Bachelor of Arts in Cultural Studies & Business (Honours Arts)

at Trent University Peterborough Canada

Politics impacts all aspects of life, and importantly, quality of life. In Political Studies at Trent, you will find yourself debating and exploring ideas around democracy and global politics as you examine power relations and relationships between the state, business, and citizens. It is exciting and enlightening to learn how these relationships influence each of our lives, and more broadly, political, economic, and social change nationally and internationally. Our small class sizes and interactive student-professor relationships build confidence, skills, and knowledge for a variety of careers.

Political Theory
Political Theory explores the ideas people use to understand and shape political life. Theoretical premises developed over centuries invest our assumptions, our choices and our rhetoric with meaning. Whether in a global or a Canadian mirror, we see ourselves as liberals, conservatives, neoliberals, socialists, Marxists, anarchists – perhaps postmodern or postcolonial - but always as members of a community. Political theory helps us grasp wider significance from the diversity of political ideas and events shaping our present and our future. Political theory also helps us invest those ideas with new and inspired meaning in the contemporary context.

Create a unique educational focus based on your passions and interests, with an interdisciplinary knowledge base
Trent’s joint major programs give you full license to create a degree that's uniquely your own, by combining courses in the arts, sciences, or professional programs. Have a passion for social justice? Combine your Politics degree with Gender & Women’s Studies. Interested in all things tech? Join Media Studies and Computing Systems. Mix and match programs that best appeal to your interests, preparing yourself for a future with more possibility.

Combine degrees. Expand your horizons.
At Trent, you have the flexibility to combine nearly any two programs of your choice. To help you narrow it down, here’s a list of some of our most popular combinations:

• Media Studies and Psychology 
• Anthropology and History 
• English and Media Studies 
• Biology and Psychology 
• Anthropology and Psychology 
• Environmental Studies and Biology 
• Anthropology and Sociology 
• Geography and Canadian Studies 
• Computing Systems and Media Studies 
• Economics and Philosophy 
• Economics and Psychology 
• English and Psychology 
• Psychology and Sociology 
• Computing Systems and Economics 
• English and Sociology 

You can also explore the popular joint major combinations within our professional programs like Business Administration and Forensic Science.

Philosophy:-
The study of Philosophy can shed light on some of the most fundamental and important questions we ask as human beings. At Trent, you’ll explore your place in the world, the nature of reality, the meaning of human existence, and the limits of knowledge. You will be encouraged to develop your own philosophical positions as you cultivate your ability to reason logically, question commonly held assumptions, and develop a worldview that does justice to the complexity of life.

Legal Studies (Option):-
Understanding the legal system in Canada is valuable for everyone, not just lawyers and policy makers. A complement to virtually any B.A. or B.Sc. degree, this option provides students with fundamental knowledge about Canadian law. You'll learn about rights and freedoms, what it takes to draft and pass new laws, and how the law influences and is influenced by society and culture.   

An option is a “mini-minor” – a set of courses in one discipline that can be completed in conjunction with any undergraduate degree program, allowing you to focus on an additional subject of interest.

Resume Boosters:-

• Gain the diversity of knowledge today’s employers are looking by studying and specializing in not one, but two academic disciplines
• Hands-on learning experiences abound in all Trent programs – gain the competitive edge on your resume

Create a unique educational focus based on your passions and interests, with an interdisciplinary knowledge base
Trent’s joint major programs give you full license to create a degree that's uniquely your own, by combining courses in the arts, sciences, or professional programs. Have a passion for social justice? Combine your Politics degree with Gender & Women’s Studies. Interested in all things tech? Join Media Studies and Computing Systems. Mix and match programs that best appeal to your interests, preparing yourself for a future with more possibility.

Combine degrees. Expand your horizons.
At Trent, you have the flexibility to combine nearly any two programs of your choice. To help you narrow it down, here’s a list of some of our most popular combinations:

• Media Studies and Psychology 
• Anthropology and History 
• English and Media Studies 
• Biology and Psychology 
• Anthropology and Psychology 
• Environmental Studies and Biology 
• Anthropology and Sociology 
• Geography and Canadian Studies 
• Computing Systems and Media Studies 
• Economics and Philosophy 
• Economics and Psychology 
• English and Psychology 
• Psychology and Sociology 
• Computing Systems and Economics 
• English and Sociology 

You can also explore the popular joint major combinations within our professional programs like Business Administration and Forensic Science.

Forensics:-
Trent is the only university in Canada to offer students the chance to combine your study of forensics with one of several different academic disciplines. Choose a joint major in forensics in combination with a vast array of complementary areas of study in either the arts or the sciences. Interested in a career in forensics specializing in ballistics? A joint degree with Physics could come in handy. Want to analyze the mental state of criminals, or become a criminal profiler? Combine your Forensics degree with a B.A. in Psychology. The emerging field of computer forensics means a joint major with Computing Systems can help you stand out from the crowd. No matter what your forensic career ambitions are, you have plenty of options at Trent.

Business:-
You want to become an innovative business leader or entrepreneur. No other program will help you get there better than Trent’s exclusive Bachelor of Business Administration. By examining corporate, self-employment, online, small business, and other business models, you’ll learn the fundamentals of leadership and management, gaining a deep understanding of the organization of business and its role in today’s highly-digital world.

Resume Boosters:-

• Gain the diversity of knowledge today’s employers are looking by studying and specializing in not one, but two academic disciplines
• Hands-on learning experiences abound in all Trent programs – gain the competitive edge on your resume

How did Canada become the country that it is today, and what does it mean to be Canadian? Explore issues of relevance to Canada’s past and present through a critical examination of themes such as the environment, nationalism, sovereignty, Indigeneity, diversity, and immigration. Canadian Studies will offer you unparalleled insight into the life and history of Canada, and through the program’s co-op stream, you can get a close look at the role it plays in the world and workplaces today. By pursuing a degree in the co-op stream, you’ll graduate with 12 months of work experience and a deep understanding of Canada’s national identity.

Resume Boosters:

• Explore your strengths and career interests, and graduate with 12 months of work experience (and income) through the new four-year B.A. co-op option, giving you the competitive edge for future job prospects.
• Undertake a community research project with local museums, not-for-profits and arts organizations
• Study alongside leading Canadian Studies scholars, many of whom are national and international experts in their field
• Participate in and learn from public lectures, seminars and themed symposiums held on-campus throughout the year
• Learn alongside world-renowned faculty in a small-group environment – giving you the advantage for that personal reference for grad school or your first career after graduation

As a B.E.S.S. student at one of Canada’s top postsecondary environmental institutions, develop a strong understanding of solutions to natural resource and environmental problems and learn how to combine scientific and social knowledge effectively in this interdisciplinary joint arts-science degree. You will gain an understanding of the scientific aspects of contemporary environmental issues that are linked to policy and planning decisions leading to an environmentally sustainable future. Your studies will address environmental challenges, science, policy and politics from multiple perspectives.

Accelerated Master's Degree:-
Earn your M.Sc. in Environmental & Life Sciences (ELS) in only 12-16 months after graduating from your B.Sc.

Resume Boosters:-

• Conduct hands-on research in state-of-the-art labs and Trent’s extensive “living laboratory” of nature reserves right here on campus
• Minimum entrance and performance requirements challenge you to maintain a high standard of academic performance throughout your degree
• Pursue a capstone or community-based research project or write and defend an undergraduate Honours thesis

There has never been a more exciting time to study Computer Science. Society is in the midst of a technology revolution, which is fueled by the advancement of knowledge in computing. The ability to create, manipulate, and speak the language of technology has become some of the most valued skills applicable to almost every industry. When you study Computer Science at Trent, you’ll get a chance to develop your skills in designing, implementing, and integrating software applications – everything from supercomputers to game boards. This degree will equip you with the skills required for a successful career in the ever- changing tech sector.

Specialization Computer Science:-
This specialization in Computer Science is your all-access pass to understanding technology and the science behind it. Work one-on-one with your professors to explore and develop applications that manipulate the speed and power of digital computation, design new models of computation, and uncover new methods of problem-solving.

Resume Boosters:-

• Pursue the competitive co-op stream: graduate with 12 months of relevant experience through three paid work terms in the information technology industry
• Work with real-world clients from industry, government, and education through third year internship course and fourth year project course
• Undertake an undergraduate research thesis and investigate a specific field of interest with the expert guidance of your prof

Advantages of Co-op Option
Co-operative education is an opportunity to get a head start on a career. It permits students to develop key skills, explore career options, and graduate with 12 months of relevant experience. The Co-op option assists graduating students in achieving a competitive edge while generating experience within the industry. 

Students who successfully complete the specified number of Co-op work terms receive a Cooperative Education Designation on their degree. This special designation signals to future employers that such students are not only well educated but experienced in the workplace. 

How do social constructs like gender, race and class impact the experience of individuals? How do movements for social justice support progress towards a more equitable world? As a Sociology student at Trent, you will explore and question a diverse range of social topics, completing your studies with an understanding of social organizations and institutions and people’s place in them. These explorations can take place both in the classroom and beyond – through the new B.A. Co-op stream you can put skills to action across three work terms in professional settings. This program is progressive, critical and timely in the way it engages students in not only understanding but also acting on the consequences of social change with practical learning components. Through this degree, you’ll explore and question a diverse range of social topics, completing your studies with a heightened understanding of human relationships and society, rooted in the social sciences and inspired by a passion for social justice. A Sociology degree is an excellent foundation for law school, teachers college, social work or similar programs.

Resume Boosters

• Explore your strengths and career interests, and graduate with 12 months of work experience (and income) through the new four-year B.A. co-op option, giving you the competitive edge for future job prospects.
• Conduct original research with one of our award-winning faculty members, in areas of LGBTQ+ issues, the pharmaceutical industry, or human rights in prisons as part of our research practica opportunities
• Meet and learn from leading thinkers in the field through guest lectures and speaker series held throughout the year
• Present your work at a symposium with other undergraduate students

Media dominate our world and shape our perceptions of reality. In this popular program, students navigate and engage with the theory, principles and practice that shape our ever-changing media landscape. In Media Studies, you’ll examine the influence of advertising and ideology, the political economy of media corporations, the foundations of media arts, and the ecological impact of media technologies. You’ll also benefit from our interdisciplinary curriculum, learning across subjects from the arts and sciences, and across environments from the classroom to the community to prospective career paths through the co-op stream. Through the Media Studies Co-op degree, you will get the full picture of media, from influence on ideology to individual imaginations.

Resume Boosters:

• Explore your strengths and career interests, and graduate with 12 months of work experience (and income) through the new four-year B.A. co-op option, giving you the competitive edge for future job prospects.
• Chart your own course by taking classes from a dozen contributing departments including Anthropology, Cultural Studies, Computer Science, and Political Studies
• Take workshop, internship, and community-based research courses with professors and media professionals and gain experience working with organizations like Artspace, Global TV, Trent Radio, and the ReFrame Film Festival
• Get hands-on as you build a portfolio of your work with media new and old: compose music, code video games, write blogs, create podcasts, take photos, and report the news

Not only will you graduate with two degrees in just six years, but you’ll also have the chance to take your education global while you learn, travel, explore, and live abroad.

If a career in law is what you want, this is the program for you. In this one-of-a-kind program, you will undertake either a Bachelor of Arts Honours or a Bachelor of Business Administration degree at Trent – Ontario’s #1 undergrad university, while also obtaining a law degree from Swansea University’s renowned Hillary Rodham Clinton School of Law in the UK – no need to write the LSATs.

How the Program Works:-
The first two years of your degree take place at Trent, where you’ll pursue your choice of 14 degree options. In third year, you’ll transfer to the coastal city of Swansea in Wales to complete three years of law studies, earning your Bachelor of Laws degree. Once your LL.B. is complete, you’ll return to Trent to complete your Honours degree credentials. By simultaneously taking several Canadian Law courses in your final year at Trent, you’ll be well-prepared for the National Committee on Accreditation (NCA) exams, enabling you to take the required steps to practice law in Canada.

Degree Program Options:-
Business Administration*; Canadian Studies; Cultural Studies; Economics; English Literature*; Environmental & Resource Studies; Gender & Women’s Studies; History*; Indigenous Studies; International Development Studies; Media Studies*; Philosophy*; Political Studies; Sociology*

Resume Boosters:-

• Combining your law degree with your choice of B.A. or B.B.A. degree means that you will graduate with a unique set of skills and perspectives
• Meet and learn from top law professionals through our Visiting Lawyers in Residence program
• Join the Trent Law Society and benefit from field trips, workshops, and events, all with a focus on law and the legal system

With 220 million French speakers worldwide (projected to be more than 700 million by 2050), French language and knowledge of Francophone cultures has become a highly sought after and valuable skill. French & Francophone Studies is about more than just learning a language. It’s also about understanding the world and culture that the language reflects. In this program, you’ll examine the diversity of Canadian and International Francophonies. Through explorations of history, literature, cinema and contemporary topics, you will discover where the words, phrases and slang you speak come from and reaffirm yourself as a French-speaking citizen.

Resume Boosters:

• Enhance your language comprehension through French language events, public readings, and student-run mini-conferences
• Build global connections in Trent’s longest-established study abroad program as you refine your French skills in a European context in Nantes, France.
• Study languages more in-depth through a Concentration in Linguistic
• Access other language courses through the Trent Centre for Language and Linguistics – study Chinese, German, and Spanish, all with no background required