Frequently Asked Questions
Government & International Politics
This page is an additional advising tool. You should familiarize yourself with the University Catalog for your Catalog Year, because it states university, college level as well as major requirements. For current and recent Catalogs see: http://www.gmu.edu/catalog/
Many questions & answers below pertain to all students who entered Mason University Fall 1998 or later. Some questions & answers on general education and major requirements pertain only to students who entered Mason fall 2001 or to spring 2007; others apply only to students under Fall 2007 or later Catalogs. In the event that this page contains an error, you are nonetheless responsible for meeting all requirements and following all policies as stated in the University Catalog.General Questions
Who is my adviser and how do I meet with my adviser?
Can
I change my adviser? If so, how?
What credits do I receive from AP, CLEP, IB, etc. towards my George Mason degree?
http://admissions.gmu.edu/exams/ExamDepartmental.asp
What
should I do when not all of my transfer credits show up on my transcript?
How
many credits can I take in the summer?
How
do I receive Overload Permission?
Can
I take summer classes elsewhere?
What
should I do if I want to study abroad?
General Education
Can courses apply to the major and general education requirements at the same time?
Can a C- or D apply to general education requirements?
Which
ENGL 302 should I take as a Government & International Politics major?
What courses meet the Western civilization requirement?
What courses meet the U.S. history requirement?
How
do I complete the language requirement?
Government &
International Politics Major
What
grade is required in courses in the major?
What
if I got a C- or D in a class, which I wanted to use for the major?
Do
I have to take GOVT 101, 103, 132 and 133 in any particular order?
When
should I take GOVT 300?
Which
classes count for Field A, American Politics?
Which
classes count for Field B, Political Theory and Law?
Which
classes count for Field C, International and Comparative Politics?
Which
classes count for Field D, Public Policy and Administration?
What
is a concentration and how do I complete it?
Do
I have to have a concentration?
Can
I use one course for two fields?
Can
GOVT courses apply to the major and general education requirements at the
same time?
How
many times can I take GOVT 329?
How
many times can I take GOVT 444?
How
do I receive GOVT 480 internship credit?
Can
I count a GOVT 480 internship for the major?
Can
my GOVT 480 internship count as a Field course?
Can
GOVT 490 apply to one of my field requirements?
Can
GOVT 490 apply to my concentration?
I
hope to complete the honors program in the major in my senior year ? should
I take GOVT 490?
What
is GOVT 496, and how does it apply to the major?
How can I sign up
for a GOVT 496?
Minors
What
are the minors I could consider on top of my major?
Can
I minor in something that overlaps with the Government & International
Politics major?
Am
I able to graduate within four years if I add a minor?
Can
I have a concentration and a minor?
General Questions
Who is my adviser
and how do I meet with my adviser?
Adviser assignments are posted on the bulletin board outside of Robinson A201. Check the list for your name and adviser. Then go inside Robinson A201, and check on the inside of the door for office hours, email and phone number of your adviser.
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Can I change my adviser? If so, how?
Yes. Please see a PIA staff member in Robinson A201 to change your adviser.
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What credits do I
receive from AP, CLEP, IB, etc. towards my George Mason degree?
Please check the Academic Credit by Exam page for more information.
Please keep in mind that you need to have official scores submitted directly to George Mason University.
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What should I do when
not all of my transfer credits show up on my transcript?
Check with the Admissions Office. They can help you transfer in applicable credits. Also, see the following link to determine whether courses were transferable: http://admissions.gmu.edu/transfer/TransferCreditEvaluation.asp
Please keep in mind that you need to have official transcripts submitted directly to George Mason University.
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How do I get transfer credits evaluated?
For more information, please click on the Transfer Credit Guide (pdf). This guide was written specifically for students entering George Mason Fall 2007. Students under the Fall 2001 through Spring 2007 Catalogs can use this same guide, though they may have to get the U.S. History course evaluated.
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How many credits
can I take in a fall or spring semester?
Most students should take no more than five courses in any given semester (i.e. 15 or 16 credits), because the workload for six classes is very demanding. However, you can register for up to 18 credits during a fall or spring semester.
Here is what the Catalog says on the appropriate academic
load:
"The minimum full-time load for undergraduate students is 12 credits per semester.
Although many students must work to meet living expenses, employment must
not take priority over academic responsibilities. Students employed more than
20 hours a week are strongly urged not to attempt a full-time academic load.
Students employed more than 40 hours a week should attempt no more than 6
credits per semester. Students who fail to observe these guidelines may expect
no special consideration for academic problems arising from the pressures
of employment. Although 12 credits per semester represent a minimum full-time
undergraduate load, students planning to graduate in four years need to carry
an average of at least 15 credits per semester."
If you want to sign up for more than 18 credits, then you
should request Overload Permission from the Undergraduate Academic Affairs
Office. See How do I receive
Overload Permission? for further information and appropriate
forms.
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How many credits
can I take in the summer?
The University strongly recommends a maximum of 14 credits with no more than 7 credits in any one session or no more than 10 credits in overlapping summer sessions. If your cumulative GPA is below 2.0, then you are limited to 13 credits. If you are in good standing, you may enroll for up to 18 credits -- though this should only be attempted if you have done very well with 12-14 credits in previous summers.
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How do I receive
Overload Permission?
You should always speak to a faculty adviser before you attempt to take more than the regularly permitted credit load, as taking too many classes may negatively affect your cumulative GPA.
The Undergraduate Academic Affairs Office reviews and decides
requests to take more than the regularly permitted credit load. Please visit
their policies page, to review the criteria that guide such overload decisions:
http://www.gmu.edu/student/academicaffairs/policies.htm
If you want to request overload permission for a fall or spring semester, then download and submit the following form: http://www.gmu.edu/student/academicaffairs/Forms/fallspringoverload.pdf
If you want to request overload permission during the summer,
then download and submit the following form: http://www.gmu.edu/student/academicaffairs/Forms/summeroverload.pdf
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Can I take summer
classes elsewhere?
"Students enrolled at George Mason University are expected to complete their coursework in residence. Exceptions to this policy are rare and are considered only under extraordinary circumstances and on a case-by-case basis."
Taking classes at another college or university during the summer requires PRIOR permission from the CAS Undergraduate Academic Affairs Office. To see what the criteria are, please consult the Courses (Study) Elsewhere page.
If you believe that you meet the stated criteria, then download the Course Elsewhere Form.
If you are planning to attend a VCCS college, then take the form directly to your major adviser. You can use the VCCS Table of Transferable Courses to fill out the form.
For other colleges, you should run a Transfer Credit Search to see whether the course has previously been approved; if it has, then your adviser can sign the form. If the course you are planning to take has not yet been evaluated, then print out the course description from the college you plan to attend during the summer. Take the print-out as well as the form to the department at George Mason, which offers the course you plan to transfer in. After they have signed off on transfer equivalencies, get a signature from your major adviser.
Take the signed form to CAS Undergraduate Academic Affairs
in
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What should I do if
I want to study abroad?
Check with the Center for Global Education about the many study abroad opportunities they offer, whether for a semester, winter session or during the summer. You can find out more about their offerings here: http://globaled.gmu.edu/
The Center also has more information on non-Mason study abroad programs, which may be of interest to you.
You should also meet with your faculty adviser, who can help you determine whether you can go abroad and still complete your degree in a timely manner. In preparation for this meeting, you should gather as much information as possible on the courses offered in the study abroad program. Also, you should run a Patriotweb Degree Evaluation (Detailed Requirements) so that you and your adviser have a clear sense of what requirements have not been meet.
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Please click on the following link to the Registrar's Office website for detailed instructions, deadlines, and the online graduation application: http://registrar.gmu.edu/gif/
General Education
Where do I find out
more about which classes apply to general education requirements?
First, you should run a Patriotweb degree evaluation (click here for access instructions). This will tell you which requirements have been met and which ones have not been met. In many cases the degree evaluation lists the classes you should take. For those where options are not spelled out, please look up what course are approved for University and College General Education requirements specific to your Catalog Term.
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Can courses apply to the major and general education requirements at the same time?
Yes. A course may fulfill both a major and a general education requirement simultaneously, but the credit counts only once toward the total credits.
Here is a list of core courses in the major and how they apply to general education requirements:
* Information Technology requirement: GOVT 300
* Social Science Requirement: GOVT 101 and 103
* Global Understanding requirement: GOVT 132 or 133
Here is a list of other courses, which can be used for the major and general education requirements at the same time:
* Non-Western culture requirement: GOVT 328, 332, 333, 340, 341, 345, 432 or 433
* ECON 103 can be used for the Advanced Competency skill major requirement and the Social Science general education requirement. Please note that there is NO Advanced Competency Skill requirement for students with Fall 2007 or later Catalog Terms.
* STAT 250 can be used for the Advanced Competency skill major requirement and the Quantitative Reasoning general education requirement. Please note that there is NO Advanced Competency Skill requirement for students with Fall 2007 or later Catalog Terms.
Are there other courses in the general education area, which fulfill two requirements simultaneously?
Yes. There are some courses, which fulfill two general education requirements simultaneously, but the credit counts only once toward the total credits. Here are some commonly used possibilities:
* Phil 253 applies towards the Literature and the PHIL/ RELI requirement.
* ANTH 114 or GEOG 101 count as Social Science and non-Western culture
* RELI 211 or RELI 212 apply to PHIL/ RELI and non-Western culture
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Can a C- or D apply to general education requirements?
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Which ENGL 302 should
I take as a Government & International Politics major?
While any ENGL 302 sections complete this general education requirement, we strongly recommend that you take a Social Science section, because they are designed to help you become better writers in your major. You can spot a Social Science section of ENGL 302 by the letter "S" in front of the section number. (If all Social Science sections are full, then you may consider a Humanities Section, which is marked by an "H" in front of the section number.)
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Take it after you have completed ENGL 101 (or 100), one Literature course, and 45 credits. It is useful to take it before you take the majority of your upper level GOVT courses, because ENGL 302 will help you write papers in your major.
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For a complete listing of courses that are approved for Quantitative Reasoning, please click here. Most of these courses require prior placement test, which is explained in the link for course options.
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What courses count for the Fine Arts requirement?
Only course that are on the list of approved Fine Arts courses (click here) apply to this requirement. Please do not sign up for a course that is not on the Fine Arts list.
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What courses count as Literature?
Please note that students with Catalog Terms Fall 2001 through Summer 2007 need 6 credits of Literature. Students with Catalog Terms Fall 2007 and later only need 3 credits of Literature.
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What courses count for the Natural Science requirement?
Students who entered George Mason before fall 2007 need two lab science courses in the same lab science. Please click here for a listing of the courses that complete part I and part II of the lab sequence in the same lab science.
Students under the Fall 2007 or later Catalog may combined two different sciences to complete the 8-credit lab science requirement. Please click here to review the list of approved science courses.
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Transfer students have additional course options, including upper level courses. Transfer students should consult the list of approved Western Civilization courses for their specific Catalog Year. If you are a transfer student, please click here and select the appropriate Catalog Term, where you can find a list of classes that are approved for Western Civilization.
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What courses meet the U.S. history requirement?
Students who entered George Mason before fall 2006 may change their Catalog to Fall 2006 if they believe that they can benefit from doing so. For more information, and to determine whether changing the Catalog is a benefit or a detriment, please download and review the PDF file for GVIP majors on U.S. History.
How do I complete
the language requirement?
There are different ways to complete the language requirement -- testing out of it because of prior proficiency in a language, or by taking classes that prove intermediate proficiency. For more details click here if you are under a Catalog Term Fall 2001 through Summer 2007 . Those students with Catalog Term Fall 2007 or later should click here for more information.
Additionally, if you are proficient (speaking, reading, writing) in any language spoken anywhere in the world, then a waiver might be an option. For more information on a language waiver click here.
What courses count
for the non-Western culture requirement?
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Government &
International Politics Major
What grade is required
in courses in the major?
You must have a grade of C or higher for all your classes in the major. This includes GOVT classes as well as the Advanced Competency Skill requirement.
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What if I got a C-
or D in a class, which I wanted to use for the major?
All classes applied to the major must be passed with a grade of C or higher. If you received a C- or D in GOVT 101, 103, 132, 133 or 300, then you have to retake it. Any other classes with a C- or D can be applied outside of the major (i.e. towards the credit total), if you prefer not to retake them.
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Do I have to take
GOVT 101, 103, 132 and 133 in any particular order?
No. They are not sequential. So you can take them in any order. However, you should take all of them before you start with your upper level GOVT courses.
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You should have completed all your 100-level GOVT courses before you take GOVT 300.
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Can I take ADJ 300 for the GOVT 300 requirement?
While the PIA department has cross-listed GOVT 300 with ADJ 300 in the past, we will NOT be cross-listing any GOVT 300 with ADJ 300 starting in Fall 2007. Any Fall 2007 or later ADJ 300 course will therefore NOT apply to the GOVT 300 major requirement. Please note that we will NOT be making any exceptions on this, even if this means you have to delay graduation.
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Which classes count
for Field A, American Politics?
All GOVT courses numbered 301 to 319 and 401 to 419. An applicable GOVT 480 may be used as well. If a GOVT 490 was taken before fall 2007, then it may apply as a Field A if it is listed here as such.
Field A classes generally require prior completion or concurrent enrollment in GOVT 103.
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Which classes count
for Field B, Political Theory and Law?
All GOVT courses numbered 320 to 329, 420 to 429 and 446. An applicable GOVT 480 may be used as well. If a GOVT 490 was taken before fall 2007, then it may apply as a Field B if it is listed here as such.
Field B classes generally require prior completion or concurrent enrollment in GOVT 101 or 103.
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Which classes count
for Field C, International and Comparative Politics?
All GOVT courses numbered 330-349 and 430 to 449. An applicable GOVT 480 may be used as well. If a GOVT 490 was taken before fall 2007, then it may apply as a Field C if it is listed here as such.
Field C classes generally require prior completion or concurrent enrollment in GOVT 132 or 133.
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Which classes count
for Field D, Public Policy and Administration?
All GOVT courses numbered 350-369 and 450 to 469. An applicable GOVT 480 may be used as well. If a GOVT 490 was taken before fall 2007, then it may apply as a Field D if it is listed here as such.
Field D classes generally require prior completion or concurrent enrollment in GOVT 103.
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What is a concentration
and how do I complete it?
A concentration is a way to pursue in depth an interest in
one Field of the major. Take five courses (15 credits) in one field, as well as
1 course each (3 credits each) in the other three fields. That is a total of 8
courses (24 credits).
Please declare the concentration with a department staff member
before you file your intent to graduate. Simply stop by Robinson
A201 and ask to declare the concentration.
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Do I have to have
a concentration?
No. The concentration is optional. If you are strongly interested in one of the fields, then pursue a concentration. If you are interested in different areas of the major, then just follow major requirements.
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Can I use one course
for two fields?
No. There is no double-counting within the major. For example, GOVT 446 can be used for either Field B or Field C, but not for both.
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Can GOVT courses apply
to the major and general education requirements at the same time?
Yes. Here is how courses double-count:
* Information Technology requirement: GOVT 300
* Social Science Requirement: GOVT 101 and 103
* Global Understanding requirement: GOVT 132 or 133
* Non-Western culture requirement: GOVT 328, 332, 333, 340, 341, 345, 432 or 433
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How many times can
I take GOVT 329?
Up to three times, as long as each course has a different title and topic. Do not sign up for more than three GOVT 329 courses, because additional GOVT 329s will not count towards the 120 credits.
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How many times can
I take GOVT 444?
Up to three times, as long as each course has a different title and topic. Do not sign up for more than three GOVT 444 courses, because additional GOVT 444s will not count towards the 120 credits.
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How do I receive GOVT
480 internship credit?
See the PIA Internship page.
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Can I count a GOVT
480 internship for the major?
Yes. Up to three credits of internship (GOVT 480) can be used for the major.
If you complete a 6-credit GOVT 480, then 3 credits will be applied to the major, and three to the upper level electives.
For more information, see our internship page.
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Can my GOVT 480 internship
count as a Field course?
Yes, with permission of the internship coordinator. The nature of the work determines whether an internship is classified as a Field A, B, C or D.
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GOVT 490 is the synthesis course. It is an interdisciplinary seminar, which combines approaches from the general education area with Government & International Politics. It meets both the university synthesis requirement and is a major requirement. If you started at Mason fall 2001 or later, you must take this course to complete your degree.
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Take it when you are close to finishing all your courses in the major. This is usually second semester junior year or during the senior year. Keep in mind that there may not be any GOVT 490s in the summer, or that your choices are extremely limited during the summer.
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Can GOVT 490 apply
to one of my field requirements?
The answer depends on what Catalog applies to you, respectively when you took the GOVT 490 course. Please check below to see what answer applies to you:
-- If you are under the Fall 2007 or later Catalog, then GOVT 490 does NOT count towards a field requirement.
-- If you are under a Fall 2001 through Spring 2007 Catalog AND did NOT take GOVT 490 before fall 2007, then you can NOT apply GOVT 490 to a field requirement.
-- If you are under a Fall 2001 through Spring 2007 Catalog AND took GOVT 490 before fall 2007, then you can apply GOVT 490 to a field requirement. Please see this page for detailed information on how GOVT 490 applies.
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Can GOVT 490 apply
to my concentration?
The answer depends on what Catalog applies to you, respectively when you took the GOVT 490 course. Please check below to see what answer applies to you:
-- If you are under the Fall 2007 or later Catalog, then GOVT 490 does NOT count towards a concentration.
-- If you are under a Fall 2001 through Spring 2007 Catalog AND did NOT take GOVT 490 before fall 2007, then you can NOT apply GOVT 490 to a concentration.
-- If you are under a Fall 2001 through Spring 2007 Catalog AND took GOVT 490 before fall 2007, then you can apply GOVT 490 to a concentration. Please see this page for detailed information on how GOVT 490 applies.
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I hope to complete
the honors program in the major in my senior year ? should I take GOVT 490?
No. If you are admitted to the honors program in the major, then the Honors Seminar (GOVT 491) completes your synthesis requirement.
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What is GOVT 496, and how does it apply to the major?
GOVT 496 is an opportunity to work one-on-one with a faculty member on a specific topic. You research this topic in-depth and write a research paper. You can apply up to 6 credits of GOVT 496 to the major. Permission and senior status (90 credits) are required. A GOVT 496 can be 1, 2 or 3 credits.
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How can I sign up for a GOVT 496?
Approach a PIA faculty member, whose research is in the area you want to work on. Ask this professor whether she or he would be interested in working with you on the specific topic you have in mind. It helps if you have already taken a class with this faculty member, so they know who you are.
Fill out the GOVT 496 Contract Form (download here) with the PIA faculty member.
Turn in the signed form to Robinson A201 BEFORE the ADD deadline. Someone will review the GOVT 496 Contract Form, and then fill out a different form, which you need to submit to the Registrar's Office BEFORE the ADD deadline.
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Minors
What are the minors
I could consider on top of my major?
This depends on your interests, both academically and professionally. For an overview of available minors, minor requirements and whom to contact about a minor, please click here.
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Can I minor in something
that overlaps with the Government & International Politics major?
Yes. In fact, you can double-count courses between the major and a minor. Though at least 8 credits have to be unique for the minor, i.e. must not be double-counted. For a list of the minors in the department, approved courses, and list of minor coordinators, please click here.
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Am I able to graduate
within four years if I add a minor?
It depends. If you don't have too many electives, then probably yes. If you switched to your major late, or took too many electives, then a minor might mean some extra classes. Work with the minor coordinator and your faculty adviser to determine whether you can complete a minor without going over the 120 credits.
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Can I have a concentration
and a minor?
Yes, this is possible. However, it requires careful planning of courses, so that you don't stay in school for an extra semester or more. Also, this combination only makes sense if you are concentrating and minoring in different areas, to emphasize that you have a background in different areas. For example, it would be a bad choice to concentrate in Political Theory and Law and minor in Legal Studies -- but concentrating in American Politics with a minor in Legal Studies might be useful.
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Updated: October 20, 2008 by Rana FitzGerald
