<Faculty of Arts

Academic Advising and Student Responsibility

The information contained in this calendar and other publications is designed to be self-explanatory. The Faculty recognizes, however, there may be specific questions about regulations which are not answered here. Those questions should be addressed to one of the following sources of information listed below.

Student Client Services (the Registrar's Office)

The office which administers most of the academic regulations contained in the Faculty of Arts section of this calendar is the Registrar's Office, 416-736-5440, http://www.registrar.yorku.ca. This office provides a wide range of administrative services to students, staff and faculty members. Among its functions are:

• performing general registrarial functions relating to enrolment and record keeping;
• applying the Faculty's rules on academic standing, including eligibility to graduate;
• reporting final grades to students; producing official University transcripts;
• advising students about petitions and receiving petitions for exemptions from academic regulations.

Advising

The Faculty of Arts considers academic advising an important responsibility. The term academic advising covers a number of complementary functions related to assisting students:

• select majors and courses;
• ascertain whether they are meeting the Faculty's academic regulations;
• plan for their academic future both before and after graduation;
• and generally make the most of their talents and interests.

These functions may vary in their significance to students at different times of the academic year and at different points in a student's academic career. Other kinds of advising and counselling services are offered by offices such as the Career Centre, the Counselling and Development Centre, and the Centre for Student Community and Leadership Development.

Advising students is a shared responsibility of the departments, divisions and programs of the Faculty, the Faculty-affiliated colleges, and the Student Academic Centre. Students should contact these offices throughout the year for advice and information related to their academic career including academic performance, degree programs and requirements.

Student Responsibilities

Every effort is made to ensure that students in the Faculty of Arts have access to sound information and individual advice and guidance. Within this context, and within the framework of Faculty and program regulations, students are responsible for making their own choices regarding courses and programs. Students should take special care to:

• ensure the courses they choose meet all requirements for graduation;
• ensure the courses they choose meet prerequisites and are not course exclusions of other courses already taken;
• ensure the times of the courses they choose do not conflict;
• ensure the accuracy of their registration records, including all changes;
• note and observe deadlines and procedures, especially deadlines for adding and dropping courses;
• ensure full documentation is provided in support of petitions and other requests for special consideration;
• keep themselves informed about their academic progress, including their performance in individual courses. It is incumbent on faculty members to make available to their students assessments of their work and, if requested, to discuss students' progress with them. By the first week of classes in the second term, in each six- and nine-credit course, all first year students must receive back at least one piece of letter-graded work. Instructors in six- and nine- credit courses are required to supply, on request and on reasonable notice, a mid-year letter grade to any first-year student before the end of January, based on the whole of the first term gradable work.

Policy on Personal Relationships Between Instructors and Students

It is the policy of York University to endeavour to create and maintain a learning environment characterized by equitable conditions for all students. In order to further that goal and to ensure the continuing integrity of academic standards, it is expected that instructors who have a close personal relationship with a student who desires to enrol in their course will, in consultation with their Chair and/or dean (or designate), make appropriate alternative arrangements for the evaluation of that student. If no appropriate alternative arrangements for evaluation can be agreed upon, the student may not enrol in the course.

Without limiting the generality of the relationships in question, these include the following: (a) where the instructor is the parent (or child) of the student; (b) where the instructor is the spouse or spousal equivalent of the student. Should a relationship such as the one described in (b) arise during the course and before completion of evaluation of the student, the instructor shall consult with the Chair and/or dean (or designate) as to an appropriate evaluation procedure.

It is incumbent upon the instructor to exercise professional responsibility and to declare a potential or apparent conflict of interest where it exists. If the instructor fails to do so, the Chair and/or dean (or designate) shall make the appropriate alternative arrangements for the evaluation of the student.

Students Pursuing a Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree in the Faculty of Arts

Candidates for a First Degree

Most students in the Faculty are studying for their first undergraduate degree, an Honours bachelor of arts (BA) degree or a bachelor of arts (BA) degree.

Candidates for Reclassifying a BA Degree as an Honours BA Degree

Students who have graduated with a BA degree from the Faculty of Arts and have maintained the minimum honours standing in 90 credits, may take additional courses in order to obtain an Honours BA degree in the same subject. The same subject may be combined with a second major or minor. If they are successful, their BA degree is reclassified as an Honours BA degree. Applications may be obtained from Student Client Services or from the Current Students Web site (http://www.yorku.ca/yorkweb/cs.htm).

Candidates for Second and Subsequent Degrees

Students who hold a first bachelor of arts (BA) degree from an accredited institution, and who are admissible according to Faculty and University policies, may pursue a second (or subsequent) degree program in the Faculty of Arts.

Eligibility for admission and standing will be assessed according to performance in the first degree. Students will be assessed as eligible for an Honours BA if they have graduated with honours standing in their first degree. Students who are eligible for an Honours BA program will be enrolled in Honours, but may elect to graduate with a BA degree. Students admitted to an Honours BA or BA program will be granted transfer credit in accordance with the University's residence/in-Faculty requirement. Under certain circumstances, students admitted to a BA degree program may qualify to proceed in an Honours BA, however, the transfer credit granted upon admission will not be amended.

All second (and subsequent) degree candidates must meet the residence/in-Faculty requirements for their program, and must satisfy all upper-level requirements and requirements in the major/minor subject(s). Grade point averages are calculated for students in second (or subsequent) degree programs only on the courses taken for that degree, and not on courses taken to satisfy requirements for the first degree.

For further details, students should consult the Faculty of Arts Student Academic Centre or the Admissions Office, http://www.yorku.ca/web/futurestudents/.

Students Not Pursuing a Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree in the Faculty of Arts

Visiting Students

Individuals who wish to enrol in undergraduate credit courses, but who do not intend to complete a degree or a certificate may be admitted to York as a Visiting Student. Visiting students are individuals who hold an undergraduate degree (three-year bachelor's degree minimum) from an accredited university/university-level institution; do not hold an undergraduate degree but wish to enrol in York courses to fulfill the academic, upgrading or professional development requirements of a professional designation, or; are currently attending another recognized university and wish to take York courses on a letter of permission issued by their home institution. More information is available from the Admissions Office or the Web site http://www.yorku.ca/web/futurestudents/.

Auditors

Auditors attend classes and participate in a course in the same way as other students, but do not submit assignments or write tests or examinations. Students registered for a degree at York University may audit a course in the Faculty of Arts provided they obtain the permission of the course director. Persons from outside the University may request permission to audit up to 18 credits. Further information about admissibility, application procedures, available courses and fees may be obtained from Student Client Services.

Course Loads

The following course loads apply to students in the Faculty of Arts. In certain circumstances the Faculty may set other limits.

Fall/Winter Session

The normal course load for students in the fall/winter session is 30 credits. Students with substantial familial or financial responsibilities outside the University are advised to consider taking fewer courses in a session. Students may take a maximum of 36 credits overall (and 18 credits per term) without petitioning.

Summer Session

During the summer session, students may take a maximum of 15 credits. Within this limit, no more than six credits may be taken during one six-week term. Students with substantial familial or financial responsibilities outside the University are advised to consider taking fewer courses in a session.

Residence Requirement and In-Faculty Courses

While allowing students to take a certain number of courses at other universities and in other Faculties of York University, in order to meet the residence requirement, the Faculty of Arts requires that students complete a portion of their courses as follows:

(a) At least 30 credits must be taken at York University;

(b) At least half (50 per cent) of the requirements in each arts major/minor must be taken in the Faculty of Arts.

In addition, any departmental/divisional requirements for the major/minor must be satisfied.

Note: Courses taken to satisfy (b) will also satisfy (a). In some cases, satisfying (b) will automatically satisfy (a). In-Faculty courses are defined as those with an "AS" prefix.

Coregistration in the Faculty of Education:

Students enrolled in the Faculty of Arts may apply for admission to the Pre-Service Program of the Faculty of Education. If they are accepted, they may coregister in the Faculty of Education and upon successful completion of the separate degree requirements of both Faculties will be awarded two degrees: Honours bachelor of arts (BA) and a bachelor of education (BEd) or bachelor of arts (BA) and bachelor of education (BEd).

Although the arts and education courses are taken concurrently, they are counted separately by each Faculty. Grade point averages for courses in the two Faculties are also calculated separately. Thus, the 30 credits required for the BEd are independent of the 120 credits required for the Honours BA, or the 90 credits required for the BA. Therefore, a student completing the requirements for both degrees would complete a total of 150 credits for the Honours BA/BEd or 120 credits for the BA/BEd.

Credit for Education Courses:

Faculty of Arts students who are coregistered in the Faculty of Education may count education courses taken beyond the requirements for the BEd for credit towards the Honours BA or BA as out-of-Faculty courses.

Faculty of Arts students who are not coregistered in the Faculty of Education may receive arts degree credit for academic courses offered by the Faculty of Education in accordance with the Faculty of Arts regulations on residence requirement/in-Faculty courses.

Honours Programs Jointly with the Faculty of Environmental Studies:

Students in the Faculty of Arts may combine any Honours Double Major BA program or Honours Major/Minor BA program with the Faculty of Environmental Studies, subject to the following regulations:

• Students must maintain Honours standing, a cumulative grade point average of 5.0 (C+) or above over all courses including those in environmental studies. Students whose cumulative grade point average falls below 5.0 (C+) during the course of their studies may proceed in an Honours program, on warning, provided they meet the year level progression requirements described in the Academic Standing section of this calendar.;
• Faculty of Arts degree requirements and program regulations apply.

Major in Environmental Studies

• 42 credits in environmental studies, including: ES/ENVS 1000 6.00, 12 credits in the environmental studies foundations series at the 2000 level chosen from ES/ENVS 2100 6.00, ES/ENVS 2200 6.00, ES/ENVS 2300 6.00, or ES/ENVS 2400 6.00, ES/ENVS 3009 3.00 or ES/ENVS 3010 3.00, nine additional credits at the 3000 level, and 12 credits at the 4000 level.

Minor in Environmental Studies

• 30 credits in environmental studies, including: ES/ENVS 1000 6.00, 12 credits in the environmental studies foundation series at the 2000 level chosen from ES/ENVS 2100 6.00, ES/ENVS 2200 6.00, ES/ENVS 2300 6.00, or ES/ENVS 2400 6.00, six credits at the 3000 level or higher, and six credits at the 4000 level.

For details about degree requirements in environmental studies, students should consult the Faculty of Environmental Studies.

For both the major or minor in environmental studies, students must also complete the requirements of an Honours BA in the Faculty of Arts. Students successfully completing this program will receive an Honours BA degree. Consult the Student Academic Centre, Faculty of Arts for more information.

Students should note that in order to complete the requirements of the Honours Double Major or Honours Minor programs, it may be necessary to successfully complete more than 120 credits.

Students in the Faculty of Environmental Studies may also pursue an Honours Double Major or Honours Minor program with the Faculty of Arts. For more information, contact the Faculty of Environmental Studies.

Honours Programs Jointly with the Faculty of Fine Arts:

Students in the Faculty of Arts may pursue an Honours Double Major BA program or Honours Major/Minor BA program with the Faculty of Fine Arts.

Fine arts Honours majors which may be pursued with any Honours Double Major BA program in the Faculty of Arts:

• dance
• fine arts cultural studies
• film and video (film studies)
• music
• theatre (theatre studies)
• visual arts (studio)
• visual arts (art history)

Fine arts Honours interdisciplinary majors which may only be pursued with a communication studies interdisciplinary major in the Faculty of Arts:

• fine arts cultural studies
• film and video (film studies)

Fine arts Honours minors which may be pursued with any Honours Major/Minor BA program in the Faculty of Arts:

• dance
• fine arts cultural studies
• film and video (film studies)
• music
• theatre (production or theatre studies)
• visual arts (art history)
• visual arts (studio)

Faculty of Arts degree requirements and program regulations apply. Students should consult the Faculty of Arts Programs of Study section of this calendar for the requirements of specific majors. Fine arts courses taken by arts students as part of these programs are considered out-of-Faculty courses. Students who complete such a program receive an Honours BA degree from the Faculty of Arts. Students pursuing an Honours Double Major program should note that, in some cases, it may be necessary to successfully complete more than 120 credits in order to satisfy requirements. For further details, consult the Student Academic Centre, Faculty of Arts.

All fine arts majors or minors require an evaluation. Depending on the department, this may include a personal interview, an audition, a written exercise, or portfolio evaluation. For information on admission requirements in fine arts areas, students should consult the Fine Arts Office of Student and Academic Services.

Students in the Faculty of Fine Arts may also pursue an Honours Double Major or Honours Minor program with the Faculty of Arts. For more information, contact the Faculty of Fine Arts.

Honours Programs Jointly with the Faculty of Science and Engineering:

Students in the Faculty of Arts may pursue an Honours Double Major BA program or Honours Major/Minor BA program with the Faculty of Science and Engineering.

Honours majors in science and engineering which may be pursued with an Honours Double Major BA program in the Faculty of Arts* (see Note below):

• earth and atmospheric science (Atmospheric Science Stream or Earth Science Stream)
• physics and astronomy (Physics Stream or Astronomy Stream)

*Note: The following Faculty of Arts Honours major programs of study may not be pursued jointly as an Honours Double Major with the Faculty of Science and Engineering--computer science, geography, kinesiology, mathematics, psychology, and science and technology studies..

Honours Minors in science and engineering which may be pursued with any Honours Major/Minor BA program in the Faculty of Arts:

• biology
• chemistry
• physics and astronomy (Physics Stream or Astronomy Stream)

Faculty of Arts degree requirements and program regulations apply. Students should consult the Faculty of Arts Programs of Study section of this calendar for the requirements of specific majors. Students who complete such a program receive an Honours BA degree from the Faculty of Arts. Students pursuing an Honours Double Major or an Honours Minor program should note that, in some cases, it may be necessary to successfully complete more than 120 credits in order to satisfy requirements. For further details, consult the Student Academic Centre, Faculty of Arts.

Students in the Faculty of Science and Engineering may also pursue an Honours Double Major or Honours Minor program with the Faculty of Arts. For more information, contact the Faculty of Science and Engineering.

Letters of Permission

Letters of permission allow Faculty of Arts students to receive credit at York for courses taken at other universities. In order to receive credit for such courses, a letter of permission must be obtained prior to enrolling. Application forms for letters of permission are available at Student Client Services or from the Current Students Web site (http://www.yorku.ca/yorkweb/cs.htm).

Courses which students propose to take on a letter of permission must be acceptable to the Faculty of Arts teaching unit best able to judge their academic merit. The Faculty is under no obligation to accept courses taken without its permission.

Students must be in good academic standing to be eligible for a letter of permission; students under academic warning, debarment warning, or academic probation are not eligible.

In order to receive credit for courses taken on a letter of permission, students must arrange for the host institution to submit an official transcript to the Registrar's Office. A minimum grade of C as understood in the Faculty of Arts is required for credit to be granted. Grades earned in courses taken at other postsecondary institutions are not part of the student's York transcript and are not incorporated into the student's grade point average in the Faculty of Arts.

Several formal programs exist for students to pursue study at universities in other countries. Where formal programs do not exist, and academic and personal circumstances warrant, individual arrangements may be made. For further information contact York International.

Should a student leave York University to pursue study at another postsecondary institution without a letter of permission, upon return to York, a new application to York is required and all previous transfer credit will be reassessed.

Summer Courses

Courses Taken at York University:

The Faculty of Arts offers a limited number of courses in the summer. Courses are also offered in Italy by the Department of Languages, Literatures and Linguistics. In addition, independent study, directed reading and thesis courses are offered by some departments. Students interested in arranging such courses should inquire at the relevant department/division.

Atkinson offers courses which may be taken for degree and major credit by Faculty of Arts students. Individual programs may place restrictions on the number and nature of summer courses taken for program credit. Students are responsible for ensuring that any summer courses taken conform to the Faculty of Arts regulations on residence requirement/in-Faculty courses; and that they fulfill major, minor and Faculty-wide requirements; and do not violate regulations relating to prerequisites, corequisites and course exclusions.

Courses Taken at Other Universities:

Faculty of Arts students who wish to receive credit for courses taken at other universities must obtain a letter of permission from Student Client Services or the Current Students Web site (http://www.yorku.ca/yorkweb/cs.htm), prior to enrolling in these courses.

Should a student leave York University to pursue study at another postsecondary institution without a letter of permission, upon return to York, a new application to York is required and all previous transfer credit will be re-assessed.

Independent Reading Courses

Students may wish to pursue intensive work with a particular faculty member on a topic of study not offered in a particular academic session. The Faculty of Arts provides for such independent reading courses which are subject to the guidelines of the departments and divisions, and to the following regulations:

• Students may take independent reading courses only after having successfully completed 24 credits in the Faculty of Arts.
• The maximum permissible number of independent reading courses depends on a student's program type. Students in Honours BA programs may take 24 such credits; students in a BA program may take 18 such credits.
• Within their last 30 credits, students may take a maximum of 12 credits in independent reading courses.
• Students may take a maximum of 12 credits of independent reading courses with the same faculty member.
• The student and the faculty member must agree on a written description of the course, its content, and its method of evaluation at the time of enrolment in the course, and submit this description for approval according to the requirements of the unit teaching the course. Copies must be deposited with that unit, and the student and faculty member should each retain a copy.