ARTSSCI 1A03 | Practices of Knowledge

An examination of significant themes in intellectual history through a reading of major works in philosophy and literature that shed light on the conceptual foundations of contemporary life.

Instructor: Dr. Jason Hoult
Term: 1
Course Outline

ARTSSCI 1AA3 | Contemporary Indigenous Studies

This course will explore the relationship between Indigenous peoples and mainstream society in the 20th century with regard to governmental policy, land claims, economic development, and self-determination.

Instructor: Dr. Vanessa Watts
Term: 2
Course Outline

ARTSSCI 1B03 | Writing

This course aims to develop students’ ability to use language in written communication, with a focus on academic writing in particular. Students will develop their writing skills through assignments and activities that ask them to produce, analyze, and reflect on written work in a range of genres.

Instructor: Dr. Wendy D’Angelo
Term: 1
Course Outline

ARTSSCI 1BB3 | Argumentation

This course provides students with some of the conceptual tools needed to recognize, understand, evaluate, formulate, and attack arguments. Students will have the opportunity to develop such skills in their oral and written work.

Instructor: Dr. Alexander Leferman
Term: 2
Course Outline

ARTSSCI 1C06 | Global Challenges Inquiry

This inquiry course, designed to develop skills basic to the systematic, evidence-based investigation of public issues, focuses on issues relevant to global development, with attention to theoretical frameworks and empirical actualities.

Instructors: Dr. Beth Marquis and Dr. Mat Savelli
Term: 3
Course Outline

ARTSSCI 1D06 | Calculus

This course aims to provide a thorough understanding of the principles and major applications of differential and integral calculus of functions of one variable, as well as an introduction to multivariate calculus and differential equations.

Instructor: Dr. Megumi Harada
Term: 3
Course Outline

ARTSSCI 2A06 | Social and Political Thought

Development of political, moral and religious thought in the writings of such major figures as Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Adam Smith, Burke, Marx, Mill, Weber, von Hayek, Nietzsche, Freud and Arendt.

Instructor: Dr. David L. Clark
Term: 3
Course Outline

ARTSSCI 2D06 | Physics

Exploring many of the great concepts of physics in a quantitative way. Beginning with Newtonian mechanics, it moves into Einstein’s relativity, wave phenomena, atomic physics, quantum mechanics and cosmology. Selected laboratory projects will be carried out.

Instructor: Dr. Maikel Rheinstädter
Term: 3
Course Outline

ARTSSCI 2E03 | Economics: Principles & Policy

An introduction to the core principles of economics with the objective of helping students to apply economic reasoning to issues that are central to modern societies, such as: the role of government in a market-oriented setting; equity and efficiency; growth and the environment; and fiscal and monetary stability.

Instructor: Dr. Anastasios (Tasos) Papanastasiou
Term: 1
Course Outline

ARTSSCI 2R03 | Applied Statistical Inference

Inferential statistics, with an emphasis on applications. Topics include data description, graphical methods, probability, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, one-way ANOVA, analysis of categorical data, regression and correlation. Use of a statistics software package.

Instructor: Dr. David Lozinski
Term: 2
Course Outline

ARTSSCI 3B03 | Technology and Society I

The Culture of Technology. Technological practices and approaches are studied as cultural activities in the contexts of beliefs, philosophies, values and social structures both past and present.

Instructor: Dr. Lev Marder
Term: 1
Course Outline

ARTSSCI 3BB3 | Technology and Society II

The Social Control of Technology. The dominant mechanisms of the social control of technology will be studied, with attention to the role of ethics.

Instructor: Dr. David Goutor
Term: 2
Course Outline

ARTSSCI 3CL3 | Theatre, Self, and Society

Theatre skills are life skills. Throughout this course, class exercises, creative work, and online discussions will allow students to explore the practice and ethics of Applied Drama and to learn how theatre can be used as a tool for social development and change.

Instructor: Prof. Hartley Jafine
Term: 1
Course Outline

ARTSSCI 3EH3 | Exploring Hamilton Inquiry

This course encourages students to ask questions and explore topics focused on the City of Hamilton, Ontario. Through the exploration of Hamilton from a number of disciplinary perspectives, including cultural, economic, and geological, students will have an opportunity to gain insight into the city that McMaster University calls home. This course will include excursions during class time and may require small fees for travel.

Instructor: Dr. John Maclachlan
Term: 2
Course Outline

ARTSSCI 3F03 | Experiential Project in Teaching and Learning

This course allows students to explore in depth an issue related to teaching and learning in higher education under the supervision of faculty/staff affiliated with the MacPherson Institute. Students may propose research questions of their own or contribute to the development of existing initiatives within the Institute.

Coordinator: Dr. Beth Marquis
Term: 3
More Information

ARTSSCI 3GJ3 | Global Justice Inquiry

Using an inquiry methodology, students will explore issues pertaining to global justice through an interdisciplinary lens. More information about global justice can be found on our Speakers & Workshops page.

Instructor: Dr. Paul Emiljanowicz
Term: 2
Course Outline

ARTSSCI 3RL3 | Religion and Law

The notion of law has deep roots in religious thought and writing. This course will survey the historical development of law in the western world in connection with various religious traditions, with a focus on Judaism and Christianity. It will also address some contemporary issues and tensions between religion and law in pluralistic, secular societies.

Instructor: Dr. Meirav Jones
Term: 1
Course Outline

ARTSSCI 3S03 | The East Asian Religious Tradition

ARTSSCI 3S03 will be replaced by SCAR 3UU3 in 2022-23. See SCAR 3UU3 listing below.

SCAR 3UU3 | Buddhism in East Asia

An examination of myth, history, doctrine, monastic culture, and ritual practices in East Asian Buddhism.

(In place of ARTSSCI 3S03)

Instructor: Dr. James Benn
Term: 1
Course Outline

ARTSSCI 3TR3 | Trees and Their Histories

Inspired by the trees on McMaster’s campus, this course examines trees and their significance through a number of different lenses and from a variety of discipline perspectives: biology; colonial and economic histories; visual, material, and performing arts practices; psychology; indigenous and environmental studies; poetry and prose.

Instructor: Dr. Alison McQueen
Term: 1
Course Outline available via Avenue to Learn

ARTSSCI 3X03 | Individual Study

This course consists of study under the supervision of a McMaster faculty member. See here for more information.

Coordinator: Dr. Beth Marquis
Term: 3
More Information

ARTSSCI 4A06/9 | Individual Study

This course consists of study under the supervision of a McMaster faculty member. Proposal deadline is March 1. See here for more information.

Coordinator: Dr. Beth Marquis
Term: 3
More Information

ARTSSCI 4C06/9 | Thesis

This course consists of original research under the supervision of a McMaster faculty member. Proposal deadline is March 1. See here for more information.

Coordinator: Dr. Beth Marquis
Term: 3
More Information

ARTSSCI 4CB3 | Education Inquiry

Students will have the opportunity in this course to use an inquiry-based approach to focus on social, cultural, political, and economic issues that influence and are influenced by education.

Instructor: Dr. Henry Giroux
Term: 2
Course Outline

ARTSSCI 4CD3 | Research and Creative Writing

This course exposes students to creative writing that is grounded in research. It also invites students to explore ways in which research findings might be disseminated through creative expression.

Instructor: Prof. Anton Piatigorsky
Term: 1
Course Outline

ARTSSCI 4CF3 | How Science Speaks to Power

A case study approach is used to examine how science is shaped by politics and how science advice is filtered by political processes. Possible case studies include Mad Cow disease, the ozone hole, and genetically modified foods.

Instructor: Dr. Roger Jacobs
Term: 1
Course Outline

ARTSSCI 4CI3 | Diversity and Human Rights Inquiry

This course explores issues of diversity and the role of human rights protection regimes in both Canadian and international contexts.

Instructor: Dr. Clare Warner
Term: 1
Course Outline

ARTSSCI 4CT3 | Medical Humanities Inquiry

This course exposes students to the rapidly developing international field known as medical humanities. It explores the interconnections between health, medicine, the arts, and the humanities, with a particular focus on issues of medical ethics and narrative in medicine.

Instructor: Dr. P.K. Rangachari
Term: 2
Course Outline

ARTSSCI 4DS3 | Digital Society and Public Policy

This course explores the challenges to public policy posed by an increasingly digital society and its advances in areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, blockchain, 3D printing, robotics, and the Internet of Things.

Instructor: Prof. Vass Bednar
Term: 1
Course Outline

ARTSSCI 4EP3 | Environmental Policy Inquiry

This course provides a critical analysis of the relationship between public policy making and environmental issues. Students will engage in critical discussion of a range of literature that has direct bearing on explaining how environmental issues, scientific evidence, and the policy process converge. The course also includes a current policy case study designed to help students gain further insight into how course themes and concepts unfold in reality.

Instructor: Dr. Chris McLaughlin
Term: 1
Course Outline