Stories, memories and poignant moments from past students of Canadian Studies and how their experience contributed to their future
Rachael Cummings
Class of 2021 -- Honours major Canadian Studies & minor in Indigenous Studies
I entered my first Canadian studies class in my first semester of undergrad as a business-arts student thinking I was taking another interesting elective. Soon enough, I found myself switching out of business and into Canadian studies full time. As it is multidisciplinary, I was able to explore many different topics while working towards my degree. These topics included sociology, women and gender studies, history, political studies, law, English, and Indigenous studies, which were all affixed with a Canadian lens. I developed an interest in learning more about the history of Canada as a colonial nation and in developing my own understanding of how we can strive towards a decolonized Canada. Pairing my Canadian Studies major with an Indigenous studies minor suited my interests perfectly. The broad spectrum of experience I gained in my undergrad has amply prepared me as I enter into Trent’s B.Ed. program next year with the teachables of Indigenous studies and history. Canadian Studies was a terrific degree that I would recommend to anyone who is worried about committing to just one focused area of study. Additionally, the CAST professors and department staff have always gone above and beyond to ensure a rich, diverse, and inclusive learning experience for all CAST students.
Samantha Peever
Class of 2018 - Joint Major Honours Degree in Canadian Studies and Environmental Resource Studies.
If you are searching for an interesting and meaningful degree, look no further! I absolutely loved my time at Trent, studying Canadian Studies. The best part about studying your country, is that it changes your perspective. From the money in your pocket to the Tim Horton’s down the street, everything has a history and a meaning to explore. And it matters - if we want our country to be a nation of peace, then we must understand our actions. This is what Canadian Studies allows its students to do. I was able to pick the topics that interested me the most (such as environmental, Indigenous, and women/gender studies) and explore how Canadians past and present have viewed and acted upon these subjects. This has helped me to understand the news, vote, and start my career in the heritage industry. Not only this, but the program also has incredible professors. My professors knew their subjects well, taught me how to think outside the box, and cared about myself and my colleagues. You can’t find a better combination than that! So, what are you waiting for? Take it from me, enrolling in CAST will be one of the best decisions you will make!
Colleen Stratford-Kurus
Class of 2017 - Honours Degree in Canadian Studies
Canadian Studies at Trent University was the ideal discipline for me and I cannot imagine enjoying another program as much as I enjoyed CAST. The interdisciplinary approach to my degree, or a ‘smorgasbord approach’ as I so often referred to it, allowed me to explore a plethora of ways to learn about a truly complicated and layered subject. This approach to learning really appealed to me as it provided me with many ways to frame one common theme ,and allowed me to gain a thorough, well- rounded understanding. What I really loved about Canadian Studies was the opportunity to make your degree your own and pursue work that really engaged and excited you. By my final year I discovered a passion for national sports policy, and realized that I want to dedicate my working life to developing and implementing feminist sport policy in Canada. This topic is not typically one that first comes to mind when I tell people I took Canadian Studies, but that’s the beauty of CAST. CAST allows the student to view Canada through all sorts of different disciplines, regions, and time periods so that they can determine what speaks to them and dedicate their time, efforts, and energy to it.