Most course outlines can be found in the Simple Syllabus online portal. Outlines not posted in the Simple Syllabus portal will be made available to students before the start of classes (e.g., via the relevant course page in Avenue to Learn).
2025-26 Courses
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. Manuel Vasquez Villavicencio
Term: 1
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:
Term: 2
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. Stacy Creech de Castro
Term: 1
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:
Term: 2
ARTSSCI 1C06 | Global Challenges Inquiry
This inquiry course, designed to develop skills basic to the systematic, evidence-based investigation of public issues, focuses on substantial global challenges and injustices, as well as on means of working toward positive social change.
Instructors: Dr. Beth Marquis (Terms 1 & 2) and Dr. Mat Savelli (Term 1)
Term: 3
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. Caroline Junkins
Term: 3
ARTSSCI 2A06 | Social and Political Thought
Development of social and political thought, with an emphasis on the question of justice, community, and the concept of “the human,” in the writings of a wide range of thinkers, from Plato, Locke, Wollstonecraft, and Marx to Butler, Foucault, Audra Simpson, and Cornel West.
Instructor: Dr. Shane Lynn (Term 1) and Dr. Derek Woods (Term 2)
Term: 3
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 Rheinstadter
Term: 3
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
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. Katherine Davies
Term: 2
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. Beth Marquis
Term: 1
ARTSSCI 3BB3 | Technology and Society II
The course will explore the extent to which technology controls our lives – including at work, at home, and in politics – and how different groups in society are affected and how they can respond.
Instructor: Dr. David Goutor
Term: 2
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
ARTSSCI 3C03 | Coding Inquiry
This course focuses on computer programming as both a technical and a social practice. Students will have an opportunity to learn and apply basic coding skills; to consider the intersections between coding and user experience; and to explore ways in which software design might contribute to addressing (or exacerbating) social challenges.
Instructor: Dr. Luis Navarro Del Angel
Term: 2
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: 1
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 McMaster faculty and/or staff affiliated with the Paul R. MacPherson Institute for Leadership, Innovation and Excellence in Teaching (MacPherson Institute). Students may propose research questions of their own or contribute to the development of existing initiatives within the MacPherson Institute. Proposal form and deadlines are available on the Arts & Science Program website https://artsci.mcmaster.ca.
Coordinator: Dr. Beth Marquis
Term: 3
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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:
Term: 2
ARTSSCI 3S03 | The East Asian Religious Tradition
Readings of East Asian texts in translation will centre around themes such as culture vs. nature, virtue vs. power, social responsibility vs. personal cultivation, bookish learning vs. meditation.
Instructor:
Term: 1
ARTSSCI 3TR3 | Trees and Their Histories
Inspired by the trees on McMaster’s campus, this course examines trees and their significance in history and the present through multiple lenses including: biology; colonial and economic histories; visual, material, and performing arts practices; indigenous and environmental studies; poetry, prose, and psychology.
Instructor: Dr. Alison McQueen
Term: 1
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: 1 & 2
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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: 1 & 2
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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: 1 & 2
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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:
Term: 1
ARTSSCI 4CP3 | Media Inquiry
This course considers media texts and industries as social and political entities, taking up theoretical and analytical perspectives, political economy of the media, news media, and entertainment media and their cultural effects.
Instructor: Dr. James Gillett
Term: 1
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
ARTSSCI 4HS3 | History of Science Inquiry
An exploration of theoretical questions and case studies from the history and sociology of science. Students will undertake inquiry projects on selected topics and present their work to the class.
Instructor: Dr. Ellen Amster
Term: 2
ARTSSCI 4LI3 | Literature Inquiry I
As the first of two offerings dedicated to the interactive process of literary study, the course encourages students to participate in fresh, open-minded, and careful reading of literary works in various forms, and to claim for themselves the relevance of literary engagement as a practice of knowledge. The course can be taken on its own or paired with ARTSSCI 4LT3 (not offered in 2023-24).
Instructor: Dr. Jean Wilson
Term: 2
ARTSSCI 4MB3 | Beauty and Truth in Mathematics and Sciences
This course explores the relationship between beauty and truth in mathematics and the sciences. Drawing on texts by philosophers and scientists from various eras and fields of expertise, it considers issues such as the nature of beauty and truth and the intellectual role of pleasure.
Instructor: Dr. Manuel Vasquez Villavicencio
Term: 2
ARTSSCI 4ST3 | Selected Topics in Inquiry
Topics will vary from year to year in accordance with student interests and faculty availability. Students should consult the Arts & Science Program for information on topics to be offered.
ARTSSCI 4ST3: “Global Health Inquiry” – Winter 2026
This course will provide students with an in-depth exploration of some of the most pressing contemporary challenges and emerging trends in global health. Students will engage in critical discussion to analyze the social, economic, political, and environmental determinants of health, and examine strategies for addressing health disparities to promote equity on a global scale. The course includes expert speakers who will share experiences, insights, and practical perspectives on topics of interest. At the end of the course, students will be expected to produce a policy report from the perspective of a United Nations Senior Advisor outlining how a selected country can move forward in achieving a sustainable development goal target related to global health by the year 2030.
Instructor: Dr. Mary Crea-Arsenio
Term: 2
ARTSSCI 4MN1 | Local Explorations
An experiential learning course, which offers students the opportunity to explore issues of local significance and global relevance. Students may pursue independent study options or, when available, participate in assorted modules.
Instructor: Various
Term: 1 & 2
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