Bachelor of Arts and Science

at University of Guelph Canada

In Psychology, human behaviour and cognition are studied to explore the ways people act as individuals and in groups. You will participate in core areas of research methodology, development, social psychology, learning, perception, cognition, neuropsychology, physiological psychology, personality, psychopathology and organizational behaviour. Throughout your degree, you will gain strong analytical, statistical and research skills. Many undergraduates combine Psychology with studies in another academic area such as Child, Youth & Family, Business, Economics, Consumer Studies, English or Computer Science to gain additional practical and theoretical skills throughout their degree. Guelph’s Psychology major will allow you to gain insights and skills that will serve you well in any career or prepare you for graduate studies. 

WHY CO-OP?
As a co-op student, you will gain relevant work experience, build professional networks and develop essential interpersonal skills needed to succeed in the workplace; all while getting paid and earning your university degree. Guelph’s co-op program is unique due to the exceptional level of support provided, including an inclass preparatory course, a personal connection with a Co-op Coordinator to assist you during the employment process, and access to senior student mentors.

Political Science at the University of Guelph offers a wide-range of undergraduate courses in five major areas: Political Thought; Canadian Politics; Public Policy; Governance and Law; Comparative Politics; and International Relations and Global Studies. Courses provide students with an understanding of important concepts and processes in political science including the role of institutions in parliamentary and presidential systems of government, the role of law and courts in relation to politics and governance, comparative electoral systems, and the role of the political parties, interest groups and social movements. Students are introduced to many debates and issues offering relevant and engaging course content from how governments balance individual and group rights while protecting society, to the use of social networking by political parties and the best ways to promote democracy.

Course offerings help students develop skills in researching and writing that enhances their ability to study and communicate about politics and prepare them for careers in areas such as: political staffers, policy analysts, business-government relations, law, journalism, foreign affairs, regulatory affairs, advocacy and planning for nongovernmental organizations and other careers where analytical and communication skills are required.

WHY CO-OP?
As a co-op student, you will gain relevant work experience, build professional networks and develop essential interpersonal skills needed to succeed in the workplace, all while getting paid and earning your university degree. University of Guelph’s co-op program is unique due to the exceptional level of support provided, including an inclass preparatory course, a personal connection with a Co-op Coordinator to assist you during the employment process, and access to senior student mentors.

Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental academic discipline that allows students to Pursue questions that have stimulated thinkers across eras and cultures. How should we live? What is it to be a person? Explore these and other questions through modern issues in artificial intelligence, politics, sexuality, and the environment in small seminars and field courses. You will acquire skills in reasoning, communication, critical thinking, intellectual independence, and the ability to understand others’ viewpoints and assumptions. 

In the Bachelor of Arts - Sociology program, students will Examine society’s vast influence on the lives of groups and individuals. Discover patterns and relationships in human culture and behaviour. Gain insight into the cause of inequalities and learn the skills needed to tackle societal problems and improve life.

The BA Music at the University of Guelph is geared to students who have a significant interest in music and music studies within a wider liberal arts education. It is a comprehensive and flexible program that offers instruction in music history, theory and criticism and and examines the significance of classical, world, and popular musics. Students develop a high degree of musicianship through skills training, music lessons (for those interested in advanced instrumental and vocal training), and participation in a variety of ensembles. With new facilities in digital technology, we support the increasing importance of technology in musical production, distribution, and listening. Our students go on to further studies and careers in music education (institutional and private), graduate music research, arts administration, performance, and production.

Our Honours and BA programs are specifically designed so students can explore English literature in greater depth and detail as they progress throughout the course of their degree. As a department we have diverse strengths in the following areas:

• Colonial, Postcolonial, and Diasporic Studies 
• Canadian Literature 
• Early Modern Studies 
• Media, Technology, and Literacy in the Humanities 
• Studies in Performance and Politics 
• Sexuality and Gender Studies 
• Transnational Nineteenth-Century Studies'
• Critical and Cultural Theory 
• Environmental Writing and Topics in Social Justice 

The areas above are taught in a variety of lecture and seminar based courses. In order to familiarize students with both modes of learning, The School of English and Theatre Studies offers a first-year core course that provides students with the opportunity to attend weekly seminars in order to discuss material covered in the week's preceding lectures. As students proceed in their respective programs they can expect to take classes that incorporate and build on both models of delivery. 

Want a commerce degree, but not ready to commit to a specialized major? Begin with courses that foster a smooth transition to a specialization in second year. Choose your major in the winter semester of your first year. To pursue co-op, we recommend that you apply to the co-op stream of the program that most interests you directly from high school; space in co-op can be limited. Entrance into co-op for in-course students is subject to availability and your University of Guelph average.

The objective of the Sport and Event Management major is to provide students with advanced knowledge of the field, from the business value of sport and events to their contribution to community and society, and to inspire and engage students to become innovative leaders in this dynamic sector of our economy. Building on a strong foundation of commerce courses in marketing, accounting, economics, human resource management and strategy, students in Sport and Event Management will develop depth of knowledge in key aspects of sport, including sponsorship, media, event hosting, stakeholder engagement and organizational leadership.

Courses extend beyond the traditional lecture-based format to include community based group projects, guest lecturers, in-class simulations and case-based learning to help link academic expertise and theory with industry practice. An integral part of the program is experiential learning to balance theory with practice. Experiential courses are embedded in the curriculum, and students are also encouraged to participate in guided learning opportunities outside the conventional classroom through independent study courses, study abroad, and industry networking events. On completion of the program, students have the analytical and communication skills and experience required for a career with government organizations, commercial clubs, professional teams or sport businesses, in Canada and internationally. Graduates are prepared for positions in sport promotion and marketing, facility and event management, sport media and communication, and sport policy development.

The Theatre Studies program at Guelph is a degree option within the B.A. Program and is dedicated to the integrated study of both academic and practical applications of performance and theatre. 

Our curriculum is based on the philosophy that the study of performance at the university level engages various disciplinary practices, both practical and academic, and therefore we attempt to provide both practical theatre experience and classroom study.  We offer a wide range of courses in dramatic literature, theatre history, performance research, theory and criticism, together with directing, acting, dramaturgy, performance creation, scenography, production and technical theatre, playwriting and screenwriting, as well as media studies.  The program has a special interest in the drama and theatre of Canada, and course offerings reflect this concentration where appropriate.

The Theatre Studies Bachelor of Arts program will provide student who graduate with the following program learning outcomes:

• To develop artists who thrive on intellectual curiosity, openness to ideas and take measured risk through creative experiences.
• To develop informed and creative citizens, empowered to contribute to the world through writing and performance.
• To apply critical sensibilities through a familiarity and understanding of a range of significant performance and media work past and present.
• To develop well-rounded performance artists, who possess the research tools and disciplinary skills to model their own productive performance practices.
• To develop meaningful ways to integrate theory, technology and practice where critical thinking and creativity are equally embraced.
• To learn techniques for communication and collaboration, build relationships and to listen and respect different thought processes. 

The Department of Political Science is a dynamic, research-intensive and teaching-oriented department, offering students an effective and engaging learning environment. Faculty are leading experts who engage with students to develop their ability to understand and analyze the complex relationships between power, authority and governance, and how these shape the lives of individuals and groups around the world.

As a Political Science student, you’ll explore the forces of power, authority and governance that shape the world. Analyze governmental actions and their effect on a local and global scale. Understand the power of politics and its ability to influence the lives of individuals, families and communities.