Bachelor of Arts and Science in Women and Gender Studies

at University of Lethbridge - Lethbridge Campus Canada

Political Science is the systematic study of government, politics and political behaviour. It studies how a society governs itself at all levels and various ideas about how it should be governed in the future.

As a political science student you will study how political conflict is organized and resolved in the “real world.” You will look at how rulers are chosen, governmental decisions are taken and how decision-making processes are organized. You’ll learn how governments design and implement their laws and policies in Canada and abroad.

You will also consider how political leaders understand their obligations towards one another and how decisions are shaped by different views of “what’s right,” “what works” and “what’s possible” in different circumstances.

The Department of Political Science offers four sub-fields of study and encourages you to choose a variety of courses from each area to ensure you gain a broad view of the discipline. These are: Canadian Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, and Political Theory.

The environmental sciences focus on understanding the Earth’s natural systems and how we, as humans, interact with them.

Environmental scientists study the impact of these interactions on the biosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and atmosphere using an interdisciplinary and integrative approach. They provide us with the information we need to address some of the most pressing issues facing humanity today - such as climate change and the loss of biodiversity.

The major in environmental science will provide you with an appropriate background in the natural and physical sciences that is needed to understand how natural and man-made systems function. It will provide you with a broad perspective that is required to appreciate the role of humanity in global environmental change.

As an environmental science major, you will have access to state-of-the-art research facilities, including those present in the Alberta Water and Environmental Sciences Building. These facilities house the infrastructure used in the groundbreaking research by our award-winning faculty - ensuring that you are exposed to cutting-edge, multidisciplinary environmental research throughout your degree.

You will also be provided the flexibility and versatility to obtain the key skills that are required to answer pressing research questions in sub-disciplines such as ecology (aquatic, riparian, and grassland), remote sensing, and geographical information science (GIS), biodiversity assessments, conservation, ecophysiology, and environmental toxicology.

Be inspired by art and visual culture, and make your mark on the world.  Work with internationally active artists and scholars as you pursue your professional and creative goals in a collaborative environment.  

The Indigenous Art program provides an in-depth exploration of indigeneity, land use, and post-colonial theory in contemporary art. Develop your voice as an independent artist or arts professional through an intensive studio experience exploring technical, aesthetic and theoretical studies necessary to pursue contemporary art.

Receive instruction on a range of methods and materials in drawing, painting, sculpture, installation, performance art, photography, printmaking, media and electronic art. Senior students pursue self-directed studio work in a capstone course supported by faculty members of their choice.

You have full access to co-operative education, international exchanges, independent and applied studies as well as volunteer opportunities. uLethbridge is the only university in Alberta to offer co-operative education to all majors in the university, at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Internship Opportunities
Expand your experiences and gain new perspectives beyond the art gallery and classroom.  Focus on areas such as exhibition organization and installation, collections management, and public programming.

Political science is the systematic study of government, politics, and political behaviour, both empirically and normatively. Empirically, it looks at how political conflict is organized and resolved, how rulers are chosen, how governmental decisions are taken, and what policies and laws are determined and implemented, in settings ranging from Canada as a whole to our provincial and local governments to other countries to the relations amongst countries. Normatively, it considers how political actors understand their obligations towards one another, and the degree to which decisions are made out of a sense of right or out of expediency.

As a political science major, you will study the principles, organizations, and administration of government. The major includes both management and political science courses. The political science major offers flexibility to choose courses that fit your personal and career interests. In addition to the required courses, political science majors can choose six political science and three management electives.

Additional Management Opportunities
Once you have chosen your major, consider the option of working toward a secondary area of focus. A four-course minor will enhance your resume and complement your major. A minor may be required or optional depending on your major and will be recognized on your transcript. Some minors are not available in all programs.

• First Nations' Governance
• Information Systems (suspended until further notice)
• International Management
• Language (available to International Management majors only)
• New Media
• Population Health
• Social Responsibility
• Supply Chain Management

Indigenous Governance and Business Management (IGBM) offers an interdisciplinary education in a stimulating, respectful and academic environment. The program presents a unique blend of studies in Indigenous governance and core business concepts, providing graduates with skills to take leadership roles in their communities and in management, entrepreneurial enterprises, band administration, Indigenous liaison work, and self-government. About the Indigenous Governance and Business Management Major

Students majoring in Indigenous Governance and Business Management study Indigenous Peoples & Law, Historical & Legal Aspects of Indigenous Governments, Indigenous Peoples & Natural Resources, Administrative Aspects in Canadian Indigenous Governments, Financial Management in Canadian Indigenous Communities, Indigenous Business & Entrepreneurship in Canada, Canadian Indigenous Negotiations, and Canadian Indigenous Project Management. Students draw from fields such as history, English, political science, economics and sociology.

Students have access to support services including Elders, award-winning faculty members, mentoring, small class sizes, interactive learning and the opportunity to participate in an active and supportive Indigenous Students’ Union.

Students gain significant insight into Indigenous historical, political, legal and economic issues while acquiring strong business skills and managerial competency. For the degree, students choose one of two streams:

• Indigenous Governance
• Indigenous Business Management
• We also offer the flexibility of dual campuses on which to study: Lethbridge and Calgary. Our Calgary Campus will meet the needs of working professionals with evening and weekend classes, while the Lethbridge campus is more traditional with an emphasis on daytime classes and a wide range of extra-curricular opportunities to explore. Both locations welcome international and mature students.

Agricultural biotechnology examines agriculture and the natural world, emphasizing the relationships between food production, the environment, science and society.

The program focuses on the life sciences, with prominence given to the application of biotechnology in agriculture. It also delves into agriculture’s associated sectors including: government, policy development, farm production, environmental implications and agricultural sciences.

Studying agricultural biotechnology will give you a strong science and economics background rooted in both theoretical knowledge and practical experience, and focusing on the issues, research and course materials relevant to agriculture.

In this lab-extensive, hands-on learning environment, you will concentrate on the physiology of microbes, plants and animals, as well as the systems they thrive in — helping you build technical skills in areas such as biochemistry and molecular biology.

As a multidisciplinary major, agricultural biotechnology takes full advantage of resources and course offerings in the Departments of Biological Sciences, Chemistry & Biochemistry and Economics. This multi-faceted approach allows you to explore new applications in science and develop fresh perspectives about how to address challenges in food production through changes in economics, production or diversification. 

Student clubs | The Agricultural Students’ Society has an active presence on campus, organizing a number of events including tours of local agriculturally based businesses and research facilities.

Alberta Institute of Agrologists (AIA). Once you have completed your degree, you may apply to the Alberta Institute of Agrologists (AIA) to be registered as a Professional Agrologist within Alberta. Contact us early in your degree for further information.

Computer science is the study of algorithms and data structures and their applications in designing new and efficient solutions to industrial, technological, environmental or social problems.

Learn to tackle difficult problems using a variety of high-tech tools and approaches, and effectively communicate your expertise to others by coupling your technical learning with a solid grounding in liberal education.

The program is designed to enable you gain both theoretical knowledge and practical experience, including access to state-of-the-art hardware and software in our three computer labs whenever you need to use them.

English is not just about the rhetorical and creative aspects of literature. It’s about examining history, culture, psychology, sociology, philosophy, and the human condition to determine what a text means in the context of when and where it was written, and how it relates to us today.

Language is the primary means by which we communicate our values, our ideals and our vision. The study of English asks fundamental questions about literature and how we, as humans, express ourselves and interact with others. It is the science of communication and critical inquiry.

Learn how we use language in the world at large, and consider the functions, structures and significance of literature over time. Develop an excellent foundation for a career in virtually any professional capacity due to the cross-disciplinary nature of this program.

We encounter religion in many manifestations frequently on TV and the Internet: breathtaking mosques, colossal Buddhas, the Pope addressing huge crowds, brutal religious wars or unusual rituals.

Studying religion enhances our understanding of what it is to be human. It enables us to learn more about the diverse cultures of the world, their ancient histories and their highest values. While you may not discover the meaning of life by studying religion, you will learn how others have answered that perennial human question, and how those answers have shaped people’s lives and the lives of those around them.

The University of Lethbridge is a secular (non-religious) institution of learning; we do not try to promote belief in any of the religions that we study. Rather, we attempt to study religion in as objective a manner as possible. Of course, each person faces challenges when trying to do so with neutrality, because we may have predispositions for or against particular religions, or toward religion in general.

In religious studies, our explorations are wide-ranging, embracing the human religious response, from the great world religions to marginal and quasi-religious phenomena, such as shamanism and magic. We examine history, social and cultural configurations, symbolism, and literature, as well as theologies and metaphysical philosophies within belief systems. You will study shared themes and marked differences in myths and rituals, and how religion permeates even our secular lives.

Whether as activists, scholars or labourers, women have generated significant changes in society. Women & Gender Studies offer you the opportunity to learn how these changes were initiated and gives you the tools to actively participate in the creation of an inclusive society.

Using feminist theory and research methodologies, Women & Gender Studies examine the historical and contemporary conditions of women and men in society. Our department draws on a vibrant community of scholars and activists both inside and outside the university to explore a wide range of issues.

As a student in this program, you will increase your knowledge of women’s lives, bodies, experiences, labour and scholarship. You’ll also explore feminism as an influential political and social global movement that has generated significant change in all aspects of daily life for men and women.

The department encourages all students to enroll in women and gender studies classes to discover enlightening perspectives applicable to your chosen field of study. By participating in these classes, you will develop an in-depth understanding of how current and historical events, ideas and institutions have been structured by gender, ethnicity, race, age, ability, class and sexuality.