Humanities Majors
The Humanities are a group of subjects that are concerned with human culture. They include language, literature, history, art, music, philosophy and religion. Students can complete the Bachelor of Arts Three-year, Four-year, or Honours programs in the majors listed below (unless otherwise noted).
Following is general information about our majors and programs. For specific Degree Requirements, please see academic requirements information handouts.
English
The English Department is the largest department on campus, with strong emphasis on teaching and creative writing in addition to research. Undergraduate classes have three main aims: to improve a student's ability to read critically and with appreciation of the extent, craft, and worth of literature written in English; to improve the student's ability to write clearly, concisely, and thoughtfully; and to develop analytic and evaluative skills. More...
History
History is the study of the past. By analyzing both written and oral sources and researching artifacts, students in History seek a broader, more informed understanding of the world around them-an appreciation for not only what has happened in the past, but more importantly, why. From the ancient world to the Cold War, while exploring themes such as cultural, women's and military history, courses offered by the Department of History appeal to a variety of interests. More...
French
The program in French teaches the language, literature, and culture of French Canada and France to both anglophone and francophone students. It also helps students majoring in other subjects to maintain and raise their level of competence in French.
Linguistics
See Interdisciplinary Programs on Linguistics.
Languages (German, Russian, Spanish, Ukrainian)
Minors or recognition in a language are available for some of these languages. Students have the opportunity to participate in exchange programs with countries in Western Europe, Eastern Europe, South America, and with Mexico.
Modern Languages
Students choosing the Modern Languages Degree will be combining two (or more) languages in conjunction with courses in linguistics and comparative literature. This allows students to gain a broader understanding of different cultures, the literature of their chosen area and the historical evolution of languages through linguistics. The focus primarily revolves around language learning, however some students also discover an entirely new interest in literature or linguistics. Taking modern languages at the University of Saskatchewan will enable you to become acquainted with other cultures and provide you with new perspectives. Most importantly, it will prepare you for a professional life in an international setting, where an intercultural competence is becoming increasingly important and sought-after by employers.
Philosophy
The word philosophy comes from two ancient Greek words, philos and sophia — "the love of wisdom." Traditional philosophical questions involve the ultimate nature of reality, the limits and nature of human knowledge, and the foundations of religious and moral beliefs and values. Philosophy is an essentially critical subject, and requires a readiness to consider both sides of a question, and to test statements by raising possible objections from many points of view. A student in philosophy learns to make careful distinctions, to see logical relationships, and to argue rationally. More...
Religion & Culture
Throughout the ages, religious beliefs and practices have shaped the lives of individuals and of entire civilizations. Religion expresses our deepest hopes and provides a way of coping with the trouble and fears of existence. The Religious Studies department is comprised of scholars from different backgrounds whose common concern is the study of religion. The program is non-sectarian and offers the opportunity to study major world religions, and the societies from which they spring and which they help to shape. More...
Women's and Gender Studies
Explore the portrayal of femininity and masculinity in advertising, documentaries, pornography, new media, and feature-length films. See how the 19th and 20th centuries were envisioned by Hollywood and science-fiction writers. Examine the impact of the Indian Act and colonialism on aboriginal women. Analyze the intersections of race, class, age, disability, and sexual orientation and its impact on women’s and men’s health. These are just a few of the opportunities available to you when you choose to major in Women’s and Gender Studies. Women's and Gender Studies (WGST) is a program designed for both women and men. More...
Other Humanities Programs
Other Humanities programs in Arts and Science are Classical and Near Eastern Archaeology; Classical, Mediaeval, and Renaissance Studies; and Linguistics (see Interdisciplinary Majors), and the Women's and Gender Studies major with an English or Philosophy specialization (see Social Science Majors).
Fine Arts Majors
The College of Arts and Science offers several types of degree programs in the Fine Arts. Students pursuing an academic fine arts program follow Program Type D to receive the Bachelor of Arts Three-year, Four-year or Honours degree. Students pursuing a degree with an emphasis in performance would follow the program requirements for the Bachelor of Fine Arts (in Studio Art or in Drama) or the Bachelor of Music. These are both four-year programs.
Following is general information about our majors and programs. For specific Degree Requirements, please see academic requirements information handouts.
Art & Art History
The Department of Art and Art History offers studies in Studio Art and Art History.The Studio Art program offers a range of courses in the study and practice of the visual arts. Students explore technical, aesthetic, and theoretical concerns in such media as painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, photography, video, installation, and performance. For the B.F.A., students mount a solo exhibition in the University's Gordon Snelgrove Gallery. The Art History program offers a range of classes in the history and theory of western art. More...
Drama
Drama students have a choice of several degree options: a Three- or Four-year Theatre B.A. balanced between academic and studio courses; an academically strong Four-year Honours B.A. leading to graduate work in theatre history, theory, and criticism; or a B.F.A. degree leading to graduate or conservatory studies in either acting or design. All Drama students have the option of studying theatre or the practice of theatre (acting, directing, technical theatre, and design). The Department of Drama boasts some of the best educational drama facilities in the country, including two well equipped studio theatres. It produces many productions and short works, almost all of which are conceived and executed by the students. More...
Music
The Department of Music offers programs for students interested in pursuing careers in music performance or in music teaching at the elementary, secondary and post-secondary levels. Programs are also available for students who want to specialize in theory and composition or music history and literature. Students from all colleges are eligible to participate in one or more of the Department of Music's instrumental and choral ensembles. Performance groups include Wind Orchestra, Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, Greystone Singers, Music Theatre Ensemble, and University Chorus. More...
