The Experience
With six time zones, two official languages, hundreds of ethnic groups, 9.98 million square kilometers of land, and thousands of years of both triumphant and troubling history, there are many ways to characterize Canada. Through the collective desire of students and scholars to understand this country in its local, regional, national, and international contexts, Trent University has re-affirmed its longstanding commitment to this area of study, launching the new School for the Study of Canada.
As the first university to establish a Canadian Studies program in Canada back in the 1970s, Trent is uniquely positioned and well-placed to continue leading this important area of study.
Exploring Canada, from Sea to Sea to Sea
How do you define what it means to be Canadian, and how do these definitions change over time, from one person or generation to the next? Through a critical examination of themes such as sovereignty, nationalism, indigeneity, regionalism, multiculturalism, immigration, labour, and peacekeeping, as well as by exploring representations of Canada in film, art, and literature, the study of Canada allows for a greater understanding of the diverse and often contested meaning of the Canadian experience.
The School of the Study of Canada offers a rich learning environment at three levels of study:
- Bachelor of Arts in Canadian Studies
- Masters in Canadian Studies and Indigenous Studies
- Ph.D. in Canadian Studies
Igniting the Great Debate
Trent is home to over 40 scholars who study Canada, many of them national and international experts in their field. The well-established B.A., M.A. and Ph.D. programs have carved out a national reputation for teaching excellence, making Trent a leading destination for students who wish to study and debate ‘Canada’ in a multiplicity of ways.
Fostering Research at the Frost Centre
Established in 1982, the Frost Centre assists scholars to engage in research on a broad range of thematics related to Canadian and Indigenous Studies and in collaboration with the humanities, social sciences and other interdisciplinary fields at Trent. The Frost Centre also plays a key role in faculty development through the sponsorship of colloquia, conferences and workshops.
» Learn more about the Frost Centre
"The School for the Study of Canada confirms Trent as ‘the’ place for the study of Canada. The school will build on Trent’s existing leadership in Canadian Studies and draw upon Canadian-focused scholarship from other disciplines including Geography, Sociology, Anthropology and Environmental and Resource Studies, reinforcing the study of Canada as a central part of Trent’s broader mission.”
- Dr. James Conolly, professor of Anthropology, and former director of the School for the Study of Canada