Students will be introduced to a broad range of liberal arts-related fields of study within the academic world. They will explore various disciplined-based and interdisciplinary approaches to a specific, current and compelling unifying theme, which will change periodically. Students will learn a number of key concepts and methods that shape and inform the perspectives developed in these fields, and how they articulate and inform one another. They will learn to view their world through multiple, and sometimes contrasting, perspectives and develop intellectual skills which are essential for learning in various disciplines and for continued learning in life beyond the University.

Level: UG

Attributes: ASTR, ARTS

This introductory exploration of climate change will introduce students to a broad range of fields of study and their respective perspectives on the climate crisis. Students will learn key concepts and methods around the theme of the climate crisis and consider questions such as why climate change is happening, what qualifies the climate crisis as an emergency and what it means to people, our society and our world. The course will consider interdisciplinary strategies for solutions to the climate crisis, including critical thinking, storytelling and ethical concerns about the impacts of climate change. Students will learn to view the climate emergency through multiple and sometimes contrasting perspectives, and to critically discuss contemporary discourse around the climate emergency. This course may include field trips off campus.

Level: UG

Attributes: ASTR, ARTS

The course will explore the concepts of happiness and mental wellness, including a critical review of the empirical literature as well as a reflection on personal experiences. The course is experiential in nature – students will engage in weekly labs to learn about, apply, and reflect on practices that are linked to mental wellness.

Level: UG

Prerequisite(s): 15 credits from courses at the 1100 level or higher

Attributes: ASTR, ARTS

Learners will engage in an intensive interdisciplinary field school in the Amazon rain forest. They will take part in cultural and creative immersion activities, participate in community engagement projects, and contextualize their field learning by classroom-based analysis and critical reflection before and after their field experiences. They will develop interdisciplinary skills in creativity, academic inquiry, ecology and conservation, cultural awareness, environmental design, design thinking, and community development. Learners will become familiar with various expressive modalities of the Amazon region (e.g. design, writing, music, movement, expressive arts, materiality, storytelling, etc.) and will explore the application of those modalities in an integrative learning environment. Note: Students will spend two weeks at the Field School site in addition to class sessions on campus before and after travel. Students must be nineteen years or older at the start of the course. Note: Students may earn credit for only one of DESN 3000 or ARTS 3000, as they are identical courses.

Level: UG

Prerequisite(s): 30 credits from courses at the 1100 level or higher, or permission of instructor.

Cross-listing: DESN 3000

Attribute: ARTS

The Cuba Field School is an experiential, interdisciplinary course that contributes to global citizenship and a broadened worldview. It engages learners from a wide cross-section of disciplines in an intensive exploration of Cuban music and culture through interactive workshops, site visits, and interactions with local students, educators, and artists. Within its exceptional and immersive learning environment students contribute interdisciplinary perspectives informed by their distinct backgrounds and programs of study. Collaborative participation, inspired investigation, and cultural immersion are distinctive features of the Cuba Field School’s dynamic learning environment. Before their field experiences students will contextualize their learning through conventional lectures, group activities, and classroom-based discussion. Participatory research, immersive activities related to Cuba’s expressive cultural traditions, research presentations, and regular critical reflection form the core of the field school itself. Personalized capstone projects featuring student-centred research and creation connect the entire course, and are the focus of students’ work upon returning from Cuba. Note: Students will spend two weeks at the Field School site in addition to class sessions on campus before and after travel. Students must be nineteen years or older at the start of the course. Additional fees will apply to meet field trip expenses.

Level: UG

Prerequisite(s): 30 credits from courses at the 1100 level or higher.

Attribute: ARTS

Students will explore various Arts topics using the Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program model. The Inside-Out model works with equal numbers of learners from both outside and inside the prison in a transformative, reflective and collaborative learning experience. Students will attend class primarily within local area corrections facilities with the exception of the first and last class for outside students, which will take place at KPU. The course content may arise from any Arts discipline and may include interdisciplinary approaches. Content may include, but is not restricted to, studies in Criminology, Creative Writing, Interdisciplinary Expressive Arts, Indigenous Studies, Policy Studies, Music, Fine Arts, Sociology, Psychology and other subject areas as determined by the qualified instructors. NOTE: Student acceptance into the course will be through an interview with course faculty prior to registration. Accepted students will be expected to provide a criminal record check, agree to a code of conduct, including dress code, and to adhere to prison visitor policies. An interview and a criminal record check are necessary in order for students to be accepted into this course. Students may take this course a maximum of two times for further credit on different topics

Level: UG

Prerequisite(s): 60 credits from courses at the 1100 level or higher, and permission of the Instructor

Attribute: ARTS

Students will conduct research and scholarship in collaboration with a faculty mentor. This course will offer experiential learning in an academic setting by partnering students with faculty who have, or are initiating, research projects. Students will advance their research and professional skills, integrating these skills within a faculty-led project, through such activities as conducting a literature review, applying for Research Ethics Board approval, conducting research, applying research methods, drafting and revising reviews and/or articles, researching and compiling materials for conference presentations, and performing data analysis. This 1 credit course would require approximately 3 hours of work per week. Note: In order to register for ARTS 3991, students must sign a “Project Work Agreement” Contract which contains the details of the individual project. Students may only register for a total number of 6 credits from ARTS 3991, 3992 or 3993.

Level: UG

Prerequisite(s): 30 credits from courses at the 1100 level or higher, and Dean’s office approval

Attribute: ARTS

Students will conduct research and scholarship in collaboration with a faculty mentor. This course will offer experiential learning in an academic setting by partnering students with faculty who have, or are initiating, research projects. Students will advance their research and professional skills, integrating these skills within a faculty-led project, through such activities as conducting a literature review, applying for Research Ethics Board approval, conducting research, applying research methods, drafting and revising reviews and/or articles, researching and compiling materials for conference presentations, and performing data analysis. This 2 credit course would require approximately 6 hours of work per week. Note: In order to register for ARTS 3992, students must sign a “Project Work Agreement” Contract which contains the details of the individual project. Students may only register for a total number of 6 credits from ARTS 3991, 3992 or 3993.

Level: UG

Prerequisite(s): 30 credits from courses at the 1100 level or higher, and Dean’s office approval

Attribute: ARTS

Students will conduct research and scholarship in collaboration with a faculty mentor. This course will offer experiential learning in an academic setting by partnering students with faculty who have, or are initiating, research projects. Students will advance their research and professional skills, integrating these skills within a faculty-led project, through such activities as conducting a literature review, applying for Research Ethics Board approval, conducting research, applying research methods, drafting and revising reviews and/or articles, researching and compiling materials for conference presentations, and performing data analysis. This 3 credit course would require approximately 9 hours of work per week. Note: In order to register for ARTS 3993, students must sign a “Project Work Agreement” Contract which contains the details of the individual project. Students may only register for a total number of 6 credits from ARTS 3991, 3992 or 3993.

Level: UG

Prerequisite(s): 30 credits from courses at the 1100 level or higher, and Dean’s office approval

Attribute: ARTS

This practicum course introduces students to the workplace, research settings, and possible degree-relevant entry-level jobs after graduation. Students work under the supervision of both the employer/host and a KPU supervisor, undertaking one or more projects that enable them to apply the academic knowledge and analytical skills in a workplace environment. Students also attend periodic seminars during the semester to critically reflect and report on their learning, undertaking a project that enables them to apply their academic knowledge. Note: Students must work with the practicum instructor prior to the start of this course to obtain a placement. This is a competitive process and a placement cannot be guaranteed. This course is limited to students with a declared Major or Minor in the following disciplines: Asian Studies, English, Geography, Applied Geography, History, Journalism, Philosophy, and Policy Studies.

Level: UG

Prerequisite(s): 72 credits from courses at the 1100 level or higher, including 9 credits in the student’s declared Major or Minor with a minimum grade of B-; and, permission of the Practicum Instructor and applicable Department Chair.

Attribute: ARTS