An intensive summer course in language and culture for visiting students
York University, Toronto, Canada
* pending approval
Topics in Canadian Studies is an intensive summer
course in Canadian literature and culture for visiting students interested in
exploring these topics while improving their language skills immersed in an
English medium institution and an English environment. Especially appropriate
for students enrolled in programmes of English philology or Canadian Studies,
the course allows student to acquire credit in their home institutions while
honing their English language skills through first-hand experience of a language
and culture they are studying.
Around a core of Canadian short stories and a novel (to be read before arrival),
the course engages students, as the limited time permits, with the many “voices”
of Canadian literature representing the complex cultural fabric of the society.
Canada is rightly perceived internationally to be on the forefront of multicultural
social and educational arrangements, topics intriguing to many more monocultural
societies. Themes of multiculturalism figure strongly in the course, as it investigates
constitutional categories of inclusion (French, Native, multiethnic, “founding”
cultures) through literary and documentary texts and films.
The course content is especially suitable for those students working on Canadian writers and topics, though students in other programmes may well also be interested. Depending on the makeup of the student body, the course will be tailored to accommodate the relative sophistication of the visiting students. As well, English departments in some universities (those in Italy, for example) now require a "study or work" abroad credit. This course could dovetail with any such requirements.
York University is ideally situated for the study of these aspects of Canadian
culture, being an English-medium institution in the multicultural context
of Toronto, Canada’s largest city and the major centre of cultural and literary
activity. As Canada’s third largest university in a city which has close to
the highest rate of recent immigration in the world, York is a true crossroads
on global migration routes with all of the accompanying cultural and linguistic
exchange.
This course will be offered for the first time in the Summer term 2006*. We
foresee being able to offer accommodation in the student's residences on campus,
which is extremely pleasant in the summer, and arrange for airfare at a preferential
rate. We also anticipate taking advantage of the wealth of interesting and
beautiful sites around the Toronto area in the summer through organized activities
for the students outside of class time.
Evaluation: Evaluation will be divided between oral and
written assignments. Presentations/debates based on the readings make up the
oral component. The intensive writing component, with in-class writing assignments
and weekly papers, allows ample opportunity for practice in writing in English
and critical feedback.
Students also have access to Atkinson Essay-Tutoring Centre and the York ESL
Open Learning Centre for extra tutorial help in language-related issues and
uses of English for academic purposes.
Term: 3 weeks, beginning mid-July.
Recent revisions in the Italian ( and I believe other European) terms bring
them more closely into line with North American ones, freeing students to
take courses during regular North American summer terms.
Intensity/ Credit: 3 hours per day, 4 days per week, amounting
to 36 hours, hence (in York’s terms) 3 credits.
Extracurricular: Weekend activities for the middle two weekends
will involve a selection of : a day trip to Stratford or to some summer music
or drama festivals in smaller Ontario centres; a camping/canoeing overnight
trip to “cottage country”; a day trip to Niagara; visit to Black Creek Pioneer
village; evenings in the “towns” of Toronto: Chinatown, Greektown, Little
Italy, Little India; Caribanna if the dates apply.
The course directors will arrange periodic course-related cultural events
(Canadian plays, films, galleries). We will also engage some Canadian authors
for talks.
Students would have privileges to use the York sports facilities, including
swimming pools, tennis courts, gyms.
If you would like to be put on a mailing list for updates on the course and
costs, please email bmccomb@yorku.ca,
or write to:
Topics in Canadian Studies Summer Course
Department of Languages, Literatures and Linguistics
York University
4700 Keele Street
Toronto, Ontario
* pending approval
