Bachelor of Arts, Major in Visual and Material Culture Studies

at Mount Allison University Canada

Mount Allison was among the first universities in the country to establish a Canadian studies program. This well-respected program has earned a national reputation for excellence.

Canadian Studies facultyCanadian studies is an interdisciplinary program that seeks to study Canada’s place in the world through Canadian-centred courses in a number of disciplines. Students explore the complexities of the country, including its vast and varied geography and its regional distinctions, as well as the intricacies of issues such as the environment, First Nations, bilingualism, and multiculturalism.

The program benefits from its collaboration with Mount Allison’s Centre for Canadian Studies. An invaluable resource, the Centre supports and extends student learning through an exceptional program of public lectures and extracurricular events.

Geocomputing is an applied program that combines theory and practice of computer science and geography. The program gives students expertise to study and understand spatial dimensions of social and environmental problems such as minimizing environmental impacts and identifying critical habitat.

At Mount Allison, Geocomputing combines theory and practice of computing and geography, offering students a new way to look at the world.

Students in Geocomputing take courses in computer science, environmental science, and environmental studies, with spatial computing (geographic information systems) at the heart.

In Computer Science, you'll look at subjects like:

• Programming techniques
• Algorithms
• Discrete structures
• Data structures
• Database systems
• Object-oriented design and methodology
• Computers and society

In Environment and Geography, you'll look at subjects like:

• Geographic information systems (GIS)
• The physical environment
• The human environment
• Data analysis
• Resources management and environmental policies

In their final year, students complete an applied capstone project that integrates both fields.

Aviation is an interdisciplinary degree program combining professional flight training with studies in subjects relevant to the field of aviation in either science or business. The Aviation program at Mount Allison is one of only a few in Canada that allows you to earn an undergraduate degree that incorporates flight and ground school training. It is offered through a partnership with MFC Training, one of the leading flight training establishments in North America.

In first year you'll take introductory courses in your chosen degree, either Science or Commerce.

Then to begin your flight training you must:

• have second-year standing (have earned a minimum of 24 credits)
• obtain a Transport Canada Category 1 medical certificate
• pass a formal English language proficiency test mandated by Transport Canada, and administered by MFC Training

You'll continue to take three courses per term on campus and ground school training, while one-on-one instructor training and flying takes place at the MFC Training campus.

As an Aviation student, you'll:

• complete more than 200 hours of flying
• receive hundreds of hours of ground training
• learn about navigation, airplane instruments, aviation regulations, and weather

Mount Allison’s American studies program helps students gain new perspective on Canada’s closest neighbour and ally.

The program examines not only the history, economy, and government of the United States, but delves into its literature, music, and art — painting a complete picture of the country’s governance, society, and culture, as well as its place in history and its impact on the world.

This interdisciplinary program draws from courses in a number of different subject areas, giving students the opportunity to explore many fields of study with a unifying theme, and introducing them to accomplished professors in economics, English, Fine Arts, geography, history, international relations, Music, political science, religious studies, and sociology.

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.

Mathematics is the foundation of most modern quantitative and qualitative studies. It has many faces, from practical uses of its statistical tools to theoretical studies of abstract relationships.

At Mount Allison, the Mathematics program aims to provide an appreciation of the historical, theoretical, and applied nature of mathematics.

All courses in the curriculum offer a blend of theory and practical applications. The program includes lectures supplemented by weekly labs where you can gain hands-on experience.

Introductory courses* may introduce students to the applications to which calculus may be applied or the practical uses of statistics.
Upper-year courses deal with topics ranging from geometry to game theory.

You will be introduced to mathematical concepts such as:

• The practical uses of statistical tools
• Theoretical studies of abstract relationships
• The applications of calculus
• The use of number theory in modern cryptography

Many of the courses offered include a substantial computational component and students are encouraged to use the mathematical software tools available. You are also encouraged to conduct independent summer research projects or to contribute to faculty research projects as a research assistant.

Music has been an integral part of the Mount Allison experience for nearly 140 years.
Whether you are looking to prepare for a professional career in music, or simply want to study music as an elective or as an extracurricular activity, the Music department has plenty to offer.

The Music program at Mount Allison stresses professional training, with an emphasis on musical performance. The department offers performance study in:

• Voice
• Piano
• Strings
• Woodwinds
• Brass
• Percussion
• Guitar
• Organ
• Harpsichord

Although it is a classically-based program, Music offers electives in jazz, musical theatre, world music, and much more. To see a full list of Music courses, see our academic calendar – Music.

Bachelor of Music students are not formally streamed into specific areas of musical study. This flexible approach helps ensure you are well prepared for the wide-ranging demands and varied career options that exist for today's musicians.

Small class sizes within Mount Allison's Music program mean that you work closely with the department's talented and enthusiastic faculty, have constant access to instruments and practice rooms, and perform on stage on a regular basis.

Environmental Studies focuses on the human dimensions of environmental change and problem-solving through environmental management, planning, and policy.

At Mount Allison, the aim of the Environmental Studies program is to equip you with the kind of integrative and analytical thinking that will help you effectively contribute to environmental leadership and decision-making.
Courses cover such topics as:

• Environmental policy
• Natural resources management
• Environmental ethics

In upper years, Environmental Studies students choose complimentary courses from the following four optional streams:

• Environmental social justice
• Environmental policy and economics
• Environmental history and philosophy
• Ecology and environment

You will also have the opportunity to carry out your own research as summer projects or as part of directed studies courses.

The study of geography develops an understanding of the principles of ecological and physical systems; of the cultural, social, economic, and political forces acting on those systems; and of the management, planning or scientific tools necessary to meet environmental challenges and opportunities.

Other degree options in the field of geography and environment at Mount Allison:

• BA environmental studies (honours, major, minor)
• BSc environmental science (honours, major, minor)
• Any degree, geographic information systems (minor)

The Mount Allison geography program explores courses in both human and physical geography, and is designed for students interested in the study of social sciences at various spatial and temporal scales.

Geography will often take you outside the classroom to learn through lab work, field study, and library and archival searching. Field trips to locations across the Maritime region and throughout North America have become an increasingly important part of this program.

You are also encouraged to become actively involved in research, either through independent summer research projects or as a research assistant to a faculty member.

Sociology is the study of people as they interact with one another in specific social, cultural, and historical contexts. It uses a scientific approach to study human behaviour and the social influences that affect it.

Mount Allison's sociology department helps students develop their perspective on society, examining it from different points of view and in different contexts. Sociology facilitates understanding of how and why society is organized as it is, and how it might be changed to create a more just and equitable social world.

You will study subjects like:

• Social class and inequality
• Race and racialization
• Gender relations
• Youth culture
• Work and society
• Media and popular culture
• Health and illness
• Education and society
• Citizenship, identity, refugees
• Social policies
• Non-profit organizations
• Criminology
• Research methods

First and second-year sociology courses provide an overview of the discipline and an introduction to sociological analysis. You will be introduced to the study of social problems through dynamic class interactions and assignments.

Third-year courses emphasize theoretical approaches, analytical methods, and their application to major areas of interest. This will help you build on your critical, analytical, and writing skills and teach theoretical approaches to sociology.

In your fourth year, students work with greater interdependence and in more depth on a range of sociological topics.

Classes and assignments are designed to build both conceptual and applied skills. You will have the opportunity to pursue research as part of the honours program.