Program Overview

The Canadian Studies Program (formerly the Canadian Studies Center) celebrated its 25th year in 1998.  The Center's name officially changed to the Center for North American Studies in January 1997.  Why?  North America is a region, bound by economic, political, environmental, social and cultural ties.  We have discovered that by placing Canada in the context of North America, interest is heightened. Not only does this designation validate our idea, it also provides us with the resources to offer new courses. (See Bulletin of Undergraduate Instruction for information on specific courses offered  in North American Studies.)

The Canadian Studies Program offers Duke undergraduates a unique opportunity to study Canada and its problems and prospects.  Perkins Library holds one of the best collections of Canadian books. serials and government documents in the United States.  The program offers four interdisciplinary courses in Canadian Studies, and more than twenty affiliated faculty teach another ten to twelve courses in their own disciplines each semester.  The Canadian Studies Program sponsors study abroad semesters at McGill University in Montreal and offers financial support for summer intensive study of French at l'Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières.

Undergraduate Programs in Canadian Studies

A second major or a minor is available in this program.  A graduate certificate is also available.
The program in Canadian Studies seeks to provide the student with an understanding of Canada.  Students may undertake a minor to supplement another major, or to complete a second major in Canadian Studies, or as part of an interdepartmental concentration, or under Program II.  Canadian Studies may also be an area concentration in the Comparative Area Studies major.

Major in Canadian Studies:

Students may pursue a second major  in Canadian Studies as a complement to a major in another department.

Students must complete ten courses in Canadian Studies (which can include the Center for North American Studies'  NAS110 and/or NAS283S).

CAN098 is suggested for first and second year students.  CAN184S, Canadian Issues Seminar, should be included in the sophomore or junior year program by students interested in completing the major or minor requirements. Students considering advanced work in Canadian Studies should also begin university-level work in French in their first or second undergraduate year. Canadian Studies courses are crosslisted in various departments and may be taken as electives to fulfill requirements for another major.  Also, qualified students may arrange independent study with most members of the Canadian Studies faculty.

Minor in Canadian Studies:

Students may supplement any other major with a minor in Canadian Studies. This requires the taking of five Canadian Studies courses (which can include the Center for North American Studies' NAS110 and/or NAS283S).  Students must take CAN098 and CAN184S.

The Graduate Certificate:

Graduate students may obtain a Graduate Certificate in Canadian Studies. Three courses are required.  One must be CAN282S.  Students must have two years of college level French or an equivalent as certified by the Department of Romance Studies.  Students' dissertation or final document must be Canadian or contain at least one-third comparatively.

(Please visit the Graduate School at Duke University for more information about graduate studies at Duke).

Courses

CAN098 (SS) Introduction to Canada.
This course offers an introduction to the history, economy, society,
politics, arts, literature, and institutions of Canada.
Crosslisted with: COMPAREA098, HST098, PS098, SOC098

CAN184S (SS) Special topics seminar on Canadian Issues.
This course examines current issues facing the Canadian nation-state.
Prerequisite:  CAN098 or consent of instructor.
Crosslisted with:  CA184S, COMPAREA184S, HST184S, PS184S, SOC184S

CAN185S (SS)  The Canadian Health Care System. (Under review for updates.)
 This course provides an understanding of  the Canadian Health Care system
from social, political, medical, legal, economic, and historical
perspectives, as well as looking at public policy formation.
Crosslisted with:  CA185S, COMPAREA185S, HST185S, PPS185S, PS185S, SOC185S