Program Overview

Introduction to the Canadian-American Studies Program

The Canadian-American Studies major at Western Washington University is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the cultural, economic, and environmental issues that affect North America. The program explores the similarities and differences between Canada and the United States, with a focus on the impact of these similarities and differences on key issues in the region.

Why Consider a Canadian-American Studies Major?

The Canadian-American Studies major offers an excellent international and interdisciplinary course of study for students looking for a broad-based, liberal arts education. By drawing upon courses from the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, the major explores key concepts and methods across multiple disciplines and applies them to complex projects in our shared regional, continental, and cultural contexts.

Student Resources

• Website: Center for Canadian-American Studies
• Department advising: See the program’s website for more information
• Degree Works: Current students should also log on to Degree Works to check student-specific program progress.
• Career Services Center: Connect major to a career
• Sample Careers: Art and literature, Education and research, Environmental policy, Diplomacy, International business, International law, Politics

How to Declare the Major

To declare the major, contact the Center for Canadian-American Studies undergraduate advisor.

Advising Tips

A formal program of study is initially designed by the student in consultation with the Canadian-American Studies Department undergraduate advisor. One-on-one advising is offered to each student on an as-needed basis.

Grade Requirements

A grade of C- or better is required for a student’s major or minor courses, and supporting courses for majors and minors.

Program Requirements

The Canadian-American Studies major requires a minimum of 56 credits.

Core Requirements

• C/AM 200 - An Introduction to Canada (5 credits)
• C/AM 277 - Canada: A Historical Survey (5 credits)
• or HIST 277 - Canada: A Historical Survey (5 credits)
• PLSC 250 - The American Political System (5 credits)
• C/AM 331 - Geographies of Canada (4 credits)
• or ENVS 331 - Geographies of Canada (4 credits)
• C/AM 406 - Canadian Government and Politics (4 credits)
• or PLSC 406 - Canadian Government and Politics (4 credits)

Specializations

Choose one of the following specializations:

Specialization I – Canadian-American Relations

This specialization enables students to choose to focus on cultural, economic, environmental, and/or political relations between Canada and the United States. Courses emphasize the diversity of contexts which underpin the Canadian-American relationship.

• Any four of:
  • ANTH 476 - Borderlands (5 credits)
  • C/AM 325 - Quebec Politics and Quebec-U.S. Relations (4 credits)
  • or PLSC 325 - Quebec Politics and Quebec-U.S. Relations (4 credits)
  • C/AM 355 - Canadian-American Media Systems: News, Culture, and Diplomacy (4 credits)
  • or JOUR 355 - Canadian-American Media Systems: News, Culture, and Diplomacy (4 credits)
  • C/AM 365 - Canada’s Economy in the World (4 credits)
  • or ECON 365 - Canada’s Economy in the World (4 credits)
  • C/AM 366 - Canadian Business Environment (4 credits)
  • or ECON 366 - Canadian Business Environment (4 credits)
  • C/AM 368 - Decolonization across the Medicine Line: Comparative Indigenous politics in Canada and the U.S. (4 credits)
  • or FAIR 368 - Decolonization across the Medicine Line: Comparative Indigenous politics in Canada and the U.S. (4 credits)
  • C/AM 379 - Canadian American Relations (5 credits)
  • or HIST 379 - Canadian American Relations (5 credits)
  • C/AM 394 - History of the Salish Sea (5 credits)
  • or HIST 394 - History of the Salish Sea (5 credits)
  • C/AM 430 - Borderlands: Resource Management (4 credits)
  • or ENVS 430 - Borderlands: Resource Management (4 credits)
  • C/AM 441 - Society, Space, and Natural Resources (4 credits)
  • or ENVS 441 - Society, Space, and Natural Resources (4 credits)
  • C/AM 489 - Managing an International Ecosystem (5 credits)
  • or PLSC 489 - Managing an International Ecosystem (5 credits)
  • ECON 361 - International Economic Policy and Business (4 credits)
  • ECON 389 - Economies of the Pacific Rim (4 credits)
  • ENVS 431 - Pacific Rim: Environment, Economy and Sustainability (4 credits)
  • or EAST 431 - Pacific Rim: Environment, Economy and Sustainability (4 credits)
  • HIST 390 - Topics in History (5 credits) (under advisement)
  • HIST 391 - History of the Pacific Northwest (5 credits)
  • HIST 490 - Advanced Topics in History (5 credits) (under advisement)
  • HIST 499 - Historical Research (5 credits) (under advisement)

Specialization II – Canadian Histories/Cultures/Identities

In this specialization, students investigate the diverse cultures and histories which have contributed to the constitution of modern Canada. Courses emphasize the complex and often contested and overlapping natures of individual, regional, and national identities.

• Any four of:
  • A/HI 310 - Indigenous Arts of the Pacific Northwest (5 credits)
  • ANTH 314 - Archaeology of North America (5 credits)
  • ANTH 361 - Indigeneity and Colonialism (5 credits)
  • ANTH 411 - Archaeology of Northwestern North America (5 credits)
  • ANTH 462 - Critical Issues in Indigenous Northwest Studies (5 credits)
  • ANTH 476 - Borderlands (5 credits)
  • C/AM 368 - Decolonization across the Medicine Line: Comparative Indigenous politics in Canada and the U.S. (4 credits)
  • or FAIR 368 - Decolonization across the Medicine Line: Comparative Indigenous politics in Canada and the U.S. (4 credits)
  • C/AM 369 - Settler Cities (4 credits)
  • or UEPP 369 - Settler Cities (4 credits)
  • C/AM 375 - Indigenous Placemaking: Decolonizing Space and Place (4 credits)
  • or UEPP 375 - Indigenous Placemaking: Decolonizing Space and Place (4 credits)
  • C/AM 379 - Canadian American Relations (5 credits)
  • or HIST 379 - Canadian American Relations (5 credits)
  • C/AM 394 - History of the Salish Sea (5 credits)
  • or HIST 394 - History of the Salish Sea (5 credits)
  • C/AM 442 - Geography, Colonialism, and the Pacific Northwest (4 credits)
  • or ENVS 444 - Geography, Colonialism, and the Pacific Northwest (4 credits)
  • C/AM 450 - Western Reads Canada (3 credits)
  • ENG 216 - American Literature (5 credits)
  • ENG 235 - Native and Indigenous Literatures of North America (5 credits)
  • ENG 334 - Literary and Creative Expression Across North America and Europe (5 credits) (under advisement)
  • ENG 338 - Women and Literature in North America and Europe (5 credits) (under advisement)
  • ENG 415 - Special Topics in National Literatures (5 credits) (under advisement)
  • HIST 278 - Multiculturalism in Canada (5 credits)
  • HIST 390 - Topics in History (5 credits) (under advisement)
  • HIST 391 - History of the Pacific Northwest (5 credits)
  • HIST 468 - Borderlands and Frontiers of North America (5 credits)
  • HIST 475 - Topics in North American Indigenous History (5 credits)
  • HIST 478 - History of Nationalism in French Canada (5 credits)
  • HIST 490 - Advanced Topics in History (5 credits) (under advisement)
  • HIST 499 - Historical Research (5 credits) (under advisement)

Specialization III – Francophone Canada

This specialization develops students’ abilities to effectively communicate in French with an opportunity for inquiry into Canadian francophone societies. Courses compare and contrast the historical, cultural, and linguistic diversity of Québec, Acadia, and Louisiana.

• FREN 201 - Intermediate French (5 credits)
• FREN 202 - Intermediate French (5 credits)
• FREN 203 - Intermediate French (5 credits)
• One course from:
  • C/AM 325 - Quebec Politics and Quebec-U.S. Relations (4 credits)
  • or PLSC 325 - Quebec Politics and Quebec-U.S. Relations (4 credits)
  • FREN 314 - Phonetics (5 credits)
  • FREN 332 - Cultures et sociétés du Canada Francophone (5 credits)
  • FREN 385 - Culture et conversation (5 credits) (under advisement)
  • HIST 278 - Multiculturalism in Canada (5 credits)
  • HIST 376 - French Colonial Canada: (5 credits)
  • HIST 390 - Topics in History (5 credits) (under advisement)
  • HIST 478 - History of Nationalism in French Canada (5 credits)
  • HIST 490 - Advanced Topics in History (5 credits) (under advisement)
  • HIST 499 - Historical Research (5 credits) (under advisement)

Specialization IV – Student-Faculty Designed

This specialization requires close consultation with a faculty member in designing a suitable plan of study in an area of the student’s interest.

Capstone and Electives

• Capstone Courses:
  • C/AM 401 - Research Problem Identification and Development (3 credits)
  • C/AM 402 - Research Analysis and Writing (3 credits)
• Electives under advisement, not taken above (8-12 credits)
  • A/HI 310 - Indigenous Arts of the Pacific Northwest (5 credits)
  • ANTH 314 - Archaeology of North America (5 credits)
  • ANTH 361 - Indigeneity and Colonialism (5 credits)
  • ANTH 411 - Archaeology of Northwestern North America (5 credits)
  • ANTH 462 - Critical Issues in Indigenous Northwest Studies (5 credits)
  • ANTH 476 - Borderlands (5 credits)
  • C/AM 300 - Directed Independent Study (1-15 credits)
  • C/AM 305 - Special Topics in Canadian-American Studies (3-5 credits)
  • C/AM 325 - Quebec Politics and Quebec-U.S. Relations (4 credits)
  • or PLSC 325 - Quebec Politics and Quebec-U.S. Relations (4 credits)
  • C/AM 355 - Canadian-American Media Systems: News, Culture, and Diplomacy (4 credits)
  • or JOUR 355 - Canadian-American Media Systems: News, Culture, and Diplomacy (4 credits)
  • C/AM 365 - Canada’s Economy in the World (4 credits)
  • or ECON 365 - Canada’s Economy in the World (4 credits)
  • C/AM 366 - Canadian Business Environment (4 credits)
  • or ECON 366 - Canadian Business Environment (4 credits)
  • C/AM 368 - Decolonization across the Medicine Line: Comparative Indigenous politics in Canada and the U.S. (4 credits)
  • or FAIR 368 - Decolonization across the Medicine Line: Comparative Indigenous politics in Canada and the U.S. (4 credits)
  • C/AM 369 - Settler Cities (4 credits)
  • or UEPP 369 - Settler Cities (4 credits)
  • C/AM 375 - Indigenous Placemaking: Decolonizing Space and Place (4 credits)
  • or UEPP 375 - Indigenous Placemaking: Decolonizing Space and Place (4 credits)
  • C/AM 379 - Canadian American Relations (5 credits)
  • or HIST 379 - Canadian American Relations (5 credits)
  • C/AM 394 - History of the Salish Sea (5 credits)
  • or HIST 394 - History of the Salish Sea (5 credits)
  • C/AM 400 - Directed Independent Study (1-15 credits)
  • C/AM 405 - Advanced Topics in Canadian-American Studies (3-5 credits)
  • C/AM 410 - Study Canada Summer Institute (3 credits)
  • C/AM 430 - Borderlands: Resource Management (4 credits)
  • or ENVS 430 - Borderlands: Resource Management (4 credits)
  • C/AM 441 - Society, Space, and Natural Resources (4 credits)
  • or ENVS 441 - Society, Space, and Natural Resources (4 credits)
  • C/AM 442 - Geography, Colonialism, and the Pacific Northwest (4 credits)
  • or ENVS 444 - Geography, Colonialism, and the Pacific Northwest (4 credits)
  • C/AM 444 - Canadian Studies Internship (3-10 credits)
  • C/AM 450 - Western Reads Canada (3 credits)
  • C/AM 489 - Managing an International Ecosystem (5 credits)
  • or PLSC 489 - Managing an International Ecosystem (5 credits)
  • ECON 361 - International Economic Policy and Business (4 credits)
  • ECON 364 - Topics in Canadian Economic History (2 credits)
  • ENG 216 - American Literature (5 credits)
  • ENG 235 - Native and Indigenous Literatures of North America (5 credits)
  • ENG 300 - Directed Independent Study (1-15 credits)
  • ENG 334 - Literary and Creative Expression Across North America and Europe (5 credits) (under advisement)
  • ENG 338 - Women and Literature in North America and Europe (5 credits) (under advisement)
  • ENG 415 - Special Topics in National Literatures (5 credits) (under advisement)
  • ENVS 332 - The Pacific Northwest: Society and Environment (4 credits)
  • ENVS 431 - Pacific Rim: Environment, Economy and Sustainability (4 credits)
  • or EAST 431 - Pacific Rim: Environment, Economy and Sustainability (4 credits)
  • UEPP 463 - Native American Planning and Natural Resources Policy (3 credits)
  • ESCI 330 - Natural History of the Pacific Northwest (4 credits)
  • ESCI 423 - Paleoclimate and Paleoecology (5 credits)
  • FREN 101 - Elementary French (5 credits)
  • FREN 102 - Elementary French (5 credits)
  • FREN 103 - Elementary French (5 credits)
  • FREN 104 - Review of Elementary French (5 credits)
  • FREN 201 - Intermediate French (5 credits)
  • FREN 202 - Intermediate French (5 credits)
  • FREN 203 - Intermediate French (5 credits)
  • FREN 314 - Phonetics (5 credits)
  • FREN 332 - Cultures et sociétés du Canada Francophone (5 credits)
  • FREN 385 - Culture et conversation (5 credits) (under advisement)
  • HIST 278 - Multiculturalism in Canada (5 credits)
  • HIST 390 - Topics in History (5 credits) (under advisement)
  • HIST 391 - History of the Pacific Northwest (5 credits)
  • HIST 468 - Borderlands and Frontiers of North America (5 credits)
  • HIST 475 - Topics in North American Indigenous History (5 credits)
  • HIST 478 - History of Nationalism in French Canada (5 credits)
  • HIST 490 - Advanced Topics in History (5 credits) (under advisement)
  • HIST 499 - Historical Research (5 credits) (under advisement)
  • PLSC 271 - Introduction to International Relations (5 credits)
  • PLSC 291 - Introduction to Comparative Politics (5 credits)
  • PLSC 301 - The British Parliamentary System (5 credits)

University Graduation Requirements

• General University Requirements
• Writing Proficiency Requirement (WP)
• 180 Minimum Total Credits
• 60 Minimum Upper Division Credits
• Residency Requirement
• Minimum Grade Requirements
• Final Quarter Requirement