COURSE CURRICULUM

The required coursework for the Master of Arts in Cultural, Social, and Political Thought at the University of Lethbridge is designed to provide a solid foundation in research methods, theoretical engagement, and professional development. Students must complete Cultural, Social, and Political Thought 5101 – Research Methodology (1.5 credit hours), which introduces essential research practices and frameworks in interdisciplinary social and cultural studies. They are also required to complete Cultural, Social, and Political Thought 5701 – Professional Skills Seminar (1.5 credit hours), which helps develop academic and transferable skills such as public speaking, peer review, and research communication. To deepen methodological knowledge, students choose one of three specialized courses (1.5 credit hours): Cultural, Social, and Political Thought 5103 – Qualitative Interviewing, Cultural, Social, and Political Thought 5105 – Ethnographic Methods, or Cultural, Social, and Political Thought 5107 – Discourse Analysis. Additionally, students select three courses (4.5 credit hours total) from a range of theoretical topics to tailor their academic focus. Options include Cultural, Social, and Political Thought 5201 – Feminism, Gender, and Sovereignty; 5205 – Structuralism/Functionalism; 5207 – Culture and History; 5301 – Queering Feminism, Gender, and Power; 5303 – Critical Theory; 5305 – Postmodernism/Poststructuralism; and 5307 – Settler Colonialism & Postcolonialism. These courses allow students to engage critically with diverse bodies of theory, fostering a deeper understanding of complex cultural, political, and social phenomena. This curriculum supports the development of a strong theoretical and methodological base necessary for the thesis component of the program.