Bachelor of Arts and Science (Honours) in Interdisciplinary Studies

at Lakehead University - Orillia Campus Canada

Government policies influence virtually every aspect of our lives, from housing to education to crime. Our Political Science program studies the institutions, ideas, practices, and power that shape government and policy at all levels. Students will gain a thorough understanding of political systems - with a particular focus on Canadian politics - and overarching notions of freedom, equality, and justice.

Our goal is to provide a well-rounded Political Science education by applying both theoretical and practical modes of analysis to examine sociological, economic, and historical contexts.

If you have an interest in political systems abroad, you will also have the opportunity to explore the politics of America, Africa, Europe, and Asia.

Additionally, you will study:

• International Relations
• Political Theory
• Law and Politics
• Public Administration and Policy
• Indigenous Governance
• Comparative Politics

The Lakehead Advantage
Our diverse course content, combined with an intimate learning environment, provides a comprehensive education in classic and contemporary government, law, and politics, as well as highly developed writing, research and analytical skills.

If you are thinking about applying to law school in the future, consider taking our specialized Pre-Law Program. It is designed to introduce you to the study of law by emphasizing subject matter related to the legal process, in addition to politics. Graduates from this program are regularly accepted to excellent law schools.

Studying Environmental Sustainability will prepare you to play a crucial role in protecting the ecosystems and living organisms that make up our environment. You will gain both the scientific expertise and practical experience needed to solve modern sustainability challenges in Canada and around the world. 

Our program is known for producing environmentally conscious and responsible graduates with excellent communication skills and problem-solving abilities. You will be trained to meet the growing demands of interdisciplinary practitioners in the diverse fields of science and sustainability.

In addition to the core Environmental Sustainability courses, you will take courses in the following areas:

• Biology
• Environmental Chemistry
• Environmental Economics
• Geography
• Geology
• Natural Resource Management

The Honours Bachelor of Commerce Program at the Orillia Campus is a four-year undergraduate program intended for students that wish to have an education focused on business management, with an emphasis on a particular specialization.

There are two major programs along with two majors with co-op options in which you may enrol to earn the Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree. These are:

• Global Entrepreneurship
• Global Entrepreneurship (Co-op Option)
• Business Administration
• Business Administration (Co-op Option)

Global Entrepreneurship
Global Entrepreneurship consists of a series of courses designed to improve the competence of individuals in starting up and running their own entrepreneurial business in the global environment.

Our Interdisciplinary Studies program is flexible in its design, allowing you to customize your educational experience. You will be encouraged to think beyond the confines of a traditional undergraduate degree and take a range of courses in different disciplines that are oriented to your individual career aspirations.

As an Interdisciplinary Studies major, you can choose any two disciplinary areas from the following:

• Anthropology
• Biology
• Criminology
• English
• General Science
• Geography
• History
• Media Studies
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Sociology 

You will develop advanced critical thinking skills, problem-solving strategies and specialized knowledge pertaining to a variety of topics. We also offer the ability to pursue concentrations in Human Nature, Social Justice, and International Conflict and Human Rights.

International Conflict and Human Rights
The International Conflict and Human Rights concentration provides students with the opportunity to explore the causes, courses, and consequences of international conflict (including but not limited to war, revolution, political disputes, terrorism, and genocide). Students will also examine how these conflicts have influenced the articulation and protection of human rights, as well as how they pose ongoing challenges to human rights. This concentration will position students to better understand and engage with contemporary international struggles and human rights advocacy. International Conflict and Human Rights blends courses from various disciplines in the Social Sciences within an interdisciplinary conceptual framework to address such important questions as:

1. What historical factors have produced various forms of international conflict?
2. When, how, and why have fundamental conceptions about human rights originated?
3. What forces have driven the development of ‘humanitarian wars’ in the modern era?
4. What kinds of institutions and practices have developed to mitigate conflict and fortify human rights?
5. Can human rights truly be universal when persons have equal but exclusive claims?
6. What is the new frontier of human rights advocacy? 

Apart from preparing students to be engaged global citizens, the concentration appeals to students interested in careers in law, conflict resolution and mediation, education, public service, policy analysis, advocacy, activism, journalism, politics, international development, humanitarian or refugee work, the foreign service, and national, transnational government and non-government agencies, as well as the military and law enforcement.

Our Department of Biology offers a graduate program in the biological sciences, under the Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies. Students who successfully complete the program will achieve a Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree.

The Department's faculty and adjuncts offer exciting graduate research opportunities in all areas of Biology including studies in association with the following:

• Department of Anthropology,
• Lakehead's Biorefining Research Institute,
• The Northern Ontario School of Medicine,
• The Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre,
• The Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute,
• And the Centre for Northern Forest Ecosystem Research. 

The Department maintains modern laboratories and animal care facilities, unique field sites, and access to a wide spectrum of analytical services. Research themes include testing theories of global significance to applications in environmental biology, wildlife management, and human health.

Government policies influence virtually every aspect of our lives, from housing to education to crime. Our Political Science program studies the institutions, ideas, practices, and power that shape government and policy at all levels. Students will gain a thorough understanding of political systems - with a particular focus on Canadian politics - and overarching notions of freedom, equality, and justice.

Our goal is to provide a well-rounded Political Science education by applying both theoretical and practical modes of analysis to examine sociological, economic, and historical contexts.If you have an interest in political systems abroad, you will also have the opportunity to explore the politics of America, Africa, Europe, and Asia.

Additionally, you will study: 

• International Relations
• Political Theory
• Law and Politics
• Public Administration and Policy
• Indigenous Governance
• Comparative Politics

Contrary to popular belief, the study of English is not simply about books. English is a wide-ranging field of study that uses textual analysis to dig deeper into our society and the world around us.

At Lakehead University, the flexibility of our English program encourages you to follow your own interests within the discipline. You’ll learn about the historical development of English language literature - from the Medieval to the contemporary period - as well as different theoretical approaches to the study of literary and cultural texts.

We offer a broad range of courses including:

• Poetry
• Film
• Popular Culture
• Creative, Academic, and Professional Writing
• Gender Studies
• Children’s Literature
• Fiction

History
The academic and professional pursuit of History is the process of bringing the past to life. The study of History encompasses all aspects of human experience, from wars to celebrity culture, and is constantly evolving as our knowledge and perspectives advance.

As a History student you will have the flexibility to pursue your own interests within the discipline and the ability to regularly collaborate with your professors due to our small class sizes. Our courses provide you with various approaches to the study of History and the necessary skills to analyze any issue within its historical context. You will examine historical topics from North America, Europe, Latin America, Africa and South Asia including:

• Aboriginal History
• Digital History
• Environmental History
• Gender History
• International Development
• Political History
• Medical History
• Military History
• Social History

The Faculty of Education at Lakehead University offers a Master of Education program designed to meet your professional and academic goals and interests. Our Master of Education (MEd) program provides you with a unique learning opportunity, which addresses the current landscape of both education and research. Our program consists of two distinct fields of study, Educational Studies and Education for Change.

Our Educational Studies field offers you the opportunity to earn your Master's of Education while studying educational research, theory, and practice in a variety of educational contexts, as well as the chance to specialize in Gerontology or Women's Studies.

All class sizes are small, giving you the opportunity to interact with classmates, instructors, and other faculty members. Our Faculty members have expertise in a wide variety of areas; for more information about our faculty and their research areas, please see the Faculty and Staff page.

We are also the home of two Canada Research Chairs (in Environmental Education, Arts Integrated Research), the Centre for Place and Sustainability Studies, the Multi-Data Convergence Laboratory, and the Canadian Journal of Environmental Education.

Contrary to popular belief, the study of English is not simply about books. English is a wide-ranging field of study that uses textual analysis to dig deeper into our society and the world around us.

At Lakehead University, the flexibility of our English program encourages you to follow your own interests within the discipline. You’ll learn about the historical development of English language literature - from the Medieval to the contemporary period - as well as different theoretical approaches to the study of literary and cultural texts.

We offer a broad range of courses including:

• Poetry
• Film
• Popular Culture
• Creative, Academic, and Professional Writing
• Gender Studies
• Children’s Literature
• Fiction
• And much more

The Lakehead Advantage

Our small class sizes facilitate an intimate and interactive learning environment from first year all the way to the graduate level. Our professors are always available if you need clarification or extra support throughout the year. 

While research and writing is very important to our professors, teaching excellence is our number one priority. Many of our professors have won the Distinguished Instructor Award - Lakehead University’s most prestigious teaching honour.

Our outstanding faculty ensure you graduate from the English program with advanced:

• Creative and critical thinking skills
• Written and verbal communication strategies
• Textual and argumentation analysis capabilities
• Understanding of diverse cultural and historical contexts
• Genre conventions knowledge
• Research methods skills

Our exceptional learning environment sets the stage for academic, professional, and personal success by emphasizing the development of strong analytical and creative abilities.

Contrary to popular belief, the study of English is not simply about books. English is a wide-ranging field of study that uses textual analysis to dig deeper into our society and the world around us.

At Lakehead University, the flexibility of our English program encourages you to follow your own interests within the discipline. You’ll learn about the historical development of English language literature - from the Medieval to the contemporary period - as well as different theoretical approaches to the study of literary and cultural texts.

We offer a broad range of courses including:

• Poetry
• Film
• Popular Culture
• Creative, Academic, and Professional Writing
• Gender Studies
• Children’s Literature
• Fiction
• And much more