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2003-2004
Undergraduate
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Faculty of Arts
 
Faculty of Education
 
Faculty of Environmental Studies
 
Faculty of Fine Arts
 
Faculty of Pure and Applied Science
 
Atkinson Faculty of Liberal and Professional Studies
 
Osgoode Hall Law School
 
Schulich School of Business
 
Courses of Instruction
 
Glendon College

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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