Bachelor of Arts in Geography

at York University - School of Continuing Studies Canada

When you think of Italy, do you visualize the art of Michelangelo, Raphael, Leonardo daVinci, Titian, Giotto, Cellini? Or think of  the literature of Dante, Boccaccio, Petrarch, Machiavelli, Pirandello and Ariosto? Do you hear the music of Verdi, Puccini, Rossini, Mascagni, Leoncavallo, Donizetti, Respighi, Palestrina, GianCarlo Menotti? That's not surprising. According to UNESCO, more than 60% of the world's art treasures are found in Italy.

Or, do you think of Italy in the company of the G8 – one of the top five economies in the world? As a member of the European Union since its beginnings, Italy is one of the most vocal advocates and leaders of the new dynamic Europe.

Our program offers courses in languages, literatures and linguistics as well as unique courses such as Italian opera, Italian cinema, the Italian minority in North America and Italian-Canadian authors. In addition to language training, you can study the dialects, literature and rich cultural heritage of Italy.

New frontiers offer new challenges. Combine unique technical skills to design solutions to Earth’s problems using space-based assets while utilizing the principles of systems engineering. Look at the interface of engineering and science through payload and instrument design. Learn from real space missions, starting with initial concept design to hardware and software design, manufacturing, testing and in-orbit operations.  

Our Space Engineering program is accredited by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB).

What You’ll Learn
Lassonde’s Space Engineering program will equip you with the technical skills required to design solutions to Earth’s problems using space-based assets while utilizing the principles of systems engineering.
Delve into systems ranging from orbit control and space-based optics, to ground station communications and robotics. As a student, you will learn and practice the design and management of complex multidisciplinary projects that enable missions to the far reaches of the solar system.
The co-op program after second year, allows you to gain professional experience within space agencies and related fields that require the design of complex systems.

Some Courses You'll Take  

• Introduction to Space Communications
• Physics of the Space Applications
• Materials for Space Applications
• Payload Design
• Space Mission Design
• Finite Element Methods in Engineering Design
• Control Systems
• Dynamics of Space Vehicles

Challenge what is. Imagine what could be. Transform the Future. The Faculty of Environmental Studies provides a unique educational experience in an expanding field of study, research and employment.

Studying the environment has never been more important or complex. In order to make change, we need to recognize the impact we have on the world around us. Our program examines the interconnections of human life on our natural surroundings and explores the various perspectives, approaches and inequalities that exist in the world today.  An introductory first year allows you to expand your passion for environmental and social justice through a common core course approach. Then, specialize for your future career success in one of the following: Environmental Management; Urban & Regional Environments; Environmental Politics, Justice & the Arts.

Program Highlights
The Faculty of Environmental Studies (FES) defines "environment" as everything that surrounds us. Environmental studies is, therefore, not only about natural environments, but also about built, social, cultural, political and organizational environments as well as all of the relationships between them.

After completing a common first year, you will have the opportunity to focus on one of three Areas of Concentration:

• Environmental Management
• Urban & Regional Environments
• Environmental Politics, Justice & the Arts

What are the roots of international terrorism? How is world trade affecting the balance of rich and poor nations? What is the effect of the Internet on diplomacy and social movements? This program, offered by our renowned Political Science Department, helps you answers questions such as these.

Global Political Studies encompass international relations, foreign politics and domestic government policy. Topics include:

• Foreign and security policy
• Political economy
• Democratic reform
• War and conflict (including internal strife)
• New social movements
• An examination of the changing "world order" in its economic and political forms

The Global Political Studies program allows students to specialize in international or global politics by combining courses in two of the Department's fields:

• International Relations
• Comparative World Politics

Through this program, you will gain the skills required to analyze global political forces, as well as a broad education. This program provides an excellent background for future public service work abroad, for private sector employment in areas dealing with international issues or for graduate studies in international relations or comparative world politics.

• You'll learn to conceptualize and think critically about global politics and issues such as the uses and abuses of power; rights and responsibilities; and the intersections of community and nation-state with globally defined realities.
• Engage in open discussions with your peers on some of the most contentious political issues and learn to identify the possibilities of acting politically to bring about change.

Economic problems arise out of the conflict between an apparently limitless human demand for goods and services and a limited supply of resources for satisfying those demands. Economics combines theory and analysis with attention to practical problems and critical modern issues.

The Economics program will expose you to both the wide range of individual and social problems that arise from this conflict and to the distinctive economic approach to their solution. Our unique teaching approach that blends theory and case studies to give you the in-depth training necessary to apply the analytical and quantitative tools needed to understand complex economic issues. You can create a mathematical and statistical concentration, focus on learning how to model and forecast economic activities, or get a comprehensive understanding of contemporary economics and/or business. You'll also develop skills to analyze practical business problems such as:

• Market Forecasting
• Pricing Policies
• Strategic Financing
• Business Development

The Mathematics program provides an excellent background for many occupations demanding skills in mathematical reasoning and techniques. The program emphasizes the understanding of concepts, abstraction and reasoning; these then become the tools for problem-solving, as well as the language and environment in which problems are solved.

Pure mathematics focuses attention on basic concepts and then takes those concepts and creates a practical application for them. Finance and cryptography are current examples of areas to which pure mathematics is applied in significant ways.

All Mathematics students (Mathematics, Applied Math, Statistics, Math for Commerce) take common first- and second-year courses. It is in the third and fourth years that the programs begin to differentiate.

For a Bachelor of Science (BSc) math degree, you will combine your math courses with other science courses such as physics, earth and atmospheric science, biology or computer science.

Foster the skills of teaching and learning

Education is future-oriented — it's about development and growth even when we are studying the past. Education is giving or receiving knowledge, developing the powers of reasoning and judgement, using inspiration, tapping into creativity, taking risks and developing emotional and intellectual resilience. In our society, education implies school and whether you teach others or are in the process of learning yourself, education focuses on knowledge and on the intellect. Through the fine art of bringing out what is latent in a person, we learn as we teach.

To foster the skills of teaching and learning, York offers several Education programs. Click on the program name below to learn more about the program.

The Bachelor of Education (BEd), Technological Education is a full-time, professional degree program held at York University's Keele campus. Graduates will be qualified to teach one of the following technological subjects at the Intermediate-Senior (grades 9 to 12) certification levels:

• Communication Technology
• Computer Technology
• Construction Technology
• Green Industries
• Hairstyling & Aesthetics
• Health Care
• Hospitality and Tourism
• Manufacturing Technology
• Technological Design
• Transportation Technology

Participate in the Canada-Taiwan exchange program sponsored by the Department of Human Resources Development Canada.
China, Japan and Korea — seats of ancient civilizations and modern societies of immense global significance — form the basis of this program. Bridging East Asia's dynamic modern milieu and its rich history, you will gain an appreciation of the importance of Chinese, Japanese and Korean language, literature and fine arts and of the political, economic and social impact of these nations.

New courses are being developed that deal with the areas of Southeast Asia that sustain close cultural ties with East Asia. Course offerings include:

• Culture and Society in East Asia
• East Asia: Tradition and Defiance
• Japanese Culture, Literature and Film
• Asian Art: Zen Painting and Poetry

Global health challenges, such as chronic and communicable diseases, do not recognize borders. The health of the world’s population is intertwined with broader issues, including wealth disparity, environmental degradation, government policy and human rights. York’s Global Health degree examines these and other issues to prepare students for careers in global health locally, nationally and internationally.

All students, whether in the BA or BSc options, are exposed to the major issues that are at the forefront of global health through core courses, including:

• Global Health Governance and Leadership
• Global Health Policy, Power and Politics
• Health and Human Rights
• Determinants of Health: Local to Global
• Chronic Diseases and Care
• Communicable Diseases and Care
• Healthcare Planning for Communities
• Healthcare Ethics

Courses cover global health concerns including communicable diseases (such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, ebola, and malaria), chronic diseases (such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer), age-related illnesses (such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease), maternal and child health, mental illness, and the health consequences of trauma, violence, war and displacement. The global health program also focuses on the organization, financing and management of health service systems.

Why take our Public Relations program?
Managing a brand’s reputation in the public eye is no simple task. Whether you’re responding to a last-minute media inquiry, dealing with negative publicity, or monitoring the web for newsworthy content, the message is clear: to succeed in public relations, you need to be strategic and quick to adapt to new trends and technology. Top public relations executives agree that career success means being an incredible storyteller and trusted strategic business advisor—Someone who can leverage emerging technologies and critical thinking to build lasting relationships with stakeholders. This shift in skill demands is why top companies are struggling to hire and keep the right public relations professionals.

Program Benefits
Created in collaboration with industry leaders, the 8 course full-time Post-Graduate Certificate in Public Relations gives you the expertise to broadcast your brand message to the right audience, at the right time, using both traditional and digital media. Real-world project work will give you the chance to learn and practice effective public relations strategies, business principles and stakeholder relationship management, as well as how to respond to crises and manage brand reputation. All this, while building the core job skills that top employers are looking for when hiring for public relations jobs.

What you will learn
Use the technology you need to get the public opinion you want
Using the right tools at the right time can mean the difference between a media firestorm or the recruitment of countless new brand influencers to support your cause.

You will gain in-depth public relations knowledge, including:

• Public relations fundamentals & strategy
• Digital storytelling
• Marketing principles
• Internal communications
• Data analytics
• Effective writing
• Presentation skills
• Reputation & crisis management
• Media relations
• Stakeholder engagement

In public relations, it’s all about the story. Make sure the story of your career is a success.