Degree Requirements
Degree requirements in the Faculty of Arts refer
to the following categories of courses.
General Education Courses
The Faculty believes that students will benefit
from taking courses which provide a broad interdisciplinary perspective,
in addition to courses which focus on a specific subject. The required
interdisciplinary courses, called general education courses, are
offered by three academic units, the divisions of Humanities, Natural
Science and Social Science.
The Faculty of Arts foundations courses are part
of the general education requirement and are affiliated with the
appropriate Faculty of Arts colleges. These courses emphasize critical
skills, especially writing, and provide a supportive learning environment.
The connection to one of the Faculty of Arts colleges-Calumet, Founders,
McLaughlin, Stong, or Vanier-enables students to participate more
fully in college life and co-curricular events.
Major and Minor Courses
In addition to taking courses which contribute
to their broad knowledge, students are required to specialize in
a specific subject or combination of subjects. The area of primary
concentration is known as the major; an area of secondary concentration
(if any) is known as the minor.
Students may choose to major or minor in a specific
subject when they enter the University; or they may wait until they
have completed up to 24 credits. At this point, students must choose
a major and possibly a minor, but subsequent changes are possible.
In selecting courses, students who are undecided should try to take
introductory courses in a number of potential major subjects. This
will allow them to proceed in their subject(s) of choice without
the possibility of a delay.
Elective Courses
Electives are courses which are intended to broaden
the educational experience of students beyond their area of specialization.
Electives include most courses which are not used to fulfill the
general education requirements or major/minor requirements.
Courses not considered to be electives are:
- Major/minor courses taken above the required number;
- Non-major/minor courses taken within the major/minor subject
(e.g., AS/FR 1020 6.0 is a non-major French course);
- Courses outside the major/minor taken to fulfill major/minor
requirements (e.g., AS/COSC 1520 3.0 and AS/COSC 1530 3.0 are
mathematics for commerce requirements);
- Courses which are cross-listed or designated as equivalents
or exclusions to courses offered by the major/minor program (e.g.,
AS/MATH 1530 3.0 is cross-listed to AS/ECON 1530 3.0).
Upper-level Courses
The Faculty also considers it good educational
practice to ensure that students take a number of courses at the
3000 level and/or 4000 level. (A course's level is indicated by
the first digit of its number.)
In-Faculty Courses
In-Faculty courses are courses offered by the
Faculty of Arts as indicated by the Faculty prefix "AS."
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