Glendon – Multidisciplinary Studies and General Education

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: 120 Credits

Major credits: students must complete 54 credits in an approved multidisciplinary studies program, including:

24 credits of core courses;
24 credits at 3000 or 4000 level with at least 12 credits at the 4000 level.

General education requirement*: every student in the college shall complete the equivalent of at least six credits in each of three of the four general education divisions (for a total of 18 credits): humanities, modes of reasoning, natural science, social science.

Bilingual requirement*: all students admitted to Glendon must satisfy the bilingual requirement. In order to do so, students must successfully complete six credits in each official language (French and English) at Glendon from the following two categories:

courses at the second-year level and above in French as a second language and/or in English as a second language;
courses in any discipline which are designated as satisfying the bilingual requirement.

Upper-level credits*: at least 36 credits at the 3000 or 4000 level, including at least 18 credits at the 4000 level. This includes the 3000 and 4000 level credits in the major listed above (under major credits).

Credits outside the major*: at least 18 credits.

Residency requirement: a minimum of 30 credits at York and at least half (50 per cent) of the course credits required in each undergraduate degree program major/minor must be taken at Glendon.

Graduation requirement: students must successfully complete (pass) at least 120 credits which meet the Faculty's degree and program requirements with a cumulative grade point average of at least 5.00 (C+).

*Note: please refer to the Rules and Regulations section of the Undergraduate Calendar for detailed requirement information.

Specialized Honours iBA: 120 Credits

Major credits: students must complete 54 credits in an approved multidisciplinary studies program, including:

24 credits of core courses;
24 credits at the 3000 or 4000 level with at least 12 credits at the 4000 level.

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

Bilingual/trilingual requirement*: for the bilingual iBA, students must complete at least 18 credits in each official language (English and French). At least 6 of these credits must be completed at Glendon from the following two categories:

French as a second language and/or in English as a second language at the 2000 level or above;
discipline courses which are designated as satisfying the bilingual requirement.

The remaining 12 credits in either official language may be completed abroad.

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) 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.

Internationally-oriented course requirement*: at least 12 credits of internationally-oriented courses.

Exchange requirement*: 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.

Credits outside the major*: at least 18 credits.

Residency requirement: a minimum of 30 credits at York and at least half (50 per cent) of the course credits required in each undergraduate degree program major/minor must be taken at Glendon.

*Note: please refer to the Rules and Regulations section of the Undergraduate Calendar for detailed requirement information.

Honours BA: 120 Credits

Major credits: students must complete 42 credits in an approved multidisciplinary studies program, including:

18 credits of core courses;
18 credits at the 3000 or 4000 level;
with at least 12 credits at the 4000 level.

courses at the second-year level and above in French as a second language and/or in English as a second language;
courses in any discipline which are designated as satisfying the bilingual requirement.

Credits outside the major*: at least 18 credits.

Residency requirement: a minimum of 30 credits at York and at least half (50 per cent) of the course credits required in each undergraduate degree program major/minor must be taken at Glendon.

*Note: please refer to the Rules and Regulations section of the Undergraduate Calendar for detailed requirement information.

Honours iBA: 120 Credits

Major credits: students must complete 42 credits in an approved multidisciplinary studies program, including:

18 credits of core courses;
18 credits at the 3000 or 4000 level with at least 12 credits at the 4000 level.

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

French as a second language and/or in English as a second language at the 2000 level or above;
discipline courses which are designated as satisfying the bilingual requirement.

The remaining 12 credits in either official language may be completed abroad.

Internationally-oriented course requirement*: at least 12 credits of internationally-oriented courses.

Exchange requirement*: 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.

Credits outside the major*: at least 18 credits.

Residency requirement: a minimum of 30 credits at York and at least half (50 per cent) of the course credits required in each undergraduate degree program major/minor must be taken at Glendon.

*Note: please refer to the Rules and Regulations section of the Undergraduate Calendar for detailed requirement information.

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.

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

12 credits of core courses;
12 credits at 3000 or 4000 level with at least six credits at the 4000 level.

Bachelor of Arts: 90 Credits

Major credits: 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.

courses at the second-year level and above in French as a second language and/or in English as a second language;
courses in any discipline which are designated as satisfying the bilingual requirement.

Upper-level credits*: at least 18 credits at the 3000 or 4000 level. This includes the 3000 and 4000 level credits in the major listed above (under major credits).

Credits outside the major*: at least 18 credits.

Residency requirement: a minimum of 30 credits at York and at least half (50 per cent) of the course credits required in each undergraduate degree program major/minor must be taken at Glendon.

Graduation requirement: students must successfully complete (pass) at least 90 credits which meet the Faculty's degree and program requirements with a cumulative grade point average of at least 4.00 (C).

*Note: please refer to the Rules and Regulations section of the Undergraduate Calendar for detailed requirement information.

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