Bachelor of Arts in International Relations

at Mount Allison University Canada

Sociology is the study of people as they interact with one another in specific social, cultural, and historical contexts. It uses a scientific approach to study human behaviour and the social influences that affect it.

Mount Allison's sociology department helps students develop their perspective on society, examining it from different points of view and in different contexts. Sociology facilitates understanding of how and why society is organized as it is, and how it might be changed to create a more just and equitable social world.

You will study subjects like:

• Social class and inequality
• Race and racialization
• Gender relations
• Youth culture
• Work and society
• Media and popular culture
• Health and illness
• Education and society
• Citizenship, identity, refugees
• Social policies
• Non-profit organizations
• Criminology
• Research methods

First and second-year sociology courses provide an overview of the discipline and an introduction to sociological analysis. You will be introduced to the study of social problems through dynamic class interactions and assignments.

Third-year courses emphasize theoretical approaches, analytical methods, and their application to major areas of interest. This will help you build on your critical, analytical, and writing skills and teach theoretical approaches to sociology.

In your fourth year, students work with greater interdependence and in more depth on a range of sociological topics.

Classes and assignments are designed to build both conceptual and applied skills. You will have the opportunity to pursue research as part of the honours program.

Cognitive Science is the scientific study of the mind and its processes. It seeks to understand how the mind works through interdisciplinary studies in psychology, computer science, and philosophy.

Within the Department of Psychology, the Cognitive Science program incorporates perspectives from a variety of fields.

In first and second year you'll take introductory courses, plus courses such as:

• cognitive processes
• biopsychology
• systems programming
• philosophy of science

In third and fourth year you'll add courses in linguistics, while pursuing courses such as:

• sensation and perception
• behavioural neuroscience
• philosophy of mind
• artificial intelligence
• medical physics

You'll also be encouraged to pursue independent summer research projects, directed studies projects, or to contribute to faculty research projects as a research assistant.

Interdisciplinary Health Studies will allow students the opportunity to engage with health from biological, behavioural, social, environmental, ethical, historical, cultural and population perspectives.

At Mount Allison, the Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) in Interdisciplinary Health Studies draws on concepts from across the life sciences, social sciences, and humanities.
Students develop the critical thinking, analytic, and communication skills needed to engage in complex and nuanced issues such as:

• Health care for an aging population
• Confronting global pandemics
• Building healthy communities
• Working for justice in health-care delivery and outcomes

Students in Interdisciplinary Health Studies take courses in:

• Health and life sciences (biology, biochemistry, psychology)
• Ethics and philosophy
• Social issues and culture

Environmental Studies focuses on the human dimensions of environmental change and problem-solving through environmental management, planning, and policy.

At Mount Allison, the aim of the Environmental Studies program is to equip you with the kind of integrative and analytical thinking that will help you effectively contribute to environmental leadership and decision-making.
Courses cover such topics as:

• Environmental policy
• Natural resources management
• Environmental ethics

In upper years, Environmental Studies students choose complimentary courses from the following four optional streams:

• Environmental social justice
• Environmental policy and economics
• Environmental history and philosophy
• Ecology and environment

You will also have the opportunity to carry out your own research as summer projects or as part of directed studies courses.

Computer Science
Ranging from hands-on applications to pure theory, Computer Science introduces students to all facets of the discipline. It also gives you an appreciation of the historical, ethical, and social context of computing, and the responsibility of the computer professional and casual computer user in modern society.

At Mount Allison, computer science courses are designed to address the needs of a wide variety of users, from the casual to the professional. Whether you want to learn more about certain software or to develop advanced programming skills, Mount Allison has a computer science course for you.

Introductory computer science courses offer an overview of programming skills, the use and application of popular software, and the essentials of computing.
More advanced courses deal with topics ranging from artificial intelligence and the role of computers in society to the design and implementation of advanced hardware or software systems.

Specialized areas include:

• Theory of computation
• Cryptography
• Artificial intelligence
• Databases
• Computer graphics
• Networks
• Software and hardware design

All courses in the computing curriculum offer a blend of theory and practical application, with many of the offerings having a significant project component in which students are given the opportunity to apply the classroom material to real-world problems.

Economics
Economics examines the operation of market economies to discover regularities of behaviour and develops a deeper understanding of how its principles apply locally and globally.

To achieve an understanding of economics means moving into the realm of theory, analysis, and technical terms. Ultimately the expectation is that through better understanding of economics, society will be able to remedy undesirable results and achieve better ones.

At Mount Allison, the Economics program is built around core courses in economic theory, policy analysis, mathematics, and econometrics.

Such study includes:

• Economics history
• Economic thought
• Microeconomics
• Macroeconomics
• Money and banking
• International economics

Studies in drama and in the theatre form an integral part of Mount Allison's special mission and tradition in the fine and performing arts, as well as playing a vital role in the University's overall efforts to provide a liberal education. The best in theatre and drama allows us to rehearse alternative realities. It shows us new perspectives, challenges us, and touches us, as our lives and the issues we face are reflected back in new and surprising ways. It can change our lives and change our world. Students involved in Drama at Mount Allison are challenged to work creatively and resourcefully, solving problems, and discovering and exploring new means of communication and expression - all within a cooperative collaborative environment that is intimate enough to allow special attention to the individual student.

In response to our mandate as an interdisciplinary program in Drama Studies within the liberal education focus on Mount Allison University, our curriculum focuses on breadth, introducing students to as many areas of the discipline as our faculty and staff are qualified to teach. Our capstone independent theatre projects course (DRAM 4011 Advanced Theatrical Interpretation) allows students to gain a measure of advanced work in areas of interest, while our extensive theatre season means all students (both drama and non-drama) have ample opportunity to experience a wide range of skills: artistic, practical, academic, social, managerial, critical, and experimental. All dimensions of drama work are fully contextualized in the broader degree structure, which means students are not only exposed to at least one other field in some depth through their Minor subject, but also introduced to a multiple of complementary and distribution study areas.
 
Students' involvement with the Interdisciplinary Program in Drama may evolve through the formal routes of the Major or Minor in Drama described elsewhere under programs on this website, or it may take the form of co-curricular or extra-curricular activities in support of Drama Program productions in the University's brand-new multi-functional Motyer-Fancy Theatre. Typically, a total of up to ten shows are mounted every year, performed and crewed by students, with direction and design by a mixture of theatre professionals and senior students.

Participation in the Motyer-Fancy Theatre is open to all Mount Allison students, regardless of their chosen field of study.

Many Mount Allison graduates - both those who followed the formal path of Major or Minor, and others who worked on Drama Studies theatre productions as enrichment of their academic programs have gone on to careers in acting, directing, theatre management, stage management, design, and playwriting both in Canada and abroad.

Ranging from hands-on applications to pure theory, Computer Science introduces students to all facets of the discipline. It also gives you an appreciation of the historical, ethical, and social context of computing, and the responsibility of the computer professional and casual computer user in a modern society.

At Mount Allison, computer science courses are designed to address the needs of a wide variety of users, from the casual to the professional. Whether you want to learn more about certain software or to develop advanced programming skills, Mount Allison has a computer science course for you.

Introductory computer science courses offer an overview of programming skills, the use and application of popular software, and the essentials of computing.
More advanced courses deal with topics ranging from artificial intelligence and the role of computers in society to the design and implementation of advanced hardware or software systems.

Specialized areas include:

• Theory of computation
• Cryptography
• Artificial intelligence
• Databases
• Computer graphics
• Networks
• Software and hardware design

All courses in the computing curriculum offer a blend of theory and practical application, with many of the offerings having a significant project component in which students are given the opportunity to apply the classroom material to real-world problems.

Mount Allison was among the first universities in the country to establish a Canadian studies program. This well-respected program has earned a national reputation for excellence.

Canadian Studies facultyCanadian studies is an interdisciplinary program that seeks to study Canada’s place in the world through Canadian-centred courses in a number of disciplines. Students explore the complexities of the country, including its vast and varied geography and its regional distinctions, as well as the intricacies of issues such as the environment, First Nations, bilingualism, and multiculturalism.

The program benefits from its collaboration with Mount Allison’s Centre for Canadian Studies. An invaluable resource, the Centre supports and extends student learning through an exceptional program of public lectures and extracurricular events.

Canadian Public Policy is an interdisciplinary program examining public decision-making and policy processes related to environmental, social, health, and economic policy.

The Canadian Public Policy program provides an adaptable and broad knowledge base for students interested in all levels of Canadian-based policy work, giving students a strong foundation in policy analysis and implementation. This involves understanding the public policy process, policy analysis, intergovernmental relations, economic forces and political considerations.

The study of geography develops an understanding of the principles of ecological and physical systems; of the cultural, social, economic, and political forces acting on those systems; and of the management, planning or scientific tools necessary to meet environmental challenges and opportunities.

Other degree options in the field of geography and environment at Mount Allison:

• BA environmental studies (honours, major, minor)
• BSc environmental science (honours, major, minor)
• Any degree, geographic information systems (minor)

The Mount Allison geography program explores courses in both human and physical geography, and is designed for students interested in the study of social sciences at various spatial and temporal scales.

Geography will often take you outside the classroom to learn through lab work, field study, and library and archival searching. Field trips to locations across the Maritime region and throughout North America have become an increasingly important part of this program.

You are also encouraged to become actively involved in research, either through independent summer research projects or as a research assistant to a faculty member.