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."
|