Humanities Majors
The Humanities are a group of subjects that are concerned with human culture. They include language, literature, history, art, music, philosophy and religion. Students can complete the Bachelor of Arts Three-year, Four-year, or Honours programs in the majors listed below (unless otherwise noted).
Following is general information about our majors and programs. For specific Degree Requirements, please see academic requirements information handouts.
Classical, Medieval and Renaissance Studies
The CMRS program examines historical, intellectual, and cultural dimensions of the origin and evolution of western civilization between 700 B.C. and 1600 A.D. As a liberal arts field, CMRS develops the research skills required for large, complex, and sensitive projects. Probing the greatest minds of a civilization hones the intellect, teaches analysis and argument, and promotes written and oral competence in a language.
English
The English Department is the largest department on campus, with strong emphasis on teaching and creative writing in addition to research. Undergraduate classes have three main aims: to improve a student's ability to read critically and with appreciation of the extent, craft, and worth of literature written in English; to improve the student's ability to write clearly, concisely, and thoughtfully; and to develop analytic and evaluative skills.
French
The program in French teaches the language, literature, and culture of French Canada and France to both anglophone and francophone students. It also helps students majoring in other subjects to maintain and raise their level of competence in French.
History
History is the study of the past. By analyzing both written and oral sources and researching artifacts, students in History seek a broader, more informed understanding of the world around them-an appreciation for not only what has happened in the past, but more importantly, why. From the ancient world to the Cold War, while exploring themes such as cultural, women's and military history, courses offered by the Department of History appeal to a variety of interests.
Modern Languages
Students choosing the Modern Languages Degree will be combining two (or more) languages in conjunction with courses in linguistics and comparative literature. This allows students to gain a broader understanding of different cultures, the literature of their chosen area and the historical evolution of languages through linguistics. The focus primarily revolves around language learning, however some students also discover an entirely new interest in literature or linguistics. Taking modern languages at the University of Saskatchewan will enable you to become acquainted with other cultures and provide you with new perspectives. Most importantly, it will prepare you for a professional life in an international setting, where an intercultural competence is becoming increasingly important and sought-after by employers.
Philosophy
The word philosophy comes from two ancient Greek words, philos and sophia — "the love of wisdom." Traditional philosophical questions involve the ultimate nature of reality, the limits and nature of human knowledge, and the foundations of religious and moral beliefs and values. Philosophy is an essentially critical subject, and requires a readiness to consider both sides of a question, and to test statements by raising possible objections from many points of view. A student in philosophy learns to make careful distinctions, to see logical relationships, and to argue rationally.
Religion & Culture
Throughout the ages, religious beliefs and practices have shaped the lives of individuals and of entire civilizations. Religion expresses our deepest hopes and provides a way of coping with the trouble and fears of existence. The Religious Studies department is comprised of scholars from different backgrounds whose common concern is the study of religion. The program is non-sectarian and offers the opportunity to study major world religions, and the societies from which they spring and which they help to shape.
Women's and Gender Studies
Explore the portrayal of femininity and masculinity in advertising, documentaries, pornography, new media, and feature-length films. See how the 19th and 20th centuries were envisioned by Hollywood and science-fiction writers. Examine the impact of the Indian Act and colonialism on aboriginal women. Analyze the intersections of race, class, age, disability, and sexual orientation and its impact on women’s and men’s health. These are just a few of the opportunities available to you when you choose to major in Women’s and Gender Studies. Women's and Gender Studies (WGST) is a program designed for both women and men.
Fine Arts Majors
The College of Arts and Science offers several types of degree programs in the Fine Arts. Students pursuing an academic fine arts program follow Program Type D to receive the Bachelor of Arts Three-year, Four-year or Honours degree. Students pursuing a degree with an emphasis in performance would follow the program requirements for the Bachelor of Fine Arts (in Studio Art or in Drama) or the Bachelor of Music. These are both four-year programs.
Following is general information about our majors and programs. For specific Degree Requirements, please see academic requirements information handouts.
Art History
This discipline examines histories of the visual arts which include photography, sculpture, painting, button blankets, architecture, video, performances, installation, film, and digital imaging, among other media. Art History offers courses in the history, theory and practice of visual culture in Canada and elsewhere, with a focus on Aboriginal art. In a contemporary world saturated with visual images, it is increasingly important to be visually literate and to understand how visual images affect our daily lives.
Drama
Drama students have a choice of several degree options: a Three- or Four-year Theatre B.A. balanced between academic and studio courses; an academically strong Four-year Honours B.A. leading to graduate work in theatre history, theory, and criticism; or a B.F.A. degree leading to graduate or conservatory studies in either acting or design. All Drama students have the option of studying theatre or the practice of theatre (acting, directing, technical theatre, and design). The Department of Drama boasts some of the best educational drama facilities in the country, including two well equipped studio theatres. It produces many productions and short works, almost all of which are conceived and executed by the students.
Interactive Systems Design
(Bachelor of Arts and Science) As a student in Interactive Systems Design, you will learn about designing web applications, games, and embedded devices. You will develop the technical skills required to implement and test these systems in a variety of scenarios, and learn to understand and use visual media. You will study the role of human cognition, development, memory, communication, and perception in designing these systems.
Music
The Department of Music offers programs for students interested in pursuing careers in music performance or in music teaching at the elementary, secondary and post-secondary levels. Programs are also available for students who want to specialize in theory and composition or music history and literature. Students from all colleges are eligible to participate in one or more of the Department of Music's instrumental and choral ensembles. Performance groups include Wind Orchestra, Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, Greystone Singers, Music Theatre Ensemble, and University Chorus.
Music Education
The Department of Music offers a unique degree program in music education (in collaboration with the College of Education) for those whose goal is to teach music at elementary or secondary levels. Students who complete this program are automatically accepted into the College of Education's two-year Bachelor of Education program. The completion of this professional B.Ed. degree qualifies candidates to teach in all Canadian school-based systems. There are many music-specialist positions available to teachers who are entering the work force. These combined degree programs also allow for teaching positions that involve part-time music along with other subject specialties and will train students to meet the challenge of a variety of teaching positions in a flexible job market with two separate degrees.
Studio Art
Studio art develops the student's creative potential in a wide range of visual media from printmaking to sculpture to digital imaging. The program aims to educate students in both the practical and theoretical aspects of the visual language and to provide a thorough background for those who will pursue research and careers in the visual arts or arts-related fields.
