Introduction
New College courses have in common a commitment to socially engaged learning and to explorative and inventive pedagogy that widens students’ experience by critically examining relationships among academic disciplines. We offer four degree programs: African Studies; Buddhism, Psychology and Mental Health; Caribbean Studies; and Equity Studies. These programs are open to all students in the Faculty of Arts and Science.
We also offer interdisciplinary courses that can enhance any degree program. Integration of student experience is a major priority in a college with students from all faculties in the University. The Independent Studies courses provide an opportunity for students to design their own programs and to test their research, analytic, synthetic, and creative skills by writing a major research paper. The Community Engaged Learning program supports course-based service learning and independent community engaged learning opportunities. These allow students to integrate their theoretical knowledge with practical experience, while engaging in meaningful work in campus and community organizations.
Contact:
Program Administrator's Office:
New College, Room 133 (416-978-5404 or nc.undergradadmin@utoronto.ca)
New One:
new.one@utoronto.ca
Registrar’s Office:
New College, Room 107 (416-978-2460)
New One: Learning Without Borders
New One provides first year students with a comprehensive foundation for successful undergraduate study. It encourages active, engaged learning and creative forms of inquiry, and support students in developing their research, writing and oral communication abilities. In the second semester particularly, students will practice and develop skills in research and knowledge presentation, showcasing their projects at the annual end-of-year "Knowledge Fair."
New One gives students the tools to think deeply, critically, and creatively about these topics and what they can teach us about the ways our lives are connected "beyond borders." Inspired by the social advocacy focus of New College's academic programs, the program grapples with the core question: how do we imagine responsible global citizenship and build a more equitable and just society?
New One offers up to eight interdisciplinary small-class seminars annually. In the first semester, students accepted into the program select one out of four half-credit courses that introduce key concepts and analytic frameworks in the scholarly study of food, language, digital technology, science, art or another current issue. In the half courses offered in the second semester, students have the opportunity to deepen their understanding of contemporary questions that arise within each of the four topics. Students may select any one of the four second semester courses on offer, either continuing the same theme from first semester or exploring a new course topic.
New One courses meet for 3 hours each week. A portion of those sessions will occasionally be allocated to "Learning Labs." All students in the program come together in these Learning Labs to engage in joint activities and explore issues that are common to the four topics. Both in seminars and Learning Labs, students will experience a variety of ways of learning (through, for example, guest lectures, group work, workshops, field trips to local community organizations, and panels of senior students sharing their experience and insights).
New One provides first year students with a comprehensive foundation for successful undergraduate study. It encourages active, engaged learning and creative forms of inquiry, and supports students in developing their research, writing and oral communication abilities. In the second semester particularly, students will practice and develop skills in research and knowledge presentation, showcasing their projects at the annual end-of-year "Knowledge Fair."
New One requires a specific application. All first-year students in the Faculty of Arts and Science on the St. George campus are eligible for admission. Students can apply to more than one College One program; they can accept admission to only one program. For more information about the program, application process and criteria of selection, go to http://uoft.me/NewOne or contact new.one@utoronto.ca.
The African Studies Program
(Specialist, Major, Minor) The African Studies Program examines the dynamics, challenges and processes of socio-economic, environmental and political transformations in Africa, the varied histories, societies, ideas, institutions of Africa and its diasporas through interdisciplinary lenses. The interdisciplinary courses, through innovative and critical pedagogies deal with cutting edge subjects such as political economy, African inventions, development, aid, humanitarianism, NGOs, conflict and peacemaking, activism and political struggles, politics, African cultures, migration and displacement, gender and development, environment, health, black freedom, urbanization, African systems of thought, the slave trade, colonialism, the post-colonial state, Africa and its diaspora, Pan-Africanism, and globalization. Innovative pedagogies nurturing students’ intellectual curiosity, cultivating engaged, creative and critical thinking and teaching cutting edge courses that recognize Africa as a living place rather than merely as a site for intellectual speculation and study inform our teaching. The program also offers practical courses in African languages. Additional cross-listed courses, drawn from disciplines in humanities, social sciences and sciences complement the program offerings.
Consult Program Director, Prof. M. Lo, 416-946-3218 or marieme.lo@utoronto.ca. For general enquiries call 416-978-5404 or email nc.undergradadmin@utoronto.ca.
The Buddhism, Psychology and Mental Health Program
(Minor) An interdisciplinary Minor program, BPMH focuses on the growing convergence between western psychology and the psychological aspects of Buddhism as expressed in the recent interest in mindfulness meditation as a means of enhancing health and wellness. The program allows students to investigate the diverse ways that Buddhist and western psychology and science intersect, bringing together academic, clinical and contemplative traditions. Students choose from a wide range of courses on mind, consciousness, mindfulness meditation, social implications and applications of Buddhism, cognitive science, psychotherapy and the psychology of religion. The program encourages a critical examination of the ways that Buddhist psychology can contribute to the modern understanding of consciousness, wisdom, mental health and physical health.
Consult Program Director, Dr. T. Toneatto, 416-946-0282/416-875-2533 or email tony.toneatto@utoronto.ca. For general enquiries, call 416-978-5404 or email nc.undergradadmin@utoronto.ca.
The Caribbean Studies Program
(Specialist, Major, Minor) Caribbean Studies is an interdisciplinary undergraduate program that consists of courses on Caribbean history and society, politics and economic development, literature and thought. Our courses deal with a wide range of issues including gender, religion, culture, ethnicity, race, development, language, colonialism, the environment and regional common markets. Caribbean Studies equips students to think about broad, theoretical and challenging intellectual issues and, at the same time, to ground that expansive thinking in deep understanding of the particular historical, political, economic, geographical, cultural and linguistic realities of the Caribbean and its diasporas. This combined interdisciplinary and area studies approach prepares students to think across disciplines about these kinds of questions, and to base their comparative, transnational and interdisciplinary thinking in concrete knowledge of the Caribbean and its people. The study of the Caribbean equips students to question the order of things, reflect on their own place in the world, and see past the Caribbean's size or current level of geo-political influence to recognize the inherent value and intellectual significance of all places and all people.
Consult Program Director, Prof. M. J. Newton, 416-978-8482 or email melanie.newton@utoronto.ca. For general enquiries, call 416-978-5404 or email nc.undergradadmin@utoronto.ca.
The Equity Studies Program
(Major, Minor) How do we think about social justice in an increasingly globalized world? Equity Studies is an interdisciplinary undergraduate program that focuses on social justice theories and practices in a variety of local and global contexts. Cutting across a spectrum of academic disciplines, the program brings together scholarship, community work and activism in a unique approach to undergraduate education that values student experiential learning and community knowledge. Through engagement with theoretical and historical texts in equity, students are trained in postcolonial studies, transnational feminism, critical race theory, queer studies and other bodies of knowledge that have much to say about social justice. Course offerings in disability studies, global food equity and social advocacy equip students with the skills to apply their academic learning to real-life situations. By defining 'education' in the broadest sense, Equity Studies creates a dynamic learning environment that extends far beyond the university walls. With a vibrant student body, a wide range of community partners and a bold curriculum, Equity Studies at New College is a leader in social justice education in Canada.
Consult Program Director, Prof. J. Larkin, 416-978-8282 or email june.larkin@utoronto.ca. For general enquiries, call 416-978-5404 or email nc.undergradadmin@utoronto.ca.
Community Engaged Learning (CEL)
New College offers several community engaged courses. These provide students the opportunity to integrate academic, experiential and practice-based learning as they participate in meaningful work in community or campus organizations.
Two forms of community engaged learning courses are offered: embedded and independent. In the former, a community service component is either a mandatory or optional component of the course syllabus. (Examples of such courses are NEW342H1 and NEW232Y1). In the independent community engaged learning courses, upper level students, with various academic backgrounds, are placed with a social purpose community or campus-based organization for several hours per week, contributing to the mission of that organization in program support work or research. Through seminar discussions and critical reflection on their experiences, students learn how to mobilize their academic knowledge, deepen their appreciation of community engagement and social justice, explore social and ethical issues, and build professional dispositions and work-place skills relevant to the social sector.
Information about CEL can be found at http://www.newcollege.utoronto.ca/academics/new-college-academic-programs/community-engaged-learning.
Enquiries: nc.engagedlearning@utoronto.ca or 416-978-8821.
Independent Studies
New College Independent Study courses are designed both to complement regular offerings in New College Programs and to provide an opportunity for New College students in any program to enrich their studies. The normal expectation of a project course is that the student, aided and advised by their supervisor, will read relevant literature, and plan, analyze and report on an original and independent investigation of an appropriate topic. Written applications, including a detailed proposal, should be made through the Programs Office for approval by the Vice Principal of New College or a designate by April 15 for the Summer Session; by July 15 for the Fall Term; or by November 15 for the Winter Term. Should the deadline fall on a weekend, applications will be accepted until the following Monday. Students will be notified of the acceptance or rejection of an application. If the project requires ethics approval, please be advised that you should find and consult with a supervisor about meeting this requirement at least a semester in advance of these deadlines. For more information and application forms, please see the Independent Studies website: http://www.newcollege.utoronto.ca/new-college-academic-programs/independent-studies.
Enquiries: New College Program Administrator - Wetmore Hall, room 133; nc.undergradadmin@utoronto.ca or 416-978-5404.
Interdisciplinary Courses on Jungian Theory
This suite of courses offers students opportunities for sustained, interdisciplinary engagement with the thought of Carl Jung. Courses invite students to consider Jung's thought and practice in relation to a range of disciplinary and cultural issues in order to open up conversations about models of consciousness and mind.
The International Foundation Program
is designed for international students who need to meet the University's English language requirement. Students will acquire the academic and language skills necessary for full admission to undergraduate studies. Core courses include one first year history credit course (IFP100Y1), three non-credit language courses and one non-credit discipline-specific course. Courses are open only to students admitted to the program. For program and admission information, please see http://www.ifp.utoronto.ca.
The Human Biology Programs
offer a broad education in life sciences with courses offered by departments in both the Faculties of Arts and Science, and Medicine (see Human Biology section of the Calendar.)
The Women and Gender Studies Program
(Specialist, Major, Minor) provides an interdisciplinary and culturally inclusive approach to understanding gender (see Women and Gender Studies section of the Calendar.)
