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
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. Ki’en Debicki Term: 2
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
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
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. Mat Savelli (Terms 1 & 2), Dr. Beth Marquis (Term 1), Dr. Yana Stainova (Term 2) Term: 3
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
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
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
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
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
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: 2
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: 1
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
Using an inquiry methodology, and through interaction with graduates of the Arts & Science program, students will explore the practical applications of an interdisciplinary degree. The professional experiences of alumni will inform and supplement an exploration of complex and multifaceted issues related to the relationships between interdisciplinary education, work, and life.
Instructor: Dr. Mark Busser Term: 2
Using an inquiry methodology, students will explore issues pertaining to global justice through an interdisciplinary lens.
Instructor: Dr. Paul Emiljanowicz Term: 2
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 More Information
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: 1
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: Dr. James Benn Term: 1
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
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 More Information
This course consists of study under the supervision of a McMaster faculty member. Proposal deadline is March 1. See here for more information.
This course consists of original research under the supervision of a McMaster faculty member. Proposal deadline is March 1. See here for more information.
The 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: Dr. Eugenia Zuroski Term: 1
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. Kalaichelvi Saravanamuttu Term: 2
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. Patangi Rangachari Term: 1
This course invites students to engage in thorough exploration of some of the most pressing contemporary challenges and emerging trends in global health. Through critical discussion and project work, students will analyze the social, economic, political, and environmental determinants of health, and examine strategies for addressing health disparities to promote equity on a global scale.
Instructor: Dr. Mary Crea-Arsenio Term: 1
An examination of social and political theory from thinkers, activists, and/or movements from the Global South. The course focuses on the work of a single theorist or small selection of theorists determined by the instructor annually.
Instructor: Dr. Inder Marwah Term: 1
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
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 2026-27).
Instructor: Dr. Jean Wilson Term: 2
This course offers students an opportunity to engage in sustained investigation and analysis of queer and feminist thought and knowledge production. Particular attention will be paid to the development and application of diverse queer theories across a range of disciplinary and interdisciplinary contexts.
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.
In 2026-27, ARTSSCI 4ST3 will focus on processes and practices for working toward redress of systemic inequity and injustice. Drawing on relevant literature and practice, students will have the opportunity to explore, engage with, analyse, and imagine strategies for combatting systemic injustice and working toward more just worlds.
Instructor: Dr. Rhon Teruelle Term: 2
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 More Information