Early Modern Studies (BA)
Explore the ideas, discoveries, and cultural movements that shaped the modern world through an interdisciplinary study of the Renaissance, Enlightenment, and beyond.
This program is with the University of King's College.
Why choose this program?
How did ideas from the early modern period shape the world we live in today? Explore the people, events, and discoveries that transformed art, science, politics, religion, and culture while developing strong research and critical thinking skills.
Early Modern Studies is an interdisciplinary program that explores the period from the Renaissance to the early nineteenth century—a time that transformed how people understood art, science, politics, religion, and human identity.
You'll examine influential thinkers, artists, writers, and historical events while studying topics such as colonialism, scientific discovery, witchcraft, piracy, revolution, philosophy, and cultural exchange. Drawing on courses in history, literature, philosophy, political science, art history, and religious studies, you'll connect ideas across disciplines and develop skills in research, writing, analysis, and communication.
The program encourages you to see how the past continues to shape today's world while preparing you for careers and further study across many fields.
“What stood out to me most was the way that the undergraduate students in EMSP were encouraged to see themselves as individuals with distinct areas of interest and emerging areas of academic specialism."
—Lindsay Reid, Class of 2003
Hear from the program director
Careers
Early Modern Studies graduates develop strong research, communication, and critical thinking skills that prepare them for careers in education, government, cultural organizations, communications, law, and many other fields.
By studying how ideas evolve and societies change, you'll gain transferable skills valued across many professions. Graduates pursue careers in education, public service, museums, communications, publishing, law, and research. The program also provides an excellent foundation for graduate and professional studies.
What you will learn
Because Early Modern Studies is interdisciplinary, you'll learn alongside students and faculty from multiple departments while exploring topics through history, literature, philosophy, political science, art history, religious studies, and languages.Ìý
Combined Honours students complete an independent honours thesis, giving them the opportunity to conduct in-depth research on a topic of their choice. The program also encourages students to participate in lectures, debates, exhibitions, and other academic events.
Sample courses
- Ideas of the Sea and Seafaring
- The Vampire
- The Pirate and Piracy
- Baroque Art: Violence and WonderÌý
- Representations of the Self in Early Modern Art, Literature, and Thought
- Witchcraft in Early Modern Europe
- Women Artists in Early Modern Europe
- Asia and the West: Centuries of DialogueÌý
- The Study of Nature in Early Modern Europe
- Love, Lust, and Desire in Italian Renaissance Art
- Theories of Punishment
- Early Modern Art, Literature, and Politics in Florence, ItalyÌý
- Conceptions of State, Society, and Revolution in the Early Modern Period
- Art, Optics, and Technologies of IllusionÌý
- Honours Thesis in Early Modern Studies
- Atheism in Early Modern EuropeÌý
Early Modern Studies is designed to complement another area of study. Complete a Combined Honours degree or add a Minor to your primary program. Customize your studies through interdisciplinary courses exploring Renaissance and early modern culture, art, literature, philosophy, politics, science, religion, colonialism, and the origins of modern society.
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
Early Modern Studies is designed to complement another area of study. You can combine it with another discipline through a combined honours pathway or add it as a minor alongside your primary program.
Explore your interests through courses focused on areas such as Renaissance and early modern culture, art and literature, science and technology, politics, religion, colonialism, and social change.
BA Combined HonoursÌý
MinorÌýÌý
Elective courses
Minor in Early Modern Studies
Certificate in Art History and Visual Culture
Art and CultureÌý
Literature and TheatreÌýÌý
Science and DiscoveryÌý
Politics and RevolutionÌýÌý
Religion and SocietyÌý
Colonialism and Global ExchangeÌý
Philosophy and Intellectual History
Interdisciplinary Humanities Internship
- History
- English
- Philosophy
- Political Science
- Classics
- Religious Studies
- Art History
Discover how the ideas, discoveries, artworks, and debates of the early modern period continue to shape today's world while building research, communication, and critical thinking skills for future careers and graduate study.
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 ÈâÈ⴫ý programs is competitive. This means that meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
Program-specific admission requirements
Minimum overall average: 70%
Academic English 12
Four additional academic subjects
Students enter the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences before declaring Early Modern Studies as a Combined Honours program or Minor in consultation with an academic advisor.
