Elective courses are normally taken at the 6000 (PhD) level and must be approved by the student’s Supervisor and the IDSR Program Director. Masters (5000) level courses, usually drawn from the Trent Graduate Calendar, may qualify for the elective requirements with approval from the Program Director.
IDSR 6030H Special Topics in Social Justice: Exploring the possibilities and limitations of the "what's the problem represented to be" (WPR) approach
Winter Term 2026, Mondays, 4:00-7:00 pm
Prerequisite: IDSR 6010H or an equivalent graduate level social research methods course
Instructor: Deborah White
The study of critical social justice inevitably involves the study of ‘social problems.' While a portion of the substantive content of this course will revolve around institutional responses to sexual violence, the conceptual framework will be based on an exploration of Carol Bacchi’s “WPR” (what’s the problem represented to be) approach. Together we will explore its possibilities (and limitations) for examining social/public policies and state interventions in this and other areas such as, for example, health, education, international relations, etc.
IDSR 6040H Advanced Studies in Community-Engaged Research
Winter Term 2026, Wednesdays, 4:00-7:00 pm
Prerequisite: IDSR 6020H or an equivalent graduate level social research methods course
Instructor: Blair Niblett
An in-depth exploration of the history and current state of community-based, community-engaged, collaborative, participatory, activist and action-oriented research theories and practices.
IDSR 6050H Independent Reading and Research Course
Students are able to pursue topics of particular interest which are not presented in existing courses. It allows concentrated and integrated study on a topic or inquiry that is specifically relevant to a student’s approved program. It also enables the student and instructor the opportunity to explore shared interests. The format of the course is designed by the student in consultation with the supervisor or supervisory committee. Written justification for the course must be made to the Program Director and must be arranged before registration for the course. The Reading Course is normally in the form of a literature review or a small research project.
ARTM 5000H-IDSR 6000H Core Issues in Contemporary Curation
Fall Term
The idea of the museum is inherently modern and brings with it many of the trappings of Western modern thought. This course explores the contemporary issues in curation and the possible ways to de-colonize galleries, museums, aesthetics and other Western systems of art (both physical and ideological). With curation as the focus, the course considers the discursive relationship between artists, theorists and curators, and the politics of contemporary curatorial spaces in a global, digital age.
ARTM 5020H-IDSR 6022H Writing for Arts Organizations
Winter Term 2026, Tuesdays, 12:00-3:00 pm
Focusing on clear, concise and persuasive writing, this course addresses a range of written communication situations including reports, both internal and external, fund-raising letters and promotions, grant-writing, among others. Consideration will be given to individualizing written communication to the various stakeholders that constitute arts organizations.
ARTM 5500H-IDSR 6500H Arts Management Practice and Management Practice
Winter Term 2026, Thursdays, 1:00-4:00 pm
This course focuses on the principles of Arts Management and practice for arts organizations. Students will gain an understanding of organizational structures through examples drawn from a range of arts organizations, including performing arts, museums and galleries, heritage and cultural memory organizations and the entertainment industry. Topics will include the role of the arts manager, governance structures, planning and the arts, copyright and arts policy, philanthropy, municipal arts initiatives, and community arts organizations. Case studies and focus may vary annually depending on instructor interests.
SUST 5550H-IDSR 6550H Environmental Policy Analysis
Winter Term 2026, Tuesdays, 5:00-8:00 pm Hybrid option available
Instructor: William Martin, MNR policy analyst
This course explores environmental policy analysis and development in the Canadian context. We cover methods of analyzing environmental policy responses across a range of issues, including stakeholder engagement, policy tool selection and development, evaluation, and communication of policy aims to diverse audiences.