Bachelor of Arts and Science in Political Science

at University of Lethbridge - Lethbridge Campus Canada

A General Major in Humanities, unlike a single discipline major, allows you to customize your course selection to your interests and abilities. Where you compromise depth of focus in one area, you gain breadth of knowledge in a few key areas, thus increasing your flexibility. This multidisciplinary approach provides access to the "big picture" or the wider context of any subject area. Conversely, the courses you choose can enhance your focus and provide a cross-discipline perspective on one particular theme.

Students choosing a General Major in the Humanities select three disciplinary streams from the following:

• One of Art, Dramatic Arts, or Music
• English
• One of French, Japanese, or Spanish Classical Languages (Greek, Hebrew, and Latin)
• History
• Linguistics
• Native American Studies
• Philosophy
• Religious Studies

As a student participating in a General Major degree program, you’re not limited to studying only within your three streams. As part of your liberal education, you will be required to take classes outside your major(s). This allows you to develop skills and experience in all three streams.

Physics is the study of matter and energy at all scales, from the sub-nuclear to the dimensions of the universe. It is the fundamental science — all other sciences and technologies rely on the principles of physics.

Physics involves observing and understanding natural phenomena. It is evident in the world around us in everything from the seasons, the motion of objects, the flight of birds, the night sky and the weather, to lasers, electronics and the technology we rely on today.

Physics is very much a “hands-on” science, so the most effective way for you to learn the subject is to actually do physics. Astronomy teaches you how to study objects at a distance and interpret the information gathered. This helps us begin to understand the universe we live in. The skills you will learn in astronomy are also applicable to remote sensing and its application to environmental problems.

The department offers a comprehensive physics major. The foundation of this program is built in the first two years, as you study mechanics, waves, electricity and magnetism, optics, thermal physics and modern physics.

In your third and fourth years, you will gain a deeper understanding of the fundamentals and delve into more advanced and specialized areas. Specialized topics may include the research interests of department faculty members, as all faculty members are involved in rigorous research programs.

Faculty members also ensure you are provided with a wide view of physics, exposing you to all areas of the subject and describing a wide variety of applications. This enables you to make informed decisions when choosing the areas you may wish to pursue in the future.

Be inspired by art and visual culture, and make your mark on the world. Work with internationally active artists and scholars as you pursue your creative and professional goals in a collaborative environment.

The Indigenous Art program prepares you for success in the complex and evolving fields of Indigenous art history and contemporary art practices. Combine critical studies in art history and theory with extensive hands-on museum and gallery experience. Study visual, material, and cultural production from a global perspective, and develop a frame of reference for understanding imagery and material culture.

Gain a deeper knowledge of historical and contemporary art practices through your studies and your work with the University’s extensive art collection of more than 16,000 objects, learning to manage and conserve artwork and curate exhibitions.

You have full access to co-operative education, international exchanges, independent and applied studies as well as volunteer opportunities. uLethbridge is the only university in Alberta to offer co-operative education to all majors in the university, at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Internship Opportunities
Expand your experiences and gain new perspectives beyond the art gallery and classroom. Focus on areas such as exhibition organization and installation, collections management, and public programming.

International management is the practice of managing business, not-for-profit, governmental etc. operations across countries. Professionals in this area are familiar with the language, culture, economic and political environment and business practices of countries in which multinational firms operate. They have the skills needed to build effective management strategies in today’s globally competitive environment.

About the International Management Major

• As a major in international management, you'll learn about cross-cultural management practices and how work behaviour differs throughout the world. You will also study global aspects of business, trade, marketing, finance and economic systems, develop fluency in a second language, and gain cross-cultural experience. You'll hone the skills needed to meet the challenges of doing business internationally and build a network of personal contacts across the globe.
• Some of the topics included in this major are: international management, introduction to international management, global financial management, cross-cultural management practices, industrial location & globalization of enterprise, management in world history, cross-cultural marketing, the politics of Canadian trade policy, issues in international management, regional aspects of international management, law & institutions of international trade, sustainable tourism, environmental management, and cultural work study. Students draw from fields such as history, English, political science, economics and sociology.

Marketing, a combination of art and science, is the core of any business. It helps identify consumer needs; guides the development of new products, services or communications strategies, ensuring products and services are available where and when consumers want them; determines prices; and has the ability to adjust all of these for domestic and international markets. Almost one-third of North Americans are employed in marketing or marketing-related positions.

Marketers themselves are the crucial link between an organization, their suppliers and their end-users, building relationships that benefit all parties. Marketers must have a strong understanding of the customer, whether an individual or an organization so they can effectively advise on all aspects of marketing.

If you are strategic, creative, practical, enjoy both people and numbers, show strong analytical abilities and have excellent communications skills (including listening), marketing may interest you. While different types of marketing jobs require different skill sets, some of the main skills a marketer needs are to communicate effectively, work independently, be self-motivated and show initiative.

We encounter religion in many manifestations frequently on TV and the Internet: breathtaking mosques, colossal Buddhas, the Pope addressing huge crowds, brutal religious wars or unusual rituals.

Studying religion enhances our understanding of what it is to be human. It enables us to learn more about the diverse cultures of the world, their ancient histories and their highest values. While you may not discover the meaning of life by studying religion, you will learn how others have answered that perennial human question, and how those answers have shaped people’s lives and the lives of those around them.

The University of Lethbridge is a secular (non-religious) institution of learning; we do not try to promote belief in any of the religions that we study. Rather, we attempt to study religion in as objective a manner as possible. Of course, each person faces challenges when trying to do so with neutrality, because we may have predispositions for or against particular religions, or toward religion in general.

In religious studies, our explorations are wide-ranging, embracing the human religious response, from the great world religions to marginal and quasi-religious phenomena, such as shamanism and magic. We examine history, social and cultural configurations, symbolism, and literature, as well as theologies and metaphysical philosophies within belief systems. You will study shared themes and marked differences in myths and rituals, and how religion permeates even our secular lives.

Finance is the study of financial markets & instruments and investment decision-making and involves evaluating and implementing different ways of gaining, managing and using capital. It incorporates economics, accounting and statistics to determine the viability of financing businesses and investments.

From planning national policy to structuring the financing of major projects to managing personal investments, financial analysts interpret quantitative and qualitative information to manage money effectively.

What does it mean to be Canadian? What makes our society different from and similar to others around the world? How do we, as Canadians, express our identities? Understanding who we are as Canadians begins with a thorough knowledge of the places, people and ideas that form our daily lives.

The program gives you the flexibility to take courses in disciplines that interest you, while focusing on Canadian issues and Canada’s place in the world. Learn about the history, people, industry and politics of Canada, as well as our unique institutions, policies and identities.

You will be exposed to various social, religious, geographical, political, cultural, economic, educational and legal perspectives. Study complex issues such as bilingualism and biculturalism, and examine their relevance to our modern, multicultural nation.

This multidisciplinary major draws heavily on the humanities and the social sciences and is delivered by the Departments of History, Economics, English, Modern Languages, Native American Studies, and Political Science.

Canadian Studies will provide you with valuable skills and knowledge for your career — whether within the non-profit, public or private sectors. Whatever your career path, you will develop outstanding analytical skills from this multidisciplinary approach to learning.

Whether as activists, scholars or labourers, women have generated significant changes in society. Women & Gender Studies offer you the opportunity to learn how these changes were initiated and gives you the tools to actively participate in the creation of an inclusive society.

Using feminist theory and research methodologies, Women & Gender Studies examine the historical and contemporary conditions of women and men in society. Our department draws on a vibrant community of scholars and activists both inside and outside the university to explore a wide range of issues.

As a student in this program, you will increase your knowledge of women’s lives, bodies, experiences, labour and scholarship. You’ll also explore feminism as an influential political and social global movement that has generated significant change in all aspects of daily life for men and women.

The department encourages all students to enroll in women and gender studies classes to discover enlightening perspectives applicable to your chosen field of study. By participating in these classes, you will develop an in-depth understanding of how current and historical events, ideas and institutions have been structured by gender, ethnicity, race, age, ability, class and sexuality.

Biological sciences delve into the world of living organisms - from microbes, to human beings, to entire ecosystems. It is the science of life on, under and above earth. Exploring the nature of life leads biologists out into the world where they study how organisms interact with their environment, how they function and how they evolved over time.

The Department of Biological Sciences provides you with hands-on learning, moving you beyond textbooks and lectures to engaging research projects. Biology is a research-intensive science that can lead to a wide range of study areas, like environmental work, medicine, microbiology or agriculture.

Today’s biologists require a strong background in cellular and molecular biology, organismal biology, genetics, evolution and ecology. Additionally, you will be required to complete courses in chemistry, physics and mathematics, ensuring a strong foundation in the core sciences.

You will also have access to state-of-the-art science and research facilities, like the Alberta Ingenuity Centre for Water Research. This facility provides the infrastructure to support the research interests of our award-winning faculty, your instructors, as they investigate diverse areas within behavioural and evolutionary ecology, plant biology and systemic biology, cellular and molecular biology and genetics.