Skip to main content

Canadian Studies (BA)

Explore Canada's diverse cultural, social, and political landscapes through an interdisciplinary lens.

Program Type
Bachelor
Faculty
Location
Program Start
September and January
Program Options
Combined degree
Honours
Major
Minor

Why choose this program?

Why Canadian Studies at Dalhousie? In this era of globalized exchange, and growing international citizenship and responsibilities, Canadian Studies programs are enjoying a renaissance. Knowing ourselves and understanding our place in the world as Canadians remains an urgent task for students and scholars alike.

Admission requirements

Minimum admission requirements

To be considered for admission to this program, you must meet minimum academic criteria:

  1. Completion of secondary school (Grade 12)
  2. Achievement of the minimum average for your program of choice.
  3. Completion of Grade 12 English (or equivalent course).

Admission to many Dalhousie programs is competitive. This means that meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.

Program-specific admission requirements

Bachelor of Arts requirements:

  • Minimum overall average: 70%

  • Academic English 12

  • Four additional academic subjects

Financial information

A university education is a significant financial investment. Every student is unique, and so are their financial circumstances. We offer competitive tuition, a robust scholarship and bursary program, and resources and support to help you explore financial options and develop a plan that works for you. 

Program options

The Canadian Studies program offers a wide range of classes, beginning with a structured group of core courses and beyond to a large selection of cross-listings. Many faculty members at Dalhousie teach in the Canadian Studies program and in another department. Our cross-appointed team of professors offer a vast knowledge base of Canadian Studies from the perspective of their home disciplines.


The following Canadian Studies program options are offered by Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Connect with an academic advisor after you start your studies to explore options such as:  

  • Bachelor of Arts, Canadian Studies

  • Bachelor of Arts, Double Major in Canadian Studies

  • Bachelor of Arts, Combined Honours in Canadian Studies 

  • Minor in Canadian Studies

What you will learn

As a second field of study leading to a Minor, a Double Major, or a Combined Honours BA or BSc, the Canadian Studies program provides the opportunity to enrich and enhance your work on Canadian topics beyond your primary departmental home.

You'll take a group of core courses that study Canada from an interdisciplinary perspective and then choose from a long list of electives cross-listed in other departments throughout the university.

Sample courses may include:

  • Halifax and the World: Part I

  • Halifax and the World: Part II

  • The Idea of Canada: Social and Political Perspectives

  • Introduction to African Canadian Studies: Society, History, and Culture

  • Canadian Economic History

  • Interdisciplinary Approaches to Canadian Themes

  • Indigenous Research Methods

  • Contemporary Canadian Literature

  • Canadian Healthcare Delivery System

  • Topics in Canadian Music

  • Canadian Theatre since 1968: Interrogating Identities

Through the Canadian Studies program’s interdisciplinary approach, you’ll get an overview of what makes Canada the country it is—and who its people are—in terms of history, politics, culture, and society.

Careers

The interdisciplinary approach of the Canadian Studies program is a great foundation for a wide range of activities and careers, including journalism, business, education and law.

Future studies could include programs at the graduate or professional level in arts and social sciences, journalism, or law.