Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in English and Business (Joint Majors)

at Trent University Peterborough Canada

As a B.E.S.S. student at one of Canada’s top postsecondary environmental institutions, develop a strong understanding of solutions to natural resource and environmental problems and learn how to combine scientific and social knowledge effectively in this interdisciplinary joint arts-science degree. You will gain an understanding of the scientific aspects of contemporary environmental issues that are linked to policy and planning decisions leading to an environmentally sustainable future. Your studies will address environmental challenges, science, policy and politics from multiple perspectives.

Accelerated Master's Degree:-
Earn your M.Sc. in Environmental & Life Sciences (ELS) in only 12-16 months after graduating from your B.Sc.

Resume Boosters:-

• Conduct hands-on research in state-of-the-art labs and Trent’s extensive “living laboratory” of nature reserves right here on campus
• Minimum entrance and performance requirements challenge you to maintain a high standard of academic performance throughout your degree
• Pursue a capstone or community-based research project or write and defend an undergraduate Honours thesis

Many aspects of modern culture - from the literary elements of comedy and tragedy to our laws and ideals of democratic government - have their origins in Ancient Greece and Rome. Trent’s Ancient Greek and Roman Studies program gives students the opportunity to examine human behaviour and culture in the Ancient Mediterranean. Explore compelling topics surrounding warfare, class struggles, economy, religion, gender, cultural heritage, and the genius of the human spirit - issues as relevant today as they were in antiquity. 

Greek and Latin (Specialization):-
Take your studies of archaeology, history, and literature even further by heading back in time to study writings by the original thinkers. Through language training in Greek and Latin, students pursuing a degree in Ancient Greek & Roman Studies will be able to read foundational texts in their original formats and gain insight into the way these languages cascade into every field of study.

Interested? Consult the program coordinator of Ancient Greek & Roman Studies as early as possible and make sure you begin studying at least one of the languages in your first year. The availability of the Specialization in Greek & Latin, and of Greek and Latin courses beyond the 2000 level, is subject to program staffing conditions.

Resume Boosters:-

• Participate in one-of-a-kind extracurricular activities and projects, like student productions of ancient Greek plays and archaeological excavation in the Mediterranean.

In this program, the first-of-its-kind anywhere in North America, you’ll study a unique mix of Indigenous knowledge and Western teachings, learning from Indigenous and non-Indigenous faculty, elders, guest speakers and other scholars.

IES brings together the principles of both Indigenous knowledge and Western science. Here, you’ll explore complex topics such as climate change, sustainable communities and Indigenous health and environment. By applying a cross-cultural approach, you’ll learn to generate solutions to the complex local, regional, national, and international issues facing Indigenous peoples and communities around the world.

Resume Boosters:-

• Take hands-on environmental fieldwork courses in Trent’s 12 on-campus nature areas
• Lead a community-based research project and apply your knowledge to assist a local organization
• Volunteer with Trent Aboriginal Cultural Knowledge and Science youth outreach summer camp

Engage with dedicated faculty who are actively involved in research in areas like gender research, education, and advocacy – including the Canada Research Chair in Feminist and Gender Studies.

Explore the way gender relations have  shaped culture, history and contemporary society. In this program, you will explore a broad range of feminist perspectives from a lens of social justice. Dive deep into conversations about labour, health, history, popular culture, law, the environment, social policy, literature, and globalization. At Trent, you will develop an interdisciplinary understanding of feminist thought and practice, and the ways that feminism intersects with critical race, disability, decolonial and critical sexuality studies.

Resume Boosters:

• Put your knowledge to the test through a community-based gender research project working with organizations like The Elizabeth Fry Society or the Ontario Public Research Interest Group
• Calibrate a skillset that includes a gendered lens on key issues, invaluable for those seeking careers in social work, teaching or policing
• Access awards and bursaries exclusive to Gender and Social Justice students
• Engage with guest lecturers, authors, and leaders in the field

Studying in one of the only degrees of its kind in Canada, you can choose from a diverse range of courses offering theoretical and practical paths into visual arts, media, film, theatre, music, pop culture, and more.

Cultural Studies gives you the tools to critique and create cultural objects and practices – everything from games to graffiti, print to painting, and music to film. You’ll study culture by reading, talking, and doing, taking both lecture and workshop courses in literature, fine art, media, and theory. And you’ll ask (and seek answers to) the questions about how culture shapes our lives.

Accelerated Master's Degree:-
Earn your Master's degree in Theory, Culture & Politics (TCP) within one year of graduation from your B.A. in Cultural Studies.

Resume Boosters:-

• Gain work experience before you graduate through our fourth-year Internship in Media and Cultural Studies
• Immerse yourself in workshops led by renowned theatre directors, artists, musicians, writers, and film makers
• Complete hands-on course work that gives you the opportunity to engage with a variety of media, including photography, theatre, music, film, radio and podcasting

Experts estimate that by the year 2030, more than 800 million workers worldwide could be out of work due to technological automation. In the meantime, the world’s 1% continue to get richer at an alarming rate. The emerging field of International Political Economy (IPE) aims to tackle these challenging global issues, by examining the interconnected nature of national politics and economics at the international level. 

Create a unique educational focus based on your passions and interests, with an interdisciplinary knowledge base
Trent’s joint major programs give you full license to create a degree that's uniquely your own, by combining courses in the arts, sciences, or professional programs. Have a passion for social justice? Combine your Politics degree with Gender & Women’s Studies. Interested in all things tech? Join Media Studies and Computing Systems. Mix and match programs that best appeal to your interests, preparing yourself for a future with more possibility.

Combine degrees. Expand your horizons.
At Trent, you have the flexibility to combine nearly any two programs of your choice. To help you narrow it down, here’s a list of some of our most popular combinations:

• Media Studies and Psychology 
• Anthropology and History 
• English and Media Studies 
• Biology and Psychology 
• Anthropology and Psychology 
• Environmental Studies and Biology 
• Anthropology and Sociology 
• Geography and Canadian Studies 
• Computing Systems and Media Studies 
• Economics and Philosophy 
• Economics and Psychology 
• English and Psychology 
• Psychology and Sociology 
• Computing Systems and Economics 
• English and Sociology 

You can also explore the popular joint major combinations within our professional programs like Business Administration and Forensic Science.

Psychology:-
Psychology is the study of human behaviour, the brain, and the mind. This program is perfect for students who wish to develop a better understanding of how and why people act, think, and feel the way they do. You’ll study the principles of psychology and a variety of specialized subjects ranging from personality, child development, and abnormal psychology in your first two years, to advanced subjects such as gender, emotions, and the psychology of evil in the latter half of your degree.

Business:-
You want to become an innovative business leader or entrepreneur. No other program will help you get there better than Trent’s exclusive Bachelor of Business Administration. By examining corporate, self-employment, online, small business, and other business models, you’ll learn the fundamentals of leadership and management, gaining a deep understanding of the organization of business and its role in today’s highly-digital world.

Resume Boosters:-

• Gain the diversity of knowledge today’s employers are looking by studying and specializing in not one, but two academic disciplines
• Hands-on learning experiences abound in all Trent programs – gain the competitive edge on your resume

Cultural Studies is a deep, critical dive into modern culture that will help you to uncover the hidden politics of everyday life. As a student in this program, you will gain the tools to critique and create cultural objects and practices – everything from games to graffiti, print to painting, and music to film. You’ll study culture by reading, talking, and doing, taking lecture and workshop courses in literature, fine art, media, and theory. And you’ll ask (and seek answers to) the questions about how culture shapes our lives, and vice versa.

Integrated Arts
Learn from professors who are actively practicing artists, musicians, actors, and directors through this dynamic specialization for Cultural Studies majors. Explore how culture, history, media, and politics all intersect in modern, contemporary, and experimental visual art, music, theatre and film, while enhancing your understanding of the world and your future career paths.

Have an interest in analytical chemistry and its applications in forensic investigation? This new program is for you. In addition to the hands-on learning received in the fundamental forensic science course options, the Forensic Chemistry program gives you a comprehensive education in forensic chemical analysis, studying everything from biochemical and environmental chemistry to inorganic, organic and physical chemistry.

Resume Boosters:-

• First-hand investigative work with bloodstain pattern analysis, fingerprinting, and evidence recovery in mock crime scenes at Trent’s on-campus Crime Scene House
• Opportunities to research and work directly with scientists in the lab and professionals in the field
• A third-year work placement in a sub-discipline of your choice, including Federal government internships with Border Services, RCMP, Health Canada, Food Inspection Services
• Direct access to leading experts in DNA profiling, forensics and at the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry

Philosophy engages with important and enduring questions about the world and our place in it. Studying Philosophy cultivates good reasoning and effective communication. As a Philosophy student at Trent, you will explore the nature of reality, the limits of knowledge, and systems of value. You will be challenged to think critically and creatively as you develop your own ideas in relation to a wide range of philosophical perspectives.

Resume Boosters:

• Explore your strengths and career interests, and graduate with 12 months of work experience (and income) through the new four-year B.A. co-op option, giving you the competitive edge for future job prospects
• Put your work on display at the Trent Philosophy Society’s annual student symposium
• Learn and conduct research alongside leading faculty, including the Kenneth Mark Drain Chair in Ethics
• Enjoy generous awards and scholarships available exclusively to Philosophy majors
• Share your knowledge, papers and research with the world at conferences and symposiums
• Interact with our strong network of Philosophy alumni that stop in from time to time, including Yann Martel, best-selling author of Life of Pi