INTERDISCIPLINARY CANADIAN STUDIES
Program Description
In a world of economic exchanges and complex policies, of intensified information, of growing migratory fluxes, and of environmental changes, a Master of Arts helps students develop critical methods of thinking about historical, cultural and social implications of these changes and about their effects on the future. Understanding Canada’s global relations, and its role as a cultural and political agent on the international scene, will allow students to ground their knowledge in a crossroads of North American and Francophone perspectives. The Master of Arts program at the Faculté Saint-Jean has four major research axes:
The Master of Arts program from the Faculté Saint-Jean allows students to continue on into doctoral programs, but also allows for advancement possibilities in other areas.
Supported by a team of nationally and internationally recognized professor-researchers, the Master of Arts is a full-time program, with part-time options. Courses are offered in various formats: online, in-person, asynchronous, allowing for better academic planning.
Concentrations and Research Orientations
For each of these concentrations, we provide a detailed description offering more information about the components, topics, and sub-themes that can be studied and can serve as research subjects.
- Bilingualism, Multilingualism, and Language Rights
Description:
This concentration takes advantage of Alberta’s and Canada’s rich linguistic environment to explore various dimensions related to languages in their social context. Research can adopt a linguistic, historical-political, educational, or multidisciplinary approach to examine issues related to language competence, sociolinguistic trends, and political and symbolic inequalities of languages in a pluralistic world.
More than half of the world’s population is bilingual or even multilingual (or polyglot); thus, bilingualism and multilingualism are the norm on an individual level. However, at the societal level, two opposing visions emerge: one of societal multilingualism composed of individuals who can express themselves in more than one language, and another of bilingualism reflecting Canada’s ‘two solitudes’ (the Anglophone majority and the Francophone minority), or multilingualism limited to the juxtaposition of languages or ethnolinguistic groups. In Canada, the Canadian Charter recognizes the language rights of Official Language Minority Communities (OLMCs) to ensure the vitality of their language. But what about the linguistic vitality of Indigenous languages or languages from immigration today?
Sub-themes/Research topics:
- Language rights
- Regional and minority languages
- Sociolinguistics
- Bilingualism, multilingualism, and language contact
- Language acquisition
- Language proficiency
- Languages and education
- Economy, Sustainable Development, and Social Justice
Description:
Sustainable development focuses on the harmonious management of resources (natural, human, etc.), recognizing the close links between ecological, social, and economic systems to meet the needs of the current generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
The concept of social justice refers to equal rights for all and the possibility of a society free from discrimination. Consequently, a social justice-focused approach studies economic, social, and political inequalities, the development of societies in a globalized context, as well as the quest for recognition of various social groups.
Sub-themes/Research topics:
- Economy
- Business administration
- Sociology
- Petrocultures (Energy Humanities)
- Environment
- Migration
- Development / globalization
- Socioeconomic inequalities
- Recognition and redistribution policies
- Literatures, Cultures, and Media
Description:
Bringing together various forms of literary, cultural, and artistic expressions such as literature, cinema, media, performing arts, and comics, this concentration will explore, from an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary perspective and through contemporary concepts and theories, questions concerning identity, cultural diversity, the nature of representation, gender relations, diasporas, and minorities.
4. SOCIETIES, COMMUNITIES, AND HEALTH
The "Societies, Communities, and Health" research stream explores the complex interactions between individuals, social groups, and health systems in a globalized context. This field examines the social, cultural, and political dynamics that influence population health, as well as the interventions and policies aimed at promoting community well-being and social justice. By focusing on public health issues, social inequalities, health determinants, and community practices, this research stream seeks to better understand how societies organize and respond to health challenges at local, national, and international levels.
Sub-themes/Research topics:
- Health inequalities
- Community health and health promotion
- Mental health and psychosocial well-being
- Indigenous and minority population health
- Disease prevention and promotion of healthy lifestyles
- Environment, environmental and urban health
- Health and well-being of women, children, and families
These research themes allow for the exploration of various aspects of public health and the social dynamics that affect the health and well-being of populations around the world.
Students applying to the Master of Arts (MA) program must meet the following minimum requirements:
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A bachelor's degree recognized by the University of Alberta, with a minimum admission GPA of 3.0 on a 4-point scale, or equivalent, in the last ★60 credits of university courses, or the equivalent of the last two years of full-time coursework.
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An electronic copy of all official post-secondary transcripts, with a printing date less than one year old on the transcripts (for studies completed in Canada). A recent printing date is not required for international students. Copies of transcripts are also required for any incomplete programs.
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An electronic copy of all post-secondary diplomas.
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Two reference letters: 1 professional and 1 academic, supporting your application.
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A CV.
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A statement of intent indicating the student's research direction.
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A sample of a research paper (5 to 15 pages) (this can be a research paper completed in the past, or if not available, a draft of a research project on a topic that interests you).
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Applicants must have adequate proficiency in French, demonstrated by:
- A university degree or equivalent from an institution recognized by the University of Alberta, where the language of instruction is French. Proof that the degree instruction was in French is required,
OR
- A satisfactory result in an approved French proficiency test.
Please note that for students without a prior French degree (such as a bachelor’s degree), we require the following document:
- A TEF (Test d'évaluation de français) showing a C1 level in French, or a diploma/certificate in the French language with the score to be provided when you submit your application.
Please contact csjsup@ualberta.ca for more details.
If all documents are in French, an English translation is not necessary.
You can submit a complete application through the GSMS platform (Graduate Studies Management Solutions). Here is the link: https://www.ualberta.ca/graduate-studies/about/gsms.html
Part-time study may be permitted with the approval of the Graduate Program Coordinator at Faculté Saint-Jean.
The program consists of two required courses (*6), four option courses (*12) and the preparation and successful defense of a thesis (*12). The student also must complete an Ethics training requirement and a Professional Development requirement within the first twelve months of study. Normally, students will be enrolled in two full-time semesters (Fall and Winter), followed by four full-time thesis-block semesters for the thesis (Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter) leading up to the thesis defense.
Two required courses:
- MA FSJ 500 - Enjeux inter- et transdisciplinaire canadiens
- MA FSJ 501 - Méthodologies de recherche en sciences sociales et humaines
The 4 elective courses are changing: please contact the department for more details on the elective courses for the academic year.