation with concentration head
|
||
| Total Credits | 27 | |
Required Methods Course
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| WMST 610 | Feminist Research Methods | 3 |
Capstone, Project, or Thesis
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select one from the following: | 3 | |
| Interdisciplinary Studies Project | ||
| Interdisciplinary Studies Thesis | ||
| Thesis | ||
| Master's Capstone Paper | ||
| Total Credits | 3 | |
