Western Society Culture

The Liberal Arts College offers a unique multidisciplinary Core curriculum designed to provide the foundations of an education for life. The small community of fellows and students provides a unique "Great Books" emphasis within the Faculty of Arts and Science. Built on a core of eight courses (with Major, Minor and Honours options), the multidisciplinary, textually disciplined curriculum is designed to guide students in exploring the foundations and development of Western civilization and culture.

The College Core may be taken on its own as a Major or as a component of the Honours in Western Society and Culture. However, students may alternately choose to combine the Core as a Major or Minor with an Honours, Specialization or Major in another department within the Faculty. The Core curriculum, required of all students regardless of disciplinary focus or departmental affiliation, comprises carefully constructed and interrelated seminars normally available only to College students. Core seminars stress work in the major areas of human knowledge and understanding: the Humanities, Social Sciences, Art, Music, and scientific thought. Given in a set sequence, they are bound by a common concern with the nature and development of Western Society and Culture, from antiquity to the present. Core courses stress writing and research skills, and the use of a second language. They involve work in major primary and interpretive materials and the development of sophisticated analytic approaches.

Honours in Western Society and Culture — 60 credits

A high level of performance is required to be admitted to and remain in the Honours program.

Major in Western Society and Culture — 42 credits

Students completing the Core curriculum are strongly encouraged to graduate with a Major in Western Society and Culture. In addition, the College advises students to take some other form of concentrated study, e.g. Major or Minor, within a single department or field of study.

Minor in Western Society and Culture — 30 credits

The Minor includes the central courses of the curriculum in Western Society and Culture. It is an outstanding foundation for any study of the humanities, and is an excellent supplement to a disciplinary Major.

See Program-Specific Admission Requirements – In addition to the general admission requirements, this program have extra program-specific requirements. These additional requirements must be arranged with the departments to which you are applying.

See the BA degree description for information on the core and elective requirements. For a complete list of courses: Undergraduate Calendar

Sample courses include:

Great Books: Western History and Thought from Antiquity through the Renaissance, Structure and Dynamics of Western Civilization, Modes of Expression and Interpretation I & II, History of Art, History of Music, The Sciences and Society, The Twentieth Century: Forms, Themes, Critiques

Admission Requirements

Western Society and Culture (BA - Honours/Major/Minor) requirements: Minimum cut-off averages, admission statistics and program requirements.

Undergraduate admissions guidelines: For information on international admission, required documents, proof of language proficiency, the university admissions timetable, selection and notification process.