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Glendon – Multidisciplinary Studies and General Education

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Multidisciplinary Studies

The Department of Multidisciplinary Studies enables students to pursue degree programs that go beyond traditional departmental disciplinary boundaries. Students who major or minor in multidisciplinary studies may (in consultation with the department Chair) construct programs of their own that draw on the courses and resources of the various departments of the college (including, of course, multidisciplinary studies itself). Some of the most successful areas of concentration in recent years have been comparative literature, medieval and Renaissance studies, religious studies, social and political thought, 19th century studies, and language and society. In addition to these wholly individualized programs, the department currently offers one formalized program of study: Environmental and Health Studies.

For detailed descriptions and specific program requirements, students must consult the departmental brochure available in the Multidisciplinary Studies Office, 162 York Hall. The Department of Multidisciplinary Studies also houses the four divisions of general education:

  • humanities
  • modes of reasoning
  • natural science
  • social science

Humanities courses generally combine the subject matter and/or methodologies of at least two of the “humane” disciplines taught at Glendon: literature, philosophy and history; social science courses do the same for the “social sciences”: economics, linguistics, psychology, sociology and also history. Natural science courses draw from the physical and biological sciences; our courses often demonstrate the interrelationship of science and other disciplines, and some of them focus specifically on the history or philosophy or social context of science. Modes of reasoning focuses principally on the forms of reasoning and inquiry, on deductive and inductive logic. It invites reflection on these forms of thought and investigates their interconnections.

The Department of Multidisciplinary Studies offers students the opportunity to engage their intellectual curiosity by drawing upon a variety of academic resources. It is worth noting that one does not create a multidisciplinary approach merely by juxtaposing individual courses from two or more disciplines. Rather, what is sought is a true integration or synthesis of methodologies and knowledge from separate academic areas to create a program which is at once critical and innovative.

Core courses are defined in the department’s programs of study brochure.

Specialized Honours BA

Students must complete 48 credits in an approved Multidisciplinary Studies program, including:

  • 24 credits of core courses;
  • 24 credits at 3000 or 4000 level.

Specialized Honours iBA

Students must complete 48 credits in an approved multidisciplinary studies program, including:

  • 24 credits of core courses;
  • 24 credits at the 3000 or 4000 level.

In addition to the courses required for their major, students must also complete the following requirements:

  • at least 12 credits of internationally-oriented courses;
  • at least one full term abroad as a full-time student at an institution with which Glendon and/or York has a formal exchange agreement;
  • for the iBA bilingual, students must complete at least 18 credits in each official language (French and English) at Glendon from the following two categories:
    1. courses at the second-year level and above in French as a second language and/or in English as a second language;
    2. courses in any discipline which are designated as satisfying the bilingual requirement.
  • for the iBA trilingual, in addition to the above 18 credits in each official language (English and French), students must complete 18 credits in Hispanic studies (including: GL/SP 3000 6.00 (formerly GL/SP 2610 6.00) or six credits of an advanced-level course in Hispanic studies) or 18 credits in a modern language (including an advanced-level course) at York University.

Courses taken to fulfill the major requirements may also be used to fulfill the above iBA requirements.

Honours BA

Students must complete 36 credits in an approved multidisciplinary studies program, including:

  • 18 credits of core courses;
  • 18 credits at the 3000 or 4000 level.

Honours iBA

Students must complete 36 credits in an approved multidisciplinary studies program, including:

  • 18 credits of core courses;
  • 18 credits at the 3000 or 4000 level.

In addition to the courses required for their major, students must also complete the following requirements:

  • at least 12 credits of internationally-oriented courses;
  • at least one full term abroad as a full-time student at an institution with which Glendon and/or York has a formal exchange agreement;
  • for the iBA bilingual, students must complete at least 18 credits in each official language (French and English) at Glendon from the following two categories:
    1. courses at the second-year level and above in French as a second language and/or in English as a second language;
    2. courses in any discipline which are designated as satisfying the bilingual requirement.
  • for the iBA trilingual, in addition to the above 18 credits in each official language (English and French), students must complete 18 credits in Hispanic studies (including: GL/SP 3000 6.00 (formerly GL/SP 2610 6.00) or six credits of an advanced-level course in Hispanic studies) or 18 credits in a modern language (including an advanced-level course) at York University.

Courses taken to fulfill the major requirements may also be used to fulfill the above iBA requirements.

Honours Double Major BA

The Honours BA program described above may be pursued jointly with any other Honours BA degree program offered at Glendon. For further details on requirements, see the listings for specific Honours BA programs.

Honours Double Major iBA

The Honours iBA program described above may be pursued jointly with any other Honours iBA degree program offered at Glendon. For further details on requirements, see the listings for specific Honours iBA programs.

Honours Major/Minor BA

The Honours BA program described above may be pursued jointly with any Honours Minor BA program offered at Glendon. For further details on requirements, see the listings for specific Honours Minor programs.

Honours Major/Minor iBA

The Honours iBA program described above may be pursued jointly with any Honours Minor BA program offered at Glendon. For further details on requirements, see the listings for specific Honours Minor programs.

Honours Minor BA

The Honours Minor must be pursued jointly with any approved Honours BA or iBA program which offers a major/minor option at Glendon. For further details on requirements, see the listings for specific Honours BA and iBA programs.

Students must complete at least 24 credits in an approved multidisciplinary studies program, including:

  • 12 credits of core courses;
  • 12 credits at 3000 or 4000 level.

Bachelor of Arts

Students must complete at least 30 credits in an approved multidisciplinary studies program, including:

  • 18 credits of core courses;
  • 18 credits at 3000 or 4000 level.

Rules and regulations in Glendon College
Other programs offered in Glendon College