Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies

at St. Thomas University Canada

Religious Studies starts with a thematic introduction to some of the perennial questions that continue to arise in human existence. There are choices between courses that emphasize big question perspectives, particular social issues and projects, specific disciplinary approaches, and courses that examine in greater detail specifics of particular religious traditions, including texts, rituals, ideas, and political and historical overviews.

Religious Studies is a multi-disciplinary study. Students are exposed to a variety of approaches, as well as to serious reflections on the nature of methodology and scholarly inquiry. We believe an adequate understanding of religion is an asset in recognizing and responding appropriately to the many complex issues that face contemporary society. A sufficiently critical sensibility ensures thoughtful responses, rather than emotive and unthinking reactions.

You might be interested in studying religious studies if...

• You want to examine how the different aspects of religion shape politics, the arts, social movements, sexualities, and the environment
• You want to learn more about world religions and their similarities and differences

Critical and transferable skills
Religious Studies requires an ability to recognize and identify the particular disciplines utilized in any given study. Being familiar with the social sciences, literature, philosophy, history, and linguistic/language studies, aspects of the physical and natural sciences become part of the student’s worldview. Critical skills include self-reflection, inasmuch as everyone has a vested interest in being able to make reasonable and coherent choices in life. The dynamic nature of critical inquiry indicates the life-long project of learning and developing for which the study of religion equips students.

Courses offered in the Japanese language focus on learning fundamental language structure and practicing communication skills. In the courses, reading and writing Hiragana and Katakana are essential, and some Kanji are introduced and practiced. Japan and Japanese culture are introduced and discussed.

Advanced courses develop the communicative skills necessary for everyday situations - focusing on conversation and writing systems, expanding vocabulary and sentence structures and teaching students to express themselves on a wide range of topics from daily life.

As students complete the beginner’s level of Japanese, they are prepared for the Level IV Japanese Proficiency Test offered by the Government of Japan.

The Catholic Studies Program is an academically rigorous and interdisciplinary exploration of Catholicism. Courses engage with the Catholic intellectual tradition—the 2000 year-long dialogue between and within faith and culture. We approach the texts of the Catholic intellectual tradition with a view toward understanding the role that Catholicism has played in the human search for meaning and in the conviction that thinking is a critical part of belief. 

Discovering catholic studies
Catholic Studies enthusiastically welcomes students from any or no faith tradition. The program is dedicated to a critical and scholarly engagement with Catholicism, and is dispositionally nondogmatic. Courses are especially attentive to the ways in which the Catholic intellectual tradition can help students understand issues of social and economic justice and peace.

You are therefore given the freedom to explore perennial human questions and pressing contemporary concerns in a way that is open to the potential contributions of faith. You are also given the chance to study the Catholic Church itself, as a cultural and political, as well as a religious institution. You will also benefit from co- and extra-curricular events, service opportunities, scholarly activities, and community outreach sponsored by the St. John XXIII Centre for Catholic Studies.

You might be interested in catholic studies if you ...

• You are interested in a challenging, interdisciplinary major which explores the meaning of Christian faith
• You are interested in exploring human questions and contemporary concerns as potential contributions to faith

Critical and transferable skills
Students in Catholic Studies benefit from an interdisciplinary course of study which draws from many different academic disciplines. The interdisciplinary character of the program helps students become well-rounded thinkers, able to analyze problems and phenomena from a variety of disciplinary perspectives and using diverse analytical tools. The program’s emphasis on the Catholic intellectual tradition will help students develop the skills of thoughtful reading, clear writing, and verbal eloquence.

Gerontology is the study of the changes that take place in the process of aging, how society defines aging, and how individuals understand their own later years.

At one time, talks of aging prompted images of failing health, isolation, and lack of purpose. Today, people are living longer, healthier, and more productive lives. Studying Gerontology at St. Thomas, you will explore the impact of the way society defines aging and how individuals actually experience and understand their own later years.

St. Thomas is also home to The Third Age Centre, an autonomous, community-based, non-profit organization to empower older adults to maintain healthy, independent, active lifestyles. The centre conducts research and public education on issues of particular concern to older adults. We are also affiliated with the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research on Narrative. Students are often invited to be involved in projects undertaken by these centres.

You might be interested in studying gerontology if...

• You want to understand the process of aging from sociological, psychological, physical, and spiritual perspectives
• You want to learn more about the issues that concern older people

Critical and transferable skills
The study of Gerontology will give you academic skills, as well as self-care and self-exploration strategies. You will learn how to conduct interviews with older adults. You will learn how to design recreation and educational programs for older adults. You will learn critical thinking as you explore controversial and ethical issues in long-term care, end of life, work life, as well as images in the media and popular culture.

Psychology is the scientific study of behaviour and mental processes. It is a discipline that examines how we feel, perceive, think, learn, and remember; what motivates us, and how we act in groups and societies. The Psychology Department at St. Thomas covers all of the traditional areas of Psychology, and alternative areas as well, giving students a thorough foundation in our dynamic and broad discipline.

Each year, some of our students present their original research at the Science Atlantic Conference (which is held at a different university in Atlantic Canada annually).

You might be interested in studying psychology if...

• You have an interest in the study of human functioning
• You want to explore how we communicate, analyze and solve problems, and interact in the world

Critical and transferable skills
Studying Psychology provides students with excellent skills in analytical thinking, research processes, and problem solving. In addition, studying Psychology enhances skills regarding interactions and relations with people with different backgrounds and experiences. Psychology students develop the abilities to work well as part of a team and as independent thinkers. The study of Psychology heightens our understanding of ourselves as well as the social world around us.

Journalism is about finding and telling accurate stories that matter. It shapes public opinion and helps people understand the political and social world. Journalism encourages open-mindedness and demands objectivity so the public can weigh options and form informed opinions about world issues. 

Discovering journalism
The Major in Journalism explores the art of storytelling in the digital age. The program offers a variety of courses that allow students to develop storytelling skills using multi-media tools, including video, photography, sound, and social media platforms. The program promotes strong writing skills, the exploration of media ethics and the influence of new media in society. The program is designed for students with an interest in professional journalism and digital content production.

You might be interested in studying journalism if...

• You are curious, energetic, and expressive 
• You care about other people, the community you live in, and the state of the world in general
• You like to write and tell stories

Critical and transferable skills
Being a Journalism student means developing advanced skills in writing and editing, as well as in presenting information in a compelling way and making sense of complex issues and events. You will learn to identify issues that others have missed or overlooked. You will ask important questions and deliver facts and details in ways that shed light on otherwise complicated situations.

You will learn to get to the root of a story and inform the public on things they need to know. Since journalists are constantly reporting on a wide variety of topics, your ability to digest information, think critically about it, and react appropriately will become second nature.

International Relations challenges students to broaden their perspectives and their understanding of the forces shaping global politics. Students who major in International Relations will complete course work in specific international themed courses while focusing on one or two particular areas of the world.

Students participate in a for-credit Model United Nations course that has taken many to international competitions such as the Harvard and New York City events. International Relations students are also encouraged to study Economics as well as a foreign language to develop an appropriate base of knowledge and skill that relate directly to different areas of the world.

You might be interested in studying international relations if...

• You are interested in the politics and cultures of other countries in the world 
• You want to understand other people and other perspectives

Critical and transferable skills
The skills a student learns by studying International Relations include the ability to understand and summarize complex information and gathering evidence to make good, critical arguments. Graduates from the program must learn to write clearly and directly. They are also required to gain proficiency in a foreign language and to gain a basic understanding of economics, which are both invaluable skills in today’s world. Studying International Relations also provides students with a wider perspective on and understanding of the complex global environment.

Within the Bachelor of Arts, St. Thomas offers a unique English as a Second Language (ESL) program for students whose level of English proficiency is not high enough to pursue regular studies at an English-language university.

Students are provided the opportunity to begin university studies for credit while they continue to improve their language skills in a planned, individualized program of study.

Courses in Romance Languages are designed for those students who come to St. Thomas University and wish to have a general knowledge of two or more Romance Languages and Literature.

Such students are encouraged to think of their language learning experience in terms of a commitment to Romance Languages (French, Italian, Latin, and Spanish) rather than in terms of a specialisation in any one language.

Students wishing to complete a Minor Programme in Italian must complete at least 18 credit hours in Italian selected from the first, second or third year offerings and maintain an overall average of B in those 18 credit hours.

Taught by artists and scholars, our Fine Arts courses offer students opportunities to discover and develop their creativity. Whether your interest is in music, musical theatre, film, visual arts—or all four—you will benefit from an informative, engaging, and inspiring curriculum.

You might be interested in studying fine arts if...

• You want to examine music, theatre, and visual arts through technical, social, and historical perspectives
• You want to grow and develop as an artist through in-class learning and performances

Critical and transferable skills
Studying in the Fine Arts Department helps students develop a critical eye of their own work as well as the work of others. Students build confidence and courage by performing and sharing their work. They also build persistence and discipline by learning from their mistakes and mastering skills. In addition, they cultivate a strong knack for dealing with the unexpected and coming up with creative solutions.