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Courses
What are Interdisciplinary Courses?
Interdisciplinary courses engage with issues, problems or knowledge that can't be addressed within a single disciplinary context. These courses consider how different disciplinary backgrounds approach issues and looks to engage in developing solutions that respond holistically.
By enrolling in an interdisciplinary course, you can expand your knowledge beyond your own area of study to address issues that you are interested in. The interdisciplinary environment allows you to connect with students outside of your program, and develop deeper skills around team work, critical thinking and problem solving.
Consult the academic calendar for more information about university interdisciplinary courses.
Faculty of Arts Courses
First-year seminars provide an intensive and collaborative, small-group learning experience in which students develop core academic skills in research, critical thinking, writing and communication. Topics or themes vary among seminars and instructors, but all seminars promote the acquisition of skills necessary for academic work in the humanities and social sciences. Available only to first-year students in the Faculty of Arts.
0.5 Credit
Prerequisite: Registration status: Year 1
Topics in this course engage significant issues and controversies facing the 21st century world. While exploring these issues, students have the opportunity to build university-level oral and written communication and research skills, and learn how to reflect and reason with a level of clarity needed for academic and professional success.
0.5 Credit
A Laurier faculty-led international travel course. Classes are small (about 20 students). Course locations and descriptions, along with learning objectives and outcomes, will be announced in the fall term.
1.0 Credit
Typically offered spring term.
This course will introduce students to the basic theories and practices of teaching and learning in the liberal arts, and provide training and practical experience as discussion leaders in undergraduate courses specific to their majors. Participants will enhance their skills related to critical thinking, reading, discussion, writing and the fundamentals of pedagogy as related to the humanities, social sciences and interdisciplinary studies. The format of this course includes intensive training sessions early in the term followed by bi-weekly workshops throughout the term. Students will also undertake a practicum in undergraduate courses specific to their majors through which they will be mentored as discussion leaders.
0.5 Credit
Prerequisites: Invitation, review and selection by participating departments.
Faculty of Education
Computational Thinking Across Disciplines is an introduction to computational thinking as a way of thinking across a variety of disciplines. The course is designed to develop and enhance problem-solving skills and computer coding abilities at a variety of levels, while addressing issues that are directly of interest to the learner and individual areas of study. The course is a combination of online learning modules and face to face lab experiences.
0.5 Credit
Prerequisites: At least 5.0 credits at the 100 level.
This course explores how reflective learning methods can drive meaningful learning from experience. Students will learn tools to critically reflect on their co-curricular leadership, service, volunteer, and/or work experiences and achievements through the lens of the Laurier competency framework. Through application of these tools, students will become more self-aware and begin to articulate future-ready competencies and skills, which lay a solid foundation for successful transition into the workplace. Course delivery is a combination of online modules and in-class experiences.
0.5 Credit
Faculty of Human and Social Sciences Courses
The Canadian Criminal Code requires additional factors to be considered when sentencing Indigenous offenders. This online course takes a comprehensive look at Gladue Principles of justice from a historical, contemporary, practical and critical lens. Examples of how the Canadian Criminal Code Gladue Section 718.2(e) has opened up space for engagement with and integration of Indigenous legal orders and modes of achieving justice will be included, as well as exploration of arguments in support of broad structural change.
The credit course is designed as a comprehensive as well as a critical look at Gladue for students whose anticipated career paths may bring them into contact with a Gladue court or the need for information or context pertaining to an Indigenous person’s background and life circumstances. Initial exploration of this topic was based on feedback received from attorneys, court workers and a judge who encouraged the development of new educational supports designed to increase development of knowledge and understanding in a complex and often-misunderstood area of the criminal code.
This is a 1.0 credit course (comparable to six-credit-weighting at some institutions) offered over one term.
If you are unclear on this course-weight or how it will fit with your schedule, consult with Academic Advising for advice.
Laurier students may register for this course through LORIS. Non-Laurier students may register for this course using a Letter of Permission.
Students who complete the credit course with a 70% or higher are granted the Gladue Principles Certificate (non-credit) from the Centre for Public Safety and Well-Being in addition to receiving the credit on their transcript. Eligible students will receive their certificate by email after the completion of the course.
The following six-week (0.25 credit) courses are developed jointly between Laurier and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), designed to introduce key global challenges to lawfulness as designated by the UNODC.
- UNDC100: Introduction to the UNODC
- UNDC101: Integrity and Ethics in Promoting Culture of the Rule of Law
- UNDC102: Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice
- UNDC103: Trafficking in Persons/Smuggling of Migrants
- UNDC200: Anti-Corruption
- UNDC201: Transnational Organized Crime
- UNDC202: Illicit Misuse and Trafficking of Firearms
- UNDC203: Digital Technologies and Crime
- UNDC204: Wildlife, Forest and Fisheries Crime
- UNDC205: Counter-Terrorism
These courses can be applied to the Global Crime and Justice Certificate offered by the Centre for Public Safety and Well-Being.
University Interdisciplinary Courses
A hands-on seminar that integrates across the different disciplines involved in international policy. Guest speakers and case simulations will bring real-world policy issues to the classroom. An active, collaborative and problem-based approach will prepare students for further study and employment in the field.
0.5 Credit
Co-requisites: Registration status: Year 3 or Year 4 and completion of EC120; EC140; GS101 or HR163; PO245 or HR223/DMJN223; and PO231 or PO232 or HR328, or permission of the School of International Policy and Governance.
The course provides an interdisciplinary introduction to the topic of sustainability and is designed to be accessible and career relevant for students from all faculties. The focus is on understanding the challenges of sustainability with respect to different spheres (e.g., ecological, economic, socio-cultural) and at different scales from personal to global. Guest lecturers will explore sustainability from a variety of perspectives and students will develop their own plans of action to address concrete sustainability issues.
0.5 Credit
Introduction to core concepts, theories and competencies that serve as underpinnings for effective community engagement and service. Topics include ethical conduct, academic integrity, community service learning, civic engagement, career skills and professionalism. This is a practical course that provides a foundation for undertaking further experiential education opportunities. (Online Learning only)
0.5 Credit
The Interdisciplinary Course Committee determines the theme of this course, consisting of lectures and seminars.
0.5 Credit
Prerequisites: Year 3 or Year 4 student with a minimum GPA of 9.00. Submission of an application to the IC committee required.
This course invites students to engage in guided critical reflection of selected co-curricular experiences and achievements (e.g. leadership, service, volunteer, work experiences), or other experiential learning opportunities that take place outside of the university classroom. Students will identify personally relevant experiences, and using the lens of the Laurier competency framework, will articulate the competencies and transferrable skills derived from critical reflection on learning experiences. Course delivery is a combination of online learning modules and in-class learning experiences.
0.5 Credit
Prerequisites: UU299
This course consists of two intensive, weekend seminars, combined with individual (or group) projects supervised by a member of the UU400 committee. The course is open to students in most disciplines, for example sociology, anthropology, languages and literatures, history. Submission of an application to the committee required.
0.5 Credit
Prerequisites: Year 4 student with a minimum GPA of 9.00.