Bachelor of Arts, General (three year)

*2026-2027 - UG - Major Program Modification (Modify Existing Calendar Entry)

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(A) Proposal summary
Next

  • Generate a GroupID code, if applicable.

  • GroupID
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  • STEP 1 - Complete the proposal summary information
  • Home faculty*
    Choose your faculty from the list of available options.
  • Content type*
    Choose the type of content imported from the calendar. Contact ciqe@ontariotechu.ca if you require assistance.
  • Major Program Modification type*
  • Summary of proposed changes*
    1. We propose a name change for the Liberal Studies program to Bachelor of Arts, General.
    2. We propose a slight modification to the program requirements.
    3. We propose modifying the program learning outcomes to better align with the new name and the purpose of the program.
    Include a brief point by point summary of the changes included in this proposal.
  • Is there a change to total credit hours in the program?*
  • Is a new course associated with this proposal?*
    Select 'yes' only if you are adding a brand new course to the calendar copy in this proposal.

  • If applicable, list new course codes, course titles and include hyperlinks to course proposals in Curriculog in the 'new courses' field below. To hyperlink, open a new window and search for the new course proposal in Curriculog. Copy the url from your web browser, return to this form and select the hyper link icon. Paste the url into the url field and save.

  • New courses
  • Calendar start date*
    Choose when the change should appear in the Academic Calendar.
  • Registration start date*
    Specify the first active term (e.g., Fall 2019).
  • Have you generated a GroupID code and added to all applicable proposals?*
    A GroupID code is used to match related proposals in the system. Use the link at the top of the proposal to generate a code, if needed.
  • STEP 2 - Attach supporting documents, if applicable

  • Visit the files section of the toolbox on the right-hand side of the form to attach any supporting documentation.

  • Are you attaching any supporting documents*
(B) Program information
Next
  • STEP 3 - Complete program modifications in Section B
  • Program or shared core name*
    Bachelor of Arts, General (three year)
    Bachelor of Arts, General (three year)
    This is the title of the program or shared core in the calendar.
  • Program type
  • Degree type

  • Note: If the program or shared core description does not import into the field below, it is captured in the calendar copy. In this case, do not add content to the program or shared core description field as it will import to the calendar. Admission requirements should be captured in the calendar copy.

  • Program or shared core description
  • Calendar copy*
  • Program structure
    Describe any experiential or other applied learning opportunities that are part of the program component.
  • Program learning outcomes
  • Are you modifying program learning outcomes?*

  • Note: Program learning outcomes do not import from Catalog. Please copy learning outcomes from the corresponding program page in the current academic calendar and paste below.

  • Program learning outcomes

    By the end of the program, graduating students graduating will have developed be able to:

    • An understanding of the meaning and value of a contemporary liberal education;
    • The ability to apply interdisciplinary thinking to formulate, analyze, and evaluate complex questions
    • The capacity to reflect on personal, academic, and professional growth, articulating how learning experiences contribute to ongoing personal development and adaptability;
    • The ability to appraise a range of social problems in a theoretically informed, rationally justified, and practical manner;
    • 21st-century skills, including critical self-reflection, intercultural communication, and digital fluency, that are required of citizens and professionals.
    • The capacity to listen to and communicate with a variety of audiences in an articulate, respectful, and effective manner;
    • Critically recognize and analyze the contingent nature of political, cultural, economic, and social truth-claims in the social sciences and humanities;
    • Identify and explain a variety of disciplinary methodologies and their implications for how knowledge is imagined, organized and communicated
    • Demonstrate responsibility, industry and self-motivation across a range of academic activities.
(C) Detailed proposal information
Next
  • STEP 4 - Complete Section C
  • Introduction
  • Brief background on existing program*

    The existing program was intended to provide (a) a more open, less discipline-based program similar to existing Liberal Studies programs in other universities around the world; (b) provide an opportunity for students struggling in other programs across the university to successfully complete a degree at Ontario Tech. Recently, a new 3-year general BA path was created to further support student retention.

  • Rationale for the modification*

    Due to the low enrolment in the Liberal Studies program since its launch, a review was conducted. We propose a name change because (a) “Liberal Studies” is not the standard name for degrees of this kind in the Canadian higher education landscape; (b) the Bachelor of Arts, General degree umbrella may allow for more flexibility in creating retention pathways and pathways for non-direct entry students (e.g., students who are mature, those without a high school diploma, those with significant care-giving responsibilities, and the like), as “Arts” has greater currency among the public when it comes to social science and humanities-based university study.

    How will this change or enhance the program and/or opportunities for students and graduates?
  • Fit with the mission, mandate, strategic plans of the University, and the broader array of program offerings.*

    These changes fit best with the mission of “Learning re-imagined: Co-creating knowledge by adapting to the ever-changing educational landscape through the provision of flexible and dynamic learning and research opportunities.”

    Description of how the proposed modifications fit into the broader array of program offerings, particularly those areas of teaching and research strengths, and complementary areas of study.
  • Resource requirements
  • Faculty members*

    No new faculty members are required.

    List of core faculty associated with the program, including appointment status, home unit, areas of teaching and research interests, and any new faculty requirements and gaps they would be expected to fill.
  • Additional academic and non-academic human resources*

    No new additional academic and non-academic human resources are required.

    Details of any administrative requirements, including support staff, adjunct and part-time faculty, supervision of experiential learning opportunities, and any other additional academic and non-academic human resources.
  • Physical resource requirements*

    No new physical resource requirements.

    Details of any physical resource requirements, including library holdings, information technology support and student services, special equipment, and space requirements (classrooms, laboratory, graduate student work/study space, other).
  • Business plan
  • Statement of funding requirements*

    No new resources are required.

    A summary statement of the funding required to support the modification, including projected enrolments, start-up and continuing costs, if applicable.
  • Statement of resource/funding availability*

    Because this is primarily a name change and no new courses are being created, no new resources are needed. With adequate promotion across the university and at recruitment events, we anticipate that these changes will improve retention and attract students from different backgrounds.

    Statements attesting to the adequacy of resources to support the modification from Deans who may have faculty members involved in or are contributing resources, the Registrar or the Dean of Graduate Studies, the Chief Librarian and the Provost.
  • Transition and communication plan
  • Transition plan for both new and current students*

    The changes will not impact current students beyond a name change of the program.

    Semester (e.g., Fall 2025) for the implementation of the proposed changes; include a plan for all current students in the program, by year level. If this change impacts students that are not new and/or 1st year students as of the start date, then a transition plan is required. Please remember to consider off-map students.
  • Communication plan for both new and current students*

    Students will be notified with the updated academic calendar, information on the FSSH website and through academic advising.

    Please explain how the current students will be made aware of this change (e.g., Who will be responsible for notifying students? How? Is Academic Advising aware?). Please remember to consider off-map students.
  • Converting to online options
  • Does this proposal contain any intended conversion of program components to online options? If yes, please complete the remaining items below*
  • Adequacy of technological platform
    Describe the adequacy of the technological platform to be used for online delivery
  • Maintenance of and/or changes to program-level learning outcomes
    Describe how the current program-level learning outcomes will be maintained and/or changed when moving to online delivery.
  • Maintenance of and/or changes to program objectives
    Describe how the current program objectives will be maintained and/or changed when moving to online delivery.
  • Maintenance of and/or changes to the quality of education
    Describe how the quality of education will be maintained and/or changed when moving to online delivery.
  • Sufficiency of support services and training for teaching staff
    Describe the support services and training for teaching staff that will be made available when moving to online delivery.
  • Sufficiency and type of support for students in the new learning environment
    Describe the sufficiency and type of supports that will be available to students when moving to online delivery.
  • Other
  • Additional supporting information, if applicable

    NA

    Describe any additional information needed to support the proposal.
(D) Impact and consultation
Next
  • STEP 5 - Complete Section D

  • Consultation is central to governance at Ontario Tech. Faculties are required to consult with all areas impacted by this change, and the home faculty dean is responsible for all consultation decisions in this section of the form. Note that any false statements related to consultation may require re-submission of proposals.

  • Faculty Consultation
  • Will this change impact any other faculties? Some examples may include, but are not limited to, the scenarios listed below.*

  • Examples:

    • A course from another faculty is being added or removed from the program map.
    • Changes to joint and/or service programs (e.g., 'and Management' programs, targeted minors).
    • Changes to year of offering for courses from another faculty (e.g., moving a course from Year 1 to Year 2).

    Additional examples can be found in the Resources section of the CIQE website.

  • If you answered yes to the question above, please explain and outline the consultation process in detail. Attach relevant documents (emails, Faculty Council minutes, etc.) or include links to corresponding documents.*

    NA

  • Student Consultation
  • How have current or prospective students been consulted about this change? (e.g., informal conversations, attendance at meetings, survey, indirectly through academic advising). Please provide details below.*

    Informal feedback from students enrolled in the Liberal Studies program have been overwhelmingly favourable; likewise, students from across the university who have taken Introduction to Liberal Studies have consistently expressed high satisfaction with this course. Given low enrollment numbers in the major, we have decided that a name for the program that more clearly and directly signals what it entails would be preferable.

  • Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
  • What considerations have been made for equity, diversity, inclusion and decolonization?*

    The values of equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization informed development of the Liberal Studies program in the first place, as well as last year’s implementation of a three-year degree option. Both initiatives were intended to facilitate higher educational attainment for students who have encountered barriers to academic success. The proposed modification—a minor name change—is also meant to contribute to this goal, by promoting broader enrollment in the program

  • For more information and guidance on incorporating equity, diversity and inclusion principles in curricula, please visit the Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging resource section of the CIQE website.

  • Indigenous Content and Consultation
  • Does this change include any Indigenous content?*

  • For more information on how Indigenous content is defined at Ontario Tech University and how to consult with the Indigenous Education Advisory Circle, please refer to the Protocol for Consultation with the Indigenous Education Advisory Circle.

  • Has the IEAC been contacted?
  • If Yes, when?
  • What was the advice you received from the IEAC? And, how has it been included in your proposal? Please attach or provide links to documents that outline the consultation process and advice given.
  • Did the IEAC ask you to return the proposal to them for review?
    If Yes, have they completed their review?
  • Other Consultation
  • Have you consulted with the Office of the Registrar, Student Life, the Library and/or any other areas on campus that may be impacted?*
  • If yes, please explain and outline the consultation process in detail.*

    We have consulted with the Registrar, Joe Stokes, who has expressed his support for the present proposal, noting that Bachelor of Arts captures the program’s aims, while also communicating more directly with prospective students what they can study by pursuing this program.

  • Does this change involve co-op?*
  • If yes, please acknowledge that you have consulted with the Director, External Relations and Partnerships by checking the box below.
(E) Routing
Next
  • STEP 6 - Enter routing information

  • Important note: it is imperative that you choose the correct routing path as it cannot be changed once a proposal has been launched. If you have made a routing error after launching the proposal, the proposal will be cancelled and a new proposal will be required. If you require assistance with routing, please contact ciqe@ontariotechu.ca.

    Please note that changes to joint or collaborative programs do require approval at Faculty Council of each faculty involved in the program. You do not need to include other faculties in the routing, however, consultation with other faculties should be noted and any required approval by other Faculty Councils (and date of approval) should be noted in the comments section as approval is logged on the home Faculty Council step.

  • Should this proposal be routed to the Program Approval step prior to Curriculum Committee?*
    If your curriculum committee is organized by program, or if program-level approval prior to curriculum committee is not required, select 'no'.
  • Faculty or program-level group*
    Choose your faculty or program-level group from the list of options. If your faculty has program-level committees, choose the corresponding program group from the list. Otherwise, choose the home faculty. You may choose more than one option, but please note that your proposal will go to the committees of all options selected. The proposal will not move on to the next step until all faculties have approved at their respective committees. Note: If you are making a change for a Bachelor of Engineering program in FESNS, you must select both the Faculty of Energy Systems and Nuclear Science, and the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science from the list of options.
  • Is this change for a Bachelor of Engineering program or program which requires Engineering Curriculum Committee approval?*
  • Are there departments associated with your faculty?*
  • Is this change for the Sustainability Studies program?*
(F) End of proposal
Next
  • STEP 7 - Save and ensure all required fields are complete
  • STEP 8 - Validate and launch proposal
  • STEP 9 - Review program modifications

  • To view the proposal with mark-up, navigate to the discussion section of the toolbox on the right-hand side of the form and change the ‘User-Tracking’ setting to ‘Show current with mark-up’. To view the calendar copy with mark-up, click the ‘Preview Curriculum’ icon and then the red pencil icon.

  • STEP 10 - Approve proposal

  • As the originator, you must approve the proposal to send it on to the next step. To approve, navigate to the decisions section of the toolbox on the right-hand side of the form.

(G) CIQE use only
Next

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