Cool university courses that’ll make you wish you were a student again
Here are some out-of-the-box courses offered at Canadian universities.
Philosophy of humour
What is comedy? What is humour? What is laughter? This course, offered at the University of Prince Edward Island, explores philosophical theories of humour and studies problematic humour and free speech controversies.
Popular Potter
Fans of the Harry Potter book series will be excited about this course offered at the University of Waterloo. By studying all seven of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter novels, students will deepen their understanding of young adult novels, practice literary criticism and explore cultural studies and critical theory. Muggles are welcome!
The greatest party in the world
Offered at Wilfrid Laurier University, this course introduces students to Brazilian popular culture by exploring how things such as carnival, soccer and prime-time soap operas impact national identity formation and cultural resistance to dominant ideas.
The art and science of hacking your brain
This course, offered at Simon Fraser University, explores the science behind everyday decision-making and gives students the knowledge to make any learning situation easier and more fun.
Food and eating
Offered at the Université du Québec à Montréal, this course explores the factors involved in forming food taste, attitudes and eating behaviours. The pleasure of eating is analyzed from anthropological, sociological and psychological perspectives, and students gain a better understanding of their own relationship with food.
History of popular music
Attention all music afficionados! This course at St. Francis Xavier University covers rock and pop music from 1955 to the near present. Everything from Elvis Presley and The Beatles to present day rap and hip-hop is covered.
Probability and games of chance: Poker 101
Watch out, Vegas! This University of Ottawa math course provides an introduction to probability theory, game theory and the mathematical underpinning of games of chance like Texas Hold’em poker. Common cognitive biases and reasoning mistakes are explored, as well as the various facets of online gaming, fraud detection and gambling addiction.
Sport, development and peace
People follow sports all around the world, but most aren’t aware of its impact on social development, peace and conflict resolution. This MacEwan University course studies the role of the Canadian sport system on social development, as well as the role of sports in other regions of the world.
Witchcraft in early modern Europe
This Carleton University course explores witchcraft, witch-hunts and witch crazes in Britain and Europe between the 16th and 18th centuries. Key themes include the popular belief in witchcraft and magic, the role of the devil in society, changes in religious beliefs, crime and punishment, the household and the family and more.
Cults, conspiracies and close encounters
Why do people join cults, and how do conspiracy theories and alien encounters relate? This McMaster University course explores the evolution and social impact of cults, conspiracies and close encounters and the historical, cultural, political and religious dynamics that inform them. Some communities studied include Scientology and Q-Anon.
French-Canadian music
At the Université de Sherbrooke, students can study the evolution of Québécois songs and how they relate to society and current trends. Songs are studied from sociological, political, literary and musical lenses.
Religion and Disney films
This Memorial University course provides an in-depth examination of religious themes arising from Walt Disney Studios films and its founder, Walt Disney himself. This includes Disney animated films, live action films and other Disney entertainment.
The vampire: Modernity and the undead
From Dracula to Twilight, vampires have long existed in folklore, philosophy, fiction and television. This course, offered at the University of King’s College in Halifax, examines the figure of the vampire in various historical and cultural contexts and considers what the changing ideas of the vampire can tell us about early modern views of death, morality, national identity, sexuality and gender.
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