Faculty of Arts and Humanities

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.

 

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.

Wl levels. The interdisciplinary nature of classical studies makes it an ideal combination for a double major with other fields in the Faculties of Arts and Humanities and Social Science.

 

English

Whether you are interested in Fantasy or Renaissance love sonnets, graphic novels or contemporary Canadian poetry, electronic hypertexts or Romantic and Victorian poetry, Creative Writing or Shakespearean drama, we have a wide range of exciting courses from our foundational first-year classes, to advanced fourth-year seminars, and theatre arts courses offered in partnership with the Stratford Shakespeare festival. Our English department is an inspiring mix of award-winning teachers, internationally-recognized scholars, creative writers, and original thinkers -- professors whose knowledge and enthusiasm in the classroom create a stimulating environment for the study of literature, theory and culture in all their richness and diversity.  English is enormously 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--skills and strengths that you can carry into any career.

 

Film Studies

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 Studies

Mastery of French is an undeniable asset for any career in Canada. In the Department of French Studies, 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 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. 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 Literatures

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 and cultures: Spanish, German, Hindi, Italian, Russian, Japanese, Arabic, Korean, and Portuguese. You can also pursue modules in Spanish (including Spanish Linguistics); German; Italian; 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, Italy or Germany.

 

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

The undergraduate programs in Visual Arts integrate the study of art history and visual culture with lively, contemporary art production. Students may focus on studio practice, art history, museum/gallery studies, or any combination of these areas. All programs are housed in the John Labatt Visual Arts Centre, a state-of-the-art facility with well equipped studios, modern classrooms, a gallery, and a visual resources library. This dynamic learning environment will foster your visual literacy whether your goal is to create art works, to study historical and contemporary forms of visual culture, or to acquire the skills for curatorial work or arts administration. Students interested in pursuing our direct-entry Bachelor of Fine Arts degree must submit a portfolio for consideration when applying to the University, or they may take a Foundation studio course as a means of possible entrance into the BFA in second year.

 

Women's Studies and Feminist Research

Women's Studies is a dynamic field that focuses on issues of social justice. 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, Rhetoric and Professional Communication

Effective writing is a crucial skill all university students need to continue to develop. At Western, the Program in Writing, Rhetoric, and Professional Communication offers courses, Minors, Certificates, and Diplomas which will help hone your creative edge, develop your skill at writing academic, business, and technical documents, and enable you to speak well in public.
Not only will you interact with published authors both as instructors and speakers, but also you may gain experience working on a number of publishing projects in the community.

 

Programs by Faculty

• Faculty of Arts and Humanities
• Faculty of Engineering
• School of Nursing
• School of Kinesiology
• Faculty of Health Sciences
• Faculty of Information
  and Media Studies
• Faculty of Music
• Faculty of Science
• Faculty of Social Science
• Management and Organizational Studies
• Second-Level Entry Professional Programs
• Faculty of Law

Academics

• Academic Choices
• Scholar's Electives
• Western Scholars
• Graduate Studies
• Affiliated University Colleges