2013-2014 University Catalog

Integrative Studies, BA

Banner Code: LA-BA-INTS

The bachelor of arts degree program in integrative studies is based on intensive, interdisciplinary learning communities coordinated with traditional academic programs. The result is an integrated program of study that emphasizes collaboration, experiential learning, and self-reflection. The degree program requires mastery of eight essential competencies: communication, global understanding, group interaction, aesthetic awareness, critical thinking, civic engagement, digital literacy, and well-being.

This program of study is offered by New Century College .

Students in this degree program who are admitted to Mason Cornerstones complete university general education as specified below. They must complete Cornerstones and the 24 credits of learning communities with a minimum GPA of 2.00 in order to be able to use them to fulfill general education requirements.

Completion of Mason Cornerstones : lower-level written communication (ENGH 101 ), oral communication, information technology, arts, natural science (non laboratory), global understanding, social and behavioral sciences, literature, and Western civilization
Completion of 24 credits of learning communities: upper-level written communication (ENGH 302 ), writing intensive course, and synthesis
Completion of coursework specifically approved for these requirements (in NCC or in other units): quantitative reasoning, natural science (with laboratory)

Students must fulfill all requirements for bachelor’s degrees . Students who are not admitted to Mason Cornerstones need to complete the university general education requirements. Students who transfer into New Century College should consult with an advisor on what they need to take to complete university general education requirements.

This undergraduate program offers students in select concentrations the option of applying to the accelerated master’s in curriculum and instruction (select concentrations). See Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Programs for listings and specific requirements.

Degree Requirements

Learning communities (24 credits)

Learning communities are interdisciplinary courses that combine different subjects into a single course that is usually 3 or 6 credits. In learning communities, faculty and students explore various ways to understand a topic. Learning communities are structured to help promote a greater sense of identity with an academic community. Hallmarks of New Century College learning communities are team teaching, collaborative projects, emphasis on writing and critical thinking, and opportunity for independent study. They often include experiential learning, either as an integral part of the class or as an optional add on.

Experiential learning (12-24 credits)

The requirement in experiential learning reflects New Century College’s commitment to provide educational experiences that prepare graduates for the workplace and the demands of active and responsible citizenship. The workplace is as viewed as a site of instruction, one where students are exposed to the variety of skills needed to succeed. Through experiential learning, students combine work experience with academic study so that each will enrich the other.

Experiential learning includes internships, study abroad, community service learning, course field trips, and other field study opportunities. The learning sites may change each semester and are usually off campus. George Mason provides student liability insurance for the experiential learning internship, but students are responsible for their own transportation and health care. Accident and health insurance is available from George Mason.

No more than 24 credits of experiential learning can count toward a student’s total credits for graduation.

Electives (0-15 credits)

If students take courses that fulfill more than one degree requirement (e.g. learning communities, experiential learning, concentration, or general education), they may need to take additional electives to reach the total of 120 credits required for a BA degree.

Concentration (30-57 credits)

A concentration is the equivalent of a major in a traditional degree program. Students choose from an established interdisciplinary concentration below or create with faculty an individualized program of study to fit their interests and needs. The coursework for the concentration consists of traditional courses, learning communities, independent study and experiential learning. Where applicable, courses applied to a concentration can also be used to fulfill the credits required in learning communities or experiential learning. Students must present a minimum GPA of 2.00 in courses applied to the concentration.

The bachelor’s degree in integrative studies offers the concentrations in the following:

▲ Advertising (ADV)

Students complete the following course work:

Ten required courses (minimum 30 credits)

ACCT 203 - Survey of Accounting Credits: 3
ECON 103 - Contemporary Microeconomic Principles Credits: 3
MKTG 301 - Principles of Marketing Credits: 3
MSOM 301 - Managing People and Organizations Credits: 3 or
MGMT 301 - People and Organizations
Credits: 3
NCLC 202 - Public Speaking and Critical Thinking Skills Credits: 4 or
COMM 230 - Case Studies in Persuasion
Credits: 3
MSOM 302 - Managing Information in a Global Environment Credits: 3 or
MIS 301 - Introduction to Business Information Systems
Credits: 3
NCLC 249 - Digital Literacy Credits: 4 or
AVT 180 - New Media in the Creative Arts
Credits: 3
COMM 202 - Media and Society Credits: 3
MSOM 306 - Managing Projects and Operations Credits: 3 or
SOM 301 - Business Models: A Communication Approach
Credits: 3
NCLC 245 - Visual Culture and Society Credits: 4 or
AVT 204 - Visual Thinking
Credits: 3

Two courses (6-10 credits) chosen from:

ACCT 301 - Financial Accounting and Managerial Decision Making Credits: 3
AVT 104 - Studio Fundamentals I Credits: 4
AVT 280 - Introduction to New Media Arts Credits: 4
BULE 302 - Legal Environment of Business Credits: 3
COMM 157 - Video Workshop Credits: 1
COMM 375 - Mass Communication Advertising and Promotions Credits: 3
COMM 430 - Persuasion Credits: 3
FNAN 301 - Financial Management Credits: 3
GOVT 358 - Nonprofit Financial Planning Credits: 4
MIS 301 - Introduction to Business Information Systems Credits: 3
MSOM 300 - Managing Financial Resources Credits: 3
MSOM 303 - Marketing in a Global Economy Credits: 3
MSOM 304 - Entrepreneurship: Starting and Managing a New Enterprise Credits: 3
MSOM 305 - Managing in a Global Economy Credits: 3
NCLC 331 - The Nonprofit Sector Credits: 4
NCLC 348 - Digital Futures Credits: 3 or 6
NCLC 420 - Work Effectiveness Skills Credits: 3
NCLC 423 - Management in the Global Marketplace Credits: 6
NCLC 431 - Principles of Fund Raising Credits: 4
NCLC 445 - Multimedia Design Credits: 5
NCLC 449 - Multimedia Research and Project Development Credits: 4
SPMT 412 - Sport Marketing and Finance Credits: 3
WMST 100 - Representations of Women Credits: 3
WMST 304 - Women and Media Credits: 3

Total: minimum 36 credits

▲ Childhood Studies (CHDS)

Students complete the following course work:

Seven required courses (minimum of 23 credits)

NCLC 312 - Images and Experiences of Childhood: Social Construct, Literature, and Film Credits: 3-6
NCLC 316 - Introduction to Childhood Studies Credits: 4
NCLC 317 - Issues in Family Relationships Credits: 4
PSYC 100 - Basic Concepts in Psychology Credits: 3
PSYC 211 - Developmental Psychology Credits: 3
PSYC 313 - Child Development Credits: 3
STAT 250 - Introductory Statistics I Credits: 3 or
SOCI 313 - Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences
Credits: 4

Three courses (9-18 credits) chosen from:

ANTH 315 - Socialization Processes: Family, Childhood, Personality in Cross-Cultural Perspective Credits: 3
ENGH 452 - Critical Study of Children's Literature Credits: 3
HEAL 330 - Nutrition Credits: 3
HEAL 350 - Interventions for Populations and Communities at Risk Credits: 3
NCLC 231 - Introduction to Community Studies Credits: 4
NCLC 305 - Conflict Resolution and Transformation Credits: 6
NCLC 310 - Violence and Gender Credits: 3-6
NCLC 320 - Construction of Differences: Race, Class, and Gender Credits: 6
NCLC 331 - The Nonprofit Sector Credits: 4
NUTR 295 - Introduction to Nutrition Credits: 3
NUTR 420 - Strategies for Nutrition Education Credits: 3
NUTR 421 - Community Nutrition Credits: 3
NUTR 422 - Nutrition throughout the Life Cycle Credits: 3
NUTR 423 - Nutrition and Chronic Illnesses Credits: 3
NUTR 466 - Nutrition and Weight Management: Obesity, Anorexia, and Bulimia Credits: 3
PSYC 314 - Adolescent Development Credits: 3
PSYC 324 - Personality Theory Credits: 3
PSYC 325 - Abnormal Psychology Credits: 3
PSYC 330 - Psychology of Adjustment Credits: 3
SOCW 415 - Child and Family Welfare Credits: 3
SOCW 423 - Social Work with Children and Adolescents Credits: 3
SOCI 302 - Sociology of Delinquency Credits: 3
SOCI 360 - Youth Culture and Society Credits: 3

Total: minimum 32 credits

▲ Conservation Studies (CNST)

Three to five core courses (15-16 credits) in conservation studies

Students may complete this requirement through regular coursework or through the Smithsonian-Mason Semester Program.

Regular Coursework

NCLC 211 - Introduction to Conservation Studies Credits: 3-6 (take 6 credits)
NCLC 401 - Conservation Biology Credits: 6
EVPP 336 - Human Dimensions of the Environment Credits: 3

Smithsonian-Mason Semester Program

Students complete 16 credits offered through the Mason Center for Conservation Studies in cooperation with the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute. In this integrated series of courses, taken together in one semester, students live on site at the institute in Front Royal, VA. Students who apply this coursework to the concentration cannot also apply it to the minor in Applied Conservation Studies.