Contemporary Studies (BA)
Explore today's biggest questions through philosophy, politics, science, culture, and the arts while developing the critical thinking skills to understand—and shape—the modern world.
This program is with the University of King's College.
Why choose this program?
Why do societies change? What does technology mean for our future? How do politics, science, culture, art, and philosophy shape everyday life? Contemporary Studies helps you explore today's biggest questions from multiple perspectives.
Contemporary Studies is an interdisciplinary program that explores the ideas, movements, and events that have shaped the modern world. You'll examine the political, scientific, artistic, and philosophical developments of the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries while learning to think critically about today's challenges.
Courses encourage you to connect ideas across disciplines, exploring topics such as ethics, politics, popular culture, digital media, biotechnology, the environment, identity, and social change. You'll develop strong research, writing, and analytical skills while learning how different perspectives help us understand complex issues.
Whether you're interested in public policy, communications, education, law, research, or graduate studies, Contemporary Studies provides a flexible foundation for many future paths.
“Critical thinking from CSP, as well as the intellectual curiosity that was nurtured, helped form me as a thinker and helps me do my job.” – Lisa Crystal, Class of 2007
Careers
Build research, communication, and critical thinking skills that prepare you to tackle complex problems, understand different perspectives, and adapt to a wide range of careers.
Graduates often pursue careers in public policy, communications, government, education, museums, cultural organizations, publishing, international development, and research. The program also provides excellent preparation for graduate studies and professional programs.
What you will learn
Study the ideas, thinkers, and movements that define the modern world while developing interdisciplinary research, writing, communication, and analytical skills. Explore topics ranging from politics and philosophy to science, media, ethics, art, and culture.
Sample courses
The Idea of Race in Philosophy, Literature, and Art
Pain
Mass and Digital Media Culture
Society, Politics, and Literature
Modern Social and Political Thought: The Politics of Recognition
Apocalypse: The Revolutionary Transformation of Politics and Culture
Reflections on Death
Bio-Politics: Human Nature in Contemporary Thought
Science and Culture: The Discourses of Modernity
Culture, Politics, and the Postcolonial Condition
Genocide: Comparative Perspectives
Representations of Disability in Historical, Scientific, and Artistic Perspectives
The Deconstruction of the Tradition
Hannah Arendt: Terror, Politics, Thought
Critical Theory and Society
Contemporary Studies Honours Thesis
Contemporary Studies brings together courses from across the humanities and social sciences, allowing you to examine today's issues from multiple perspectives.
Students can customize their electives around interests such as politics, ethics, contemporary art, digital media, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, environmental issues, and identity. The program also offers the opportunity to study abroad in Berlin, Germany.
Get paid work experience
Dal Arts students can apply for the FASS Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Pilot Program, which offers a one-semester paid work term where you put what you learn in the classroom into practice, build career-ready skills and gain experience in the workplace.
Learn beyond the classroom
Arts students can take their learning beyond the classroom through the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences’ experiential learning program.
Participate in internships, community-based projects, research opportunities and career-focused experiences that help you apply what you learn, explore your interests and prepare for your future.
Customize your degree
Contemporary Studies is designed to complement another field of study. Complete a Combined Honours degree or add a Minor alongside your primary program.
Customize your learning through interdisciplinary electives exploring philosophy, politics, science, digital media, ethics, contemporary art, technology, artificial intelligence, the environment, and culture. Students may also choose to study abroad in Berlin as part of their program.
BA Combined Honours
BSc Combined Honours
Minor
Minor in Contemporary Studies
As part of the program, you can opt to study abroad in Berlin, Germany.
Interdisciplinary Humanities Internship
Politics and Society
Ethics and Philosophy
Contemporary Art
Film and Digital Media
Technology and Artificial Intelligence
Environment and Sustainability
Identity and Culture
Science and Society
Colonialism and Decolonization
Disability Studies
Develop the skills to understand today's most complex issues while building the research, communication, and critical thinking abilities needed for a wide range of careers and future studies.
Admission requirements
Minimum admission requirements
To be considered for admission to this program, you must meet minimum academic criteria:
- Completion of secondary school (Grade 12)
- Achievement of the minimum average for your program of choice.
- Completion of Grade 12 English (or equivalent course).
Admission to many ý programs is competitive. This means that meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
Program-specific admission requirements
Students typically declare Contemporary Studies after beginning their BA or BSc and work with an academic advisor to plan their Combined Honours or Minor.
Minimum overall average: 70%
Academic English 12
Four additional academic subjects
