Intercultural Studies and Practice Courses

Facilitating Intercultural Relationships

This course facilitates intercultural relationships within the context of deconstructing systemic structures and ideologies, which impact every aspect of our society as well as our personal world-views.

Participants and instructors will engage critically, deeply and honestly. We will aim to facilitate and create a respectful community of learners using a dialogical (dialogue) model and an action-reflection process throughout classes and assignments. Topics for critical analysis include: equity, knowledge, leadership, privilege, race, class, identity, oppression, and social justice.

Final Project in Intercultural Studies and Practice

The final project will give students an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge of both theory and practice in the area of intercultural studies and practice

The final project will normally commence at the end, or towards the end, of the student's program of study and be completed within a period of six months.

Students may complete either 3.0 units of the final project, or combine 1.5 units of the final project work with 1.5 units of the Practicum in Intercultural Studies and Practice (ISP 400) to fulfill the requirements for the diploma.

Issues in Cross-Cultural Communication

Explores how "we" view ourselves and others, as well as how others view us, enabling students to develop understanding of principles and problems involved in entering into communication with individuals from different backgrounds. Students develop an appreciation of linguistic interactions and the skills necessary to eliminate the barriers created by linguistic and supra-linguistic misunderstandings.

Language and Society

A study of language in its social context, covering aspects of linguistic variation within and across speech communities. Topics may include:

• language and class, gender, age, situation and ethnicity
• languages in contact (pidgin and creole languages)
• code switching and standardization
• rules of conversation and respectful address
• societal features of language change

Practicum in Intercultural Studies and Practice

The practicum provides a unique opportunity for Intercultural Studies and Practice students to integrate theory with practice in an intercultural setting. This experience is intended to provide students with an opportunity to apply learning in a practical setting and to develop awareness of further opportunities for study and professional practice. The practicum encourages valuable “hands-on” experience that will compliment theoretical knowledge by putting concepts learned in the Intercultural Studies and Practice program directly into practice.

The practicum will consist of at least 50 hours of activity for a 1.5 unit practicum, and 100 hours of activity for a 3.0 unit practicum of either volunteer work in a multicultural setting with an approved agency, institution or organization, or of practical experience suggested by you in an approved setting.

Race, Gender and Power

An exploration of feminist and non-feminist theories of race, racism and racialization in relation to other sources of structured social inequality. Approaches will include political, economic, cultural and psychoanalytic theories.

Race, Racism, and Ethnicity in Canada Since 1900

This course surveys the place and meanings of race and ethnicity in Canada since 1900. This course explores state and dominant ideologies as well as the experiences of Indigenous Peoples, immigrants, and of community development using film, fiction and popular, social and political histories. Topics may include histories of dispossession, exclusion, racism and anti-Semitism as well as narratives of resistance, survival and resurgence.

Race, Racism, and Ethnicity in Canada to 1900

This course explores the development of racial discourses from the colonial settings of New France and the British Empire in Northern North America to the end of the first period of mass-immigration at the turn of the 20th century. This course covers a wide range of topics from Native-newcomer relations, slavery, anti-Irish sentiment and the dispersal of the Metis to the reception and treatment of non-British immigrants from Europe and Asia.

Racialization and Ethnicity

Using mainly Canadian examples, this course examines theories and research on racialization, racism and ethnic identities with special emphasis on their relationship to social inequalities.

Introduction to Intercultural Studies

An interdisciplinary exploration of theory and practice in the field of intercultural studies. Focuses on understanding the application of intercultural concepts and theories to effect social change. Topics include cultural identity, diversity and inclusion and the development of intercultural relations.

Understanding “Black Identity” in the Context of Canadian Mainstream Culture

Identity is often referred to as the "loudest talk in town, the burning issue in everybody’s mind and tongue."

An exploration historical and contemporary experiences of "Black" people in Canada. How do particular people and institutions influence the way in which Black Canadians may perceive themselves as citizens of this country, and how do we work towards creating more equitable and socially just communities in Canada?

Using a dialectical approach imbedded in documentary films and scholarly articles, this course engages students in higher order thinking discussions with guest speakers of various cultural and professional backgrounds to share stories of marginalisation, discrimination, racism, ethnic struggles and/or integration successes into the mainstream Canadian culture.