It’s only human to seek knowledge and understanding of our history, classical traditions, literature, language, and philosophy … the studies known as the Humanities. They encompass a variety of needs and disciplines, examining and developing the ethical values in our lives, our social responsibilities, and intellectually sound ways of reflecting on what it means to be a human being.
Studying the humanities – whether in the context of a humanities course or Canadian studies – increases our appreciation of ideas and of various modes of thinking. It leads to a greater understanding of values within cultural and historical contexts. It can sharpen our skill in formulating our own ideas, developing them coherently, and expressing them clearly and effectively. It can help us read difficult texts with increased comprehension and powers of analysis. All of these help us learn how to learn - essential skills in the workplace and in our personal lives.
The Humanities Diploma Program is designed to provide you with an integrated course of full- or part-time study in the humanities. It can also be an effective introduction to university study. Its flexibility will enable you to choose, in consultation with a faculty coordinator, a particular topic, theme, or area of study, including specific humanities courses, from a wide range of options such as
Furthermore, Humanities Diploma students have the flexibility to arrange a selection of day or evening courses directed towards the topic of their choice. Emphasis will be placed on interdisciplinary approaches, in order to make full use of the resources of all Humanities Departments at the university.
The Humanities Diploma Program is offered by the Faculty of Humanities through the Division of Continuing Studies at the University of Victoria, and has won an award of excellence from the Canadian Association for University Continuing Education.
The Humanities Diploma program is designed for people with both traditional and non-traditional educational backgrounds. The prerequisites for this program are that you have some life experience, an interest studying some area or areas of the Humanities, and a desire to deepen your ability to read, think, and write about what it means to be human. If you are accepted into the program, you will be admitted to the university under special provisions for diploma students, as long as you meet the Language Proficiency Requirement. English is the primary language of instruction at UVic and all applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate competence in English prior to admission. Further information can be found at http://uvic.ca/esl.
Each student's program will be made up of courses totalling 18 or more units. Your choice of courses should be directed towards a particular area or topic of interest to you, within the humanities departments. If you wish to take courses outside of the faculty of Humanities, be sure to obtain prior approval from the faculty coordinator. Students in the program will be subject to all normal prerequisite structures and enrollment limits, as stated by each department in the university calendar.
Up to six units of applicable previous credit which has not been used for a degree may be given for appropriate courses at the recommendation of the faculty coordinator and with the approval of the Dean of Humanities. Please note that credit used toward a completed degree is not transferable.
Diploma candidates will be expected to maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 4 (B-). The program must be completed, on a full- or part-time basis, within a maximum period of six years.
Completion of the program will lead to a Diploma in the Humanities, awarded under the authority of the Senate of the University of Victoria.
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