george mason university's core curriculum, known as mason core, provides a foundational academic experience designed to equip students with a broad range of knowledge and essential skills.
this structured approach ensures that graduates possess the critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving abilities necessary for success in their chosen fields and for lifelong learning.
the structure of the mason core curriculum
the mason core curriculum is organized into several key components, each designed to contribute to a well-rounded education.
these include natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, written communication, and integration requirements, along with optional "just societies" flagged courses aimed at fostering intercultural competence.
natural science requirements
to fulfill the natural science requirement, students must earn a total of seven credits.
a significant portion of these credits, specifically four, must involve laboratory experience. this can be achieved through an approved combination of lecture and laboratory components or by taking a single four-credit course that integrates both. the remaining three credits can be earned through any approved natural science course, with or without a laboratory component.
it's important to note that the lecture portions of approved course pairings can be taken independently to satisfy the three-credit non-lab natural science requirement.
however, if a student wishes to fulfill the four-credit natural science lab requirement, the laboratory component of the approved pairing must be completed either before or concurrently with its associated lecture. students are encouraged to consult the approved course pairing lists for specific options that best suit their academic path.
social and behavioral science competencies
within the social and behavioral sciences, students are expected to develop a robust understanding of how individuals, groups, and institutions are shaped by contextual factors.
this involves demonstrating an awareness of evolving social and cultural constructs. furthermore, students will learn to utilize appropriate methods and resources to apply social and behavioral science concepts, terminology, principles, and theories to analyze significant human issues, both historical and contemporary.
understanding "just societies" flagged courses
exploration-level courses that carry a "just societies" flag are specifically designed to enhance students' ability to interact effectively with diverse populations.
these courses go beyond their core subject matter by focusing on understanding key societal and workplace terminology, engaging productively with peers while using these terms, and collaboratively identifying processes for societal change.
while not mandatory, enrolling in a "just societies" flagged course is an excellent opportunity for students seeking to deepen their knowledge and skills in promoting inclusivity and understanding diverse perspectives.
students interested in this avenue for fulfilling their mason core exploration requirements should collaborate closely with their academic advisors.
upon successful completion of a "just societies" flagged course, students will be able to demonstrate specific competencies related to intercultural understanding and effective engagement with individuals from varied backgrounds and belief systems.
integration requirements: culminating academic experiences
the integration requirements represent the capstone of a student's undergraduate journey at george mason university.
these requirements synthesize the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the foundation and exploration levels of the mason core curriculum, as well as the specialized coursework within their chosen majors. within their disciplinary contexts, students will further hone their communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities, which are crucial for their future careers, active engagement in the world, and a commitment to lifelong learning.
written communication proficiency
across both the foundation and integration levels of written communication courses, students are guided to use writing as a tool for exploration, knowledge construction, and effective communication.
these foundational skills are further developed in writing-intensive (wi) courses. here, students grapple with increasingly complex rhetorical challenges and field-specific issues, engaging deeply with the inquiry, creativity, and problem-solving methodologies inherent in their chosen disciplines.
upon completing an upper-level written communication course, students will be able to:
- compose various written genres tailored to specific audiences and purposes, demonstrating a command of academic, public, or professional communication styles.
- refine written works based on constructive feedback from instructors and peers, employing strategies appropriate to the genre, audience, and intended purpose.
- utilize writing as a process, engaging in drafting and revision to improve clarity, coherence, and impact.
as part of the university's commitment to supporting student writers across all undergraduate programs, at least one upper-division course in every major is designated as fulfilling the writing-intensive (wi) requirement.
these wi courses integrate rhetorical knowledge and discipline-specific content, enabling students to practice the writing, critical thinking, and problem-solving methods of their fields in various academic, professional, and civic contexts.
upon completing a writing-intensive course, students will be proficient in:
- employing writing to deepen their understanding of their field of study and its subject matter, often referred to as "writing to learn."
- producing one or more written genres specific to their field to convey key ideas to particular audiences and for defined purposes, encompassing academic, public, or professional formats.
- drafting and revising written work using feedback from instructors and peers, applying genre, audience, and purpose-specific strategies.
mason apex: high-impact culminating experiences
mason apex courses, or sometimes a sequence of courses, are designed to provide george mason students with a high-impact culminating experience.
these courses challenge students to apply critical thinking skills and prepare them for the rigors of lifelong learning. students are encouraged to draw connections across their entire undergraduate academic journey at george mason.
mason apex courses offer opportunities for students to apply and communicate their knowledge through integrative, applied, or experiential projects.
a minimum of three credits is required at this level. it is generally recommended that students enroll in an apex course after completing 85 credits. existing courses designated as mason apex within the current catalog will continue to satisfy these category requirements.
academic advisement and course selection
students are strongly advised to consult with their academic advisors to ensure they are selecting courses that meet their specific major requirements and the broader mason core curriculum.
some courses may have specific prerequisites or be designated for particular majors. the office of the provost, through the mason core director, laura wheeler poms, oversees the curriculum and provides resources for students seeking to navigate these requirements.
double counting opportunities
to provide flexibility, students are permitted to double count up to two courses, totaling six credit hours, towards their mason core requirements.
courses eligible for double counting will be clearly indicated in their respective course descriptions and approved sections.
examples of mason core courses
the university offers a wide array of courses that fulfill mason core requirements. these span various disciplines and interests:
- introduction to computing for digital systems engineering (mason core): covers foundational computing concepts relevant to engineering.
- ai for all: understanding and building artificial intelligence (mason core): an introduction to artificial intelligence principles and applications.
- from alexander the great to cleopatra: the hellenistic world (mason core): an exploration of a significant historical period.
- studies in 18th- and 19th-century art of the united states (mason core): an in-depth look at american art during a specific era.
- environmental issues and solutions around the world (mason core js): addresses global environmental challenges with a focus on solutions and inclusivity.
- tackling wicked problems in society and the environment (mason core js): examines complex societal and environmental issues.
- introduction to religions of the "west" (mason core js): explores the religious landscape of western traditions.
- children's literature: exploring stories, art, and power of picturebooks (mason core): analyzes children's literature and its cultural impact.
- literature in the creation of just societies (mason core js): examines how literature contributes to social justice.
- remembering histories of violence: narrative engagements with difficult pasts (mason core): uses narrative to understand challenging historical events.
- introduction to biological anthropology (mason core) and introduction to biological anthropology lab (mason core js): covers biological anthropology with an integrated lab component focusing on societal relevance.
these examples illustrate the diverse nature of courses available, designed to foster intellectual curiosity and provide a comprehensive educational foundation.
the broader context: personal growth and societal engagement
while the initial prompt touched upon themes of identity and personal expression, particularly within the context of fashion and cultural scenes in places like berlin, it's important to reiterate the primary purpose of this content: to delineate the academic framework of george mason university's core curriculum.
the details about specific fashion styles, personal preferences in clothing, and experiences within nightlife venues, while illustrative of individual expression, are tangential to the academic requirements discussed. the university's curriculum is structured to provide a robust intellectual foundation, preparing students for a wide array of future endeavors, regardless of their personal style or social affiliations.
the emphasis of the mason core is on developing critical thinking, analytical skills, and effective communication across a broad spectrum of knowledge domains.
these are the universally applicable tools that empower graduates to navigate complex challenges and contribute meaningfully to society, irrespective of their individual backgrounds or personal choices in areas such as fashion or lifestyle.
navigating university resources
for detailed information, course catalogs, and the most up-to-date requirements, students should always refer to the official george mason university catalog and consult with their academic advisors.
the university provides various resources to support students in successfully completing their academic programs and maximizing their educational experience.