University Senate has approved five new interdisciplinary programs in the Faculty of Arts and Science that will start in September.

A new B.A. minor in World Language Studies will increase the profile of language education at Queen’s, offer new student learning opportunities and provide a platform for academic collaboration among several units. It’s been developed within existing resources.

“The program is designed to attract students who want to engage in a range of languages and cultures. It offers a unique opportunity to move across a range of areas of study,” says Associate Dean (Studies) John Pierce. “There is high student demand for a flexible program that allows individuals to take courses in many languages including Spanish, Italian, French, German, Japanese, Chinese and Arabic.”

A BAH Major in Linguistics, a new Bachelor of Fine Art (Honours) Major ARTF and Bachelors of Fine Art (Honours, Major-Minor) and Honours, Major-General) respond to a trend within the faculty to replace Special Fields concentrations with Major/Minor combinations.

“These changes respond to student demand in these areas as they give students more flexibility when choosing electives,” says Dr. Pierce. “Major concentrations are also less resource‐intensive in terms of administration, student advisement and degree auditing procedures, so given the University’s financial situation, we are looking at how we can focus our resources more effectively to deliver quality academic programs.”