Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Political Studies

at Trent University Peterborough Canada

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.

Pursue either a B.A. or B.Sc. degree in Economics with exclusive access to leading Economics professors and experts in small-group classes, seminars and workshops.

At both a national and global level, the most significant social issues involve economics. Through your studies in Economics, you’ll gain a thorough understanding of the methods and tools required to analyze complex economic issues such as unemployment, inflation, economic growth and the regulation of the market structure. Your studies will enable you to use national and international data to explore trends and tendencies, test economic models, and will give you the ability to recommend policies addressing inadequacies with market outcomes.

Resume Boosters:

• Participate in faculty and individual research projects
• Analyze statistical data provided by Statistics Canada, along with other national and international statistical agencies
• Get involved in FastStart, an extracurricular program for business-minded students
• Meet top economic thinkers through guest speaker series and events – in 2018 we welcomed Bank of Canada former governor David Dodge

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.

Criminology and Socio-Legal Studies (Specialization):-

Small classes sizes allow you to make connections with professors and open doors to hands-on, undergraduate research opportunities studying homelessness, the criminalization of women, restorative justice, or the impact on Indigenous peoples.

For students pursuing an Honours Sociology degree, this standout specialization explores the study of crime and punishment, the influence of social inequality as a cause of crime, and how criminals and victims are treated by the criminal justice system. You’ll apply your sociological knowledge and potentially perform independent research on homelessness, the criminalization of women, restorative justice or the impact on Indigenous peoples.

This specialization is available to students pursuing a single or joint-major Honours degree in Sociology.

Resume Boosters:-

• Gain a solid foundation in legal research methodology and theoretical application that will prepare you for success in a variety of workplace settings
• Streamline and personalize your degree with a focus on crime and society
• Familiarize yourself with case law research by learning from and working with practising legal professionals
• Take a prison-based course that explore restorative justice in all contexts

Canadian Studies was born at Trent. Study in the School for the Study of Canada at one of the first universities in the country to establish a Canadian Studies department.

How has Canada become what it is today, and what does it mean to be Canadian? Explore issues of relevance to our expansive country through a critical examination of themes such as the environment, nationalism, indigeneity, multiculturalism, and immigration. Canadian Studies will offer you unparalleled insight into the life and history of Canada, and how this expansive nation and its position in the world today.

Resume Boosters:

• Undertake a community research project with local museums, not-for-profits and arts organizations
• Study alongside leading Canadian Studies scholars, many of whom are national and international experts in their field
• Participate in and learn from public lectures, seminars and themed symposiums held on-campus throughout the year

Not only will you graduate with two degrees in just six years, but you’ll also have the chance to take your education global while you learn, travel, explore, and live abroad.

If a career in law is what you want, this is the program for you. In this one-of-a-kind program, you will undertake either a Bachelor of Arts Honours or a Bachelor of Business Administration degree at Trent – Ontario’s #1 undergrad university, while also obtaining a law degree from Swansea University’s renowned Hillary Rodham Clinton School of Law in the UK – no need to write the LSATs.

How the Program Works:-
The first two years of your degree take place at Trent, where you’ll pursue your choice of 14 degree options. In third year, you’ll transfer to the coastal city of Swansea in Wales to complete three years of law studies, earning your Bachelor of Laws degree. Once your LL.B. is complete, you’ll return to Trent to complete your Honours degree credentials. By simultaneously taking several Canadian Law courses in your final year at Trent, you’ll be well-prepared for the National Committee on Accreditation (NCA) exams, enabling you to take the required steps to practice law in Canada.

Degree Program Options:-
Business Administration*; Canadian Studies; Cultural Studies; Economics; English Literature*; Environmental & Resource Studies; Gender & Women’s Studies; History*; Indigenous Studies; International Development Studies; Media Studies*; Philosophy*; Political Studies; Sociology*

Resume Boosters:-

• Combining your law degree with your choice of B.A. or B.B.A. degree means that you will graduate with a unique set of skills and perspectives
• Meet and learn from top law professionals through our Visiting Lawyers in Residence program
• Join the Trent Law Society and benefit from field trips, workshops, and events, all with a focus on law and the legal system

Information Systems
Virtually every organization and field of study rely on computers in order to succeed in today’s hyper-digital age. As an Information Systems student, you’ll look for better ways to accomplish tasks using computing technologies, exploring how the world processes, manages, and communicates information. Over the course of your degree, you’ll develop a unique understanding of technical subjects such as databases, networks, data visualization and telecommunications, as well as non-technical matters such as ethics, law, and digital culture.

Science
With so many fascinating science programs offered at Trent, it can be difficult to know which degree to choose. If you’re interested in general sciences but haven’t yet decided on a specific program, this flexible first-year pathway is for you. Honours Science allows you to explore courses across various science programs before declaring a major or joint-major in your second year. You can even choose to combine different disciplines, taking courses from programs across both the sciences and arts.

Through our unique Medical Professional Stream, you’ll get the direction and assistance you need to achieve your medical, dentistry, veterinary, or pharmacy school dreams starting day one of your undergraduate degree.

Medical schools and professional programs are looking for more than just good grades; they want well-rounded applicants who stand out from the crowd. The exclusive Medical Professional Stream (MPS) program at Trent ensures you meet these non-academic requirements by providing you with invaluable guidance when choosing courses, volunteer activities and other skills development opportunities.

Program Highlights

• Select your major (or joint major) in a B.A. or B.Sc. program of your choice 
• Individual course map tailored to your chosen degree 
• CPR training and certification and resume writing workshops
• Interview preparation workshops and MCAT preparation course
• Small class sizes give you better access to professors, improving your chances of getting those much-needed reference letters
• Student-led DAT and MCAT study groups
• Mock DAT and MCAT exams

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.

Mathematical Physics makes the world go round, or at the very least, helps us comprehend the natural phenomenon of the Earth’s rotation. When combining math and physics in study, you’ll gain a unique understanding of a variety of the world’s most fascinating challenges — from celestial mechanics to the issue of global climate change. Trent’s Mathematical Physics program will help you develop experience with a wide variety of focuses that include everything from astrophysics, condensed matter physics, relativity, differential geometry and more.

Resume Boosters:-

• Independent and group research project allow you to put your skills to the test in real-world applications and settings
• Take your education globe through the Trent Physics Study Abroad program
• Move beyond just theory and put your skills and knowledge to work through practical and hands-on courses

As a graduate of this advanced program, you’ll apply your skills to uncover evidence recovered at crime scenes, draw impartial conclusions based on physical evidence, and present and defend these findings using your foundational knowledge in science.

Beyond TV shows like NCIS or CSI, this highly-rewarding discipline integrates the study of science and law with investigative practice and theory. By studying Forensic Science at Trent, you’ll learn the foundational science of forensics through the study of anthropology, biology, and chemistry, along with uniquely specialized forensics courses. The B.Sc.F.S. degree emphasizes emerging developments in DNA forensic applications and crime scene investigation through courses in laboratory techniques and related case work.

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
• Hands-on internships with federal organizations including Border Services, RCMP, Communication Security, Health Canada, Food Inspection Services
• Direct access to leading experts in DNA profiling, forensics and at the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry