Computational Social Science Concentration
Merging social science with computer programming and modeling
Other Concentrations
Catalog Year: 2023-2024
Banner Code: LA-MAIS-ISIN-CSS
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 Computational Social Science (CSS)
Computational social science (CSS) is a relatively new interdisciplinary science in which social science questions are investigated with modern computational tools. Computational social scientists investigate complex social phenomena such as economic markets, traffic control, and political systems by simulating the interactions of the many actors in such systems on computers. They hope to gain insights which will lead to better management of the behavior of the larger social systems, i.e., prevention of market crashes, smoothed traffic flow, or maintenance of political stability. The intractability of many social problems calls for the new approaches provided by computational social science.
CSS is a highly interdisciplinary field that requires teams to plan and complete projects, be they undertaken by government, industry, or non-profit entities. Project managers of such teams, overseeing all elements of project design and execution, tend to hold PhDs. The MAIS concentration will train students to be members of these project teams, able to meaningfully contribute to background research and to project design, execution, and communication.
Prior background should include a bachelor’s degree in one of the social sciences, in computer science, in engineering, or in a relevant discipline, as well as undergraduate courses in these and related areas. Bachelor’s degrees in other areas are also eligible, but the student may be required to take additional courses in social science, mathematics, or computer science as prerequisites to admission.
Core Courses
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Required Courses 1 | ||
CSS 600 | Introduction to Computational Social Science | 3 |
CSS 605 | Object-Oriented Modeling in Social Science | 3 |
CSS 610 | Agent-based Modeling and Simulation | 3 |
Electives 2 | ||
Select three electives from the following: | 9 | |
Origins of Social Complexity | ||
Complexity Theory in the Social Sciences | ||
Spatial Agent-Based Models of Human-Environment Interactions | ||
Social Network Analysis | ||
Topics in Computational Social Science | ||
Total Credits | 18 |
1 |
The required CSS courses provide an understanding of the conceptual, technical, and practical foundations of computational social science. |
2 |
The electives provide an understanding of the technical foundations and current work in at least two subfields of computational social science. |
Research Course
The research course provides students with exposure to the most current ongoing research in the field and allows them to further develop their computational research expertise.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Select one from the following: | 3 | |
Directed Reading and Research | ||
Research Colloquium in Computational Social Science | ||
Colloquium in Computational Social Science | ||
Total Credits | 3 |
Electives (9-12 credits)
The electives allow students to acquire a substantive specialization as well as additional training in social and computational science. Because of the broad spectrum of social science phenomena, methodologies, and student backgrounds, there is a large pool of potential courses. Electives may include any Mason master's-level course in computational social science, social science, computer science, computational science and informatics, statistics, or other quantitative methods such as data visualization, information technology, and geographic information science. Electives should be selected in conjunction with and approval of the student's advisor and the Director of CSS Graduate Studies. If the student does not have prior coursework in multivariate statistical analysis, the electives should include at least one such course relevant for the student's chosen specialization.
Students who elect to complete a thesis or project will take 9 elective credits. Students who do not complete a thesis or project take 12 elective credits.
Integrative Learning Experience Course
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
MAIS 793 | Integrated Learning Experience | 3 |
Optional Project or Thesis
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Students have the option to 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 |