<Faculty of Arts

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. These courses emphasize critical skills, especially writing, and provide a supportive learning environment.

Faculty of Arts foundations courses are 1000- and 2000-level nine-credit courses offered by the Division of Humanities and Division of Social Science. Students may complete a maximum of three nine-credit foundations courses for degree credit. Students who need to complete more than three foundations courses in order to fulfill program (major or minor) course requirements may do so with permission of the relevant program coordinator or undergraduate director.

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. In a double major program, a course may count for major credit towards only one major. In a major/minor program, a course may count only for major credit or for minor credit.

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 6.00 is a non-major French course);
• Courses outside the major/minor taken to fulfill major/minor requirements (e.g. AS/CSE 1520 3.00 and AS/CSE 1530 3.00 are mathematics for commerce requirements);
• Courses which are cross-listed or designated as course substitutes to courses offered by the major/minor program (e.g. AS/MATH 1530 3.00 is cross-listed to AS/ECON 1530 3.00).

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."

Program Types

The Faculty of Arts offers the following types of programs:

Honours BA Programs

These are 120 credit programs. They require more specialization, a higher minimum performance, and in some cases, different courses than the BA program. There are six kinds of Honours BA programs.

Specialized Honours BA Program

This is the most highly specialized program type in the Faculty of Arts. Students in a Specialized Honours program must complete a minimum of 54 credits in their major subject. Some programs require more than 54 credits in the major subject for the Specialized Honours BA. For details of individual programs, see the Programs of Study section.

Honours BA Program

Students in an Honours single major program have one major subject in which they must complete a minimum of 42 credits. Some programs require more than 42 credits in the major subject for the Honours single major BA. For details of individual programs, see the Programs of Study section.

Honours iBA Program

Students in an Honours single major iBA program have one major subject in which they must complete a minimum of 42 credits; at least 18 credits in a modern language offered by York University, including the Advanced I university-level course in the chosen language; at least 12 credits of internationally-oriented courses chosen outside the major; and at least one full term abroad as a full-time student at one of York University's exchange partners. Some programs require more than 42 credits in the major subject for the Honours single major iBA. For details of individual programs, see the Programs of Study section.

Honours Double Major BA Program

Honours Double Major programs involve two areas of primary specialization. There are two types of Honours Double Major programs:

• Unlinked: Most double major programs involve two independent subjects of concentration such as history and English. The two majors are considered to be unlinked. Students must usually complete a minimum of 42 credits in each major. Some programs require more than 42 credits in each major subject for the Honours Double Major BA. In a double major program, a course may count for major credit towards only one major. For details of individual programs, see the Programs of Study section.
• Linked: Certain interdisciplinary majors (for example, African studies) must be taken in conjunction with other specified majors. The two majors, in these cases, are considered to be linked. Students must complete a minimum of 36 credits in each major. Some programs require more than 36 credits in each major subject for the Honours Double Major Interdisciplinary BA. In a double major interdisciplinary program, a course may count for major credit towards only one major. For details of individual programs, see the Programs of Study section.

Students in an Honours Double Major BA Program in the Faculty of Arts may also pursue an Honours Double Major with any other Honours bachelor's degree program in the Faculties of Environmental Studies or Fine Arts, or with a major in Canadian studies, culture and expression, or information technology in the Atkinson Faculty of Liberal and Professional Studies, or with a major in kinesiology and health science or psychology in the Faculty of Health, or with a major in earth and atmospheric science, mathematics for education, or physics and astronomy in the Faculty of Science and Engineering.

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, and science and technology studies.

Students taking an Honours major in anthropology in the Faculty of Arts may pursue an Honours Double Major program with music (ethnomusicology) in the Faculty of Fine Arts.

Students in an Honours Double Major program in the Faculties of Atkinson, Environmental Studies, Fine Arts, Health or Science and Engineering may be eligible to combine their major with an Honours Double Major program offered through the Faculty of Arts. For more information, including details regarding possible Honours Double Major combinations, contact the Faculty of Atkinson, Faculty of Environmental Studies, Faculty of Fine Arts, Faculty of Health, or Faculty of Science and Engineering.

Honours Major/Minor BA Program

Students in this type of program have one major subject in which they must complete a minimum of 42 credits. In addition to the major, they have an area of secondary specialization, known as a minor, in which they must complete a minimum of 30 credits. Some programs require more than 30 credits in the minor subject for the Honours Major/Minor BA. In a major/minor program, a course may count only for major credit or for minor credit. For details of individual programs, see the Programs of Study section.

Students in an Honours Major/Minor BA Program in the Faculty of Arts may also pursue an Honours Minor with any Honours Minor bachelor's degree program in the Faculties of Environmental Studies or Fine Arts, or with a minor in Canadian studies, culture and expression or information technology in the Atkinson Faculty of Liberal and Professional Studies, or with a minor in kinesiology and health science or psychology in the Faculty of Health, or with a minor in biology, chemistry, mathematics for education, or physics and astronomy in the Faculty of Science and Engineering.

Students in an Honours Major/Minor program in the Faculties of Atkinson, Environmental Studies, Fine Arts, Health, or Science and Engineering may be eligible to combine their Major with an Honours Minor program offered through the Faculty of Arts. For more information, including details regarding possible Honours Major/Minor combinations, contact the Faculty of Atkinson, Faculty of Environmental Studies, Faculty of Fine Arts, Faculty of Health, or Faculty of Science and Engineering.

Honours Major/Minor iBA Program

Students in an Honours Major/Minor iBA program have one major subject in which they must complete a minimum of 42 credits. In addition to the major, they have an area of secondary specialization, known as a minor, in which they must complete a minimum of 30 credits. Some programs require more than 30 credits in the minor subject for the Honours Major/Minor iBA. Students in this type of program must also include at least 18 credits in a modern language offered by York University, including the Advanced I university-level course in the chosen language; at least 12 credits of internationally-oriented courses chosen outside the major; and at least one full term abroad as a full-time student at one of York University's exchange partners. In a major/minor program, a course may count only for major credit or for minor credit. For details of individual programs, see the Programs of Study section.

BA Program

This is a 90-credit program which requires some specialization, a minimum of 30 credits, in a single area of concentration (major), as well as more general courses. Some programs require more than 30 credits in the major subject for the BA. For details of individual programs, see the Programs of Study section.

Designation of Honours BA or BA Program

Automatic Honours BA Designation

Students are automatically considered to be in an Honours BA program provided they achieve and maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 5.0 (C+).

Automatic BA Designation

Students are automatically considered to be in a BA program if they fail to achieve or maintain the cumulative grade point average of at least 5.0 (C+) required for an Honours BA program.

Option to Graduate with a BA Degree

Students registered in an Honours BA degree may opt to graduate with a BA degree if they fulfill program requirements. Students who wish to take advantage of this option should complete the relevant form at Student Client Services by January 31 for graduation the following June, or by July 31 for graduation the following October.

General Education Requirements

Students will select their general education requirements in accordance with the following:

1. One 1000-level nine-credit foundations course, in either the Division of Humanities or the Division of Social Science--to be successfully completed within the first 24 credits;

2. One 1000-level six-credit course in the Division of Natural Science or in the Department of Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Atmospheric Science, or Physics--to be successfully completed prior to graduation, and preferably within the first 42 credits;

One 2000-level nine-credit foundations course, in either the Division of Humanities or the Division of Social Science. If the 1000-level nine-credit foundations course is taken in the Division of Humanities, then the 2000-level nine-credit foundations course must be taken in the Division of Social Science (and vice versa)--to be successfully completed within the first 48 credits.

Students may complete a maximum of three nine-credit foundations courses for degree credit. Students who need to complete more than three foundations courses in order to fulfill program (major or minor) course requirements may do so with permission of the relevant program coordinator or undergraduate director.

Breadth Requirement

The breadth requirement will be satisfied by successfully completing the general education/foundations courses described above (breadth requirement is described below).

The breadth requirement must be successfully completed before graduation and requires at least six credits from each of the following two areas:

Area I: English, French studies, history, humanities, languages, literatures and linguistics, philosophy, writing.

Area II: Anthropology, criminology, economics, geography, political science, social science, sociology.

Note: Computer science and mathematics courses will satisfy neither requirement, unless they are cross-listed with a unit listed above.

Requirements by Program Type

The following requirements apply to all Faculty of Arts students. Each program of study (major or minor) may stipulate additional requirements. For details of individual programs, see the Programs of Study section. Also consult the section on Academic Standing.

Honours BA Programs

In order to graduate with an Honours BA degree, students must successfully complete a minimum of 120 credits which fulfill all of the following requirements.

Specialized Honours BA

• General Education: See General Education Requirements;
• Major Courses: As defined by the specific program; usually a minimum of 54 credits, at least 12 or 18 credits of which must be at the 4000 level;
• Elective Courses: At least 18 credits;
• Upper-Level Courses: (a) 3000-level and 4000-level courses: at least 36 credits at the 3000 level or 4000 level; (b) 4000-level courses: at least 18 credits of these upper-level courses (including at least 12 credits - in the major) must be at the 4000 level;
• In-Faculty Courses: See Residence Requirement and In-Faculty Courses;
• Standing Requirements: In addition to fulfilling the requirements described above, students in this program must achieve satisfactory academic standing to enter, proceed and graduate.

Honours BA

• General Education: See General Education Requirements;
• Major Courses: As defined by the specific program; usually a minimum of 42 credits, at least 12 credits of which must be at the 4000 level;
• Elective Courses: At least 18 credits;
• Upper-Level Courses: (a) 3000-level and 4000-level courses: at least 36 credits at the 3000 level or 4000 level; (b) 4000-level courses: at least 18 credits of these upper-level courses (including at least 12 credits - in the major) must be at the 4000 level;
• In-Faculty Courses: See Residence Requirement and In-Faculty Courses;
• Standing Requirements: In addition to fulfilling the requirements described above, students in this program must achieve satisfactory academic standing to enter, proceed and graduate.

Honours iBA

• General Education: See General Education Requirements;
• Major Courses: As defined by the specific program; usually a minimum of 42 credits, at least 12 credits of which must be at the 4000 level;
• Language Study Courses: At least 18 credits in a modern language offered by York University, including the Advanced I university-level course in the chosen language;
• Internationally-Oriented Courses: At least 12 credits of internationally-oriented courses chosen outside the major;
• International Exchange: At least one full term abroad as a full-time student at one of York University's exchange partners;
• Elective Courses: At least 18 credits; (Note: For the Honours iBA, courses taken outside the major to satisfy the language study requirement and/or the internationally-oriented courses requirement can also be used to satisfy the elective courses requirement.)
• Upper-Level Courses: (a) 3000-level and 4000-level courses: at least 36 credits at the 3000 level or 4000 level; (b) 4000-level courses: at least 18 credits of these upper-level courses [including at least 12 credits - in the major] must be at the 4000 level;
• In-Faculty Courses: See Residence Requirement and In-Faculty Courses;
• Standing Requirements: In addition to fulfilling the requirements described above, students in this program must achieve satisfactory academic standing to enter, proceed, and graduate.

Honours Double Major BA−(Unlinked)

• General Education: See General Education Requirements;
• Major Courses: As defined by the specific programs; usually a minimum of 42 credits in each of the majors, at least 12 credits of which must be at the 4000 level in each of the major programs. In a double major program, a course may count for major credit towards only one major;
• Elective Courses: Students who graduate in this program are deemed to fulfill the elective requirement;
• Upper-Level Courses: (a) 3000-level and 4000-level courses: at least 36 credits at the 3000 level or 4000 level; (b) 4000-level courses: at least 12 credits in each major program;
• In-Faculty Courses: See Residence Requirement and In-Faculty Courses;
• Standing Requirements: In addition to fulfilling the requirements described above, students in this program must achieve satisfactory academic standing to enter, proceed and graduate.

Honours Double Major Interdisciplinary BA−(Linked)

• General Education: See General Education Requirements;
• Major Courses: As defined by the specific programs; usually a minimum of 36 credits in each of the majors, at least six credits of which must be at the 4000 level in each of the major programs. In a double major interdisciplinary program, a course may count for major credit towards only one major;
• Elective Courses: Students who graduate in this program are deemed to fulfill the elective course requirement;
• Upper-level Courses: (a) 3000-level and 4000-level courses: at least 36 credits at the 3000 level or 4000 level; (b) 4000-level courses: at least 18 credits of these upper-level courses (including at least six credits in each major) must be at the 4000 level; many disciplines require 12 credits at the 4000 level in the first major subject;
• In-Faculty Courses: See Residence Requirement and In-Faculty Courses;
• Standing Requirements: In addition to fulfilling the requirements described above, students in this program must achieve satisfactory academic standing to enter, proceed and graduate.

Honours Major/Minor BA

• General Education: See General Education Requirements;
• Major/Minor Courses: As defined by the specific programs; (a) major: usually a minimum of 42 credits in the major, at least 12 credits of which must be at the 4000 level; and (b) minor: usually a minimum of 30 credits in the minor, at least six credits of which must normally be at the 4000 level. In a major/minor program, a course may count only for major credit or for minor credit;
• Elective Courses: Students who graduate in this program are deemed to fulfill the elective course requirement;
• Upper-Level Courses: (a) 3000-level and 4000-level courses: at least 36 credits at the 3000 level or 4000 level; (b) 4000-level courses: at least 18 credits of these upper-level courses (usually including 12 credits - in the major and six credits - in the minor) must be at the 4000 level;
• In-Faculty Courses: See Residence Requirement and In-Faculty Courses;
• Standing Requirements: In addition to fulfilling the requirements described above, students in this program must achieve satisfactory academic standing to enter, proceed and graduate.

Honours Major/Minor iBA

• General Education: See General Education Requirements;
• Major/Minor Courses: as defined by the specific programs; (a) major: usually a minimum of 42 credits in the major, at least 12 credits of which must be at the 4000 level; and (b) minor: usually a minimum of 30 credits in the minor, at least six credits of which must normally be at the 4000 level. In a major/minor program, a course may count only for major credit or for minor credit;
• Language Study Courses: At least 18 credits in a modern language offered by York University, including the Advanced I university-level course in the chosen language;
• Internationally-Oriented Courses: At least 12 credits of internationally-oriented courses chosen outside the major;
• International Exchange: At least one full term abroad as a full-time student at one of York University's exchange partners;
• Elective Courses: Students who graduate in this program are deemed to fulfill the elective course requirement;
• Upper-Level Courses: (a) 3000-level and 4000-level courses: at least 36 credits at the 3000 level or 4000 level; (b) 4000-level courses: at least 18 credits of these upper-level courses [usually including 12 credits in the major and six credits in the minor] must be at the 4000 level;
• In-Faculty Courses: See Residence Requirement and In-Faculty Courses;
• Standing Requirements: In addition to fulfilling the requirements described above, students in this program must achieve satisfactory academic standing to enter, proceed, and graduate.

BA Program

In order to graduate with a BA degree, a student must successfully complete a 90 credit program as follows:

• General Education: See General Education Requirements;
• Major Courses: As defined by the specific program; usually a minimum of 30 credits, at least 12 credits of which must be at the 3000 level or 4000 level;
• Elective Courses: At least 18 credits;
• Upper-Level Courses: At least 18 credits at the 3000 or 4000 level and at least 12 credits of which must be in the major subject;
• In-Faculty Courses: See Residence Requirement and In-Faculty Courses;
• Standing Requirements: In addition to fulfilling the requirements described above, students in this program must achieve satisfactory academic standing to enter, proceed and graduate.