Interdisciplinary programs take centre stage as the University continues to transform many of its programs of study. In March 2005, the Senate approved 16 new programs including a major in French as a second language and English as a second language, which has a unique approach geared towards strengthening bilingualism—a key component of the University’s mission.
“This program is one of the most demanding and most advanced in terms of second language training” to be offered by a Canadian university, said associate vice-president François Houle. It integrates the study of a second language with another discipline. Students will thus follow immersion courses in another discipline (for example, political science or history). They will also be given the possibility, through the second language course, to concentrate their efforts on their weaknesses. This in turn will allow them to acquire strong command of the second language and to develop advanced oral and written skills.
Senate members approved three bidisciplinary programs in the Faculty of Social Sciences: in public administration and political science, women’s studies and political studies, and anthropology and sociology. This third option is part of faculty reforms that may lead to the creation of a department of Anthropology and Sociology. At the same time, a co-operative education option in anthropology was established.
The Faculty of Arts has also established several new programs including a major in Aboriginal Studies that will be supported by a dozen or so departments from the faculties of Arts and Social Sciences as well as the Common Law Section. Majors were also approved in medieval studies, history and art theory, and in visual arts and Canadian studies.
A co-operative education program in civil law will see the light of day in September 2006. It will allow students to alternate between work and study terms beginning in their second year. This is only the second co-op law program in Canada.
Five minors were also approved: gerontology, public administration, history and art theory, translation and Arab culture and language.
The Senate also abolished concentrations in political science, social intervention and in governance and public policy.
