Bachelor of Arts in Geography

at Memorial University of Newfoundland - St Johns Campus Canada

The bachelor of arts degree requires students to complete a minimum of 120 credit hours (normally 40 courses) and generally takes four years to complete. During your studies, you will examine culture, thought, prehistory and history, human interactions and the social and natural forces that constantly transform our society. You will gain the critical-thinking, analytical and communication skills needed to succeed and adapt in a changing world through the study of a major and minor.

• Anthropology
• Archaeology
• Classics
• Communication studies
• Economics
• English
• Folklore
• French
• Gender studies
• Geography
• German
• History
• Law and society
• Linguistics
• Medieval studies
• Philosophy
• Police studies
• Political science
• Religious studies
• Russian
• Sociology
• Spanish

Geography literally means description of the Earth — its physical and human components and how they vary spatially. Geography studies the inter-relationships of climate, landforms, plants, animals and humans over the surface of the Earth.

Geographers are more than map-makers (though they are that, too). They are planners, researchers, environmentalists, educators and decision makers whose interests focus on some of society’s most pressing questions.
Geography at Memorial

We offer major, minor and honours programs leading to either a bachelor of arts (BA) or bachelor of science (B.Sc.) in geography. In addition, joint programs are offered in:

• Computer science/geography (B.Sc. major and honours)
• Earth sciences/geography (B.Sc. honours)

Laws are fundamental to any successful society. Law and society is the study of the place of these laws in social, political, economic and cultural life. Throughout history, as communities and countries have struggled to define and serve justice, social, cultural, and legal institutions have been essential. By studying how legal and social systems are interconnected and how law is woven into communities, students gain an understanding of what happens when legal instruments and institutions succeed and when they fail.

Law and society at Memorial
The law and society major encompasses many diverse disciplines of study, among them anthropology, linguistics, philosophy, political science, police studies and sociology. It introduces you to different facets of law and the role of law in society through the ages.

The law and society major is housed in the Department of Political Science.

Folklore is the study of the oral and written traditions, beliefs, myths, tales and practices of a people. While folklorists study traditions passed down through generations, they also consider expressive elements found in popular culture and media. Many look at modern phenomena, from urban legends to jokes, from hockey culture to skateboarding, from Ouija boards to tourism.

Folklore at Memorial
As the only Anglophone university in Canada to offer comprehensive folklore programs at all levels, Memorial provides folklorists with rich opportunities for innovative community partnerships and learning experiences.
Our Department of Folklore has built an international reputation as a thriving, imaginative, eclectic and highly professional department. Ethnographic field research practices are fundamental to folklore studies.

French
The French language is more than a thousand years old and has created one of Europe's greatest cultures. Much of the world's finest philosophy, cinema, history, science and literature are in French. French is one of Canada's official languages and is indispensable for anyone seeking a national career in any field. Having a second (or third!) language is a huge asset in an increasingly competitive global marketplace.

French at Memorial
All students majoring in French are required to participate in an immersion experience. Study abroad opportunities include the Frecker Program in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, the Canadian third-year in Nice, and the Université de Bretagne Sud.
The Frecker program is a total immersion program in St. Pierre-et-Miquelon where students will enrol in five Memorial University French courses and live with a French family. The program is offered every Fall semester and, when resources permit, in Winter semester as well.

Through a combination of course work and two community-based field practica, the bachelor of social work (BSW) programs emphasize social justice through hands-on learning. Students gain experience in assessment, interviewing, counselling, advocacy and community capacity building.

The Master of Applied Science (MASc) in Computer Engineering is a course-based graduate program which prepares its graduates for further post-graduate study or for careers as Computer Engineers in sectors such as telecommunications, information technology, software development, and digital hardware design. The degree will provide participants with a balanced background in computer hardware and software and an in-depth knowledge of important applications areas, such as software development, hardware design, telecommunication systems, computer networks, and parallel computing.

The study of English focuses on two activities - reading and writing. In some courses, students may concentrate on writing. In others, the emphasis will be on reading and interpretation. But rarely are reading and writing separated. A degree in English is invaluable training in how language works.

English at Memorial
In the Department of English you will encounter ideas, both new and old, and texts, both experimental and traditional. You will read some of the best works in literature and culture, and you will engage in provocative conversations about meaning, literary history, the future, your identity and your place in the world. All of our programs are designed to help you think critically, read closely, and write effectively.
The Department of English offers select courses on Memorial’s Harlow Campus in England. Live theatre, literary landscapes, social justice in the arts: you can find all that and more across the pond at Harlow.

Political science is the systematic study of politics. Political scientists consider not only the structure and operations of government, but also public opinion, political parties and elections, and the way in which they interact with governments and shape the polices they make.

Political science at Memorial
Memorial's Department of Political Science has research strengths in public policy, European and international politics, as well as elections, campaigns and voting, particularly in Canada. Students who work towards a B.A. honours or major have the option of concentrating in Canadian government or in global studies. You can also gain job experience in a work internship, pursue a co-op degree, or spend a semester in Europe.

The Department of Political Science offers a Co-Operative Education Option available to political science majors. Admission to the co-op option is competitive for a limited number of places.

Combine exciting classroom learning and real-world business experience with Memorial’s bachelor of commerce (co-operative) (B.Comm.(Co-op.)).

Students alternate academic semesters with work placements in industry, government or private organizations. Students will apply classroom studies to real-world settings and develop practical skills for today’s business environment.

• 45 courses (135 credit hours)
• Structured and full-time (normally completed in five years)
• Mandatory work terms (3) and professional development
• Common first year (Business One) for all undergraduates
• Study abroad and experiential learning opportunities