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Program Requirements
Note: University regulations apply to all students at Laurier. If there is any discrepancy between the program or progression requirements outlined on this page and those in the university's academic calendars, the academic calendars are the official sources of information. The information below is from the latest calendar, and you may be following progression requirements from an earlier calendar. Students are responsible for checking the appropriate calendar. Contact your program coordinator should you notice any discrepancies.
The Honours BA in North American Studies is an interdisciplinary major that is done in combination with another Honours BA in the Faculty of Arts. The program consists of 20.0 credits, including 7.0 credits that must be completed in the North American Studies program; 6.0 program credits must be at the senior level. At least 14.0 of the 20 degree credits must be at the senior level.
Required Courses (4.5 Credits)
- NO105: Billionaires, Beavers and Banditos
- NO211: Canadian Identities and Cultures
- NO315/PO315: Politics and Society in Contemporary Québec
- NO401: Managing Borders and Boundaries in North America
- 1.0 additional NO credits at the 200 level
- 1.0 additional NO credits at the 300 level
- 0.5 language credit (Spanish, French or Indigenous; students are encouraged to take at least 1.0 credit of language)
Note: For North American Studies majors who take 100-level language courses during Year 2, Year 3, or Year 4, and who have already accumulated 6.0 junior credits, these courses (up to a maximum of 0.5 credit) will not be counted toward the maximum 6.0 limit on 100 level credits. Language credits need not affect the North American Studies major GPA.
Senior Elective Courses (2.5 Credits)
Any senior North American Studies course not used to meet one of the required course requirements listed above may be used towards the elective courses requirement. In addition, many other courses offered by other departments and programs in the Faculty of Arts may also be counted towards the elective courses requirement. These courses are to be chosen by the student, in consultation with the North American Studies coordinator and according to a program-approved list.
North American Studies Experience
Students in the honours program may undertake a North American Studies Experience (NASE) to fulfill some of the elective courses requirement and, depending on the nature of the experience, the 0.5 credit in language. When approved by the North American Studies coordinator in advance, the NASE can include:
- Official university exchanges, arranged through Laurier International (particularly with Laurier’s American and Mexican partners);
- Participation in summer programs that provide in-depth examination of North America;
- Individually initiated study/internship opportunities; and
- Appropriate field studies courses offered by other Laurier programs and departments.
Resources
The minor in North American Studies consist of a minimum of 3.0 credits of which 2.0 must be senior credits.
Required Courses
- NO105
- 0.5 NO credit at the 200 level
- 0.5 NO credit at the 300 level
- 1.5 senior credits in North American and Canadian-content which must be approved by the North American Studies program coordinator
Any North American Studies course not used to meet one of the above required course requirements, may be used towards the elective courses requirement. In addition, many other courses offered by other departments and programs in the Faculty of Arts may also be counted towards the elective course requirement. These courses are to be chosen by the student, in consultation with the North American Studies Program coordinator and according to a program-approved list.
The minor in Canadian Studies consists of a minimum of 3.0 credits of which 2.0 must be senior credits.
Required Courses
- NO105
- NO211
- NO315/PO315
- 1.5 senior credits in Canadian-content which must be approved by the North American Studies program coordinator
Any North American Studies course not used to meet one of the above required course requirements, may be used towards the elective courses requirement. In addition, many other courses offered by other departments and programs in the Faculty of Arts may also be counted towards the elective course requirement. These courses are to be chosen by the student, in consultation with the North American Studies Program coordinator and according to a program-approved list.