
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.
Seek the knowledge you need to understand the world we live in with our courses in History, Political Science and Contemporary Issues.
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A History of Ross Bay Cemetery
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A History of the James Bay Neighbourhood
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Artificial Intelligence and You
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Beyond Debt: Islamic Experiments in Global Finance
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China’s Belt and Road Initiative: Multiple Perspectives
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Chinese Victoria: History of Victoria's Chinatown
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Christmas in Old Victoria
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Conservation Conflict Transformation: Processes and Principles
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Conspiratorial Thinking in the Age of COVID
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Emily Carr's James Bay
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Empire and Desire: The Ottoman Palace in Western Imagination
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Euripides' Herakles: PTSD and Tragedy in Fifth Century Athens
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Fairfield History
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Future Explorations
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Ghosts and Legends of Victoria
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Hagia Sophia through Centuries
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How Can a Scoop of Water Protect At-risk Species?
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How to be Fairly Cheerful
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Introduction to Canadian Contemporary Issues
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Introduction to Canadian Culture
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Issues and Ideas in Canadian Environmentalism
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Neoliberalism in Canada: Its Origins, Impact and Future
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Networks and Borderlands: Bordering Processes in the 21st Century
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Networks of Rage: Far-Right Extremism Online
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Secrets of Ancient Egypt’s Lost Turquoise Mines
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Skepticism and Critical Thinking in the 21st Century
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Social Networks: How Conspiracy Theories Move in Digital Spaces
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The Changing Face of Victoria's Chinatown in the 21st Century
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The First Buddhist Women
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The Social Construction of Borders
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The Storm Rises: Qanon as Conspiracy and Quasi-religious Movement
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The World of Russian Culture
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Troy Revisited
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University 101
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University 102
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University 201
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Victorian Cities of the Dead
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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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Digital Reactionaries
This is a four part online series that explore the various aspects of extremism in online spaces. Topics will include bordering processes, Far-Right Extremism and Conspiracy in the Age of COVID.
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Digital Reactionaries (Mary Winspear Centre)
This is a four part online series that explore the various aspects of extremism in online spaces. Topics will include bordering processes, Far-Right Extremism and Conspiracy in the Age of COVID.
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In Pursuit of Knowledge - Fall
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 is back for 2022.
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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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Borders in Globalization: Trade and Customs Borders in the 21st Century
This micro-credential program will explore how the regulatory environment of trading networks redesigns borders functionally and changes customs policies and practices. Professionals from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), Pacific North West Economic Region and World Customs Organization (WCO), as well as academic experts will lead workshopped discussions on a variety of current topics.
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Borders in Globalization: Cross-Border Management in a Comparative Perspective
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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Canadian Studies
This interdisciplinary program, leading to a Diploma in Canadian Studies, is designed to offer both international and Canadian students a way to explore Canada from a variety of perspectives: artistic, cultural, historical, geographical, political or economic, the choice is up to you.
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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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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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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.
Read Story
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.
Read Story
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.
Read Story
After nearly a decade working for Continuing Studies at UVic, it goes without saying that Preston Randall is an integral part of the team. He knows the division’s systems, people and workflows like the back of his hand.
Read Story
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.
Read Story
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.
Read Story
"Nan" Walmsley celebrates her 90th birthday this year but shows no sign of slowing down in her quest to learn new things. Since fall 1998, she has taken around 165 courses through Continuing Studies.
Read StoryTel 250-721-7589
Email hsscoord@uvic.ca Melissa Payne, Program Assistant
Tel 250-721-8481
Email artssci2@uvic.ca