Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in English Literature with Specialization (Literary History)

at Trent University Peterborough Canada

An important field of study particularly in today’s social media-focused world, Sociology helps us achieve a greater understanding of the complex yet simplistic nature of humankind, and the societies in which we choose to organize ourselves. Rooted in the social sciences and inspired by a passion for social justice, Trent’s Sociology program engages students in understanding and acting on the consequences of social change. Through this degree, you’ll explore and question a diverse range of social topics, completing your studies with a heightened understanding of human relationships and society. A sociology degree is an excellent foundation for law school, teachers college, social work or similar programs.

Social Justice & Equity Studies (Specialization)
Be a driving force behind the creation of a more inclusive world and broaden your understanding of the dimensions and intersections of social equality.
Would you describe yourself as a passionate advocate? Interested in being a change maker? Find your future career path with the new Social Justice & Equity Studies specialization. Gain insight into issues affecting equality in communities and workplaces in Canada and around the world. Broaden your perspective on gender, race, class and sexuality, as well as the systems and power structures that shape our society. This specialization turns Sociology majors into sought-after talent for diverse career paths in advocacy, social work, policing and human resources.

The Specialization in Small-scale Farming provides students in Trent’s one-of-a-kind Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems (B.A. or B.Sc.) program with a comprehensive background and hands-on experience in growing food and contributing to resilient regional food systems.

Through a new, intensive hands-on field course, that covers the principles of vegetable and field crops in terms of sustainable management on the Trent Model Farm, students study the principles to cultivate crops including field preparing, soil and nutrient management, seeding, pest management, irrigation techniques, harvest and post-harvest.

Resume Boosters:

• Get your hands dirty as you gain firsthand insight into the principles of vegetable and field crops including field preparation, soil and nutrient management, seeding, pest management, irrigation techniques, harvest and post-harvest by working on the Trent Farm.
• Put theory into practice at one of Trent’s on-campus food and farming assets, the most extensive in the area, including the Trent Farm, Market Garden, Vegetable Garden, Apiary, First Peoples House of Learning Medicine Garden, and the Seasoned Spoon.
• Work alongside leading experts and thought leaders in agriculture businesses and community organizations and gain diverse experiences in the practice of small-scale farming.
• Make your mark in our engaged student community by joining the Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Society, Trent Apiary, or Food Services Sustainability Committee.

Geography at Trent is more than learning in a classroom. It’s an expedition. You will learn about real-world issues and critical perspectives related to both human and physical geography. You will explore complex issues such as the causes and impacts of climate change, health geography, water resources, and the historical roots of geopolitical conflicts. At Trent, we believe the best way to learn geography is through an interactive environment. Small group learning and experiences outside of the classroom are pillars of the program.

Resume Boosters:-

• Participate in a capstone or community-based research project
• Work alongside leading faculty as a research assistant, even in your undergrad
• Write and defend an undergraduate Honours thesis

Chemistry can help you make informed decisions not just about science, but about all of life. An intellectually challenging and rewarding subject, Chemistry explores the diverse makeup of our world and contributes to most other areas of physical and life sciences. You’ll learn about fundamental discoveries in chemistry and work towards contributing to them while gaining experience in modern chemical research, experimental design and technical laboratory skills.

Resume Boosters:-

• Assist in research project with leading experts in the field
• Gain experience working with special equipment for modern experimental and theoretical chemistry
• Get involved as a member of the popular Trent Chemistry Undergraduate Society

Have a passion for dismantling patriarchal systems and structures, and a desire to lead the creation of a more equitable future? This Gender & Social Justice specialization supports students to gain a deeper understanding of intersectional feminism exploring theory, principles, ethics and activism, and decolonization, and courses that cross disciplinary boundaries. Students gain the skills and expertise needed to lead the way forward and succeed in careers in a diverse range of fields – everything from policy and psychology to advocacy and academia.

Resume Boosters:

• Gain a foundational understanding of feminist theory and principles and learn how to apply in real-world scenarios
• Develop expertise to become a leader in advocacy, activism and decolonization.
• Sharpen an analytical skillset and learn to articulate ideas and concepts in the workplace

Trent is the only university in Canada to offer students the chance to combine your study of forensics with one of several different academic disciplines. Choose a joint major in forensics in combination with a vast array of complementary areas of study in either the arts or the sciences. Interested in a career in forensics specializing in ballistics? A joint degree with Physics could come in handy. Want to analyze the mental state of criminals, or become a criminal profiler? Combine your Forensics degree with a B.A. in Psychology. The emerging field of computer forensics means a joint major with Computing Systems can help you stand out from the crowd. No matter what your forensic career ambitions are, you have plenty of options at Trent.

Law & Policing Specialization
A specialization in Law & Policing provides you with a greater focus on the application of forensic scientific principles and techniques within the Canadian legal system, crime scenes, and policing. As a Forensics major with this one-of-a-kind specialization, you’ll be ideally suited to meet the changing demands of forensic investigation in the law enforcement community.

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.

Political Studies:-
Politics shape everything society touches, influencing what we believe, how we live and what we do to create order in a chaotic world. In this program, you’ll learn to make a positive impact through shaping and influencing social policy, focusing on Canadian politics, world politics and political theory. You’ll find yourself debating and exploring ideas surrounding democracy and global politics, closely examining power relations and relationships between state, business, and citizens.

Legal Studies (Option):-
Understanding the legal system in Canada is valuable for everyone, not just lawyers and policy makers. A complement to virtually any B.A. or B.Sc. degree, this option provides students with fundamental knowledge about Canadian law. You'll learn about rights and freedoms, what it takes to draft and pass new laws, and how the law influences and is influenced by society and culture.   

An option is a “mini-minor” – a set of courses in one discipline that can be completed in conjunction with any undergraduate degree program, allowing you to focus on an additional subject of interest.

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

You want to become an innovative leader or entrepreneur. No other program will help you reach your career goals better than Trent’s exemplary Bachelor of Business Administration, and its leading co-op stream which has students putting their in-demand skills into practice across three work terms. By examining a range of contemporary business models—in class and in action in the workplace, if you choose--from corporate and online to small business and self-employment, you’ll learn the fundamentals of leadership and management, gaining a deep understanding of the organization of business and its role in today’s ever-evolving and highly-digital world.

Resume Boosters:

• Explore your strengths and career interests, and graduate with 12 months of work experience (and income) through the new four-year B.B.A. co-op option, giving you the competitive edge for future job prospects.
• In fourth year, gain valuable hands-on professional experience by completing 100 hours of placement in an academic term or a 6, 8, or 12 month internship, with diverse companies and organizations.
• Gain leadership experience as part of the Trent Business Student Association – a student-run organization that creates engaging and career-ready experiences for Business students.
• Sharpen your entrepreneurial skillset as you take part in a hands-on exercise on new venture planning and design or compete in local and national business competitions, including Jeux du Commerce, Pitch It, and Durham Ideas
• Network with industry experts and organizations by tapping into the local business community through Chambers of Commerce in Peterborough and Durham, entrepreneurship communities, and the recently announced Trent Enterprise Centre at Cleantech Commons
• Through Trent’s CEO-in-Residence program, build a connection with a globally-recognized business executive (like our inaugural CEO-in-Residence, Dr. Katie Taylor – the first woman to chair a Canadian financial institution) through mentorship meet-ups and events

Build your future career by uncovering the ancient past, studying in one of the most robust archaeology programs in Canada. Your studies will focus on the history of human beings, examining artifacts, human and animal bones, architecture, and plants. You’ll learn the field methods and lab techniques used to study these materials, as well as theories archaeologists use to understand the ancient cultures and past civilizations of the Americas, Europe and the pre-Classical and Classical Mediterranean world.

Mediterranean Archaeology (Specializations):-
What does Archaeology look like in the contemporary world? Go beyond the traditional study of Greece and Rome to look at how modern Mediterranean infrastructure is influenced by ancient remains, challenging you to explore and respond to elements threatening cultural heritage.

Gender and Women's Studies explores gender relations across cultures, throughout history, and in contemporary societies. In this program, you will explore a broad range of feminist perspectives on labour, health, history, popular culture, law, the environment, social policy, literature, and globalization. You will develop an interdisciplinary understanding of feminist thought and practice, including dynamic intersections with critical race, disability, decolonial and critical sexuality studies.

Resume Boosters:-

• Put your knowledge to the test outside the university through a community-based gender research project
• Enjoy awards and bursaries exclusive to Gender and Women's Studies students
• Engage with guest lecturers, authors, and leaders in the field