Certificates

Rooted in a vision of education as a liberating force that transforms the individual and betters the world, Marianopolis is the only college that offers five certificates centering on various social themes. Any student in any program may take one or more certificate to enrich their understanding of a specific theme while they complete the requirements of their DEC. Students satisfy the requirements of a certificate over at least two semesters through a combination of course work, taking specific but not additional courses, and activities outside the classroom.

• Environmental Studies Certificate

  Students learn “responsible stewardship of the natural environment” as reflected in the College’s Values, by blending ecological knowledge and community action.

  Requirements

  Students must:

  • complete courses listed in the Environmental Studies pamphlet as A courses (focusing on environmental issues) or successfully complete graded work in the context of B courses (courses that may not focus on environmental issues but allow students to carry out a project or to write a paper on an environmental issue)
  • attend and submit abstracts of seminars by environmental experts
  • participate in and/or organize extracurricular activities that touch upon  environmental issues and their possible solutions
  • create or take part in projects that contribute to the betterment of the environment.

  For more information, contact Professors Rachel Faust, Veronica Ponce, and Michèle Saumier.

• Gender and Sex/uality Studies Certificate

  Students enlarge their awareness of a range of contemporary concerns, such as sexism, misogyny, heterosexism, transphobia and gender stereotyping.

  Requirements

  Eligible courses are divided into A courses, which focus exclusively on sex, gender and sexuality, and B courses, which devote at least 15% of their content to such issues. Students may select courses from the following: Administration, Anthropology, Art History, Biology, Cinema, Economics, English, Fine Arts, French, Geography, History, Humanities, Integrative Project, Methodology, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Religious Studies and Sociology.

  For more information, check out the certificate on Facebook or contact Professors Sarah Brand, Hugh Cawker, Mariah Hamel, Angelique Koumouzelis, Vivian Ralickas, and Wendy Richardson.

• Indigenous Studies Certificate

  Students learn about Indigenous issues, contexts and experiences. They focus on Indigenous perspectives in multiple fields, including law, environment, medicine, business, politics and the arts, as well as approaches to decolonization and reconciliation principles.

  Requirements

  Students choose activities among four paths centered on specific themes that encourage exploration. They also participate in two Talking Circles, modelled on Indigenous approaches to learning. They may also:

  • interact with political and cultural leaders from Indigenous communities
  • attend conferences, festivals, and events at local educational and cultural institutions
  • learn first-hand about the various Indigenous perspectives on ecological and environmental issues
  • participate in or organize awareness-raising campaigns such as Orange Shirt Day

  For more information, contact Professors Annie Khatchadourian, Sophia Koutsoyannis, and Rachel Levine.

• Law and Social Justice Certificate

  This certificate stimulates critical thinking about the dynamic interaction between the law and political, sociological, historical, economic, religious and other societal factors.

  Requirements

  Students must:

  • successfully complete five eligible courses, four of which come from a minimum of three Social Science disciplines
  • write a research paper or complete a project in each of the five courses on a topic pertinent to law and social justice
  • participate in student forums on legal issues, seminars and lectures by guest speakers and simulated court cases, or other activities.

  For more information, contact Professor Stuart Kruger.

• Third World Studies Certificate

  Understanding hierarchical systems that contribute to inequality, exploitation and environmental degradation is at the core of this certificate. Students learn about power, hegemony and contemporary realities with the objective of making contributions to building a more equal world.

  Requirements

  Students earn the certificate via academic courses, workshops, films, guest lectures and hands-on activities, including (optional) volunteer opportunities. Academic courses students may choose come from the following disciplines: Administration, Anthropology, Economics, English, Geography, History, Humanities, Modern Languages, Music Philosophy, Political Science, Religious Studies, Science and Sociology.

  For more information, contact Professors Dolores Chew, Philip Dann, and Maurice Dufour.