Bachelor of Arts in History and Theory of Architecture

at Carleton University Canada

Industrial designers are responsible for the concept, the design and the details that are worked out before the manufacturing process of any product can begin. They work behind the scenes to determine the features, appearance, materials and ergonomics of the many products—from toasters to cell phones—that we use every day.

Improving the sustainability, quality and safety of food systems is essential to fight climate change and feed a growing population. Food scientists develop products with added nutritional value; they investigate food-borne illness and fraud, design environmentally friendly and smart packaging, and provide expert advice when unsafe foods end up in consumers’ hands. Built on a strong natural sciences foundation and important transferrable skills, Food Science prepares students for the challenges of their generation.

Psychologists study the mechanisms that underlie our thoughts, emotions and behaviours. They examine a diverse range of topics, such as how we think and learn, how we interact with others and how we can promote healthy development and wellness. This is accomplished by conducting research so that the knowledge gained can help us to better understand the human mind, enhance well-being and performance, and generate additional research questions.

The influence of public policy is pervasive in our society. It affects the quality of the air we breathe and the water we drink. It affects prosperity and the extent of poverty, as well as our access to education and medical care. It shapes the impact and pace of technological change. It determines the duties and powers of our officials at home and overseas. It influences the pace of technological change, the reach and practical meaning of our rights, and the extent of poverty. As a student in the Bachelor of Public Affairs and Policy Management program (BPAPM), you will examine a wide variety of issues facing society today, as well as institutional challenges, and develop the necessary skills and knowledge to address them.

The BPAPM does this through a curriculum that combines interdisciplinary study of civic institutions and processes with rigorous study of public policy. A selection of courses in political science, economics, law, communications, and history is combined with exclusive courses in public policy. Together, these courses will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of what government, civil and business organizations do, why they do it, and how they might do it better.

The BPAPM program is located in the Arthur Kroeger College of Public Affairs, which provides an academic home for our students who come from across Canada and abroad. The university college is ancient in conception, characteristic of universities such as Oxford and Cambridge, and following this model our students belong to a select scholarly community. They have exclusive and direct access to academic advising, dedicated student meeting space and an electronic resource centre.

With an average of B or better after first year, you can apply for a student exchange. This involves spending one or two terms studying public affairs at one of Carleton’s partner institutions around the world.

Ottawa provides an unparalleled range of practical policy-related co-op opportunities with governmental and nongovernmental organizations. Our students also have access to a wide range of internships, including international placements in locations such as Peru, China, and Ghana.

Explore the Bachelor of Public Affairs and Policy Management at Carleton University
Our program offers four specializations, each containing concentrations that reflect specific policy areas within the broader specialization field.

• Communication and Policy Studies
  • Concentration in Communication Technologies and Regulation
  • Concentration in Strategic Public Opinion
• Development Policy Studies
  • Concentration in Rights and Human Development
  • Concentration in Global Economic Relations
• International Policy Studies
  • Concentration in International Relations and Conflict
  • Concentration in Security and Intelligence
• Public Policy and Administration
  • Concentration in Social Policy
  • Concentration in Economic Policy
  • Concentration in Environmental and Sustainable Energy Policy

Students in the Computational and Applied Mathematics and Statistics program will acquire the knowledge and skills needed to pursue careers involving the design of computers and computer networks as well as the application of computers in solving critical problems in business, government and science. For example, you might find yourself developing new ways to protect information from both improper access and corruption during transmission, helping managers in business and government to allocate resources optimally, or using computer networks to study traffic flow and optimal routing.

African peoples, cultures, societies, places and histories have been deeply affected by the global world, while also actively contributing to it. In this multidisciplinary specialization, you will study a wide range of issues as they apply to Africa, including democratization, human rights, international development, cultural change, migration and refugees, colonialism and post-colonialism, and social justice. You will also acquire an understanding of the larger issues of the politics of development and the relationship between the global north and south. This specialization is administered by the Institute of African Studies, which is the only stand-alone, degree-granting, institute devoted to the study of Africa in Canada.

The BA Geography program at Carleton focuses on human and environmental geography, exploring and analyzing a wide range of topics such as local food systems, urban poverty, cultural landscapes, adaptation to climate change and natural resource management. Students in the BA Geography (Honours) program may take a concentration in Physical Geography or Urban Geography. Our professors have extensive expertise in social, political and cultural geography; resource management and environmental assessment; and the study of physical processes of the Earth’s vegetation, climate, water and soil systems. Field courses, workplace opportunities (1 day a week practicum; full term co-op), and training in tools like geographic information systems, remote sensing and cartography also provide an opportunity to gain practical experience while you study. A Bachelor of Science in Physical Geography is also available.

Our aerospace engineering program emphasizes the development of analytical, computational, and hands-on engineering and design skills related to the aerospace field. The broad range of topics and applications included in this discipline are covered in four main streams: Aerodynamics (aerospace propulsion and atmospheric flight); Aerospace Structures (lightweight vehicles for flight and space travel); Aerospace Electronics and Systems (aircraft control, communication and navigation systems); and Space Systems Design (astronautics and space/satellite technology). All four streams emphasize the development of practical and problem-solving skills based on hands-on laboratory and design work.

The study of history allows us to recognize and understand the complex issues that shaped the contemporary world. The History Department offers courses in African, American, Asian, Canadian, Caribbean, European, Latin American and South Asian history. Some courses trace the history of social, political and cultural change of a region or period. Others are thematic and may examine women’s history, the histories of science, sexuality, food and drink, or slavery. In the Public History concentration, Honours students explore how history appears in our everyday lives, not just in museums and monuments, but also in movies, reality television, video games, music and the stories families and communities pass from one generation to the next.

In first year, history students may choose a small seminar class or a larger lecture course with a tutorial group. Both formats foster debate and discussion. All history courses encourage student research which may draw on the rich array of libraries and archives in the national capital, including Carleton’s own valuable collections and resources.

How do people interact with nature, and how does this impact the environment? How do societies transform nature? The environment consists of a complex set of human and natural systems of which people are an important, and sometimes dominant, element. Decisions made by individuals, institutions, governments, industries and other actors have the ability to impact the environment in both direct and indirect ways, with consequences for future generations. Understanding the costs and benefits of development and conservation, as well as the underlying values and ethical guidelines for good environmental practice are critical for informed environmental decision-making. It is critical, to both the present and future state of the environment, that dialogue and policy are precautionary, evidence-based, thoughtful and inclusive.

The Environmental Studies program at Carleton University prepares students to be informed, skilled individuals who can participate effectively in the resolution of environmental problems and in the larger environmental debates critical to our future. The program is interdisciplinary and flexible, so that students can focus on the conservation of natural systems, natural resource management, environmental organizations and institutions, sustainable economies, environmental education and activism, or research.