Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy

at Mount Allison University Canada

The study of politics examines the nature and workings of power, state, and government; the rights and duties of citizenship; the limits and possibilities of collective political action; and the social, economic, and cultural formations that shape the life of the political community.

The politics and international relations department at Mount Allison combines traditional and innovative approaches to equip students with the knowledge and critical thinking skills they need for active and creative engagement with the world around them.

The political science program is organized into four main subfields: 

• Canadian politics
• Comparative politics
• International politics
• Political theory

The program offers students the opportunity to gain a strong foundation in all four subfields and to combine empirical, practical, and theoretical approaches in each year of study.

In addition to courses in Canadian politics, you may choose specialized area courses in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and the United States.

If you wish to pursue a more intensive concentration in one particular subfield, you can also take courses in Canadian studies, international relations, history, and philosophy.

Environmental Science provides a strong but diverse scientific foundation required to understand environmental issues from a multi-disciplinary perspective.

Environmental Science is an ideal discipline if you have both a strong interest in science and a concern for the environment. This interdisciplinary program is science intensive and provides you with the foundation necessary to understand environmental issues from many different perspectives.

At Mount Allison, Environmental Science students study issues like:

• the mechanics of weather and climate
• the biological consequences of climate change
• the impacts of environmental degradation
• the effects of climate on the distribution of animals and plants
• the impact of environmental change on freshwater systems

In upper years, you will compliment your major with an in-depth concentration of courses to provide you with a scientific specialty when you graduate.

Concentrations include:

• Aquatic environments
• Environmental chemistry
• Environmental modelling
• Environmental monitoring and management

You also have the opportunity to investigate issues you are passionate about through independent research (honours).

Biology is the scientific study of living things — their form, function, origin, and behavior. Disciplines include cell biology, ecology, genetics and evolution, and animal and plant diversity.
The Department of Biology at Mount Allison is committed to providing students with opportunities for hands-on learning, as well as research and laboratory experience.

First-year courses include studies of evolution, ecology, human biology, and cell biology, as well as biochemistry.
Upper-year courses allow students to explore topics such as:

• Marine biology
• Aquaculture
• Embryology
• Genetics
• Microbiology
• Ornithology
• Physiology
• Animal biology
• Plant biology

Faculty are actively involved in research and students are strongly encouraged to participate in research through faculty-supervised independent research projects during summers or during academic terms.

Research opportunities in the Department of Biology at Mount Allison include:

• Phytoplankton physiology
• Neurophysiology
• Environmental animal physiology
• Fish ecology
• Molecular genetics
• Marine botany
• Field ecology

Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at Mount Allison is the only PPE program in Canada east of Ontario, and one of only three in the country.

The Philosophy, Politics, and Economics program brings together three fundamental disciplines that use different tools and methodologies to study the human experience, but are all concerned with the many, often conflicting, ideas of what is good for people and the challenges that arise when these varied approaches are put into practice.

It helps students develop critical-thinking skills that will serve them well no matter their chosen career, offering students the opportunity of a multidisciplinary immersion in the problems that structure the human world.

At Mount Allison, courses in the multidisciplinary PPE program are drawn from established courses in all three disciplines, with special topics courses offered in upper years.

In Philosophy, you'll cultivate a broad view of human experience and values by examining concepts like:

• how we can know the world
• the nature of justice
• our responsibility to others

In Politics, you'll gain insight into:

• the workings of government
• the meaning of citizenship
• how society, economy, and culture shape the political community

In Economics, you will look at:

• the development of modern economies
• the evolution of economic systems
• the outcomes of economic policies
• the economic consequences of participation in trade, exchange, or employment

Most of the required courses for the program are at the first and second-year level, giving you greater flexibility in your upper years to tailor your courses to your interests.

The study of English literature is important both for the understanding of particular literary texts and for the insight it provides into how we interpret the world and our place in it. English helps you develop skills in research, analysis, critical thinking, interpretation, and persuasive writing.

While the curriculum focuses on literary study, students are encouraged to develop an appreciation for the English language, which will prove invaluable not only in your studies, but in any future career or profession.

First-year English courses offer you an introduction to different approaches to reading and writing about literature, using texts from a range of genres and time periods.

In second year you may choose from courses focusing on:

• Introduction to literary periods
• Shakespeare
• Canadian literature
• American literature

Third-year courses expand on your second-year choices, including studies in:

• British literature in different periods
• Canadian and American literature
• Gender and literature
• Postcolonial literature
• Dramatic literature
• Creative writing
• Film, genre, and cultural studies

In fourth year you will be able to pursue “selected topics” courses, which allow you to pursue special interests, either through the particular courses offered that year or through individual study and research under the supervision of a faculty member.

If you choose to do an honours English degree, you will have the opportunity to write a thesis under the supervision of a faculty member.

You will also have opportunities to present and publish creative and critical work.

Modern languages, literatures, and cultures is an interdisciplinary degree that provides you with expertise in two languages and knowledge of a third — as well as to the literature and culture of the relevant communities.

Other degree options in the field of modern languages and literatures at Mount Allison include:

• French Studies (BA honours, major, or minor)
• German Studies (any degree minor)
• Hispanic Studies (BA major or minor)
• Japanese Studies (any degree minor)

A degree in modern languages, literatures, and cultures at Mount Allison exposes you to the practical study of language within small class sizes to provide an opportunity to acquire many skills that will serve you well in your future endeavours:

• Superior communicative competence
• Cultural awareness
• Aesthetic literacy

The Department of Modern Languages and Literatures is composed of five areas: French, German, Hispanic studies, Japanese, and linguistics.

Following introductory courses (or intermediate in the case of French)* in your chosen languages in your first year, you will take more advanced language classes and have options to study French, German, and Spanish literature, film, and culture. You will also learn the fundamentals of linguistics.

Fourth year offers the chance to pursue independent studies in French, German, and Spanish.

You are encouraged to take advantage of extracurricular opportunities to enhance your studies, and to participate in international study abroad and exchange programs to gain further exposure to both the language and culture you are studying.

Learning Spanish and about Hispanic culture and literature will open doors that you never knew existed. It will change the way you think about the world around you. As one of the most-spoken languages in the world, Spanish can also serve you in the workplace, while on vacation, or in your career as a student.

We offer three degree options.

1. If you’ve already selected a major, consider a MINOR in Spanish. Many students specializing in International Relations, History, Commerce, Sociology and even Biology pursue a minor in Spanish because knowledge of the language helps them pursue career paths in international contexts or in the developing world. 

2. A MAJOR in Spanish truly embraces the language, cultural and literary contexts of the Hispanic world, drawing from the rich cultures of Latin America as well as Spain. Our courses entice students to travel or study abroad and offer authentic encounters with the Hispanic world through art, film and most importantly, literature.

3. An HONOURS in Spanish via the Interdisciplinary Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures degree, with an emphasis on Spanish. Combined with the study of two other languages, this degree option allows you to gain intimate knowledge of three languages while focusing on the culture and literature of the Spanish-speaking world.

The Women's and Gender Studies program teaches with a focus on anti-racism, feminist theory, queer and trans studies, and social justice. 

At Mount Allison, Women's and Gender Studies promotes student engagement, with one another as well as with social justice issues, and fosters communication and writing skills.

Courses focus on issues of:

• Gender
• Ability
• Religion
• Sexuality
• Race
• Class
• Ethnicity
• Age
• Colonialism

The program includes several core courses which provide an introduction to the principles of Women’s and Gender Studies as well as more advanced study of approaches to feminism.
In upper years you'll focus on issues of gender, identity, and culture; theories of gender and power in society; gender, science, and research; and contemporary issues in feminism and gender studies.

Biopsychology is the scientific study of the brain and nervous system and how they influence human behaviour — combining studies in biology and psychology.

At Mount Allison, Biopsychology is an interdisciplinary program with students required to take courses in both biology and psychology.
There is some flexibility to allow you to focus more heavily on one of the two disciplines, should you choose to do so.

Course options in this program may include:

• Genetics and evolution
• Human physiology
• Animal behaviour
• Neurophysiology
• Sensation and perception
• Behavioural neuroscience

Art history is integral to the study of art and visual culture. It provides valuable insight into history, philosophy, and the humanities in general.

Courses in art history at Mount Allison range from an introduction to art and its contexts to more focused examinations of specific time periods, movements, and issues surrounding the visual arts.
You will be able to explore:

• Canadian and Indigenous art
• Museum and curatorial studies
• Contemporary art
• Women and gender in art
• Specialist courses in 19th and 20th century art

Upper year advanced seminars offer you the opportunity to take a more focused and critical approach to topics like:

• Modern to postmodernism
• Feminism and gender
• Museum studies
• Museums and education
• Collections and collecting
• Curating and critical writing
• Arts and archives
• Independent studies in specialized subjects
• Museum and gallery practicums