Make sense of the past and the present.
These days, we have to sift through a lot of information—from news outlets and other media—to separate truth from opinion. As informed citizens, we want to determine what information is relevant and accurate. Our courses will help you to see the big issues of yesterday and today—including historical, political, cultural and demographic—from varying perspectives.
Programs to deepen your understanding
In the Canadian Studies Diploma program, you'll satisfy your academic, professional and/or personal interest in subjects relating to Canada by learning about the country through different lenses, including: multiculturalism, arts, history, policies and politics, society.
In partnership with UVic's Borders in Globalization (BIG) research program, we offer three micro-certificate programs focused on the topic of modern border management: Trade and Customs, (Im)migration and Mobility and Law of Borders and Cross-Border Laws.
New this year: Transformative Climate Action certificate and Climate Action Planning micro-certificate. These programs blend policy, social justice and science, empowering you to implement effective and collaborative action across various communities. Lead with vision and empathy to strategize climate solutions by integrating diverse perspectives.
Courses to expand your perspective
Seek the knowledge you need to understand the world we live in with our courses in History, Political Science and Contemporary Issues. New courses every term. See full list below.
- (Non)conformity in Theatre History
- 150th Anniversary of Ross Bay Cemetery
- A History of Ross Bay Cemetery
- A History of the James Bay Neighbourhood
- A New Look at James Bay History
- An Introduction to Neuroscience
- Ancient Persia
- Ancient Siege
- Are Banned Books Good for Us?
- Are We What We Eat? Food, Religion and Culture
- Arms and the Man
- Artificial Intelligence and You
- Artificial Intelligence in Border Management
- Bad Kings: The Madness of George III, 1760-1820
- Being Religious in the 21st Century: An Intro to the Sociology of Religion
- Beyond the Plate: Food, Culture and Social Impact
- Bridging Knowledge Culture: Rebalancing Power
- China’s Belt and Road Initiative: Multiple Perspectives
- Chinese New Year Customs
- Chinese Victoria: History of Victoria's Chinatown
- Christmas in Old Victoria
- Citizenship vs. Canada’s Wartime Constitution
- Community-Based Participatory Research
- Community-University Engagement and Partnership Development
- Conspiracies and Radicalization in the "Post-Truth" Era
- Conspiracies, Extremism and Radicalization in the 21st Century
- Conspiratorial Thinking in the Age of COVID
- Consumed: The Hidden Forces Shaping Your Food Choices
- Current Issues for BC Seniors
- Development of Centennial Square
- Ecological Border Management
- Emily Carr's James Bay
- Empire and Desire: The Ottoman Palace in Western Imagination
- Execution, Transportation and the Founding of Australia, 1775–89
- Fairfield History
- Friends, Enemies and a Changing World
- From Satanic Panic to Qanon
- From Satanic Panic to Qanon: Sociology and the Study of Moral Panics
- Ghosts and Legends of Victoria
- Global Policies in Knowledge Democracy and Higher Education
- Haunted Victoria
- History of Oak Bay
- How Marine Conservation Works: Biodiversity and People
- How the Boer War Foreshadowed 20th Century Warfare
- How to Give a Great Presentation
- Indigenous Internationalisms and Border Crossings
- Integrating SDGs in Higher Education
- Introduction to the Human Dimensions of Climate Change
- Managing Borders and Bodies in the 21st Century
- Migrants Caught in a Bind: Bangladeshi Migrants in Italy
- Modern Border Security Management
- Networks and Borderlands: Bordering Processes in the 21st Century
- Networks of Rage: Far-Right Extremism Online
- Not Just a Little Bit of Olde England
- Not Just Dreams: Positive Actions Getting Results
- Politics, Policies and Planning for Climate Action
- Punjabis in and of Canada: Histories, Politics and Migrations
- Responsibilities and Reciprocity in the Place You are Now
- Roads, Trails and Pathways
- Rockland History and Architecture
- Sir James Douglas: A New Look at a Key Figure in British Columbia
- Skepticism and Critical Thinking in the 21st Century
- Skepticism and Critical Thinking in the 21st Century
- Social Networks: How Conspiracy Theories Move in Digital Spaces
- Stories in Stone: Rock Art Around the World
- The 2024 US Presidential Election
- The 2024 US Presidential Election: Assessing the Outcomes
- The Changing Face of Victoria's Chinatown in the 21st Century
- The Chinese in Canada and Political Change in China, 1898–1918
- The History of Aviation in Victoria and the Hawaii Mars
- The Impact of the Drug Toxicity Crisis in BC - Complex Challenges and Potential Solutions
- The Israel-Hamas War, One Year On
- The Law of Borders in the 21st Century
- The Life and Times of Bob Dylan
- The Overdose Crisis in BC
- The Prime Minister’s Office in Canada and the Centralization of Power
- The Rise of the Extreme Right in European Parliament Elections
- The Social Construction of Borders
- The Storm Rises: Qanon as Conspiracy and Quasi-religious Movement
- Trade and Customs Borders in the 21st Century
- Transformative Change
- Troy Revisited
- Turkish Stonehenge Gobeklitepe: Starting Point of Civilization
- Understanding China’s Foreign Relations Going Forward
- Using Artificial Intelligence for Your Life and Work
- UVic’s Transformative Climate Action Program: What can it do for you?
- Victoria 100 Years Ago: A Look at 1923
- Victoria During the American Civil War
- Victoria in the 1960s
- Victorian Cities of the Dead
- Victoria's Colonial Homes and Families
- Victoria's Industrial History
- Writing Historical Fiction
Deans’ Lecture Series
Research is continually reshaping the way we live and think. Meet distinguished members of the faculties at the University of Victoria and learn about their research interests in these FREE online lectures.
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In Pursuit of Knowledge - Winter
This series of daytime lectures will acquaint you with UVic faculty and their many areas of interest. (Sessions staring in September)
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Peninsula Pursuits
Peninsula Pursuits courses generally take place at the Mary Winspear Centre and focus on the interests of the people who live and work in the community.
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SAGE Study Groups
Study groups are not taught by instructors; rather, a facilitator assists in coordinating the presentations of group members and in moderating the discussions.
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UVic on the Peninsula
Each term we offer a selection of lectures and short courses in Sidney, most of which take place at the Mary Winspear Centre.
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Canadian Studies
This interdisciplinary program, leading to a Diploma in Canadian Studies, is designed to offer students a way to critically examine Canada through a variety of disciplinary lenses.
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Climate Action Planning
The Climate Action Planning micro-credential (CAP) is a great opportunity to learn the foundations of planning for climate action. You will develop the skills needed for you as a professional to put into action at all government levels.
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Fundamentals for the Homelessness Serving Sector
If you provide support to people who are experiencing homelessness or are at-risk of homelessness, the new Fundamentals for the Homelessness Serving Sector micro-credential program is for you. You will enhance your knowledge and gain the skills and competencies necessary for paid or volunteer roles in the sector.
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Intercultural Studies and Practice
The Diploma in Intercultural Studies and Practice (ISP) prepares students to play a productive and socially responsible role in an increasingly multicultural and diverse world. The program aims to develop social responsibility and a clearer understanding and awareness of the complex issues at play in a multicultural society.
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Knowledge Democracy in Higher Education
This 5-part comprehensive learning series provides all the information, research and resources you need to enhance and refine your skills in knowledge democracy in higher education.
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Modern Border Management: (Im)migration and Mobility
This micro-credential program will examine local and regional changes affecting the politics and policies of cross border regions and transboundary people.
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Modern Border Management: Law of Borders and Cross-Border Laws
Navigate the complexities of border laws through a comprehensive exploration of diverse legal concepts.
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Modern Border Management: Trade and Customs
This micro-credential program will explore how the regulatory environment of trading networks redesigns borders functionally and changes customs policies and practices.
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Social Justice Studies
The aim of the Social Justice Studies (SJS) diploma program is to provide students with a thorough understanding of the range of ways in which scholars, researchers and students address and engage with issues surrounding social inequities and injustices in the contemporary world.
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Teaching the Holocaust
The Micro-certificate in Teaching the Holocaust offers a specialized pathway for in-service teachers preparing to integrate Holocaust education into the BC secondary school curriculum as mandated by Premier David Eby and the BC Government from the 2025/26 school year.
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Transformative Climate Action
The need for transformative climate action is urgent. An effective and practical response requires significant changes to how we live. The Transformative Climate Action Certificate (TCA) provides the tools needed to make social, cultural and political changes that support diverse, ethical and flourishing communities.
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Since the fall of 2023, Dr. Kara Shaw has led the development of two programs with Continuing Studies at UVic. The newest of the two is the Climate Action Planning program—a micro-certificate that blends policy, social justice and science so learners become empowered to implement effective and collaborative action across various communities.
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Edwin Hodge is best known as a continuing sessional instructor in the Department of Sociology with the University of Victoria (UVic), but he also likes to call himself a massive nerd. Indeed, Edwin is an encyclopedia for all things sociology, Star Wars and Star Trek.
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On Monday, Sept. 30, staff at the Division of Continuing Studies took part in the annual Orange Shirt Day along with other UVic faculty, staff and students. The event was created to show respect for residential school survivors and their families, and to commit to the principle that every child matters.
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By Dr. Jo-Anne Clarke, Dean, Continuing Studies When Joanne and Mike Rada retired, they weren't quite ready for a quiet home and settled life.
Read StoryWe are sad to announce the passing of one of our most committed students, Nan Walmsley. Nan passed away peacefully at home, Sept. 13, surrounded by her family. She lived 97 fulfilling years.
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Olav Krigolson is a neuroscientist and UVic professor, and one of our most popular instructors at Continuing Studies. In the four years he's been teaching with us, he's taught 22 courses with over 880 registrations.
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What is it that prompts someone to take a Continuing Studies course? Well it’s different for everyone of course, but for retired physician Dr. Heidi Martins it was to expand her perspective on the world.
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For Elizabeth—or Liz, as she’s known around the office—one of the best parts of her job is meeting those members of the community who consider themselves to be lifelong learners. As a program coordinator within the Division of Continuing Studies’ Arts and Science unit, Liz coordinates the humanities courses, as well as the ever-popular Deans’ Lunchtime Lecture Series.
Read StoryAs I prepare for graduation and think about my next challenge in graduate studies, I must acknowledge that I would most likely never have attended university had it not been for the Humanities Diploma program.
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