Liberal Studies Courses

LBST 100 (3) Journeys and Conversations

An interdisciplinary learning community exploring important works in various intellectual and cultural traditions. Small seminars investigate how geographical, intellectual, and personal journeys shape identities; students develop essential writing and critical and creative thinking skills. LBST 100 also supports students making the transition from English language training to academic study. (3:0:0)

Prerequisite: English 12 with a minimum grade of "C" or good standing in Academic Preparation 5.

LBST 111 (6) Intro to Transformative Texts: Love and Friendship (Effective Sep 2024)

In small seminars students discuss important works on the themes of love and friendship, examine the development of these themes in the Western and other traditions, and develop essential abilities in writing and critical and creative thinking. LBST 111 and LBST 112 together satisfy the Degree English Requirement. (3:3:0)

Prerequisite: Min. "C" in English 12 or equivalent.

LBST 112 (6) Intro to Transformative Texts: Good and Evil (Effective Sep 2024)

In small seminars students discuss important works on the themes of knowledge, good, and evil, examine the development of these themes in the Western and other traditions, and develop essential abilities in writing and critical and creative thinking. LBST 111 and LBST 112 together satisfy the Degree English Requirement. (3:3:0)

Prerequisite: Min. "C" in English 12 or equivalent.

LBST 201 (3) Creative Thinking

An interdisciplinary introduction to creative thinking. Scholars learn to listen to and engage with primary sources as other minds. Through exercises, they practise thinking and writing in different literary and philosophical forms. They devise an original question, and investigate it, through drafts and revisions, in a creative and scholarly essay. (3:0:0)

Prerequisite: Min. "C" in English 12.

LBST 203 (3) The Highest Things

In this interdisciplinary seminar, students study important works from the ancient Greeks and others on the themes of friendship, geometry, and divine places. Credit will only be granted for one of LBST 303 or LBST 203. (3:0:0)

Prerequisite: None.

LBST 204 (3) Listening to Indigenous and European Mythologies

A myth or sacred story is one of the oldest ways that humans have tried to understand the world and to communicate deep truths about it. This course is an interdisciplinary exercise in comparative literature and philosophy which facilitates a respectful, intercultural conversation between Indigenous and European myths. Credit will only be granted for one of LBST 304 or LBST 204. (3:0:0)

Prerequisite: Min. "C" in English 12 or equivalent.

LBST 205 (3) East and West

A study of central literary, philosophical, and artistic works from the `western' and `eastern' traditions, as a way of exploring points of convergence and divergence; the aim is cultural conversation via textual examination. Credit will only be granted for one of LBST 305 or LBST 205. (3:0:0)

Prerequisite: None.

LBST 214 (3) Wonder and the Order of Nature

A discussion-based course focusing on changing conceptions of the natural world and our relation to it in nineteenth-century European thought; Nature becomes inspiration for poets, artists, philosophers, and scientists in their attempts to understand nature, knowledge, and humanity itself. Credit will only be granted for one of LBST 314 or LBST 214. (0:3:0)

Prerequisite: None.

LBST 215 (3) Freedom and Alienation: Economics, Politics, and Liberty

Examines economics, property, freedom and alienation, including defenses and critiques of capitalism and socialism. Topics include class, inequality and links between private property and liberty. Consideration will be given to ancient and modern philosophers, artists, and economists. Credit will only be granted for one of LBST 315 or LBST 215. (3:0:0)

Prerequisite: None. One of LBST 111, LBST 112, POLI 100, ECON 2111 or ECON 212 is recommended.

LBST 225 (3) Our Place in the Cosmos

Examining works of astronomy, literature, and art primarily from the western tradition, this course focuses on a perennial human preoccupation: determining our place among the other beings of the world, and in the wider cosmos. Credit will only be granted for one of LBST 325 or LBST 225. (3:0:0)

Prerequisite: None.

LBST 231 (3) Strangers and Friends in Western Culture

An interdisciplinary exploration, through seminar discussion and experiential learning, of the dualisms of friend and foe, familiar and unfamiliar, host and guest in the European artistic and intellectual tradition. Topics may include the representation of strangers and friends in art and literature; and the nature and ethics of hospitality. Credit will only be granted for one of LBST 331 or LBST 231. (0:1.5:1.5)

Prerequisite: A course in Liberal Studies, English, or Philosophy.

LBST 232 (3) Modernity and Postmodernity

An examination of selected topics in twentieth-century modern and postmodern thought, emphasizing art, science and their interrelationships. Examples include relativity, Western physics and Eastern philosophy, modern and post-modern art, feminist film, and the ethics of reproductive technologies. LBST 232 was formerly called LBST 421; credit will not be granted for both courses. Credit will only be granted for one of LBST 332 or LBST 232. (0:3:0)

Prerequisite: None

LBST 247 (3) Politics, Literature, Film

What can film and literature teach us about politics? Through literature and film this course explores fascism, authoritarianism, freedom, class and gender inequality and oppression, honour in public life, and violence in politics. Credit will only be granted for one of POLI 247,LBST 347 or LBST 247. (3:0:0)

Prerequisite: Min. 6 credits of first-year university English courses, with a minimum grade of "C" in both or completion of LBST 111 and LBST 112 with a minimum grade of "C" in both.

LBST 250 (6) Transformative Texts: Ancient Greek to Roman (Effective Sep 2024)

An exploration of poetry, drama, art, philosophy and science from Biblical, Classical, and early medieval times. Seminars examine such topics as justice, human nature, war, love, sexuality, faith, and rationality in the context of the periods. Credit will only be granted for one of LBST 350 or LBST 250. (3:3:0)

Prerequisite: None.

LBST 251 (3) Stoicism and Tragedy

An interdisciplinary study of Stoicism, one of the major schools of thought and ways of life during the Hellenistic period, and its tense relationship with tragedy. Topics may include ontology, epistemology, physics, ethics, and tragic emotions, and the work of Zeno, Epictetus, Seneca, Marcus Aurelius, and Spinoza. (3:0:0)

Prerequisite: Min. "C" in English 12.

LBST 290 (3) Special Topics in Liberal Studies (Abroad) I

Interdisciplinary study, employing seminar-based pedagogy, of art, architecture, literature, music, philosophy and science, treated through exposure to and discussion of key primary works presented in the geographical and historical context of the countries in which they emerged. Normally delivered through the Liberal Studies Abroad travel study format. (2.5:5:0 for 6 weeks)

Prerequisite: Min. "C" in English 12.

LBST 291 (3) Special Topics in Liberal Studies (Abroad) II

A continuation of LBST 290. Normally delivered through the Liberal Studies Abroad travel study format. (2.5:5:0 for 6 weeks)

Prerequisite: LBST 290.

Co-requisites: LBST 290

LBST 292 (3) Special Topics in Liberal Studies (Abroad) III

A continuation of LBST 291. Normally delivered through the Liberal Studies Abroad travel study format. (2.5:5:0 for 6 weeks)

Prerequisite: LBST 291.

Co-requisites: LBST 291

LBST 303 (3) The Highest Things (Advanced)

In this advanced interdisciplinary seminar, students study important works from the ancient Greeks and others on the themes of friendship, geometry, and divine places. Credit will only be granted for one of LBST 203 or LBST 303. (3:0:0)

Prerequisite: Third-year standing.

LBST 304 (3) Listening to Indigenous and European Mythologies (Advanced)

A myth or sacred story is one of the oldest ways that humans have tried to understand the world and to communicate deep truths about it. This course is an interdisciplinary exercise in comparative literature and philosophy which facilitates a respectful, intercultural conversation between Indigenous and European myths." Credit will only be granted for one of LBST 204 or LBST 304. (3:0:0)

Prerequisite: Third-year standing.

LBST 305 (3) East and West (Advanced)

An advanced study of central literary, philosophical, and artistic works from the `western' and `eastern' traditions, as a way of exploring points of convergence and divergence; the aim is cultural conversation via textual examination. Credit will only be granted for one of LBST 205 or LBST 305. (3:0:0)

Prerequisite: Third-year standing.

LBST 306 (3) Special Topics in Liberal Studies (Advanced)

An in-depth, interdisciplinary analysis of an important topic arising from the history of ideas introduced in Liberal Studies. May focus on a particular thinker, artist, issue, or geographic location (e.g. Athens, Paris, Prague, Istanbul). Can be taken up to three times provided it is a different topic each time. (3:0:0)

Prerequisite: Third-year standing. LBST 111 or LBST 112 recommended.

LBST 314 (3) Wonder and the Order of Nature (Advanced)

This seminar-based course focuses on Nature as the inspiration for nineteenth-century poets, artists, philosophers, and scientists in their attempts to understand nature, knowledge, and humanity itself. There will be some in-depth examination of an aspect of these orientations to Nature. Credit will only be granted for one of LBST 214 or LBST 314. (0:3:0)

Prerequisite: Third-year standing.

LBST 315 (3) Freedom and Alienation: Economics, Politics, and Liberty (Advanced)

Examines economics, property, freedom and alienation, including defenses and critiques of capitalism and socialism. Topics include class, inequality and links between private property and liberty. Consideration will be given to ancient and modern philosophers, artists, and economists. Credit will only be granted for one of LBST 215 or LBST 315. (3:0:0)

Prerequisite: Third-year standing. One of LBST 111, LBST 112, POLI 100, ECON 211, or ECON 212 is recommended.

LBST 322 (3) Special Topics in Western Culture: The Italian Renaissance I

An interdisciplinary treatment of cultural currents in the Italian renaissance, covering such areas as painting and sculpture, literature, music, political philosophy and science. Normally delivered through the travel study format in Florence, Italy. (2.5:5:0 for 6 weeks)

Prerequisite: Third-year standing or permission of instructor(s).

LBST 323 (3) Special Topics in Western Culture: The Italian Renaissance II

A continuation of LBST 322. Normally delivered through the travel study format in Florence, Italy. (2.5:5:0 for 6 weeks)

Prerequisite: LBST 322 or permission of instructor(s).

Co-requisites: LBST 322 or permission of instructor(s).

LBST 325 (3) Our Place in the Cosmos (Advanced)

Examining works of astronomy, literature, and art primarily from the western tradition, this advanced course focuses on a perennial human preoccupation: determining our place among the other beings of the world, and in the wider cosmos. Credit will only be granted for one of LBST 225 or LBST 325. (3:0:0)

Prerequisite: Third-year standing.

LBST 331 (3) Strangers and Friends in Western Culture (Advanced)

An advanced interdisciplinary exploration, through seminar discussion and experiential learning, of the dualisms of friend and foe, familiar and unfamiliar, host and guest in the European artistic and intellectual tradition. Topics may include the representation of strangers and friends in art and literature; and the nature and ethics of hospitality. Credit will only be granted for one of LBST 231 or LBST 331. (0:1.5:1.5)

Prerequisite: Third-year standing.

LBST 332 (3) Modernity and Postmodernity (Advanced)

An examination of selected topics in twentieth-century modern and postmodern thought, emphasizing art, science and their interrelationships (from cultural relativism, to modern and postmodern art, to physics and Eastern mysticism) with focused in-depth treatment of a topic. LBST 332 was formerly called LBST 421; credit will not be granted for both courses. Credit will only be granted for one of LBST 232 or LBST 332. (0:3:0)

Prerequisite: Third-year standing.

LBST 347 (3) Politics, Literature, Film

What can film and literature teach us about politics? Through literature and film this course explores fascism, authoritarianism, freedom, class and gender inequality and oppression, honour in public life, and violence in politics. Credit will only be granted for one of POLI 247,LBST 247 or LBST 347. (3:0:0)

Prerequisite: Third-year standing.

LBST 350 (6) Transformative Texts: Ancient Greek to Roman (Advanced) (Effective Sep 2024)

An advanced exploration of poetry, drama, art, philosophy and science from Biblical, Classical, and early medieval times. Seminars examine such topics as justice, human nature, war, love, sexuality, faith, and rationality in the context of the periods. Credit will only be granted for one of LBST 250 or LBST 350. (3:3:0)

Prerequisite: Third-year standing.

LBST 351 (3) Stoicism and Tragedy (Advanced)

An interdisciplinary study of Stoicism, one of the major schools of thought and ways of life during the Hellenistic period, and its tense relationship with tragedy. Topics may include ontology, epistemology, physics, ethics, and tragic emotions, and the work of Zeno, Epictetus, Seneca, Marcus Aurelius, and Spinoza. (3:0:0)

Prerequisite: Third-year standing. Recommended: LBST 250/350 or PHIL 242/342.

LBST 360 (6) Transformative Texts: Late Medieval to Early Modern Ideas (Effective Sep 2024)

An exploration of the late middle ages, Renaissance and Enlightenment period and their rich modern legacy. In seminars, students and faculty examine such topics as Dante's poetry, Machiavelli's, Locke's, and Wollstonecraft's politics, Renaissance art, Galileo's science, and Descartes' and Hume's philosophy. (2:3:0)

Prerequisite: Third-year standing or permission of instructor.

LBST 370 (6) Transformative Texts: Enlightenment to Revolutionary Ideas (Effective Sep 2024)

From Romanticism through modernity to post-modernism, an exploration of ideas central to Western art, literature, philosophy, science, music and politics from 1800 CE to today. Seminars focus on such issues as revolutionary politics, human and women's rights, biological and social evolution, colonialism, individual alienation, and existential freedom and terror. (2:3:0)

Prerequisite: Third-year standing or permission of instructor.

LBST 390 (3) Advanced Special Topics in Liberal Studies (Abroad) I

Advanced, seminar-based, interdisciplinary study of primary works of art, architecture, literature, music, philosophy and science, presented in the geographical and historical context of the countries in which they emerged. Where possible, students facilitate LBST 290 tutorials. Normally delivered through the Liberal Studies Abroad travel study format. (2.5:5:0 for 6 weeks)

Prerequisite: Third-year standing.

LBST 391 (3) Advanced Special Topics in Liberal Studies (Abroad) II

A continuation of LBST 390. Normally delivered through the Liberal Studies Abroad travel study format. (2.5:5:0 for 6 weeks)

Prerequisite: LBST 390.

Co-requisites: LBST 390.

LBST 400 (6) Senior Project in Liberal Studies

Students write a thesis on a topic approved by their project supervisor. The Fall semester involves directed reading, preparation, approval of outlines, and preliminary writing. Comprehensive drafting and revising take place during the Spring semester. Students must contact the Department Chair in advance of the term of study. (0:1:0 for 30 weeks)

Prerequisite: Admission to Liberal Studies major program (this requires third year standing, with 6 credits in English or equivalent and min. GPA of "C" over the last 24 credits attempted), and completion of one of LBST 350, LBST 360, LBST 370, or permission of instructor(s).

LBST 442 (3) Great Minds, Great Ideas

An exploration of the achievements and legacy of an important thinker, artist or scientist who has made creative, revolutionary and lasting contributions to human understanding. Examples include Aristotle, Confucius, Aquinas, Ibn Rushd, Hildegard, Dante, da Vinci, Newton, Kant, Austen, Marx, Darwin, Eliot, Woolf, Einstein, Gandhi, Wittgenstein, de Beauvoir and Foucault. (0:3:0)

Prerequisite: Third-year standing.

LBST 450 (3) Transformative Texts: Thinking about Happiness (Effective Sep 2024)

This capstone course brings primary texts from the Western tradition into conversation with contemporary thinkers around a shared theme, e.g. happiness and the good life. The course explores how secondary sources are in dialogue with primary works. Students will develop the research and analytical skills to engage in these dialogues. (0:3:0)

Prerequisite: Third-year standing or permission of instructor.

LBST 451 (3) Major Essay

An opportunity to write a major research paper on a primary source of relevance to Liberal Studies. Students will receive guidance in finding, analyzing and incorporating secondary sources; crafting effective interpretative arguments; revising and presenting their essays; and engaging in collaborative peer-editing of colleagues' work. (0:3:0)

Prerequisite: Third-year standing or permission of instructor.

LBST 452 (3) Field Placement

An opportunity for senior Liberal Studies majors and minors to do volunteer placements with community or campus-based agencies. Students complete 100 placement hours and coursework that makes connections between their liberal arts education and their placement experience. Students must contact the Department Chair in advance of the term of study. (0:3:0)

Prerequisite: Third-year standing and permission of Department.

LBST 490 (3) Directed Study in Liberal Studies I

Supervised individual or small group work on specific topics. Students will agree with a faculty member on materials and assignments, and meet regularly in seminars to discuss progress. Arrangements are subject to approval by the faculty supervisor, department Chair and dean. Delivered through the Liberal Studies Abroad travel study format. (1:0:0 for 6 weeks)

Prerequisite: Third-year standing or permission of instructor.

LBST 491 (3) Directed Study in Liberal Studies II

Supervised individual or small group work on specific topics. Students will agree with a faculty member on materials and assignments, and meet regularly in seminars to discuss progress. Arrangements are subject to approval by the faculty supervisor, department Chair and dean. Delivered through Liberal Studies Abroad travel study format. (1:0:0 for 6 weeks)

Prerequisite: LBST 490.