FCS electives round-up: Have you selected yours yet?
It’s that time of year again: course enrollment, when undergrads can adjust and build their schedule by adding, dropping and swapping classes. If you have room for open electives in the fall term, this is your chance to tailor your education as you like.
There’s lots to choose from. Check out our quick guide and a sampling from various FCS schools.
Find information in the 2024/25 Undergraduate Calendar about: open electives, minors and courses.
Children’s Rights (CYC 602)
Examine the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and explore it within the framework of human rights principles and citizenship. You’ll consider policy and practice implications through the lens of child rights approaches. You’ll also understand children's development as "citizens" and their participation in society. Offered by the School of Child and Youth Care (CYC). Required for CYC students; available as an open elective for students from other programs.
Mad People’s History (DST 504)
Gain an overview of the history of madness from the point of view of people who were, and are, deemed "mad". Individuals diagnosed as mad, insane or mentally ill have diverse perspectives. This course places those perspectives as centrally important in the history of psychiatry, and addresses how madness has been viewed by mad people over the centuries. Offered by the School of Disability Studies (DST). Required for DST students; available as an open elective for students from other programs.
Indigenous Childhoods (CLD 570)
Get introduced to the foundational concepts in Indigenous childhood studies in the Canadian context. This course is grounded in Indigenous perspectives and experiences of childhood and intervention through colonial policy. You’ll explore the history of settler-colonialism in Canada — including an examination of policies and practices in which Indigenous children have been intervened upon, such as residential schooling, child welfare, and current practices in education and social services. You’ll also start learning about culturally safe practices when working with Indigenous children, families, and communities. Offered by the School of Early Childhood Studies (ECS). Core elective for ECS students; available as an open elective for students from other programs.
Indigenous Food Systems in Canada (FNY 510)
Get an introduction to Indigenous Peoples' food, nutrition, and health issues. Using the concept of food security as a framework, we’ll discuss food availability, accessibility, adequacy, and acceptability in the context of historical and current Indigenous food systems. Through lectures and class discussions, you’ll learn about topics including: colonization and reconciliation; Indigenous worldviews; oral history and food; traditional foods; the social determinants of health; emerging health trends; food policy, community nutrition, and Indigenous food sovereignty. Offered by the School of Nutrition. Core elective for Nutrition and Food Students; available as an open elective for students from other programs.
Health Promotion and Education (POH 705)
Get an introduction to adult learning styles, and issues and strategies related to health education and promotion. You’ll explore and analyze theories relating to individual and group behaviour models. Learn the important components of health education and health promotion. You’ll have the opportunity to critically analyze and evaluate other programs, and then to apply your knowledge. Offered by the School of Occupational and Public Health. Required for occupational and public health students; available as an open elective for students from other programs.
Art and Social Transformation (SWP 939)
Gain knowledge of the intersections between community practice and the uses of art. You’ll focus specifically on how art has been used to advance the cause of social transformation and resistance to marginalization, exploitation and powerlessness. You’ll explore diverse mediums of art-production and performance such as photography, film, drama and storytelling. The course is framed within anti-oppression, anti-colonial and decolonizing theoretical frameworks. Offered by the School of Social Work. Core elective for social work students; available as an open elective for students from other programs.
Housing (PLE 535)
Learn methods of identifying housing needs and analyzing possible solutions. Explore in detail the role of government, the private developer, and non-governmental organizations. You’ll also discuss the application of housing legislation at the provincial and federal levels, as well as current housing programs. Offered by the School of Urban and Regional Planning (SURP). Core elective for SURP students; available as an open elective for students from other programs.
Homelessness in Canadian Society (INT 908)
Learn an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the complex problem of homelessness. Drawing on literature from Canada and the U.S., you’ll explore issues that underlie homelessness, the various ways in which these may be manifested, the everchanging characteristics of these populations, and the policy responses aimed at resolving issues. You’ll engage in debate and shared learning about the current state of statistical information, the views of frontline service providers and advocates, and the differing paradigms embedded in the various disciplines represented. Offered by the Faculty of Community Services.
