Canadian Studies Mount Allison University

Overview

The Canadian Studies programme at Mount Allison University offers a comprehensive exploration of the nation’s social, political, and cultural landscapes. This interdisciplinary course encourages students to analyse the Canadian experience and understand the country’s evolving role within a globalised modern context.

Students examine a diverse range of topics including regional distinctions, multiculturalism, and bilingualism. The curriculum also addresses critical contemporary realities such as environmental policy, Indigenous history, and the complex nature of national identity through various academic lenses.

The programme is designed to foster critical thinking by drawing from the humanities, social sciences, and sciences.

Why Canadian Studies at Mount Allison University?

Mount Allison University hosts one of the oldest and most respected programmes of this kind in the country. The institution is consistently recognised by Maclean's as a top undergraduate university, providing a prestigious environment for academic growth and specialised research.

Students benefit from the Centre for Indigenous and Critical Canadian Studies, which serves as a hub for public lectures and extracurricular events. This active research centre provides a unique platform for students to engage with visiting scholars and participate in high-level academic projects.

The university is also home to the Edgar and Dorothy Davidson Collection of Canadiana. This significant archive contains rare first-edition books, manuscripts, and historical artefacts, offering students unparalleled access to primary source materials for their research and learning.

Experiential learning is a cornerstone of the student experience, with opportunities for paid internships such as the Bradbrooke Smith Internship. Upper-year students may also take on roles as research or teaching assistants, gaining practical professional skills before graduation.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

• International fee: CAD 21800 per year
• National fee: CAD 10800 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum is structured to provide a foundational understanding before moving into specialised topics. Modules may include:

Year 1

• Representing Canada: Canadian Culture
• Canadian Issues and Institutions

Year 2

• Cultural Diversity in Canada
• Media and Pop Culture
• Regionalism
• Canadian Foodways: Gender, Food, and Culture in Canada

Year 3

• Gender in Canada
• Canadian-American Relations
• Contemporary Issues
• Mi'kma'ki

Year 4

• Culture of the Maritimes
• Aboriginal Political and Legal Issues
• Imagining Canada
• Canada in World Affairs

As an interdisciplinary programme, students may also select relevant modules from fields such as History, Sociology, Geography, Political Science, and International Relations.

Careers with Canadian Studies

Graduates are well-prepared for a variety of professional paths in both the public and private sectors. Many alumni pursue further education in competitive graduate programmes focusing on law, public administration, or education to enhance their career prospects.

Common career destinations for those completing the degree include roles as public policy analysts, foreign service officers, and immigration officers. The skills developed are also highly applicable to journalism, heritage research, and community or urban planning.

Other graduates find success in the cultural sector as museum curators, arts administrators, or tourism development officers. The programme's emphasis on critical analysis and communication also supports careers in public relations, mediation, and economic development.