Interdisciplinary Programs

Ancient and Medieval History scholars ask questions such as: Why was Caligula assassinated? How did magic influence European history? What caused the fall of the Roman Empire?

Ancient and Medieval History examines the political, economic and social development of Europe and Asia from the 4th century to the 15th century C.E. During the course of your studies, you'll gain research and analytical capabilities, written and verbal communication skills, and an understanding of how societies and their internal structures can evolve over time.

Program options

• Ancient and Medieval History  (BA) *honours and co-op available

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Canadian Studies scholars ask questions such as: What does it mean to be Canadian? Is Canada truly a cultural mosaic? How do Canadians preserve their histories?

Canadian Studies is concerned with the creation, evolution and expressions of Canadian identities. This program will give you a solid understanding of the origins and transformations of the multiple Canadian identities that have been shaped by history, economics, geography, and socio-political developments. During the course of your studies, you'll gain creative thinking skills, research and analytical capabilities, written and verbal communication skills, and cross-disciplinary understandings.

Program options

• Canadian Studies (BA, minor) *honours and co-op available
• Concurrent BA/BEd in History and Education or Canadian Studies and Education

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Development Studies is about social, economic and political change in Canada and around the globe. You will examine issues such as: poverty, hunger, environment, governance, community development, sustainable and participatory development, colonialism, cultural beliefs, social justice, corruption and human rights. These issues are both universal and culturally situated, so we study them at local, national and international levels.

You will discover the cultures, traditions and experiences of many communities and regions not just through academic learning but through personal exposure. In addition to learning about other cultures, the program contributes to your understanding of being a Canadian and a global citizen.

Program options

• Development Studies (BA, minor) *honours and co-op available
• Concurrent BA/BEd in Development Studies and Education

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As an earth science student, you will gain a strong foundation in archaeology, geography, geology and geophysics and will participate in extensive field and laboratory experiences. Earth science is the study of materials that make up the Earth at the natural and human processes that shape the landscape. Many of the environmental issues facing our planet are related to the interaction between natural systems and our society. Problem solvers of the future will be required to address both the natural and societal impacts of these problems and their solutions. The program has a problem-solving focus with the following themes: hydrology, biosphere interactions, global processes and change, and Earth science techniques.

Program options

• Earth Science (BSc, minor) *honours and co-op available

The Earth Science program is managed by the Department of Geography

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East Asian Studies is a broadly-based interdisciplinary program offered as a collaborative program in the Faculty of Arts. The Faculty of Arts offers courses in East Asian languages and courses in East Asian religion and philosophy. Linguistics, Languages and Cultures offers foundational courses in East Asian culture. Social Sciences offers courses in the history, geography, politics, anthropology and archeology of East Asian countries. Taken together, this wide diversity of perspectives offers a comprehensive understanding of the rich culture and emerging global power of China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam and Taiwan.

Program options

• East Asian Studies (BA, minor) *co-op available

East Asian Studies is managed by the School of Languages, Linguistics, Literatures and Cultures
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Indigenous Studies focuses upon such aspects of Indigenous peoples' experience as arts, cultures, ecologies, economies, histories, identities, knowledge, languages, literatures, music, community and political dynamics, relations with others, and ways of knowing. International Indigenous Studies examines those topics in Canada and elsewhere around the world, often in an explicitly comparative perspective. 

Program options

• International Indigenous Studies (BA, minor) 

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International Relations focuses on cross-border interactions between various groups in the world and how these interactions affect people, states, regions and the global community. You will gain a solid foundation in the economic, political, and sociohistorical interactions between nations. You can specialize in one of the following: international political economy, security and strategy, international institutions and governance, as well as focus on one of seven geographic regions, including North America, Latin America, the Middle East and North Africa.

Program options

• International Relations (BA) *co-op available
• Concurrent BA/BEd in International Relations and Education

The International Relations program is managed by the Department of Political Science
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The academic programs in Latin American Studies are designed around a multidisciplinary curriculum which provides a broad perspective on the region, with a wide variety of possibilities to suit individual student interests. Through our programs, students gain a critical understanding of the region, through academic study, experiential learning in Latin America, and directed research on contemporary issues. Students must gain an intermediate level of proficiency in Spanish or Portuguese, together with the tools for cultural understanding and intercultural awareness.

The Major in Latin American studies is designed for students seeking direct engagement in Latin America. The Minor program combines with other programs in the Faculty of Arts.

Program options

• Latin American Studies (BA, minor) *co-op available

Latin American Studies is managed by the Department of History
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The Law and Society program investigates how law and legal systems affect various aspects of life. The program offers students an opportunity to consider and compare legal systems in North America and other parts of the world. Although not a “pre-law” program, Law and Society introduces students to legal, as well as political, philosophical and sociological, concepts. Students become familiar with a variety of sources for law and socio-legal policy, including statutes, the decisions of courts and administrative tribunals, public policy and advocacy documents, public and governmental debates, and statistical and analytical research. As well, students study the fundamental tensions and principles in Canadian jurisprudential traditions and examine Canadian political and legal history.

As an interdisciplinary program, Law and Society draws on many other fields of study, including law, anthropology, economics, history, business management, philosophy, economics, political science and sociology. The program gives students strong critical and theoretical skills as well as a broad appreciation of socio-legal movements. It emphasizes research and reasoning, inviting students to investigate and reconsider their own beliefs and experiences. They learn to search out, analyze and write about complex legal and social concepts and issues. Law and Society prepares students to become engaged and active citizens in local, national and international spheres.

Program options

• Law and Society (BA, minor) *honours and co-op available

The Law and Society program is managed by the Department of Sociology

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Linguistics is the scientific study of language as a universal human phenomenon. This program will give you the opportunity to analyze the structure of various languages and apply this knowledge in a variety of sub-fields and languages. During the course of your studies, you will gain creative thinking skills, research and analytic capabilities, written and verbal communication skills, and competence in a second language (other than English).

Program options

• Linguistics and Language (BA) *co-op available

The Linguistics and Language program is managed by the School of Languages, Linguistics, Literatures and Cultures.

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The Faculty of Arts offers a multidisciplinary degree program that provides an opportunity for students to design their own programs with a particular focus. These degrees are multidisciplinary in the sense that they do not have a Major Field. A Minor Field is required to provide a sense of cohort and intellectual focus.

For more information, prospective students should consult with an advisor from the Arts Students’ Centre.

Program options

• Multidisciplinary program (BA)

The Museum and Heritage Studies program is for students interested in collecting, preserving and exhibiting institutions, such as zoos, historic sites, parks and museums. The program is administered by the Department of Art but involves faculty from the Nickle Galleries, and the departments of Art, History, and Anthropology and Archaeology. The degree is complementary to many majors in the Faculties of Arts, Science and the Haskayne School of Business.

The curriculum balances theory and practice and encompasses the history of collecting institutions, current theories, critical contemporary issues and hands-on work.

Program options

• Museum and Heritage Studies (minor) 

The Museum and Heritage Studies program is managed by the Department of Art

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South Asian studies fosters a greater understanding of India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, and reflects the growing relevance of South Asia on a global scale. Students are able to study classical and contemporary issues that shape this geographical area. A minor or concentration in South Asian Studies is compatible with most fields of study at the University of Calgary.

Program options

• South Asian Studies (minor, concentration)

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Urban Studies is concerned with understanding the social, political, economic, cultural and geographic processes that shape urban life. Cities are sites of great cultural and ethnic diversity, economic diversity, economic innovation, artistic expression, resource consumption, wealth generation, and political conflict and cooperation. Today most societies are predominantly urban, even as global processes increasingly shape them. Understanding the processes that shape cities, as well as the ways in which cities shape processes that operate at other scales, lies at the heart of urban studies.

Program options

• Urban Studies (BA, minor) *co-op available

The Urban Studies program is managed by the Department of Geography
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Women's studies explores the social construction and variability of gender. Power relations linked to race and ethnicity, social class, sexual orientation and ability/disability impact the lives of women on the local and global levels are also examined. Women's studies students learn feminist theories, analyses, and research methodologies.

Program options

• Women's Studies (BA, minor) *honours and co-op available

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