Experiential learning

Scholars program

Are you passionate about reading, writing, creativity and discovery? Apply to join the Humanities Scholars program!

You’ll participate in small classes taught by award-winning faculty, gain hands-on experience, receive direct mentorship and conduct your own original research. The program is an add-on to your degree program (e.g., History major + Sociology minor + Scholars program) that encourages lateral, interdisciplinary thinking.

Courses

The Scholars program consists of three discussion-based, interactive, hands-on courses where you'll focus on critical thinking and creativity, ask unique questions, and explore your passion projects.

• HUMA 180: Encountering Humanities Research: an introduction to the humanities, exploring the subject matter, range and purpose of current research, featuring quest speakers from UVic's library, research centres, and humanities research projects. Includes one 12-hour placement in a humanities research project.
• HUMA 380: Becoming a Humanities Researcher: explores how humanities scholars move from conceptualizing research topics to formulating research questions, designing research methods, considering ethical implications, doing research and presenting results. You will apply these principles as you design and present your own humanities research projects.
• HUMA 480: Sharing Humanities Research: practices professional techniques of sharing humanities research, including conference organization, blogging, podcasting and website creation.

Eligibility

The Scholars program is open to applications from students entering their first year of study with a GPA of 90% or above.

Current Humanities students with a GPA of 7.0 or higher may apply to enter directly into upper-year courses and are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Applications

Applications are accepted from April 1 every year, by invitation. Acceptances will be sent via email by April 30. Contact Lindsay Mair for more information.

If you are accepted into the program, we will register you in HUMA 180.

“No other course has given me such complete freedom to pursue my intellectual interests. What’s amazing about the Scholars program is that instructors trust students to carry their visions to completion — and, while we do receive guidance from our professors, we’re ultimately responsible for our own work. And I love it!” - Maya Wei Yan Linsley (program participant)

Read about student research in the Scholars program

International exchange

Your Humanities degree can take you across the world. UVic has more than 100 partnerships with institutions in 33 countries from Europe to the South Pacific.