A region defined by a regional ecosystem – the Grand River Valley – is examined from a multi-disciplinary perspective, which incorporates scientific, historical, social, economic, philosophical and cultural perspectives. The relationship between humans, the natural environment and the social environment which informs their interaction is a central theme. The course includes weekly lectures and tutorials, which attempt to use a local region as a vehicle for understanding and appreciating significant world issues.

Contemporary environmental issues are studied from a multi-disciplinary perspective. Topics for discussion may include climate change, water issues, urbanization, environmental law and legislation, corporate needs and responsibilities, and personal and ethical responses to environmental issues. The course includes weekly lectures and tutorials.

This is a skills based course which aims to improve scientific literacy. In order to improve students' ability to critically evaluate scientific information, the course will strengthen informal logic skills, and introduce the concepts required for understanding statistical probability. Topics will include the difference between induction and deduction, causation and correlation, risk assessment, statistical significance, as well as the nature of measurement and error, sampling, distributions, control groups and double-blind experiments.

An examination of the origins of some of the major currents in contemporary thought. Topics for discussion may include ideology, technology, revolution, empire, development, war and peace, the birth of the modern, and the rational and irrational.

An examination of some of the major currents in contemporary thought. Topics for discussion may include decolonization, revolution, war and peace, feminism, racism, modernity and postmodernity, the rational and irrational, consumerism, technology and the life of the individual faced with globalization.

The course examines the impact of European colonialism on indigenous people and investigates the relationships between indigenous people and the modern state. Case studies from North America, South America, New Zealand and Africa, involving peoples like the Mohawk, Innu, Maori, Yanomami and Bushmen will be discussed in weekly lectures and tutorials.

The survival of Native American culture in a post-colonial world will be explored, with a focus on contemporary Native American art, film, music and literature. Themes which may be discussed include acculturation, cultural identity, language issues, and issues of synthesis as they arise in the context of the mixing of Native and non-Native culture, and the emergence of a pan-Native culture. The course includes weekly lectures and tutorials.

A study of the application of the scientific method. Historical and contemporary examples of the use of the method will be discussed, as well as debates about the ways in which it should be described and understood, and its ability to establish objective truths about the world. Questions discussed may include "Is there a scientific method?" "Can theories be tested?" "How can we distinguish Science and Pseudo-Science?" The course includes weekly lectures and tutorials.

A study of the application of the scientific method which emphasizes contemporary challenges to science and technology. Arguments against science as the dominant, rational and objective form of inquiry will be discussed, in conjunction with defences of science and the scientific method. Topics addressed may include uncertainty, ethics and science, the limits of science, feminism and science and science policy. The course includes weekly lectures and tutorials.

A study of culture and representation which explores the issues involved in understanding the aesthetic, cultural and historical context of texts, space, visual imagery, the mass media and the different aspects of personal interaction. General theories of meaning in these contexts will be emphasized in weekly lectures and tutorials.

An in-depth study of culture and representation which explores the issues involved in understanding the aesthetic, cultural and historical context of texts, space, visual imagery, the mass media and the different aspects of personal interaction. The application of theories to specific examples and case studies will be emphasized in weekly lectures and tutorials.

This course offers students the opportunity to explore selected topics growing out of the Contemporary Studies core curriculum. All students will discuss their topics and approaches to these topics with their professor and will normally meet with him or her weekly. Students may choose to prepare an extended conventional essay, a series of shorter essays, reports, short stories, video documentaries or other creative means of assessment, developed in consultation with their professor.

A field placement course in which the student gains experience in an educational setting. The placement is supervised by Laurier personnel and culminates in a major report. (Field course)

A one-term study of a special topic of relevance to Contemporary Studies, taught by one of the core faculty in the Contemporary Studies program. Different topics will be featured in different sections.