University Arts Diploma
2 Years
The two-year University Arts Diploma offers students the opportunity to learn about the issues and people shaping their world through a holistic approach to knowledge that is interdisciplinary in emphasis and chronologically broad in its topics. Students are able to determine their futures through a focus on general University Arts, which allows students to concentrate on a particular area of interest within the Humanities (English, History/Classics, Philosophy) and Social Sciences (Anthropology, Communications, Economics, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology) or through one of three thematic specializations—Global Perspectives; Science and Society; Culture, Societies, and Gender—that centre on timely themes and subjects. With a choice of pathways, resulting in a University Arts Diploma, students are able to concentrate on what matters to them while gaining transferable knowledge and skills that will give them a leg up in an ever-uncertain future. In an age where intricate problems do not respond to traditional solutions, the ability to think beyond disciplinary boundaries, offer critical analysis, craft well-considered assessments, supported by adaptive thinking in pursuit of solutions, will be the foundation for students’ further educational goals or employment aspirations.
Please note: all students apply to the University Arts Diploma. Following Admission, students may, if they choose, declare a specialization in Year 1 or Year 2 prior to graduation. Specializations are noted on transcripts. Students who choose not to specialize, or who do not meet the requirements of a specialization, will graduate with the same University Arts Diploma (without a specialization noted on their transcripts).
Program Outcomes
1. Recognize the provisional nature, inherent complexity, and ambiguity of knowledge.
2. Acknowledge a variety of critical and theoretical approaches to local and global issues and identify the strengths and weaknesses of these approaches.
3. Engage in scholarly inquiry, both independently and collaboratively, to identify and investigate questions of a theoretical and applied nature using appropriate disciplinary methodologies and sources.
4. Integrate knowledge and perspectives across disciplinary boundaries.
5. Demonstrate intellectual integrity and academic accountability.
6. Recognize reasonable objections to positions one endorses and to the arguments one uses to support their own position when presenting oral and written arguments.
7. Acknowledge the diverse social, cultural, and historical forces that shape identities and values and examine personal and cultural diversity.
8. Analyse and interpret historical and contemporary events, texts, and data within disciplines.
9. Demonstrate collaborative, independent, and inclusive attitudes and practices.
60 credits of university-transferable course-work including:
36 Core Credit Requirements - all students take within their 60 credit University Arts Diploma, the following 36 Core Diploma Requirements:
- ENGL 219 (3 credits)
- 2 Science Options (6 credits)
- 2 Humanities Options (6 credits)
- 2 Social Sciences Options (6 credits)
- 1 Indigenous Course Option (3 credits, chosen from a list)
- 1 Wellness Option (3 credits, chosen from a list)
- 3 University Transfer Course Options (9 credits)
Students also take:
24 Credit Requirements for the Diploma (8 courses)
- For the University Arts Diploma (non-specialization), students will take 24 credits (8 x 3 credit courses) with 4 courses (12 credits) from Humanities and 4 course (12 credits) from Social Sciences.
- For specializations, students will take 24 credits (8 x 3 credit courses) in the chosen area of specialization (from an approved list).
At least 21 of the 60 credits (7 courses) must be at the second-year level (300 level) or higher; student can take more than 7 courses at the senior level (300 or higher).
Catalogue of Courses for the Thematic Streams
Planning Note for Students:
1. Please be advised that not all courses listed in a stream are offered every year. Students are advised to plan their program pathway and registration in consultation with the timetable published each spring to ensure program completion.
2. Courses listed in streams may have pre-requisites or course-specific requirements. Students are advised to plan accordingly. Pre-requisite courses may be selected in Term 1 or Term 2 and would count as junior Humanities or Social Science requirements.
Global Perspectives Stream:
Today’s world is linked through commerce, culture, and crisis, to name only three elements of globalization. This interconnectedness can be a cause of great optimism but also of great unease for the citizens of nations that form the global community. In this Diploma Stream explore the historical and contemporary issues of an interrelated world, from the perspective of various humanities and social sciences disciplines, and learn that the questions arising from globalization have deep roots.
(Choose 8 courses from the following list)
First Year Courses:
ANTH 201: People and Culture
ANTH 204: Global Citizenship
ART 201: Art History I
ART 203: Art History II
CLAS 209: Ancient Greece and Rome
FILM 202: Film History
HIST 207: Early Modern World, 1450-1789
HIST 208: The World since 1789
HIST 209: Medieval World History
PHIL 201: Values and Society
POLI 201: Introduction to Political Science
POLI 283: Global Issues
Senior Courses:
ANTH 321: Survey: Latin America
ANTH 327: Cultures in Global Context
ANTH 361: Mesoamerica and Central America
ANTH 370.1: Special Topics: Ancient Civilizations
ART 305: Art History
ART 306: Art History
CLAS 320: Roman History
COMM 321: Special Topics (depending on the topic)
COMM 341: New Media and Society
ECON 323: International Economics
ECON 325: International Trade
ECON 327: International Money and Finance
ECON 337: Developmental Economics
ENGL 312: Contemporary Canadian Literature
ENGL 327: Topics in American Literature
ENGL 335: English Literature Pre 1700
ENGL 336: English Literature Post 1700
ENGL 347: Victorian Period
ENGL 371: Topics in Canadian Literature
ENGL 391: Topic in International Literature
ENGL 395: Topic in Shakespeare
HIST 314: Wartime Europe, 1900-1945
HIST 315: Cold War Europe, 1945-1991
HIST 334: Modern English Society
HIST 351: The British Empire
HIST 361: The United States to 1865
HIST 362: The United States since 1865
HIST 363: American Civil War in Context
INTD 370: Intersections of Global Health
PHIL 345: Early Modern Philosophy
PHIL 355: Philosophy of the Environment
POLI: 308: Political Thought to 1550
POLI 309: Political Thought since 1550
POLI 388: Global Trade I
POLI 389: Global Trade II
SOSI 305: Selected Topics in Sociology
Science and Society Stream:
Discover how humanity’s collective and evolving understanding of reality is increasingly enlightened by the pursuit of scientific knowledge. Students can choose from a variety of courses exploring the ongoing and historical development of the sciences, their philosophical assumptions and methodological commitments, their social significance, and their value commitments. Course work will also explore the way in which science transforms social, political, economic, environmental, and culture factors as well as the ways in which the sciences, themselves, are shaped by those factors.
(Choose 8 courses from the following list)
First Year Courses:
ANTH 200: People and Biocultural Evolution
PHIL 202: Knowledge and Reality
PHIL 221: Critical Thinking
Senior Courses:
ANTH 306: Archaeology
ANTH 309: Biological Anthropology
ANTH 330: Technology and Culture
COMM 341: New Media and Society
COMM 381: Communications History
ENGL 387: Topics in Literature and Society (if topic is appropriate)
ENGL 393: Science Fiction
HIST 325: Science and Religion since 1500
HIST 330: History of Health and Healing
PHIL 323: Philosophy of Mind
PHIL 355: Philosophy of the Environment
PHIL 364: Philosophy of Science
PHIL 386: Bioethics
PHIL 399: Technology and Computing
POLI 324: Politics of Healthcare
PSYC 305: History of Psychology
PSYC 341: Social Psychology
PSYC 391 Health Psychology
SOSI 305: Selected Topics in Sociology
SOCI 374: Sociology of Health and Illness
SCIE 599: Applied Work Study
Culture, Societies, and Gender Stream:
Cultural perspectives on gender have profoundly shaped past societies and changing views on gender and sexuality continue to transform our lives today. By analyzing gender through a multi-disciplinary theoretical framework, students will investigate gender and sexuality as understood in both historical and contemporary contexts, and reflect upon a variety of social, moral, political, and economic issues.
(Choose 8 courses from the following list)
First Year Courses:
ANTH 201: People and Culture
ANTH 204: Global Citizenship
COMM 271: Introduction to Communication Studies
PHIL 201: Values and Society
SOCI 260: Introductory Sociology
SOCI 261: Canadian Society
Senior Courses:
ANTH 307: Cultural Anthropology
ANTH 308: Linguistic Anthropology
ANTH 327: Cultures in Global Context
ANTH 331: Anthropology of Gender
COMM 371: Critical Media Studies
ENGL 364: Literary Theory: Contexts
ENGL 387: Topics in Literature and Society
ENGL 389: Topic in Women's Literature
HIST 327: The European Witch Craze
HIST 333: Victorian English Society
HIST 334: Modern English Society
HIST 357: Gender & Sexuality in History
PHIL 348: Gender and Sexuality
PHIL 364: Philosophy of Science
POLI 309: Political Thought Since 1550
PYSC 347: Psychology of Gender
PSYC 367: Human Sexual Behaviour
SOCI 371: Sociology of Families
SOCI 301: Sociology of Gender
SOCI 344: Mass Media & Popular Culture
SOCI 365: Social Stratification
The University Arts Diploma may be taken several different ways. Students may attend part-time or full-time on the RDP campus or online. Depending on course selections and specializations, it may be possible to complete the University Arts Diploma online.
The University Arts Diploma provides numerous transfer pathways. Please see an Advisor about your goals and options.
Minimum average of 60% with no mark below 50% in:
a. ELA 30-1 or equivalent (e.g. ENGL 095)
b. Four (4) courses from Groups A, B, or C (Social Studies 30 and a 30-level Language Other than English highly recommended), with no more than one course from Group B.
OR
a. ELA 30-1 or equivalent (e.g. ENGL 095)
b. One (1) course from Group A, B or C.
Note: Some universities require Math 30-1 for admission or as a prerequisite for required courses. Transfer students are responsible for learning the specific admission, progression, and prerequisite requirements of their programs.
Note: Students will be admitted to the Arts University Diploma. Following Admission, students may, if they choose, declare a specialization (which will be noted on their transcripts). Students who do not declare or who do not meet the criteria for a specialization will receive the Arts Diploma without specialization. Specializations can be declared in Year 1 or Year 2 prior to applications for graduation.
No additional requirements. Though not required as part of the Admission, students are advised that access to a computer for completing assignments and assessments in courses is necessary.
- 60 credits of university-transferable course work meeting progression requirements, as above, with at least 21 credits at the Senior Level (300 or above)
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 with a passing grade of at least "D" in each course
- Note, "D" grades may not transfer to all universities
- Students must meet RDP Residency Requirement
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Non-profit and NGO sectors
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Sales
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Banking
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Office Administrator or Administrative work
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Career options are varied. These diplomas are knowledge-based diplomas that will give job applicants
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a recognized credential while also allowing currently employed students to advance their careers through credential attainment.