Academic Advising Handbook 2012 - 2013
1st year students
St. Thomas University
Academic Advising
advising@stu.ca
Registration Helpline
1 -877-788-4443
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Introduction
Welcome to St. Thomas University! We have designed this handbook to help you with your course
selection at St. Thomas University. We encourage you to read it very carefully – it should have most of
the answers you need to make an informed decision about course selection. The most important thing
to know is – there are no wrong course choices for first year! As long as you pick courses at the 1000
level and pick what you are interested in, you will have made good choices regarding your courses.
If, after reading through the material in your registration package, you still have questions, please feel
free to call our toll free registration hotline number ( 1-877-788-4443) or to send us an email at
advising@stu.ca. We will also be available every Monday afternoon from 2:00pm – 4:00pm in the
James Dunn Computer Lab from now until the end of August. If you would like to come in during this
time, please drop us a line to let us know at advising@stu.ca.
We look forward to seeing you in September!
The Academic Advising team
Christina Cail
Shauna Foote
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Course Registration 2012-2013

Please note that all first-year applicants should have final official high school transcripts sent to
the Admissions Office by August 6th. Students from Newfoundland and Labrador must submit
them as soon as they are available in August.
Accepted applicants may pay the $100 confirmation fee on-line at www.stu.ca at Future Students > How
to Apply > Admission Confirmation.
How Do I Register?
Registration for new, first-year students is now open. You will register using our online course
registration system Webadvisor. Please use the WebAdvisor Guide, included in this package, to help you
through the process. We encourage you to register early to improve the chances of getting the courses
you want. There are three steps to registration:
Step 1
Read the Course & Programme Information section very carefully so that you can make informed
decisions about your courses.
Step 2
Read the Understanding the Course Offerings List guide. Refer to Course Offerings List (yellow sheets)
for 2012–2013 course choices. * Please note that this list is just for reference – WebAdvisor will be the
most accurate source of course offerings.
Step 3
Use the Course Selection Worksheet (blue sheet) to map out your schedule. When satisfied with your
timetable, you are ready to register for your courses online using WebAdvisor. After you have
completed your course registration, please print off your course schedule for each semester for
confirmation. The course registration process is now complete!
STEP 1: COURSE & PROGRAMME INFORMATION
How Many Courses Should I Take?
The normal full-time course load is 30 credit hours per year. This means that you would take five courses
each semester. It does not matter what combination of three credit-hour and six credit hour courses
you take, as long as you have five courses in each semester and a total of 30 credit hours for the full
year. For full-time status, you must take at least nine credit hours per semester. A part-time course load
is three or six credit hours per semester.
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*Scholarship students please note: If you hold a major scholarship you must take 30 credit hours each
year.
What Courses Should I Take?
We offer a broad range of courses to choose from so you can explore your interests and abilities.
However, in order to meet the liberal arts education goals of a breadth of knowledge and depth of
understanding, the Bachelor of Arts curriculum is offered in different groups and levels of courses.
Over their four years of study, students must successfully complete the following credits from each of
the following groups.
Group A: 12 credit hours (normally taken in first year) from:
English Japanese Philosophy French
language) Spanish
Italian
Latin Religious Studies History
Native Studies (Mi’qmak
Native Studies (Maliseet language)
Group B: 12 credit hours (normally taken in first year) from:
Anthropology Political Science
Criminology
Psychology
Economics
Sociology
Native Studies
Students are required to take a minimum of 6 credit hours from Group C or Group D or 3 credit hours
from both, but this requirement is not meant to be done in first year. You can wait until 2nd or 3rd year
to complete this group requirement.
Group C:
Environment and Society
Mathematics
Natural Sciences (eg. Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Physics)
Science and Technology Studies
Group D:
Fine Arts Music Visual Arts
For a more detailed description of our courses, please see pages 7-16 at the end of this handbook.
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Step 2: Understanding the Course Offerings List
Below is a section taken from a Course Offerings List. This list includes all of the first year courses you
can choose from when putting together your schedule. This is what it will look like:
COURSE # SECTION C O U R S E T I T L E INSTRUCTOR CREDITS TERM DAYS TIME
*ENGL -1006 - B1 Introduction to Literature McKim, Beth 0.00
Both
MWF 11:30 AM-12:20PM
*ENGL -1006 - B2 Introduction to Literature McKim, Beth 6.00
Both
MWF 11:30 AM-12:20PM
PSYC - 1013 - A Introduction to Psychology Fraser, Ian
3.00
One
TTH
PSYC 1023 – B Introduction to Psychology Fenwick, Kim 3.00
Two
MWF 12:30pm- 01:20pm

2:30 PM-03:50PM
Please note that ENGL 1006 is a full-year course, which means it runs from September until
April. ENGL 1006 B1 represents the first semester of the course, and ENGL 1006 B2 represents
the second semester.
Creating Your Schedule
Once you have carefully and thoroughly read the Course Selection Information Guide and have ideas
about which courses to take, you will be ready to devise your schedule. You can refer to your 2011-2012
Academic Calendar for course descriptions or go online to www.stu.ca and select Academic
Departments > Courses.
Please note that the most accurate listing of courses will be found on WebAdvisor, but you can use
the yellow course offerings list as a guideline.
Reading the Course Offerings List
Here is a useful glossary of terms to help you work from the Course Offerings List.
Course
Each course belongs to a department and has its own course number and section.
ENGL (Department) 1006 (Course Number) B1 (Section)
Title
Each course has a name. You will note that, for example, several courses are named, “Introduction to
Literature.” The section distinguishes it from the other courses by the same title.
Credits
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Most courses at St. Thomas are valued at either 3 or 6 credits. Three (3) credit courses are normally one
term (semester) in length; six (6) credit courses are normally two terms or a full year in duration.
You can tell a 3 credit (3 cr.) course from a 6 credit (6 cr.) by the last digit in the course number. For
example, ENGL 1006 is a 6 credit course; it will run for a whole academic year. PSYC 1013 is a 3 credit
course that will run for one term or semester only.
Term
“Sem 1" is Semester 1 which runs from September to December. “Sem 2" is Semester 2 which runs from
January to April. If you see “Both” it means Semesters1 and 2 which extend from September to April. In
other words, it is a full-year course.
Days
M(onday), T(uesday), W(ednesday) TH(ursday), F(riday). For example, a course offered on MWF is
taught on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. A course on TTH is taught on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Step 3: Using the Course Selection Worksheet
We have enclosed a Course Selection Worksheet to help you map out a schedule. Please use this so that
you can make sure the courses you select do not run at the same time or overlap with each other. You
are in control of your schedule –be sure to use your time wisely!
TIPS FOR CREATING A SCHEDULE
1. 10 minutes between classes is enough time to get to your class. Some students like to have their
courses back-to-back but for others it is a good idea to leave some time between classes to get work
done while it is still fresh.
2. Give yourself a lunch break each day.
3. Avoid scheduling all your classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. If you miss a day, it is the equivalent of a
half week’s work. Plus, being in classes for 7.5 hours a day can be exhausting!
4. If you have breaks between classes, plan to use your time constructively (i.e. reading notes, doing
laundry, or checking the Current Students Notice Board on www.stu.ca).
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COURSES & PROGRAMMES
The following is a brief description of the subjects and programmes that are available to new students at
St. Thomas. For more detailed information please consult the St. Thomas University Calendar 2011-2012
or www.stu.ca.
The Aquinas Programme
For first-year students, the Aquinas Programme is an innovative approach to learning that combines
three academic disciplines in a small-class setting where seminars, team teaching, and interdisciplinary
approaches foster a high level of literacy and critical thinking.
First-year students typically take five courses in five subject areas. In Aquinas, three of these courses are
organized into one section with a common theme and the same group of students and professors.
Enrolment in each section of Aquinas is limited to a maximum of 36 students. In this close-knit
community, students have the opportunity to participate actively and share ideas with other students
and three professors. While providing required first-year credits, Aquinas thoroughly introduces new
academic disciplines and areas for exploration and discovery. It is an ideal way to begin a rewarding
university education.
Aquinas Programme Sections 2012-2013
Great Books: An Introduction to Thoughtful Reading
Students interested in Aquinas must register for all three courses:
AQPO - Political Science 1006G
AQPH - Philosophy 1006G
AQEN - English 1006G
Great Books for Journalists: An Introduction to Thoughtful Reading
Students interested in Aquinas must register for all three courses:
AQJO - Journalism 1013/1023J
AQPO - Political Science 1006J
AQPH - Philosophy 1006J
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Truth in Society
Students who are interested in this section of Aquinas must register for all three courses:
AQCR 1006 T – Criminology 1006T
AQEN 1006T – English 1006T
AQRS 1006 T – Religious Studies 1006T
Anthropology (ANTH)
Studies and explores the nature of human beings based on the diversity of human biology, language,
culture and society.
Departmental Chair: Dr. Peter Toner, ptoner@stu.ca
Departmental Assistant: Jocelyne LeGresley, (506) 452-0642, jocelyne@stu.ca
Catholic Studies (CATH)
Consists of courses which examine topics, themes or questions relating to Catholic history, doctrine and
faith in its various aspects, illustrations of which are found in literature, historical studies, philosophy,
theology and social science.
Coordinator: Dr. Michael McGowan, mmcgowan@stu.ca
Departmental Assistant: Penny Granter, (506) 460-0366, granter@stu.ca
Criminology and Criminal Justice (CRIM)
Explores the causes and effects of criminal behaviour, society’s reaction to it and how it is dealt with by
the legal system. Topics include young offenders, terrorism, media and culture, and a history of criminal
justice in Canada.
Departmental Chair: Dr. Michael Boudreau, mboudreau@stu.ca
Departmental Assistant: Dale Dasset, (506) 452-0523, criminology@stu.ca
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Economics (ECON)
Provides an introduction to how individual markets work, the national and international economy and
the importance of power and class in determining economic outcomes.
Departmental Chair: Dr. Andrew Secord, secord@stu.ca
Departmental Assistant: Jocelyne LeGresley, (506) 452-0642, jocelyne@stu.ca
English (ENGL)
The English department engages students with literary texts of many forms from print through to digital.
The study of English encourages students to develop an appreciation of the origins, complexity and
functions of human knowledge. Engagement with a text involves far more than taking content, it
provides a lived-through experience of the world evoked by that text. The discipline of literary study
brings together creators, their works and their audiences in a grand textual community.
Departmental Chair: Dr. Kathleen McConnell, kathymac@stu.ca
Departmental Assistant: Margie Reed, (506) 452-0614, mreed@stu.ca
English as a Second Language (ESL)
Courses for students whose first language is not English, with an emphasis on academic skills. New ESL
students will be evaluated at the beginning of each semester and placed in the appropriate level.
Director: Dr. Matte Robinson, mrobinson@stu.ca
Departmental Assistant: Penny Granter, (506) 460-0366, granter@stu.ca
Environment and Society (ENVS)
Over the past few decades, the injurious effects of human behaviour on Earth’s natural systems have
become increasingly obvious. Our failure to change our ways must be acknowledged and confronted.
With its expertise in many domains of human endeavour, St. Thomas University is well prepared to help
students interrogate the social processes that promote both our degradation of Earth and our
persistence in such destructive behaviour.
Coordinator: Dr. Andrew Secord, secord@stu.ca
Departmental Assistant: Jocelyne LeGresley, (506) 452-0642, jocelyne@stu.ca
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Fine Arts (FNAR)
In keeping with the goals of a liberal education, Fine Arts aims to develop aesthetic literacy, to cultivate
a critical awareness of the aesthetic dimensions of everyday life and culture, and to encourage an
exploration of individual creative expression. Because students arrive at St. Thomas with different
degrees of experience of the Fine Arts, the courses eligible for the Fine Arts requirement have been
selected for their accessibility to people with a wide variety of experience in the particular disciplines.
Director: Dr. Peter Weeks, pweeks@stu.ca
Departmental Assistant: Susan Sears, (506) 452-0528, sears@stu.ca
French (FREN)
We offer first-year French courses to Anglophone, Francophone and bilingual students of various levels.
French 1006 is a course for students who have never studied French before. French 1206 is for students
who have finished Grade 12 core French. French 1506 is for students who have finished Grade 12
enriched French, and French 1556 is for students who have graduated from a French immersion
programme.
Departmental Chair: Dr. Jeannette Gaudet, romance@stu.ca
Departmental Assistant: Jocelyne LeGresley, (506) 452-0642, jocelyne@stu.ca
Gerontology (GERO)
A multi-disciplinary field that studies the process of development and aging across the lifespan, drawing
on research from a variety of fields. Gerontology uses a variety of perspectives that shed light on the
social, psychological, emotional and spiritual nature of being human as a background for the
investigation of many topics. Students may begin the introductory courses, GERO 2013 Introduction to
Gerontology and GERO 2023 Multi-disciplinary Issues in Aging, in second year or after completing 30
credit hours.
Departmental Chair: Dr. Gary Irwin-Kenyon, Kenyon@stu.ca
Departmental Assistant: Dale Dasset, (506) 452-0523, dasset@stu.ca
Great Ideas (GRID)
An interdisciplinary programme that is started after 30 completed credits, Great Ideas is designed to
provide students with the opportunity to explore some of the perennial questions of human existence
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through the reading and discussing of original works by men and women from across the ages. All
students planning on completing the Major or Honours programme in Great Ideas are required to
complete a second Major.
Coordinator: Dr. Tom Bateman, bateman@stu.ca
History (HIST)
St. Thomas University’s innovative global approach to history and its expanded selection of courses
challenges the assumptions about the importance of national histories and the role of “the west” in
global history. It may cause you to re-examine your worldview and lead you to ask fundamental
questions about yourself, your society and your world. The History department is also committed to
teaching critical, analytical and communication skills. We do not pretend that we can teach you “the
answers”, but we can help you to learn how to ask and frame good questions.
Departmental Chair: Dr. Julia Torrie, jtorrie@stu.ca
Departmental Assistant: Margie Reed, (506) 452-0614, mreed@stu.ca
Human Rights (HMRT)
As Human Rights at St. Thomas University is an interdisciplinary study, we believe that it is important to
have a strong foundation in a particular discipline as well. As part of the Human Rights programme, we
ask students to combine their interest in Human Rights with a second major of their choice. Students
majoring in Human Rights take required courses from categories such as social issues, law, philosophical
foundations and institutions/applications. Students may begin the introductory course, HMRT 2003
Introduction to Human Rights, in second year or after completing 30 credit hours.
Director: Dr. Michael McGowan, mmcgowan@stu.ca
Departmental Assistant: Penny Granter, (506) 460-0366, granter@stu.ca
Irish Studies (IRSH)
The Irish Studies Programme is an interdisciplinary liberal arts programme. It is designed to provide
students with the opportunity to explore the heritage, culture, history, religion, politics, literature, fine
art, and film of both the people of Ireland, and the communities of its Diaspora. Students may begin the
introductory course, IRSH 2006 Introduction to Irish Studies, in second year or after completing 21 credit
hours.
Coordinator: Prof. Stewart Donovan, sdonovan@stu.ca
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Departmental Assistant: Margie Reed, (506) 452-0614, mreed@stu.ca
Japanese (JPNS)
Japanese 1013 focuses on the fundamental structure of Japanese and the practice of communication
skills. Japanese 1023 is a continuation of the introductory course.
Journalism (JOUR) and Communications (COMM)
The Journalism and Communications programme offers two streams: a Major in Journalism and an
Interdisciplinary Major in Communications Studies. Students in both streams aspire to develop excellent
communications skills, to think critically, to write with clarity and precision, and to acquire a breadth of
knowledge and depth of understanding becoming of a liberal education. The Journalism programme
introduces students to the technologies and skills needed to tell stories in a professional setting.
Communications students study the management of information by the public sector, special interest
groups, non-governmental organizations, corporations as well as by journalists in newsrooms and citizen
journalists in emerging media.
Director: Prof. Phillip Lee, plee@stu.ca
Departmental Assistant: Susan Sears, (506) 452-0528, journalism@stu.ca
Latin (LATI)
The ancestor of the modern Romance languages: French, Italian and Spanish. Studying Latin may help
you learn vocabulary and grammar in these languages and also in English.
Departmental Chair: Dr. Jeannette Gaudet, romance@stu.ca
Departmental Assistant: Jocelyne LeGresley, (506) 452-0642, jocelyne@stu.ca
Mathematics (MATH)
Math 1013 and 1023 form a two-semester sequence of calculus that is open to students who have taken
Grade 12 pre-calculus.
Director: Dr. Jane Jenkins, jenkins@stu.ca
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Departmental Assistant: Susan Sears, (506) 452-0528, sears@stu.ca
Media Studies
The interdisciplinary Major in Media Studies is open to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts
programme. It consists of 36 credit hours beyond the first-year level in courses designated as Media
Studies. The following faculty advisors are available to serve as Programme Directors for students who
wish to pursue a BA in Media Studies:
Stewart Donovan, English, sdonovan@stu.ca
Russell Hunt, English, hunt@stu.ca
Philip Lee, Journalism, plee@stu.ca
Native Studies (NATI)
The study of the historical and contemporary conditions of the Native people of North America,
particularly in Maine and the Maritimes.
Director: Dr. Roland Chrisjohn, rchrisjo@stu.ca
Departmental Assistant: Penny Granter, (506) 460-0366, granter@stu.ca
Philosophy (PHIL)
The introductory courses in Philosophy introduce students to the origins and development of western
Philosophy by surveying the principal questions, philosophers, methods and conclusions of thinkers in
every period of western history. Typical questions considered are: What is truth? How can humans
attain happiness? Is there a God? What is the best political system?
Departmental Chair: Dr. James Gilbert-Walsh, jgilbertw@stu.ca
Departmental Assistant: Penny Granter, (506) 460-0366, granter@stu.ca
Political Science (POLS) and International Relations
The Political Science programme examines the fundamental ideas and institutions that govern states
and the relations among them. It investigates the nature of power, justice, community, law and
freedom. The programme in International Relations allows students to develop specific subject area
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expertise in the complex matter of state-to-state relations within the international system. This
multidisciplinary programme draws on courses in Political Science, Economics and foreign languages,
and can include electives from Criminology, Human Rights and History.
Departmental Chair: Dr. Shawn Narine, narine@stu.ca@stu.ca
Departmental Assistant: Penny Granter, (506) 460-0366, granter@stu.ca
Psychology (PSYC)
Psychology is the systematic study of behaviour and mental processes. It examines how individuals feel,
perceive, think, learn and remember; what motivates them, how they develop, and how they act in
groups and societies.
Departmental Chair: Dr. Kim Fenwick, fenwick@stu.ca
Departmental Assistant: Becky Soffee, (506) 452-0634, beckys@stu.ca
Religious Studies (RELG)
Students who engage in the academic study of religion may find themselves: discussing in a small group
what Tibetan Buddhist’s understanding of reincarnation is; listening to a lecture on the Abejas, a
community action group in Chiapas, Mexico; studying a sura from the Qu’ran; pondering Right
relationship between humans and the Earth; attending a rite at the Sgoolai Israel Synagogue; working
together with colleagues on a project in the computer lab or perhaps arguing with their professor about
Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ.
Departmental Chair: Dr. Derek Simon, dsimon@stu.ca
Departmental Assistant: Margie Reed, (506) 452-0614, mreed@stu.ca
Romance Languages (ROML)
A series of courses offered in English whose content may appeal to a broader audience than those
specializing in French or Spanish. Currently, two courses are being offered: ROML 3913, a methods
course for honours students in French and Spanish, and ROML 2013/2023, introductory courses in
linguistics.
Departmental Chair: Dr. Jeannette Gaudet, romance@stu.ca
Departmental Assistant: Jocelyne LeGresley, (506) 452-0642, jocelyne@stu.ca
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Science and Technology Studies (STS)
Science and technology play such a major role in our society and throughout the world that a person
cannot be considered well-educated without possessing substantial knowledge about these subjects and
the roles they play in such areas as the environment, medicine, disease, agriculture, cities,
transportation and many others. Whenever new scientific theories or new kinds of technology emerge,
ethical issues inevitably arise. In addition, different cultures and different religious traditions have wideranging attitudes toward science and technology. This means there exists a role for students in the social
sciences and humanities to play in debates over the value of new technology or new scientific theories.
Science and Technology Studies in fact looks at science and technology from these perspectives.
Programme Coordinator: Dr. Jane Jenkins, jenkins@stu.ca
Departmental Assistant: Susan Sears, (506) 452-0528, sears@stu.ca
Sociology (SOCI)
A discipline in which the study of everyday life is a major topic. SOCI 1006 Introduction to Sociology,
introduces critical ways of thinking about social issues and methods of investigating social relations.
Departmental Chair: Dr. Peter MacDonald, pmacdona@stu.ca
Departmental Assistant: Becky Soffee, (506) 452-0634, beckys@stu.ca
Spanish (SPAN)
SPAN 1006 will teach you some everyday vocabulary and grammar as well as basic reading and writing
techniques. Courses will also explore aspects of Hispanic culture. Students who have already taken
Spanish in high school may proceed, with permission, to 2000-level Spanish courses.
Departmental Chair: Dr. Jeannette Gaudet, romance@stu.ca
Departmental Assistant: Jocelyne LeGresley, (506) 452-0642, jocelyne@stu.ca
Women’s Studies and Gender Studies (GEND)
An interdisciplinary field based upon the new scholarship in women’s and men’s studies that
encompasses a range of disciplines. Students begin with the introductory course, GEND 2006
Introduction to Women’s Studies and Gender Studies, and may follow up with courses in other
departments that are cross-listed as Women’s Studies and Gender Studies courses.
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Programme Coordinator: Dr. Marilee Reimer, mreimer@stu.ca
Departmental Assistant: Becky Soffee, (506) 452-0634, beckys@stu.ca
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
As a new student you may have several questions. Below we have compiled a list of our most frequently
asked questions to help you navigate your St. Thomas degree.
1) How many years will it take for me to get my Bachelor of Arts degree?
- A degree takes approximately 4 years to complete, if you take 5 courses per
semester each year. Some students do it in less time and some take longer,
depending on course load. The goal is to get 120 credit hours.
2) Can I take more than 5 courses per semester?
- Students are not permitted to do course overload in their first year, but if you get a
2.7 gpa you can take up to 6 courses per semester in your upper year.
3) Should I register for both semesters now?
- Yes, you should. You can make changes to your courses right up until the start of the
semester so it’s best to get a full schedule now and then make changes later.
4) Can I take upper level courses in my first year?
- Typically students can only take courses at the 1000 level in their first year. This is
because these courses are designed to give you a general understanding of the
subject before you go deeper into specific topics. It is to your benefit to take an
Intro course before you take an upper level course.
5) Do transfer students have a different registration process?
- No, transfer students will also register using the Webadvisor online system. The
difference is, transfer students may already have some of the pre-requisites for
upper level courses so can register in them. Transfer students are encourage to
contact academic advising at advising@stu.ca with any questions.
6) Do I have to complete all of my group requirements in my first year?
- No. Students normally take the 12 credit hours from group A and 12 credit hours
from group B in their first year, but you can wait to complete C&D. There is no rush
to get all of your requirements done in 1 year.
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7) What if the courses I want are full?
- If you wanted a particular course and it happens to be full, you will need to watch
WebAdvisor to see if it becomes open before classes start in September. If you are
patient and keep watch for the course you may be able to get a spot in it. Under no
circumstance can a staff member at the university sign you into a course that is full.
8) What if I have a learning disability or need special accommodations?
- You can contact Marina Nedashkivska who is our Coordinator of Student
Accessability at marina@stu.ca to make those arrangements.
9) Can I take courses from UNB?
- Yes, as a STU student you can take up to 2 courses per semester at UNB with your
full-time tuition. If you’d like to register for a UNB course, you can fill out the
Application for UNB Courses form and submit it to our Registrar’s Office. You can
find the form at www.stu.ca/registrarservices/forms
10) I want to be a school teacher – are there certain courses that I need to take in my first year?
- To qualify for a B.Ed programme you will need to take some teachable subjects. We
encourage you to take at least one of these courses in your first year. These include
English, History, Political Science, Math, French, Spanish, Music, Art, Economics or
Science. You have plenty of time over the next 4 years to get your teachables.
We hope that we were able to answer your questions with our guide. If you have additional questions
please feel free to contact is at advising@stu.ca or (1-877-788-4443)
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