Social Science and Humanities
In our Social Science and Humanities programs, we believe an interdisciplinary approach to community outreach, research and teaching are essential to developing the leaders of tomorrow. Our diverse group of scholars and educators will provide you with the tools needed to excel in organizations and jobs in local communities, and around the world.
We offer Bachelor of Arts programs in Communication and Digital Media Studies, Criminology and Justice, Forensic Psychology, General Psychology, Legal Studies, and Political Science, and a Bachelor of Science program in Psychology. We also have graduate programs in Criminology and Forensic Psychology.
The university’s curriculum helped me achieve my career goals. The professors provide a comfortable learning environment and treat students with respect. Danielle Kent Johnston Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Communication and Digital Media Studies Manager of Talent Acquisition and Operations, Durham Regional Police Service, Whitby, Ontario
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Programs
Communication and Digital Media Studies
Is social media changing the world for better or worse? How do smartphones shape the way we think and behave? Can popular culture create and challenge stereotypes? Why are ads so effective at persuading people to buy?
In a time in which communications and digital media is pervasive, Communication and Digital Media Studies is a cutting-edge program designed to provide you with a strong foundation in scholarly, civic and professional knowledge and skills pertaining to the roles, practices and impacts of communication and digital media in society. You will learn about the fast-changing communication environment in which we live, explore the social and cultural impacts of many media and technology, and hone professionally relevant communication skills.
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Criminology and Justice
The Criminology and Justice program is an academically-rigorous program of study in critical reading, writing, and experiential learning. You will be well prepared for private and public service, as well as further professional and graduate education.
As a student in our program, you will have the opportunity to engage in independent and collaborative research with professors. You will not only be consumers of knowledge, but also leaders and producers of criminology by participating in the knowledge-creation process. That is what makes us a unique place to study criminology.
If you are looking to pursue a career in criminology, justice, social service, policy, or preparation for graduate school we hope you will consider our university's Criminology program as a place to pursue your goals.
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Forensic Psychology
Forensic Psychology involves applying core psychological principles to issues that have implications for the legal and justice system. In general, psychology is the scientific study of behaviour and mental processes. Psychology is also a profession that applies the findings of psychological research to real-world problems.
Students in the Forensic Psychology program will gain the skill and knowledge necessary to answer the following questions:
- Can you tell when someone is lying?
- Do psychopaths feel guilt?
- Can we predict when and where crimes will occur?
- Do people understand their legal rights?
- Can sex offenders be rehabilitated?
- How can we reduce wrongful convictions?
- Can children be reliable witnesses?
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Legal Studies
Law plays an ever-growing role in our lives. Most of the controversial issues of today—whether stemming from political conflict, technological developments, economic inequality or other social changes—are expressed and mediated through law.
The Legal Studies program at Ontario Tech University offers students the opportunity to critically explore the social roles of law and its connections with community, government and society from different theoretical perspectives. The program emphasizes the development of critical thinking and analytical skills alongside a practical understanding of how to access and use legal materials. Our faculty’s commitment to interdisciplinary approaches to both formal and informal law equips students to address socio-legal and social justice issues in a variety of contexts.
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Liberal Studies
Pursuing the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Liberal Studies program entails deepening one’s capacity for effective communication, incisive analysis, creative thinking, and critical self-reflection. The program is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to adapt to and thrive in a dynamic employment environment. It is not just a university graduate’s overall sum of knowledge, but the capacity to increase, deepen, distribute and apply that knowledge, which matters most in an ever-changing world.
Preparing students to flourish in their personal and professional lives informs the holistic, interdisciplinary, inquiry-driven approach of the Liberal Studies program. Creating awareness and compassion, fostering civic engagement, and nurturing the needs of the 'whole student’ are central to the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities’ mission to equip students with the intellectual and interpersonal skills they need to excel in all facets of life.
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Political Science
Learn how power and authority shape democracy, law, the economy, society, and international relations while developing the skills for exciting and meaningful careers in the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors. This program offers a unique blend of community and experientially-based courses that challenge conventional boundaries. With guidance from award-winning, world-class professors, you will come to understand the ways in which communities can be mobilized and policies designed to yield economic prosperity, environmental sustainability, and social justice.
Two specializations are offered within our political science program:
- Political Communication allows for students to further build communication skills within a political and policy-oriented context.
- Social Justice, Globalization and Development is an opportunity for social justice minded students to focus on human rights and social change by integrating legal and criminological perspectives into their degree.
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Psychology (Bachelor of Arts)
Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology program will receive a core first year of social science courses with their second year reserved for foundational psychology courses. Students will also be required to take a number of additional social science electives in their upper years of study. This program will be of particular interest to students wishing to pursue studies in the social, personality and developmental characteristics of human behaviour.
Students will receive a solid foundation in research methods and statistics as well as highly marketable skills in a variety of tech-focused domains. The knowledge students will gain from this program will put them in strong positions for additional education or direct-to-work opportunities in areas such as business, community development, advocacy, public policy, security and marketing.
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Psychology (Bachelor of Science)
Does the chronic use of drugs lead to permanent changes in the brain? How do modern pharmaceuticals help treat the symptoms of anxiety and depression? How do traumatic events influence a child’s development?
Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Psychology program will receive a core first year of natural science courses, including biology, chemistry, physics, math and psychology with their second year reserved for foundational psychology courses. Students will also be required to take a number of additional science electives in their upper years of study. This program will be of particular interest to students wishing to pursue studies in the cognitive and biological underpinnings of human behaviour.
Students will receive a solid foundation in research methods and statistics as well as highly marketable skills in a variety of tech-focused domains. The knowledge students will gain from this program will put them in a strong position for additional education or direct-to-work opportunities in areas such as medicine, health care, social services and mental health.
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Experiential learning
Experiential learning is the bridge between theory and practice by allowing you to:
- Engage directly in a real-world situation through concrete experience.
- Reflect on your experience by observing your surroundings and how this experience relates to the real world.
- Learn from your experience.
- Put your new skills and knowledge into practice through active experimentation.
As a student within our faculty, you have access to numerous experiential learning opportunities that will take your educational experience to the next level. From placements to internships and everything in between, you can feel confident that you are entering the workforce career-ready.
