Faculty of Arts and Humanities
http://www.uwo.ca/arts
Studying the Arts and Humanities offers you an intellectually, culturally and personally enriching education that will also prepare you for a rewarding career.
An Arts and Humanities degree allows you to investigate the core elements of our humanity, through the study of great literature, ancient and modern languages, visual arts, linguistics and philosophy. Explore the world of ideas (your own included), learn from the great thinkers and creators of the past and present, and expand your horizons.
You may also wish to view information on Arts and Humanities careers.
Program Information
Classical Studies
Classical Studies is the study of civilization through an exploration of ancient Greece and Rome. Since the Greek and Roman worlds are the foundation of modern society, Classical Studies is not simply the study of the past. Contemporary debates about justice, freedom, human rights and the position of women in society are all rooted in antiquity. By looking at the ancient world, we can address the question of who we are today.
We take an interdisciplinary approach, embracing ancient language, history, literature, philosophy, classical art, and archaeology. Our program comprises two kinds of courses. Some courses consider the major aspects of the ancient world (literature, history, archaeology) using English translations of the original sources. For those interested in reading classical literature in the original languages, courses in Ancient Greek and Latin are offered at all levels. The interdisciplinary nature of classical studies makes it an ideal combination for a double area of concentration with other fields in the Faculties of Arts & Humanities and Social Science.
English
Read Pop Culture or Renaissance love sonnets, Anglo-Saxon language or contemporary literary theory. Choose science fiction, African-American narratives, or children's literature. Take courses on women and literature, Romantic poetry, great novels, or Shakespearean drama. Learn about hypertext and hypermedia and their relevance to literary studies. We have a wide range of exciting courses, from our foundational first-year classes to our advanced fourth year seminars.
The study of English is valuable for giving students a knowledge of language, literature, and culture; highly developed communication skills, both oral and written; and training in close reading, critical thinking, and persuasive argumentation.
Film
Critically engage in the art of cinema and explore the global and historical conditions that have made cinema one of the most influential forms of visual culture. Develop strong skills in critical thinking shaped by contemporary, interdisciplinary scholarship. All of our film programs offer the opportunity to study a wide range of contemporary and classic films. Narrative, documentary, experimental film and video are examined within historical, theoretical and critical streams, with specific emphasis on the study of national cinemas. Attention to modes of film production, distribution, exhibition, and reception, places the study of cinema in larger social and political contexts.
Western's Film Studies Department does not focus on film production, although courses in film aesthetics include a video production component. The Western Undergraduate Film Society hosts a popular annual video festival and competition to screen student productions.
French
Mastery of French is an undeniable asset for any career in Canada. In the Department of French, not only can you work toward an advanced level of spoken and written proficiency in the language, but you can also study literature (from all regions of the Frenchspeaking world), literary theory, culture and civilization, linguistics, and translation.
Language courses include work in the Language Learning Centre, which is a state-of-the-art multimedia facility. Our new Certificate in Business French can be combined with a degree in French or any other subject area. The Department of French offers more than 50 different courses in a wide range of areas in French Studies. Western's five-week French immersion program in Trois-Pistoles, Quebec, was the first, and is now the most recognized program of its kind in Canada. You can also spend your third year in Quebec City at the Université Laval, or in France at the Université de Nice or the Université de Tours.
Linguistics
Linguistics is the scientific and humanistic study of language. This inter-disciplinary program will familiarize you with the analytical tools needed to understand the internal functioning of language, as well as the historical and social variations in language. Through Linguistics you will become acquainted with applications of linguistic theory in areas such as child language acquisition, second language acquisition, and language change and variation. In addition, studying Linguistics will let you explore provocative and interdisciplinary concepts such as: the 'innateness' of human language, language evolution and extinction, machine language and human language, individual and social views of language, language correctness and even the idea of a melodious language.
Modern Languages and Literature
Imagine studying in a multicultural Department where it is common for your teacher to be fluent in five languages and to have lectured and conducted research on three continents. You can study one or more of the following languages and literatures: Spanish, German, Italian, Russian, Polish, Japanese, Arabic, Korean, and Portuguese. You can also pursue modules in Comparative Literature and Culture; Gender, Sexuality and Culture; and Mediterranean Studies.
No prior language training is necessary-begin at your own level of proficiency and receive individual attention in small classes. There are opportunities to study abroad in Spain, Latin America, Germany, or Russia.
Philosophy
Clear, effective thinking is absolutely essential for dealing with the complexities of the modern world. The study of philosophy helps students perfect analytical and critical reading, writing and reasoning skills through an examination of the works of the world's most celebrated philosophers. The ultimate goal of this study is an understanding of issues fundamental to our nature and the nature of the world we inhabit, including the structure of reality, knowledge, truth, rationality, value, obligation, human nature and the existence of God. The philosophical study of these theoretical and practical problems typically enhances the prospects of those students who wish to pursue law, business, journalism, library science, education or medicine, among other disciplines.
Visual Arts
Western combines the study of art history and theory with lively, contemporary art production. What sets Western apart is our commitment to integrating art theory with studio work from the very beginning of your studies. Our goal is to graduate visually literate students with the technical and intellectual ability to create exciting art works and new forms of visual culture, and to make art history come alive. In our programs you can focus primarily on either art production or history, or combine the two. We also offer a curatorial stream of courses that focus on the skills and knowledge needed to work as a gallery or museum curator or arts administrator.
Women's Studies
Women's Studies is a dynamic field that has undergone impressive expansion in recent decades. At Western, many topics are integrated into this interdisciplinary area of study, resulting in a broad variety of courses, which may be combined according to the degree chosen. All aspects of feminist research are reflected in course offerings which include feminist theory, health issues, philosophy, psychology, lesbian issues and theory, legal issues, violence against women, women and work, and women and the creative arts.
Writing
Effective writing is a crucial skill all university students need to continue to develop. At Western, the Writing Program offers many courses that help you develop expertise in areas of interest to you: nonfiction publication, technical writing, creative writing, writing for the web. You begin with a firm grounding in academic writing and writing processes before moving on to more specialized courses in professional, technical, and creative areas.
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