Undergraduate
The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on 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.
RELI 211: Introduction to Religions of the "West" (3 Credits)
Scheduled for Fall 2025
Focuses on Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and other global and local religions of Europe, Asia Minor, north Africa, and the Americas from historical, comparative, and cross-cultural perspectives. May include modern developments of religions like Mormonism, Baha'ism, and Scientology as well as other religions of ancient Asia Minor like Zoroastrianism. Offered by Religious Studies. Limited to three attempts.
Specialized Designation: Non-Western Culture
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
HIST 281: Survey of Middle Eastern Civilization (3 Credits)
Scheduled for Fall 2025
Survey of Middle Eastern history from rise of Islam to present, emphasizing processes that led to emergence of economic, cultural, social, and political institutions that characterize region today. Surveys period from rise of Islam in 570 to medieval period (ca. 1258) Offered by History & Art History. Limited to three attempts.
Mason Core: Mason Core, Global Understanding
Specialized Designation: Non-Western Culture
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
HIST 282: Survey of Middle Eastern Civilization (3 Credits)
No sections are currently scheduled.
Survey of Middle Eastern history from rise of Islam to present, emphasizing processes that led to emergence of economic, cultural, social, and political institutions that characterize region today. Surveys medieval period to present. Offered by History & Art History. Limited to three attempts.
Mason Core: Mason Core, Global Understanding
Specialized Designation: Non-Western Culture
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
ANTH 308: Peoples and Cultures of the Middle East (3 Credits)
No sections are currently scheduled.
Examines the anthropological literature on peoples and cultures of the Middle East, with particular attention to political and social change over the course of the 20th century. Offered by Sociology & Anthropology. Limited to three attempts.
Mason Core: Mason Core, Global Understanding
Specialized Designation: Non-Western Culture
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
ANTH 309: Peoples and Cultures of India (3 Credits)
No sections are currently scheduled.
Examination of South Asia, with emphasis on India. Includes general overview of prehistory and history; impact of colonialism; contemporary Indian culture, including the changing relations of caste and class, family organization, and the roles of women, religion, and ideology; and current trends in economic development and socioeconomic differences in different parts of the country. Offered by Sociology & Anthropology. Limited to three attempts.
Specialized Designation: Non-Western Culture
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
ENGH 309: Topics in Literature (1-3 Credits)
Scheduled for Fall 2025
Studies literature by topics, such as women in literature, science fiction, and literature of the avant garde. Notes: Topic varies. May be repeated for credit when topic is different. Offered by English. May be repeated within the term.
Specialized Designation: Topic Varies
Recommended Prerequisite: Satisfaction of University requirements in 100-level English and in Mason Core literature.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
ARTH 319: Art and Archaeology of the Ancient Near East (3 Credits)
No sections are currently scheduled.
Investigates the art, archaeology, and culture of the ancient Near East with a focus on Mesopotamia between 3500 BCE and 331 BCE. Offered by History & Art History. Limited to three attempts.
Mason Core: Mason Core, Global Understanding
Specialized Designation: Non-Western Culture
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
ARTH 320: Art of the Islamic World (3 Credits)
Scheduled for Fall 2025
Introduction to Islamic art, from the time of Muhammad to present. Cultural and regional approach, utilizing local museum collections. Offered by History & Art History. Limited to three attempts.
Specialized Designation: Non-Western Culture
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
ANTH 330: Peoples and Cultures of Selected Regions: Non-Western (3 Credits)
Scheduled for Fall 2025
Examines cultures of a specific region such as Africa and the Middle East. Focuses primarily on non-Western cultures. Offered by Sociology & Anthropology. Limited to three attempts.
Specialized Designation: Topic Varies, Non-Western Culture
Recommended Prerequisite: ANTH 114, 60 credits, or permission of instructor.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 332: Politics of the Middle East and North Africa (3 Credits)
Scheduled for Fall 2025
Examines political governance and socio-economic conditions of countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Topics include history and political systems; economic, social and political issues and challenges; and international relations of the countries in the MENA region.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Specialized Designation: Non-Western Culture
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 132, 133.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 340: Central Asian Politics (3 Credits)
Check the schedule of classes for upcoming sessions.
Comparative examination of political change in Central Asia with attention to national identity formation, political economy, political conflict, political Islam, and democratization.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Specialized Designation: Non-Western Culture
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 345: Islam and Politics (3 Credits)
Scheduled for Fall 2025
Covers the politics of religion in Muslim societies; history, ideology, and practices of key individuals, movements, and institutions; case studies of political Islam in the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and the West; the plurality and diversity of political expression in Muslim world; the nature of democracy in political Islam and the characteristics of the Islamic state; link Islam and politics to the ongoing globalization and an increase in radicalism.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Specialized Designation: Non-Western Culture
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
ENGH 362: Global Voices (3 Credits)
No sections are currently scheduled.
Studies two cultures other than contemporary British or American culture through exploration of several textual forms such as written literature, oral literature, film, folklore, or popular culture. Specific cultures vary, but at least one is non- Western. Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic is different. Offered by English. May be repeated within the degree.
Mason Core: Mason Core, Global Understanding
Specialized Designation: Topic Varies
Recommended Prerequisite: Satisfaction of University requirements in 100-level English and in Mason Core literature.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
ARTH 382: Arts of India (3 Credits)
No sections are currently scheduled.
History, culture, and arts of south Asia from earliest civilizations along the Indus River to onset of Western colonialism. Emphasizes role of material evidence in the creation of the South Asian history and how political, social, and religious developments affected the arts. Discusses monuments and artifacts in a variety of media in relation to historical contexts. Offered by History & Art History. Limited to three attempts.
Mason Core: Mason Core, Arts
Specialized Designation: Non-Western Culture
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
HIST 387: Topics in Global History (3-6 Credits)
Scheduled for Fall 2025
Study of historical topics or periods of special interest in global, Latin American, African, Asian, or Middle Eastern history. Notes: Topics announced in advance. May be repeated for credit when topic is different. Offered by History & Art History. May be repeated within the term.
Mason Core: Mason Core, Global Understanding
Specialized Designation: Topic Varies, Non-Western Culture
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
ARAB 420: Survey of Arabic Literature (3 Credits)
Scheduled for Fall 2025
A survey of Arabic literature from its genesis to the present day. Offered by Modern & Classical Languages. Limited to three attempts.
Specialized Designation: Non-Western Culture
Recommended Prerequisite: Six credits of 300 level courses taught in Arabic or permission of instructor.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Additional Course Details: Taught in Arabic
ARAB 440: Topics in Arabic Religious Thought and Texts (3 Credits)
No sections are currently scheduled.
Survey of the religious and intellectual heritage of the Arab world. Notes: May be repeated when topic and texts are different. Offered by Modern & Classical Languages. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 9 credits.
Mason Core: Mason Core, Mason Apex
Specialized Designation: Topic Varies, Non-Western Culture
Recommended Prerequisite: Six credits of 300 level Arabic or permission of instructor.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Additional Course Details: Taught in Arabic
GOVT 445: Human Rights (3 Credits)
Check the schedule of classes for upcoming sessions.
Explores philosophical, legal, and political issues at heart of modern international human rights movement. Examines historical background legal architecture of modern human rights movement.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 132.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
HIST 461: Arab-Israeli Conflict (3 Credits)
No sections are currently scheduled.
Overview of history of Arab-Israeli conflict. Examines conflict from various perspectives: over land and between competing nationalisms and identities; in terms of national interests of various states, including Israelis and Palestinians as well as other Arab governments and great powers; and in terms of peace making and conflict resolution. Some knowledge of history of Middle East since World War I strongly advised. Offered by History & Art History. Limited to three attempts.
Specialized Designation: Non-Western Culture
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
HIST 462: Women in Islamic Society (3 Credits)
No sections are currently scheduled.
Surveys history of women in Islamic society from rise of Islam to present day. Examines historical processes that affected role and status of women in society, and specific topics around which issues of gender status and identity coalesced, especially in modern period. Offered by History & Art History. Limited to three attempts.
Mason Core: Mason Core, Global Understanding
Specialized Designation: Non-Western Culture
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
HIST 465: The Middle East in the 20th Century (3 Credits)
No sections are currently scheduled.
Political, social, and cultural history of Middle East since World War I. Emergence of Israel, Arab nationalism, and political and economic influence of Middle East in world affairs. Offered by History & Art History. Limited to three attempts.
Specialized Designation: Non-Western Culture
Recommended Prerequisite: 6 hours of HIST or permission of Instructor.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.