The Canadian Studies Program at the University of Washington is an interdisciplinary program designed to develop an understanding of Canada, of Canada's relationships with the United States, of Canada's major role in the Commonwealth and in the United Nations and of Canada in International context. Canadian Studies is coordinated by the Canadian Studies Center which is administered through the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies.
Core courses offered through the Jackson School introduce the student to the origins and evolution of Canadian peoples, their society and culture. Other courses relevant to Canada are offered in Architecture and Urban Planning, American Indian Studies, Anthropology, Art History, Asian American Studies, Business, Communications, Economics, English, Environmental Studies, Fishery Sciences, Forest Resources, Geography, History, Law, Linguistics, Music/Musicology, Oceanography, Political Science, Public Affairs, Romance Languages and Literature, Social Work and Women Studies. The Canadian Studies Program is also served by faculty in the University’s professional schools with Canada-related courses offered in Business Administration, Communications, Forest Resources, Public Affairs, Health Sciences, Law, Ocean and Fishery Sciences and Urban Design and Planning.
The affinity between Canada and the United States is reflected in a variety of topics, including Pacific Northwest History, Environmental Concerns and the Art of the Northwest Coast Indians. Some of the differences between Canada and the United States are highlighted in such areas as Government and Politics of Canada, Québécois Literature, and the Mass Media in Canada.
The Canadian Studies Center, along with the Center for Canadian and American Studies at Western Washington University, comprises one of two federally-funded National Resource Centers for the study of Canada in the United States. In support of the research and teaching interests of faculty, staff and students at the University of Washington, the University Libraries hold one of the largest collections of Canadian materials in North America. In overall comprehensiveness the Library system ranks twelfth in all of North America. Students who desire practical experience outside the classroom can choose from a growing list of internships with business, government and non-profit organizations involved in transactions that affect Canadians and cross-border issues.
Daniel Hart, Chair
Any undergraduate admitted for study as a matriculated student in the College of Arts and Sciences may declare Canadian Studies as a major and work for the B.A. degree.
Students whose principal interest is Canada may earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in Canadian Studies. They must successfully complete requirements in international affairs, economics, and language (French) as well as the area requirements of the program and the College of Arts and Sciences.
General (25 credits):
SIS 200, States & Capitalism: The Origins of the Modern Global System (5)
SIS 201, Introduction to International Political Economy (5)
SIS 202, Cultural Interactions in an Interdependent World (5)
ECON 200, Introduction to Microeconomics (5)
ECON 201, Introduction to Macroeconomics (5)
Foreign Language:
French language competency through second year college level
Canadian Studies Required Courses:
SISCA 356, Canadian Society (5)
SISCA 498, Seminar: Canadian Problems (5)
A minimum of 18 additional credits from an approved course list focusing on such areas as Canadian history, society, geography, government, and politics.
25 credits, including SISCA 356 and 498 (10 credits) and 15 credits of electives. Recommended electives: SISCA 308, 341, 377, 400, 424, 430, 441, or joint-listed equivalents. Other approved electives: AAS 372, ANTH 310, COM 420/SIS 419/POL S 468, ENGL 359/AIS 377. Minimum grade of 2.0 required in each course applied toward the minor. Minimum of 15 credits to be completed at the University of Washington