School of Arts and Social Sciences (SASS)

Dean: Dr. Andy Parnaby, School of Arts & Social Sciences 

Message from the Dean:

A Foundation for Your Future:

The School of Arts and Social Sciences (SASS) provides a strong foundation for the future you want. With an extraordinary range of studies, you can pursue your interests, build on your talents and find your niche. Whether it is full-time, part-time, three or four years, SASS degrees and programs are flexible. You tailor your education to fit you.

CBU’s School of Arts and Social Sciences comes with a lot of unique opportunities:

• Small classes, taught by passionate faculty, give students the chance to do research in their first year.

• Community-oriented and experiential learning at the forefront of most degrees and programs.

• Co-op Programs, Internships, Work Placements and Exchanges offered nearby or abroad.

• Close community relationships through volunteering hours, in-field research or community-based projects.

• Degrees and programs based around developing a competitive advantage for students in postgraduate programs or the job market.

• All SASS degrees and programs have the same goal of setting you up to succeed in a field that’s right for you.

Disclaimer 

When changes are made in program structure, a student already registered may choose to satisfy the new program requirements or to complete the program as it was when the student began his/her program if this is still possible and reasonable.

Cape Breton University (CBU) does not accept any responsibility for loss or damage suffered or incurred by any student as a result of suspension or termination of services, courses, or classes caused because of strikes, lockouts, riots, weather, damage to University property and any other cause beyond the reasonable control of CBU.

Each student bears the responsibility of ensuring that his/her course choices satisfy both the overall program regulations and the individual department regulations for specializations, concentrations, or majors. Andy Parnaby, PhD –  Dean

School of Arts and Social Sciences Credentials & Regulation Information

Undergraduate Degrees 

Bachelor of Arts (Honours, 120 Credits) or a Bachelor of Arts Community Studies (BACS) (Honours, 120 Credits)

• Options: Anthropology, Communication, English, History, Political Science, Psychology and Sociology

Bachelor of Arts Community Studies (BACS), Sports & Physical Activity Leadership (Pathways, 90 Credits, 120 Credits, 120 Credit Major and 120 Credit Honours)

**Regulation: Students are required to take the core Community Studies courses (24 credits), in addition to the specific requirements for Sports and Physical Leadership courses, (24 credits), plus career-related disciplines and electives. Students pursuing a Major program must also meet the requirements for a Minor.

Bachelor of Arts (BA, General Program 90 Credits)

• Concentration Options/Areas of Study: Anthropology, Anthropology-Sociology (jointly), Celtic Culture, Communication, English, Ethnomusicology, Folklore, French, History, Mathematics, Mi’kmaq Studies, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Religious Studies and Sociology.

Bachelor of Arts Community Studies (BACS, General Program, 90 Credits)

**Regulation: In addition to the core Community Studies courses (24 credits), students choose an Academic Field ( 24 credits) from a variety of disciplines, plus career related disciplines and electives.

Bachelor of Arts (Major/Minor and Double Major, 120 Credits) or a  Bachelor of Arts Community Studies (BACS Major Program – Major/Minor and Double Major, 120 Credits)

• • Options: Major in Anthropology, Anthropology-Sociology (jointly), Communication, Dramatic Literature, English, Folklore, History, Mathematics, Mi’kmaq Studies, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology and Sociology.

**Regulation: Minors can be taken in any subject in which CBU offers at least 24 credits and must normally consist of courses from a single subject. Minors are also available in approved inter-disciplinary programs (e.g. Gender and Women’s Studies); in these cases, see program regulations for approved courses. EXCEPTION: Community Studies (COMS) may NOT be used as a minor.

Bachelor of Arts (Major, Multidisciplinary Major 120 Credits) or a Bachelor of Arts Community Studies (Major, Multidisciplinary Major 120 Credits)

**Students considering these options should consult a department chair.

Bachelor of Arts Community Studies (BACS Music Major, 120 Credits)

**Regulation: This major specializes in traditional and tradition-based popular music.  It requires a Major in Music, the core Community Studies courses (30 credits), a Minor and electives.

Bachelor of Arts Community Studies (BACS Applied Theatre, 120 Credits)

**Regulation: Students are required to take the core Community Studies courses (30 credits), a Major in Applied Theatre, a Minor and electives.

Bachelor of Arts Community Studies/Bachelor of Business Administration (120 Credits)

• Additional Information: CBU offers students an opportunity to obtain both their BACS and BBA degrees in four years.  At the end of three successful years, students will receive a Bachelor of Arts Community Studies degree with an academic focus in Business.  After the fourth successful year, they will receive a Bachelor of Business Administration. Both degrees may also be completed simultaneously.

Bachelor of Arts and Science in Environment (BASE, Major or Honours, 120 Credits) (Interdisciplinary Credential)

**Regulation: The Bachelor of Arts and Science in Environment is offered in conjunction with the School of Science and Technology. Students are required to take courses in Environmental Studies (24 credits, including field course), Foundational courses (30 credits), Science Concentration (30 credits), Arts Concentration (30 credits); Honours or Capstone project: 6 credits. All BASE students should contact the Director for Advising.

Bachelor of Social Work (60 Credits)

Bachelor of Social Work, Embedded Certificate Options: Mental Health Promotion in Social Work or Indigenous Perspectives in Social Work are achieved by bundling identified electives in Terms 3 & 4 with final field placement in a related area of practice (SWRK-4899).

• Mental Health Promotion in Social Work (15 credits)

• Indigenous Perspectives in Social Work (15 credits)

Diploma and Certificate Programs

Diplomas

**Diploma in Public Administration and Management **Please note that this program is closed (2022) for admission and  is discontinued. This program has been changed to Diploma in Government.

Diploma in Government Management (42 Credits)

School of Arts and Social Sciences: Certificate Options (full requirements can be found here)

• Certificate in Ethnomusicology (24 Credits, Embedded)
• Certificate in Social Research (30 credits, Stand Alone)

• Certificate in Quantitative and Qualitative Psychology Research Methods (18, Credits, Embedded Certificate)

• Certificate in Bioethics and Health (18 Credits, Embedded)

• Certificate in Mental Health Promotion and Protection (Embedded, 18 credits)

• Certificate of Proficiency in French Language (Embedded)

• Certificate in Theatre Arts (30 Credits, Stand Alone)

• Certificate in Heritage Studies (Retired)

• Certificate in Public Administration (Retired)

Other

Cape Breton Inclusive Program 

Information: CBU Inclusive students who complete a minimum of two years participation and complete their program according to their personalized plans, will receive a certificate along with a detailed learning transcript.

 Departmental Contact Information

 **The Department of Psychology falls under the School of Science and Technology. However, majors are available to students in the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Arts Community Studies degrees. Students should consult the Dean of Science and Technology or the Chair for more information.