The Faculty of Arts is home to more than 40 academic programs, the School of Creative and Performing Arts, and a number of world-class research centres. We have a feeling one of them is perfect for you.
The Faculty of Arts is proud to partner with the School of Creative and Performing arts to deliver degrees in dance, drama and music. With top-end performances, theatres, digital and sound technologies and conference facilities, the school is a community of practicing artists and scholars.
The School of Languages, Linguistics, Literatures and Cultures is a newly formed institution that houses the university’s languages and linguistics research within one superhub of language learning. Become fluent in a language and learn to think critically, analytically and creatively about the nature and structure of language, the relationship between language and culture, theories of language competency, cross-cultural awareness, including literature and film studies, and the socio-linguistic histories involved.
The School of Creative and Performing Arts is home to the programs dance, drama, and music, as well as University Theatre Services. Offering seven undergraduate and four graduate degree programs, the school is a lively community of practicing artists, scholars and students. More than 200 performances are presented each year in its world-class performance venues.
Learn more about programs offered at the School of Creative and Performing Arts:
Join us in the new School of Languages, Linguistics, Literatures and Cultures and expand your mind, increase your employability and prepare yourself to be a competent and enlightened citizen of the world.
* co-op, honours, or co-op and honours options available. Please speak to an advisor to discuss your opportunities.
> View program requirements in French and Spanish
> View program requirements in German
> View program requirements in Linguistics
> View program requirements in Language, Linguistics and Culture (coming soon)
Areas of study at the Faculty of Arts are organised by department, and each department offers a number of programs and degree options. Read more about available undergraduate and graduate degrees here, and further explore each department's website for more information.
Students of anthropology and archaeology study what it means to be human, and to document the human experience. This includes the biology of the human species, our evolutionary history, and our closest living relatives, the non-human primates. We also explore the range of variation in human beliefs, behaviors, material culture, social organization.
The visual studies program will enable you to develop conceptual understanding in the visual arts, to develop a foundation of knowledge and practice of artistic self-sufficiency, to develop creative processes of planning in order to carry out your studio interests or to work as an art specialist in other settings. The program enables you to determine, through studio practice, the understandings and insights that support your artistic and intellectual development.
Programs in Classics and Religion enjoy a collaboration in research and teaching between the Classics, such as learning about the history of the Greek and Romans, and religious studies.
In religious studies, students learn about the world religions and their communities in the past and present, drawing upon methods and theories from philosophy, history, sociology, philosophy, and more.
In Greek and Roman studies, students focus on the civilizations of the Mediterranean area, the Near East, and Western Europe in ancient and medieval times, engaging in multi-faceted research and developing an understanding of the writings and material remains that have survived to the present day.
Our programs engage students in the critical study of communication, media, and film. Students develop research, writing, and analytical skills, as well as a sophisticated understanding of the role of media in shaping perception, identity, politics, social relations, popular culture, and cultural practices.
Economists seek to develop an understanding of how individuals and societies structure economic activity, and the relative effectiveness of different institutions in relaxing, or mitigating, scarcity constraints. Economists ask: What gets produced, how does it get produced, and who gets what is produced.
The study of English is the study of the language in which we live and its uses, from poetry to politics to the hidden metaphors of everyday life. Undergraduate English offers a strong centre from which to explore the world within and beyond the university. It demands, develops and rewards intellectual curiosity, articulate speech and writing, self-discipline, flexibility, creativity, thoughtfulness, and a healthy skepticism.
Geography is both the science and art of studying places and spaces. Geographers ask where things are located, why they are there, how places differ, what processes are at work in the world around us, how people interact with their physical and cultural environment and how to measure these patterns.
The study of history is study of the past from many perspectives, including political, military and diplomatic affairs; economic, social, and cultural development; and the role of religious beliefs and secular ideas in shaping human experiences. The geographical scope is just as wide-ranging, with historians in the department studying Canada, China, Europe, Latin America, and the United States.
In philosophy we ask fundamental questions about ourselves and the world. The discipline is subdivided into areas such as ethics and political philosophy, aesthetics, epistemology (the theory of knowledge), metaphysics (the theory of reality or being), logic and the philosophy of logic, philosophy of language, philosophy of mind, philosophy of science, philosophy of religion, and the history of philosophy. Indeed, the history of philosophy is in many ways the history of Western thought.
Political Science is about how societies should and do deal with conflict and cooperation. At its most basic level it entails asking who gets what, when, how and why. The discipline asks how life and property should be protected and how cultural and economic aspirations are expressed and accommodated.
Psychology is the study of the mind and behaviour. Psychologists use the scientific method to study how humans and other animals think, feel and behave. They study how to effectively apply this knowledge to help people understand, explain, and change their behavior. Major areas of research and learning include perception, cognition, language, memory, learning, development, personality, relationships, and mental health.
Sociologists study the ways in which social structures, social processes and cultural products constrain and enable human behavior. They examine face to face interactions between people in everyday life; the interface between social processes and individual lives through institutionalized aspects of social life; and the linkages between global and local levels through studying contemporary world inequalities and their implications.
Broaden your horizons with a specialized degree option that enriches your academic experience.
The Arts and Science Honours Academy (ASHA) creates a unique opportunity for a select group of undergraduates. ASHA combines the traditional benefits of a regular degree program with participation in courses and activities with students across the arts and sciences. As an ASHA students, you will be one of a class of the best and brightest at the University of Calgary.
Arts students learn just as much outside of the classroom as in one. Students with degree related experience and business and technical skills have a competitive career edge upon graduation. Co-op education is designed to combine work experience with academic learning, so students stand out from the crowd when they graduate.
An honours degree involves advanced research and study in your undergraduate program and is recognized by the notation "With Distinction" inscribed on your permanent record and graduation parchment.
Interdisciplinary programs integrate a diverse range of academic disciplines via research and classroom learning. Interdisciplinary programs don't teach or research just one area of study, but use many perspectives to address current themes, issues and problems in our societies.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Earth Science program is managed by the Department of Geography
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.
East Asian Studies is managed by the School of Languages, Linguistics, Literatures and Cultures
> More information
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.
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.
The International Relations program is managed by the Department of Political Science
> More information
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.
Latin American Studies is managed by the Department of History
> More information
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.
The Law and Society program is managed by the Department of Sociology
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
The Linguistics and Language program is managed by the School of Languages, Linguistics, Literatures and Cultures.
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.
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.
The Museum and Heritage Studies program is managed by the Department of Art
> More information
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.
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.
The Urban Studies program is managed by the Department of Geography
> More information
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.
The Faculty of Arts includes a number of exceptional research facilities and programs that foster ongoing study in particular areas of interest.
The Calgary Distinguished Writers Program strives to advance the careers of Canadian writers, invigorate the Calgary writing community, and enhance the activities of the Faculty of Arts and the Department of English. The popular program hosts two annual residency programs: one for an emerging Canadian writer, and one for a distinguished writer of international stature.
The Calgary Institute for the Humanities fosters high-level humanities research. It is home to a robust fellowship program and a number of targeted research initiatives, and actively engages the greater community by sharing groundbreaking research.
The Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies is a research centre at the university, with ties to the Canadian Forces and the Department of National Defence. Drawing from a variety of disciplines, it is one of the leading centres of Excellence in Military and Strategic Studies in North America, and has a meaningful impact on defence and security issues in Canada and internationally.
The Centre for Research in the Fine Arts (CRFA) fosters innovative research in the visual and performing arts within the Faculty of Arts, awarding small grants in support of creative and scholarly research, whether individual or collaborative, disciplinary or interdisciplinary.
Le Centre français a pour mandat la promotion de la langue française et des cultures francophones sur le campus de l'université de Calgary.
The Language Research Centre provides leadership in language research and is a world-class environment for language education. It focuses on language acquisition, teaching and learning, the effective use of technologies, and policy-making. The centre is a hub on campus that connects the resources of various departments, and builds bridges to the greater community.
The Latin American Research Centre brings together researchers from diverse disciplines and faculties to collaborate on research relevant to Latin America. The university has a long history of engagement in the region, and the research centre fosters research relevant to the academic, business, government and global communities, including public policy research on current issues.
