Americans are notoriously clueless about their Northern neighbor. However, there鈥檚 a great deal more to Canada than ice hockey, maple trees, and Celine Dion. As a Canadian studies major, you鈥檒l seek an in-depth understanding of all aspects of Canada鈥攊ts people, cultures, history, and institutions. First established in the late 1960s, Canadian Studies is an interdisciplinary field, incorporating history, sociology, literature, media studies, political science, geography, and fine arts.
In your first two years of this major, you鈥檒l take core classes in Canadian history and geography, covering topics like Native American pre-history, early European Settlers, and the establishment of the Confederation. You鈥檒l also learn about contemporary Canadian government, economy, healthcare, and international relations. On the cultural side, you鈥檒l study Canadian literature, the politics of bilingualism, and Canada鈥檚 ethnic minorities.
Unless you already go to school in Canada, it goes without saying that you鈥檒l want to spend at least a semester abroad there. If you plan to study in Quebec, then it鈥檚 a good idea to have a few years of French under your7- belt. When your senior year as a Canadian studies major rolls around, you鈥檒l probably have the option of undertaking an independent research project, in which you鈥檒l work with an advisor on a topic of your choice. Possible subjects include 鈥淐anadian-American Relations,鈥 鈥淨u茅b茅cois Nationalist Movements,鈥 and 鈥淲omen in Canadian Literature.鈥
Canada and Alaska in Circumpolar Perspective
Canada, the United States, and War
Canadian-American Relations
French
Introduction to Canada
Literature of French Canada/Quebec
North American Indian History
The Canadian Health Care System
United States and Canada in Comparative Perspective
For this major, you should concentrate on English and history classes. Since Canada is a bilingual country, you should also take at least three years of French.
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