Liberal Studies

General information

Pursuing Liberal Studies entails deepening one’s capacity for effective communication, incisive analysis, creative thinking and critical self-reflection. It is not just a university graduate’s overall sum of knowledge, but the capacity to increase, deepen, distribute and apply that knowledge, which matters most in an ever-changing world. Preparing students to flourish in their personal and professional lives informs the holistic, interdisciplinary, inquiry-driven approach of the Liberal Studies program. Creating awareness and compassion, fostering civic engagement and nurturing the needs of the whole student are central to the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities’ mission to equip students with the intellectual and interpersonal skills they need to excel in all facets of life.

Building on the disciplinary strengths of the university as a whole—and the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities in particular—Liberal Studies enables students to pursue their academic interests and professional aspirations beyond the disciplinary confines of other programs. Consisting of an introductory and capstone course, plus continuous opportunities for personalized institutional guidance and support, the Liberal Studies honours degree program grants students the flexibility to decide which courses to take among the fascinating array of offerings at the university.

Science, Technology and Society specialization

Science, Technology and Society is an interdisciplinary field of study that explores the complex and dynamic relationships between science, technology, and society. It explores how scientific discoveries, technological innovations and their applications impact our society, culture, politics, ethics, and everyday lives. In this specialization, students gain a depth and breadth of theoretical and methodological knowledge of science, technology and society, apply it by analyzing and communicating about how science, technology and society intersect and interact, and reflect upon the ever-evolving interplay between science and technology on one side and societal institutions, values, norms, and practices on the other. By doing so, students hone knowledge, ethical frameworks and skills needed to understand the social shaping, uses and impacts of science and technology in relation to the dynamics of economic, political, environmental and cultural change. Based in the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities, Science, Technology and Society is an interdisciplinary specialization that empowers students to explore how science and technology shape and are shaped by society, past and present.

Admission requirements

Admission is competitive. The specific average or standing required for admission varies from year to year. Students are selected by taking into consideration a wide range of criteria including school marks, distribution of subjects taken, and performance in subjects relevant to the academic program. Possession of the minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance. Preference will be given to applicants with the best qualifications.

Current Ontario secondary school students must complete the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) with six 4U or 4M credits including English (ENG4U). All other applicants should refer to admissions  for the requirements for their specific category of admission.

Note: Students intending to take Science courses as part of their Liberal Studies program are strongly recommended to have Advanced Functions (MHF4U), and two of Biology (SBI4U), Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U), Chemistry (SCH4U) or Physics (SPH4U).

Practicum

A limited number of fourth-year students are granted an opportunity to participate in a learning experience with a community organization. The Practicum course consists of 100 hours of fieldwork, in-class seminars, a set of academic assignments and a major research paper and poster. As part of the pre-practicum process, students will be required to acquire a Vulnerable Sector check. For additional information, please refer to the course description for SSCI 4098U .

Degree and major requirements

To be eligible for the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in Liberal Studies, students must meet both the degree requirements  and requirements of the major as outlined below for a total of 120 credits. Each year prior to course registration, the order and timing of course offerings will be released by the faculty and communicated to students. Although reasonable efforts will be made to adhere to the Liberal Studies program major and major specialization maps, course requirements and term offerings may change.

Required first-year courses for all Bachelor of Arts students in Liberal Studies (18 credit hours)

• COMM 1100U – Introduction to Communication and Digital Media Studies
• CRMN 1000U – Introduction to Criminology and Justice
• LGLS 1000U – Foundations of Legal Studies
• POSC 1000U – Introduction to Political Science
• PSYC 1000U – Introductory Psychology
• SSCI 1910U – Writing for the Social Sciences

Liberal Studies major [102 credit hours]

Students are required to complete at minimum 36 credit hours of 3000- and 4000-level courses (and at maximum 42 credit hours of 1000-level courses). That leaves 54 credit hours for 2000-, 3000-, and 4000-level courses to be completed in second, third and fourth years. Students are also required to complete four electives in first year.

Note: LBAT 2000U – Introduction to Liberal Studies  should be completed in the second year of study. LBAT 4000U – Liberal Studies Capstone  must be completed in fourth year.

In addition to LBAT 4000U , students are required to complete at least one other 4000-level course, one Faculty of Social Science and Humanities methodology course, and at least one humanities course offered in another Faculty of Social Science and Humanities program.

Total [120 credit hours]

Liberal Studies major with Science, Technology and Society specialization [30 credit hours]

• SSCI 1210U – History of Science and Technology
• SSCI 1470U – Impact of Science and Technology on Society
• COMM 2410U – Social History of Communication and Media Technologies
• ENVS 2010U – Introductory Environment Science
• LBAT 2414U – Science Fiction and Society

• One of:

• INDG 1000U – Introduction to Indigenous Studies: Colonial History and its Impacts on Indigenous Peoples
• POSC 1200U – Introduction to Democracy in Theory & Practice
• SOCI 1000U – Introductory Sociology
• SSCI 1300U – Social Problems

• One of:

• INDG 2200U – Indigenous Digital and Visual Media
• INDG 2500U – Two-Eyed Seeing in the Natural Sciences
• INDG 3310U – Indigenous Peoples, Sustainability and Development: A Global Perspective

• One of:

• LBAT 2413U – Science Communication: Media for creative, fun, and effective STEM communication
• COMM 3350U – Environmental Communication: Media and Tech for Sustainability

• One of:

• LGLS 2500U – Information and Privacy Law
• LGLS 3510U – Censorship and Freedom of Expression
• LGLS 3520U – Law and Technology

• One of:

• COMM 4120U – AI, Ethics and Communication
• COMM 4420U – Political Communication, Digital Media and Democracy
• COMM 4710U – Global Media, the Internet and International Relations
• POSC 3700U – Technology, Politics and Social Theory
• POSC 3751U – Media, War and Conflict

SSCI 4101U and SSCI 4102U Honours Thesis I and II

In order to be considered for the Honours Thesis I , students must apply during their sixth semester to begin their Honours Thesis I  in semester seven. The course application must include a detailed statement of intent outlining the methodology, theoretical significance and the projected timelines for completion of the project. To proceed to Honours Thesis II , a student must have successfully completed Honours Thesis I with a minimum A-minus and prepare a written statement outlining the projected timelines for completion of the project.

Please note: only a limited number of applicants will be admitted to the Honours Thesis. Consent is required from both the instructor and the dean.

Program learning outcomes

The following outcomes outline the knowledge and skills students will have achieved upon completion of the program.