Last updated: August 16, 2001 @ 01:21PM

Great Books/Liberal Studies

Director
Francine M. McCarthy, Earth Sciences

Participating Faculty
Alan G. Arthur (History), David W. Atkinson (English Language and Literature), Brian Crick (English Language and Literature), Michael Driedger (Great Books/Liberal Studies and History), Klay Dyer (English Language and Literature), Corrado J.A. Federici (French, Italian and Spanish), Peter Landey (Music), Ingrid Makus (Political Science), William Mathie (Political Science), Francine McCarthy (Earth Sciences), Thomas M.Mulligan (Management, Marketing and Human Resources), Mary Frances Richardson (Chemistry)

General Information

Administrative Assistant,
Barb Alexander
(905) 688-5550, extension 4752
MC C331
http://www.brocku.ca/greatbooks

The Centre for Great Books/Liberal Studies provides an opportunity for the exploration and discussion of those questions which arise when education is directed towards the freedom of the fully examined life.

Questions of human nature and purpose and of our relationship to the natural order, for example, are examined primarily through reading and discussion of the great works of human reason and imagination that constitute our cultural tradition.

The program seeks to develop the skills and habits of inquiry, analysis, argument and expression needed for a rigorous treatment of these questions.

The program is made up of a set of closely related core courses which are intended to provide an integrated liberal education, to be cumulative and to furnish the basis for an intellectual community of students and faculty. The Great Books/Liberal Studies Program must be either combined with a major in another discipline or as a minor. Students combining Great Books/Liberal Studies with a major concentration in Mathematics or Science will usually be exempted from the Science context requirement and may petition for exemption from the second language requirement.

The focus of the program is the Great Books Seminar which meets, under the guidance of two faculty leaders, twice weekly, throughout the entire program. Leaders for this seminar are drawn from a variety of disciplines and faculties of the University.

The other courses in the Great Books/Liberal Studies Program are intended both to provide for a kind of learning not possible in the seminar itself and also to enhance the quality and rigour of the inquiry and discussion which the seminar is intended to engender.

Students in year 4 are required to prepare a major essay on some aspect of Great Books/Liberal Studies, relating it to work in their other major, under the guidance of a faculty member.

A non-credit series of lectures supplements the Great Books/Liberal Studies Program. The lectures will illuminate the works and issues addressed in the program from a variety of perspectives. Students also attend concerts, art exhibitions and dramatic productions. Students are expected to attend the lectures and cultural events, since these constitute an integral part of the Great Books/Liberal Studies Program. Each student in the program is assigned a faculty adviser for regular and incidental consultation.

Great Books seminars
The Great Books Seminars (GBLS 1F90, 1P93, 2F90, 3P90, 3P91, 4P10, 4P11) are open to all students, but students majoring in and those taking a minor in Great Books/Liberal Studies will have first access. Students who complete GBLS 1F90, 2F90, 3P90, 3P91, 4P10, and 4P11 are deemed to have satisfied the Social Science context requirement.

Language Requirement for Humanities Majors

Great Books/Liberal Studies BA majors are required to complete one credit in a language other than English. Students completing the program to earn the Bachelor of Science degree are not required to do so but it is strongly recommended. Where one-half credit courses are used to satisfy this requirement, both half credits must be in the same language. Greek or Latin recommended.

Program Notes
  1. Bachelor of Science students may complete 1 elective credit.
  2. HIST 4F99 or POLI 4F99 may be substituted for GBLS 4P99 if the topic selected for the History or Political Science honours thesis is approved by the Director of Great Books/Liberal Studies. Students who substitute HIST 4F99 must take an additional one-half credit in GBLS.
  3. In planning their programs students should note that not all GBLS courses are available every year. GBLS 3P90 and 4P10 are offered together in alternate years with GBLS 3P91 and 4P11.
  4. By petition to the Director a student majoring in the program may substitute up to one credit of GBLS 3P90, 3P91, 4P10 and 4P11 with other GBLS offerings at the same level.
  5. These two credits must include one credit numbered 3(alpha)90 or above from ACTG, ENTR, FNCE, MKTG, OBHR; MGMT 3P98, 4P12 or 4P82.
  6. MATH 1P12 strongly recommended.
  7. PHYS 3P20 is offered in alternate years. A student in year 3 when PHYS 3P20 is not offered should take an additional one-half credit from GBLS courses listed in year 3, and one-half credit less from the GBLS courses listed under year 4.
  8. In all 20 credit degree programs, at least 12 credits must be numbered 2(alpha)00 or above, six of which must be numbered 2(alpha)90 or above and of these, three must be numbered 3(alpha)90 or above. In all 15 credit degree programs, at least seven credits must be numbered 2(alpha)00 or above, three of which must be numbered 2(alpha)90 or above.

Bachelor of Arts in Great Books/Liberal Studies

Year 1 of the Honours program as a single major is now closed.
·   2F90, 3P90, 3P91, 4P10, 4P11 and 4P99
·   one credit from GBLS 1P92, 2P90, 3V90-3V94, 4P40
·   five credits from GBLS 1P92, 1P93, 2F97, 2P90, 2P99, 3P00, 3V90-3V94, 4P01, 4P02, 4P04, 4P06, 4P40, 4V00-4V09, 4V70, 4V71
·   one-half elective credit

Combined Honours
·   GBLS 1F90, 1P91, 2F90, 3P90, 3P91, 4P10, 4P11 and 4P99
·   one credit from GBLS 1P92, 1P93, 2P90, 3V90-3V94, 4P40
·   one credit from GBLS 1P92, 2F97, 2P90, 2P99, 3P00, 3P95, 4P01, 4P02, 4P04, 4P06, 4P40, 4V00-4V09, 4V70, 4V71
·   one Science context credit (SCIE 1F30 recommended)
·   one language credit (see language requirement)
·   six elective credits

Combined pass
·   GBLS 1F90, 1P91 and 2F90
·   one and one-half credits from GBLS 1P92, 1P93, 2F97, 2P90, 2P99, 3P00, 3V90-3V94
·   one credit from GBLS 3P90, 3P91, 4P10, 4P11
·   one Science context credit (SCIE 1F30 recommended)
·   one language credit (see language requirement)
·   eight elective credits

Great Books/Liberal Studies and Business (honours only)

In co-operation with the Faculty of Business, the Centre for Great Books/Liberal Studies offers a combined major leading to a BA (honours) in Great Books/Liberal Studies and Business. This program is designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge demanded for successful leadership in business and a critical understanding of the intellectual forces that have shaped and still shape the world within which that leadership must be exercised. The program is intended for students with career interests involving business leadership and policy making, lifelong learning, social issue management or the management of creative organizations.

Year 1
·   GBLS 1F90 and 1P91
·   ACTG 1P91
·   ECON 1P91 and 1P92
·   MGMT 1P93
·   MATH 1P98
·   one language credit (see language requirement) or one Science context credit (Science 1F30 recommended)
Year 2
·   GBLS 2F90
·   one credit from GBLS 2F97, 2P90, 2P99, 3P00
·   ACTG 2P12
·   ECON 2P91
·   FNCE 2P91
·   MKTG 2P91
·   OBHR 2P91
·   the language credit or Science context credit not taken in year 1
Year 3
·   GBLS 3P90 and 4P10 or GBLS 3P91 and 4P11 (not taken in year 3)
·   FNCE 3P93
·   MKTG 3P24
·   OBHR 3P42
·   OPER 2P91
·   one GBLS credit numbered 2(alpha)90 level or above
·   one elective credit
Year 4
·   GBLS 3P90 and 4P10 or GBLS 3P91 and 4P11 (not taken in year 3)
·   GBLS 4P99
·   MGMT 4F87
·   one-half GBLS credit numbered 3(alpha)90 level or above
·   two credits from ACTG, ENTR, FNCE, MGMT, MKTG or OBHR (see program note 5)

Great Books/Liberal Studies and History (honours only)
In co-operation with the Department of History, the Great Books/Liberal Studies Program offers a combined major program in Great Books/Liberal Studies and History, especially for students wishing to combine a study of change over time with a focus on the literary and cultural achievements of the past. A variety of combinations are possible; the following program is suggested for students interested in cultural history.
·   GBLS 1F90, 1P91, 2F90, 3P90, 3P91, 4P10, 4P11 and 4P99 (see program note 3)
·   HIST 1F95, 1F96 or HIST 1P92 and 1P93
·   HIST 2P30, 2P99, 3P00, 4F99
·   one credit from GBLS 1P92, 1P93, 2P90, 3V90-3V94
·   one credit from GBLS 1P92, 2F97, 2P90, 2P99, 3P00, 3P95, 3V90-3V94, 4P01, 4P02, 4P04, 4P06, 4P40, 4V00- 4V09, 4V70, 4V71
·   two and one-half HIST credits
·   one HIST credit numbered 4V00 to 4V69
·   FREN 1F90 (or one credit in another language other than English)
·   one Science context credit (SCIE 1F30 recommended)
·   four elective credits

Great Books/Liberal Studies and Music (honours only)
In co-operation with the Department of Music, the Great Books/Liberal Studies Program offers a combined major program in Great Books/Liberal Studies and Music. This program is designed especially for students interested in the interdisciplinary study of music; students will have the opportunity to consider music within the context of the great philosophical, literary and scientific works of our cultural tradition.
·   GBLS 1F90, 1P91, 2F90, 3P90, 3P91, 4P10, 4P11 and 4P99
·   MUSI 1F50, 1F90, 1P83, 2F90, 2P83, 2Y05, 2Y06, 3Y05 and 3Y06
·   one credit from GBLS 1P92, 1P93, 2P90, 3V90-3V94
·   one credit from GBLS 1P92, 2F97, 2P90, 2P99, 3P00, 3P95, 3V90-3V94, 4P01, 4P02, 4P04, 4P40, 4P06, 4V00-4V09, 4V70, 4V71
·   one credit from MUSI 2P51, 2P52, 3P96, 3P97, 4P51
·   two MUSI credits
·   one Science context credit (SCIE 1F30 recommended)
·   one language credit (see language requirement)
·   three elective credits

Great Books/Liberal Studies and Political Science (honours only)
In co-operation with the Department of Political Science, the Great Books/Liberal Studies Program offers a combined major program in Great Books/Liberal Studies and Political Science. The honours program is designed to furnish a liberal education especially for students with an interest in political philosophy, Canadian politics and law.

Year 1
·   GBLS 1F90 and 1P91
·   one POLI credit numbered 1(alpha)90 to 1(alpha)99 (POLI 1P91 recommended)
·   FREN 1F90 (or one credit in another language other than English)
·   one-half elective credit (GBLS 1P92 recommended)
·   one Science context credit (SCIE 1F30 recommended)
Year 2
·   GBLS 2F90
·   POLI 2F12 and 2P80
·   one credit from GBLS 2F97, 2P90, 2P99, 3P00, 3P95
·   one POLI credit
·   one-half elective credit
Year 3
·   GBLS 3P90 and 4P10 or 3P91 and 4P11
·   POLI 3P18
·   POLI 3P91 or 3P92
·   one credit from GBLS 2P99, 3P00, 3P95, 3V90-3V94, 4P01, 4P02, 4P04, 4P06, 4V00-4V09, 4V70, 4V71
·   one of POLI 2P93, 3P04, 3P07, 3P71
·   one-half POLI credit numbered 2(alpha)90 or above
·   one elective credit
Year 4
·   GBLS 3P91 and 4P11 or 3P90 and 4P10 (not taken in year 3)
·   GBLS 4P99 (see program note 2)
·   POLI 4P14 or 4P19
·   one credit from POLI 4P01 (recommended), 4P02, 4P04, 4P05, 4P06, 4V00-4V09
·   two elective credits

Bachelor of Science in Great Books/Liberal Studies

Great Books/Liberal Studies can be combined with a concentration in Mathematics or Science. Students interested in this combination should consult the Program Director concerning their program and course selection.

Students who complete the combined honours program in Great Books/Liberal Studies and Physics may earn the BA or BSc degree depending upon whether the majority of their credits are in the Faculty of Mathematics and Science or the Faculty of Humanities. Students completing the program for the BA degree are deemed Humanities majors and are required to complete the language requirement as described above. Students completing the program to earn the BSc degree are not required to do so but it is strongly recommended.

Context requirements for Great Books/Liberal Studies majors are deemed satisfied by successful completion of the program.

Great Books/Liberal Studies and Physics (honours only)
In co-operation with the Department of Physics, the Great Books/Liberal Studies Program offers a combined major program in Great Books/Liberal Studies and Physics. The Program will be of interest to students wanting to understand the most important ideas in the physical sciences within the context furnished through the reading and discussion of the major works of reason and imagination that have animated our cultural tradition. The program is flexible enough to accommodate students with varying interests.

Year 1
·   GBLS 1F90 and 1P91
·   MATH 1P01 and 1P02
·   one of PHYS 1F20, 1F25, 1F90
·   one and one-half elective credits (see program notes 1 and 6)
Year 2
·   GBLS 2F90
·   MATH 2F05
·   one of GBLS 2P90, 2P99, 3P00
·   one credit from PHYS 2P20, 2P31, 2P50 (recommended)
·   one and one-half elective credits
Year 3
·   PHYS 3P20 (see program note 7)
·   one of GBLS 2P99, 3P00, 3P95, 4P01, 4P02, 4P04, 4P06, 4V00-4V09, 4V70, 4V71
·   two credits from PHYS 3P35, 3P36, 3P41, 3P70, 3P91
·   GBLS 3P90 and 4P10 or GBLS 3P91 and 4P11
·   one elective credit

Year 4
·   GBLS 3P91 and 4P11 or GBLS 3P90 and 4P10 (not taken in year 3)
·   GBLS 4P99
·   one credit from GBLS 2F97, 2P99, 3P00, 3P95, 3V90-3V94, 4P01, 4P02, 4P03, 4P04, 4P05, 4P06, 4P07, 4P40, 4V00-4V09, 4V70, 4V71
·   one credit from PHYS 4F50, 4F90, 4P30, 4P41, 4P70
·   one and one-half elective credits (see program note 7)

Certificate Program

The Centre for Great Books/Liberal Studies also offers a Certificate in Great Books/Liberal Studies. It provides an overview for persons who may be interested in taking an integrated set of courses exploring several major scientific, philosophic and literary works but already have a degree in a different field or who do not wish to proceed to a degree. The admission requirements are the same as for the degree program. Prospective students should consult with the Director before beginning the certificate program.

The Certificate is awarded upon completion of at least five credits in Great Books/Liberal Studies with a minimum overall average of 60 percent.
·   Three credits from GBLS 1F90, 2F90, 3P90, 3P91, 4P10, 4P11
·   two credits from GBLS 1F90, 1P91, 1P92, 1P93, 2F90, 2F97, 2P99, 3P00, 2P99, 3P90, 3P91, 3P00, 3P95, 4P02, 4P03, 4P04, 4P05, 4P06, 4P07, 4P10, 4P11, 4P40, 4V70, 4V71.
See "Certificate Requirements" under Academic Regulations.

Minor in Great Books/Liberal Studies

Students in other disciplines can obtain a minor in Great Books/Liberal Studies within their degree program by successfully completing the following courses listed below with a minimum 60 percent overall average.
·   GBLS 1F90, 2F90, 3P90, 3P91, 4P10, 4P11
·   one credit from GBLS 1P91, 1P92, 2P90, 2P91, 2F97, 2P99, 3P00, 3P95, 4P01, 4P02, 4P03, 4P04, 4P05, 4P06, 4P07, 4V70, 4V71