Religious Studies Concentration
Inquiry into religion as a continuously evolving source of ethical ideas, cultural values, social critique, and human connection in the contemporary world
Other Concentrations
Catalog Year: 2023-2024
Banner Code: LA-MAIS-ISIN-RELI
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 Religious Studies (RELI)
The concentration in religious studies is particularly relevant for students who are interested in careers in law, national and international government, print and media journalism, library sciences, archives and museums, public and social service, teaching, advanced graduate studies, and religious communities and institutions. The Washington, DC metropolitan area is rich in the presence of many major religious traditions and their places of worship.
The core courses introduce students to the study of religion as a unique and rigorous intellectual discipline. Students learn to evaluate a variety of perspectives on religion and gain a clear understanding of the dimension of the sacred in all aspects of human life including those commonly designated "secular". Students discover how religious perceptions of the sacred respond to an evolving world and relate to and influence cultures, institutions, and values.
Students also examine the effects of historical crises and the forces of change on religions including contemporary religious pluralism and inter-religious dialogue. Students gain a deeper knowledge of specific traditions and a more profound understanding of values and worldviews from the viewpoint of cultural diversity and religious pluralism.
Core Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| RELI 600 | Interdisciplinary Pathways in the Study of Religion | 3 |
| RELI 630 | Theories and Methods in the Study of Religion | 3 |
| Total Credits | 6 | |
Interdisciplinary Competencies in Religious Studies (9 credits)
Students take three courses from the list of competencies below to complement their interests and the skills they have already acquired through formal education and professional experience, or other courses that are chosen in consultation with an advisor.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Religion, Philosophy, and Ethics | ||
| Aristotle: Selected Works | ||
| Hegel's Phenomenology of the Spirit | ||
| History of Ethical Theory | ||
| Feminist Theory | ||
| Issues in Religious Ethics | ||
| Religion and the Natural Environment | ||
| Religion and Secularity in State and Society | ||
| Religion and Law | ||
| Islam and Human Rights | ||
| Islamic Biomedical Ethics (Religion in the Americas) | ||
| Religion in the Americas | ||
| Religion in North America to 1870 | ||
| U.S. Religion since 1870 | ||
| Topics in U.S. Religious History | ||
| Topics in American Religion | ||
| Religion and Law | ||
| Religions in Confliclt, Conversation, and Transition | ||
| World Religions, Diplomacy, and Conflict Resolution | ||
| Conflict and Religion | ||
| Interreligious Dialogue | ||
| Religion and Secularity in State and Society | ||
| Islamic Texts and Contexts | ||
| Muslim Comparative Theologies: Sunni-Shi`i Religious Thought | ||
Electives
Elective courses should complement the student's competencies, and/or reflect the topic of their project or thesis. Students take 15 credits of electives chosen from the courses listed below, or other appropriate courses chosen in consultation with the concentration head.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 5-6 courses from the following: | ||
| Anthropology and the Human Condition: Seminar I | ||
| Anthropology and the Human Condition: Seminar II | ||
| World Religions, Diplomacy, and Conflict Resolution | ||
| Conflict and Religion | ||
| Religion in North America to 1870 | ||
| U.S. Religion since 1870 | ||
| Topics in U.S. Religious History | ||
| Aristotle: Selected Works | ||
| Hegel's Phenomenology of the Spirit | ||
| History of Ethical Theory | ||
| Feminist Theory | ||
| Interreligious Dialogue | ||
| Issues in Religious Ethics | ||
| Topics in American Religion | ||
| Religion and the Natural Environment | ||
| Religion and Secularity in State and Society | ||
| Religion and Law | ||
| Islamic Texts and Contexts | ||
| Muslim Comparative Theologies: Sunni-Shi`i Religious Thought | ||
| Islam and Human Rights | ||
| Islamic Biomedical Ethics | ||
| Ethnography | ||
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 | |
