Bachelor of Fine Arts

at Mount Allison University Canada

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.

Geocomputing is an applied program that combines theory and practice of computer science and geography. The program gives students expertise to study and understand spatial dimensions of social and environmental problems such as minimizing environmental impacts and identifying critical habitat.

At Mount Allison, Geocomputing combines theory and practice of computing and geography, offering students a new way to look at the world.

Students in Geocomputing take courses in computer science, environmental science, and environmental studies, with spatial computing (geographic information systems) at the heart.

In Computer Science, you'll look at subjects like:

• Programming techniques
• Algorithms
• Discrete structures
• Data structures
• Database systems
• Object-oriented design and methodology
• Computers and society

In Environment and Geography, you'll look at subjects like:

• Geographic information systems (GIS)
• The physical environment
• The human environment
• Data analysis
• Resources management and environmental policies

In their final year, students complete an applied capstone project that integrates both fields.

Mount Allison’s American studies program helps students gain new perspective on Canada’s closest neighbour and ally.

The program examines not only the history, economy, and government of the United States, but delves into its literature, music, and art — painting a complete picture of the country’s governance, society, and culture, as well as its place in history and its impact on the world.

This interdisciplinary program draws from courses in a number of different subject areas, giving students the opportunity to explore many fields of study with a unifying theme, and introducing them to accomplished professors in economics, English, Fine Arts, geography, history, international relations, Music, political science, religious studies, and sociology.

Music has been an integral part of the Mount Allison experience for nearly 140 years.
Whether you are looking to prepare for a professional career in music, or simply want to study music as an elective or as an extracurricular activity, the Music department has plenty to offer.

The Music program at Mount Allison stresses professional training, with an emphasis on musical performance. The department offers performance study in:

• Voice
• Piano
• Strings
• Woodwinds
• Brass
• Percussion
• Guitar
• Organ
• Harpsichord

Although it is a classically-based program, Music offers electives in jazz, musical theatre, world music, and much more. To see a full list of Music courses, see our academic calendar – Music.

Bachelor of Music students are not formally streamed into specific areas of musical study. This flexible approach helps ensure you are well prepared for the wide-ranging demands and varied career options that exist for today's musicians.

Small class sizes within Mount Allison's Music program mean that you work closely with the department's talented and enthusiastic faculty, have constant access to instruments and practice rooms, and perform on stage on a regular basis.

Art history is integral to the study of art and visual culture. It provides valuable insight into history, philosophy, and the humanities in general.

Courses in art history at Mount Allison range from an introduction to art and its contexts to more focused examinations of specific time periods, movements, and issues surrounding the visual arts.
You will be able to explore:

• Canadian and Indigenous art
• Museum and curatorial studies
• Contemporary art
• Women and gender in art
• Specialist courses in 19th and 20th century art

Upper year advanced seminars offer you the opportunity to take a more focused and critical approach to topics like:

• Modern to postmodernism
• Feminism and gender
• Museum studies
• Museums and education
• Collections and collecting
• Curating and critical writing
• Arts and archives
• Independent studies in specialized subjects
• Museum and gallery practicums

The study of Fine Arts helps you develop your artistic and creative abilities, and your ability to think critically, write, and speak about works of art.

At Mount Allison, Fine Arts offers a unique approach for students looking to obtain professional training — combining studio work and instruction with the freedom of an immersive liberal arts and sciences curriculum.
The Fine Arts program gives you the opportunity to develop your creative and critical ability through studio courses in:

• Drawing
• Painting
• Photography (analog and digital)
• Printmaking (lithography, silkscreen, intaglio, relief, and letterpress)
• Sculpture and installation
• Open media

The first-year studio courses give you a broad knowledge and skill base. The second and third years courses build on this foundation and focus on selected studio areas. In your final year, you create a body of work through independent study. In addition to studio classes, you'll undertake courses and seminars that foster an understanding of art history and visual culture.

Learning Spanish and about Hispanic culture and literature will open doors that you never knew existed. It will change the way you think about the world around you. As one of the most-spoken languages in the world, Spanish can also serve you in the workplace, while on vacation, or in your career as a student.

We offer three degree options.

1. If you’ve already selected a major, consider a MINOR in Spanish. Many students specializing in International Relations, History, Commerce, Sociology and even Biology pursue a minor in Spanish because knowledge of the language helps them pursue career paths in international contexts or in the developing world. 

2. A MAJOR in Spanish truly embraces the language, cultural and literary contexts of the Hispanic world, drawing from the rich cultures of Latin America as well as Spain. Our courses entice students to travel or study abroad and offer authentic encounters with the Hispanic world through art, film and most importantly, literature.

3. An HONOURS in Spanish via the Interdisciplinary Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures degree, with an emphasis on Spanish. Combined with the study of two other languages, this degree option allows you to gain intimate knowledge of three languages while focusing on the culture and literature of the Spanish-speaking world.

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

Biopsychology is the scientific study of the brain and nervous system and how they influence human behaviour — combining studies in biology and psychology.

At Mount Allison, Biopsychology is an interdisciplinary program with students required to take courses in both biology and psychology.
There is some flexibility to allow you to focus more heavily on one of the two disciplines, should you choose to do so.

Course options in this program may include:

• Genetics and evolution
• Human physiology
• Animal behaviour
• Neurophysiology
• Sensation and perception
• Behavioural neuroscience

The Women's and Gender Studies program teaches with a focus on anti-racism, feminist theory, queer and trans studies, and social justice. 

At Mount Allison, Women's and Gender Studies promotes student engagement, with one another as well as with social justice issues, and fosters communication and writing skills.

Courses focus on issues of:

• Gender
• Ability
• Religion
• Sexuality
• Race
• Class
• Ethnicity
• Age
• Colonialism

The program includes several core courses which provide an introduction to the principles of Women’s and Gender Studies as well as more advanced study of approaches to feminism.
In upper years you'll focus on issues of gender, identity, and culture; theories of gender and power in society; gender, science, and research; and contemporary issues in feminism and gender studies.