Arts & Humanities
Journey towards new understanding
of the world around you.
We currently have 154 courses in
Arts and Humanities
Our Programs
Our Arts and Humanities courses are here to help you discover a new passion, or rekindle an old one. Enrich your life and expand your mind with our expertly-created and instructed courses in everything from ancient history to current real estate trends.
Health, Environment, and Science
ABOUT THIS PROGRAM
If you’re naturally curious and have a keen interest in living things, the environment, and human biology, this is your opportunity to become part of the journey into the fascinating world of science. Beyond your traditional environmental studies program, our diverse range of courses invites you to investigate subjects ranging from your health to pharmacology to the environment in which we live. These entertaining and inclusive classes will answer many of the questions you might have about the influence of science in our daily lives.
What’s more, our University Lecture Series covers an eclectic range of timely topics, presented by leading scholars thinkers and experts, often of interest to learners participating in the Health, Environment, and Science program.
You might also be interested in courses in Environment and Sustainability.
History
ABOUT THIS PROGRAM
To understand the present and the future, it is important that we know the past. History comes to life in our courses that explore the people and the events that have shaped our contemporary world. Our History courses are taught by renowned educators who make local and global themes fascinating and current.
Explore ancient history, wars and revolutions, influential historical figures, and more. Whatever historical period or personality interests you, you’re sure to find a course that dives deep into the topics that fascinate you the most.
Life and Leisure
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We offer an ever-expanding selection of fascinating courses designed to enrich and balance your life. From managing your finances to nurturing a personal passion, to discovering the world around you in a new way, these courses will help you connect with what’s important in your life and see the world from a fresh perspective.
Each course is taught by an experienced instructor who shares your interest in personal growth and fulfillment. Plus, our University Lecture Series covers an eclectic range of timely topics, presented by leading scholars, thinkers, and experts, often of interest to learners taking part in the Life and Leisure program.
Literature
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The written word, both fictional and factual, is the most compelling form of human expression. Our English literature courses offer a rare opportunity to study a broad range of great writing. Take the time to discover the riches of great books that you’ve always wanted to read, and enjoy the pleasure of discussing them with people who share your passion.
Our University Lecture Series is a great complement to our Literature program. Covering an eclectic range of timely topics, presented by leading scholars, thinkers, and experts, the series is often of interest to learners participating in literature study.
Music
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We offer unique perspectives on music, the most ancient form of human art. Our music courses showcase this art form as an influence in classical and popular culture. These courses provide history, context, and insights in an effort to enrich your experiences with various music forms and performances.
Plus, our University Lecture Series covers an eclectic range of timely topics, presented by leading scholars, thinkers, and experts, often of interest to learners who study music through this program.
Philosophy and Law
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The ability to think critically is one of life’s most valuable skills, both personally and professionally. Providing a blend of study in history, philosophy theory, and literature, our Philosophy and Law courses will lead you to explore life’s big questions and examine the theories of history’s most famous thinkers.
New to SCS, and presented in partnership with the University of Toronto Faculty of Law, our course "Introduction to Legal Principles, Thinking and Reasoning" supports learners who are preparing for entry into law school, or who interact with legal professionals in their daily work in a fully-online, self-study format.
Our University Lecture Series is a great complement to these courses, as it covers an eclectic range of timely topics, presented by leading scholars, thinkers, and experts, often of interest to learners who study philosophy and law.
Religion
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Belief in the sacred has enduring power. As a source of understanding for life, religion speaks to some of the toughest questions we ask ourselves, such as “Who knows me?” or “What is my place in the world?” Our Religion courses explore the dynamic relationship between religious belief and personal freedom, sacred texts and scientific inquiry, as well as divine revelation and human progress. What’s more, our University Lecture Series is a great complement to these courses, as it covers an eclectic range of timely topics, presented by leading scholars, thinkers, and experts, often of interest to learners who participate in our Religion program.
University Lecture Series
ABOUT THIS PROGRAM
A consistent favourite, the University Lecture Series is guaranteed to pique your interest with a fascinating list of hour-long talks. This series features a line-up of scholars and thought leaders who weigh in on subjects across the intellectual spectrum, including history, politics, geography, art, science, architecture, media and more.
Every week offers another illuminating talk that will challenge your assumptions and potentially shift your perspective. Provocative, critical and insightful, this series welcomes learners of all ages.
The University Lecture Series is offered in person at the St George Campus in Toronto, Oakville and Markham. It is also available online.
UNIVERSITY LECTURE SERIES - WINTER 2024
Expand the lists below for lecture information.
St. George - Fridays, 1:30 - 2:30 PM
February 2 Flipping the Page on Ocean Literacy Rochelle Strauss, author, education consultant |
February 9 Reimagining Rental Housing in Canada: Building Climate-Safe Communities Tim Blair, CEO, Kindred Works and co-founder, Heartwood; David Constable, managing partner, Kindred Works and co-founder, Heartwood |
February 16 The Comeback Blueprint Emily O’Brien, founder and CEO, Comeback Snacks |
February 23 Under the Ice: When Scuba Divers Enter Another World for Science Andrew Budziak, photographer, journalist, broadcaster |
March 1 The 7Rs of Circular Fashion: Overconsumption and the Crisis of Stuff Kelly Drennan, systems thinker, disruptor devoted to making change within the fashion industry |
March 8 AI Essentials: Understanding the Basics of Artificial Intelligence Roger Vandomme, tba |
March 15 The Time is Now: Advancing Veteran Access to Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy David Fascinato, executive director, Heroic Hearts Canada |
March 22 Going Down Green: Natural Burial Susan Greer, executive director, Natural Burial Association |
April 5 Steering the Conversation: Amplifying Advocacy to Put the Brakes on Vehicle Theft Elliott Silverstein, tba |
April 12 The Future of Philanthropy: How to Do Good Better Noah Aiken-Klar, director, grants and programs, The Law Foundation of Ontario |
Markham - Thursdays, 12:30 - 1:30 PM
February 1 The 7Rs of Circular Fashion: Overconsumption and the Crisis of Stuff Kelly Drennan, systems thinker, disruptor devoted to making change within the fashion industry |
February 8 The Time is Now: Advancing Veteran Access to Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy David Fascinato, executive director, Heroic Hearts Canada |
February 15 The Comeback Blueprint Emily O’Brien, founder and CEO, Comeback Snacks |
February 22 Red Works Photography: Turning the Lens Nadya Kwandibens, portrait and events photographer; photo laureate, City of Toronto |
February 29 Under the Ice: When Scuba Divers Enter Another World for Science Andrew Budziak, photographer, journalist, broadcaster |
March 7 AI Essentials: Understanding the Basics of Artificial Intelligence Roger Vandomme, tba |
March 14 Nature-based Solutions to Climate Change Jessica Kaknevicius, CEO, Forests Ontario |
March 21 On the Rails: An Homage to Train Journeys and the Question of Why We Travel Pamela Mulloy, writer, editor |
March 28 Going Down Green: Natural Burial Susan Greer, executive director, Natural Burial Association |
April 4 Steering the Conversation: Amplifying Advocacy to Put the Brakes on Vehicle Theft Elliott Silverstein, tba |
Oakville - Mondays, 12:00 - 1:00 pm
February 5 The Time is Now: Advancing Veteran Access to Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy David Fascinato, executive director, Heroic Hearts Canada |
February 12 The Comeback Blueprint Emily O’Brien, founder and CEO, Comeback Snacks |
February 19 No lecture – Family Day |
February 26 Under the Ice: When Scuba Divers Enter Another World for Science Andrew Budziak, photographer, journalist, broadcaster |
March 4 AI Essentials: Understanding the Basics of Artificial Intelligence Roger Vandomme, tba |
March 11 The Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas - Birding for Conservation Kaelyn Bumelis, assistant coordinator, Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas |
March 18 By the Ghost Light: Wars, Memory and Families R. H. Thomson, actor, author |
March 25 Steering the Conversation: Amplifying Advocacy to Put the Brakes on Vehicle Theft Elliott Silverstein, tba |
April 8 The 7Rs of Circular Fashion: Overconsumption and the Crisis of Stuff Kelly Drennan, systems thinker, disruptor devoted to making change within the fashion industry |
April 15 On the Rails: An Homage to Train Journeys and the Question of Why We Travel Pamela Mulloy, writer, editor |
April 22 What’s at Stake in Ontario’s Ring of Fire? Virginia Heffernan, author, geoscientist |
Visual Art and Architecture
ABOUT THIS PROGRAM
We offer dozens of courses in visual art and architecture that allow you to explore the history, imagery, and practice of artistic expression in its many forms. For instance, our beginner drawing classes put you in the studio to learn the techniques of great artists, while our art history courses dive into art through the ages. Our photography, film, and architecture classes examine the applied art forms that enrich our daily lives.
From practical uses of art to the historic significance of major works, learners in our Visual Art and Architecture courses come away with a fresh perspective on the art that surrounds us, as well as a deeper understanding of the fine arts that have shaped civilization. Our University Lecture Series is also a great complement to these courses, as it covers an eclectic range of timely topics, presented by leading scholars, thinkers, and experts, often of interest to learners who participate in our Visual Art and Architecture program.
Featured Courses
MUSIC
Opera and the Supernatural
Join opera expert Iain Scott as he explores the supernatural and magical themes that give power to some of the best-loved operas. Opera’s invitation to suspend belief makes it possible to present the worlds that lie beyond. This course will feature many operatic excerpts on video.
LIFE AND LEISURE
American Cinema of the ’70s: The Last Golden Age
Why were the ’70s the last golden age of American cinema? Those films, made mostly by young, up-and-coming filmmakers, successfully broke all the previous rules of how Hollywood movies were made. FInd out how they pioneered the use of taboo-breaking subject matter and hired actors who looked more ‘ordinary’ than previous stars. Discover or re-visit the decade’s classics, such as The Godfather I and II, Nashville, Taxi Driver, Carrie, and Jaws—movies that make today’s mostly pallid American entertainment look dull and out-of-touch.
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