Faculty of Liberal Studies

Faculty of Liberal Studies courses provide an historical, theoretical and critical complement to studio practices in art and design. With the implementation of degree granting and the opportunity of degree transfer for current students and degree conversion for alumni, we also offer a complement of courses required for a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Bachelor of Design including English (ENGL), Humanities (HUMN), Social Sciences (SOSC) and a limited offering of Science/Technology/Mathematics (SCTM). Unless otherwise noted, all courses offered by Liberal Studies are degree stream courses. Students who are considering entering or who are in the degree stream program should refer to degree implementation guidelines in considering their choices of courses.

The primary focus of all Liberal Studies courses is on the development and integration of writing and critical thinking skills that account for a globally connected and culturally diverse study of art and design. Courses in History and Theory of Visual Culture (VISC) offer students the opportunity to explore historical, aesthetic and intellectual issues and concepts related to the fields of art and design. Courses in other fields of study provide students with a broad overview of various disciplines that will enrich and inform their studio practices.

Among the areas of expertise offered by Liberal Studies faculty are courses in the history of art and design, contemporary theory and criticism, cultural studies, film studies, creative writing, academic writing, Canadian literature, world literatures, linguistics, anthropology, sociology, philosophy, and communication studies. Courses that address culturally diverse visual practices include studies in Latin American, Asian, African Diaspora, First Nations, and Canadian art, design and film.

Students should consult Special Notices periodically for up-to-date information on course offerings, including current course descriptions of Special Topics courses.