You’ve probably already heard of the courses that always top the electives lists: Poker 101, Witchcraft, and Drugs 101. Whether you can’t stop bingeing crime documentaries on Netflix or you want to launch your own start-up, uOttawa has a full range of courses that satisfy your curiosity about things outside your program.

Heard of an interesting or unique course that didn’t make the list? Let us know.

1. Why can’t we stop binge-watching true crime?

History of Criminological Thought

CRM1301

Conceptions of crime and punishment during the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries. Discuss the classical period, penitentiary reform movement, first scientific studies and more.

2. Understand international conflict

Introduction to the Study of Conflicts and Human Rights

ECH 1500

Overview and analysis of types, origins and prevalence of violent conflicts. Study of the conditions for sustainable peace, with a special focus on the protection and promotion of human rights and international humanitarian law.

3. Boost your creativity

Creativity and Innovation

AHL 3300

Develop techniques and skills that eliminate mental blocks and enhance everyday creativity thinking. Explore approaches and conditions that promote creativity and sustainable innovation among individuals and organizations.

4. Discover the business world

Social Context of Business

ADM 1101

This course situates business within its changing socio-economic, political and technological environments. Managers must learn to both distinguish between and properly utilize the more confrontational world of lobbying, as well as the collaborative governance mechanisms that join private, public and civic organizations. Students will address real-world predicaments of ethical management, corporate social responsibility, and strategic governance that arise within the social context of business.

5. What made the Kardashians rise to fame?

Instagram @KylieJenner

Popular Culture and Communication

CMN 2180

A review of concepts of popular culture and communication, and an analysis of their dynamics. Study different forms of popular culture and their related stereotypes and myths.

6. Dive into the upcoming federal elections

Political Communication

CMN 3133

Study of the relationship between media and politics in Canada and elsewhere, the changing models of access to information and their influence on political authority figures. Explore the conflict between media and government and study television debates, political campaigns, and political conventions as pseudo-events.

7. Explore enduring questions about human culture

Arts and Digital Humanities

DHN 1100

Introduction to the basic tools, techniques, and theories of Digital Humanities research in humanities disciplines, as well as associated 'best practices' and ethical questions. Implications of digital humanities for society.

8. Obsessed with the Marvel Universe?

Comic Books and Graphic Novels

ENG 2118

An introduction to the history of comic books and graphic novels, as they have evolved to mix pop-cultural media with serious artistic ambitions, text and image, the narrative and the visual, individual authorship and collaboration.

9. The impact of wanderlust

Recreation and Environmental Quality

LSR 2121

Critical study of the interactions and interrelationships between people’s recreation and the natural environment, application to the parks and recreation field and implications for recreation resources conservation.

10. Diversity and inclusion

Exploring Diversity in Canada

SOC1106

This course critically explores the challenges and tensions associated with diversity in Canada. Some of the topics to be explored include multiculturalism, plurinationalism, identity, racism and anti-racism, equity and social justice.

11 & 12. Health beyond #Fitspo

Physical Activity in a Global Health Perspective

APA 1122

A focus on the health of vulnerable populations, the structure and roles of major national and international health organizations, key concepts that relate to human rights, environmental sustainability, poverty, infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, child mortality, and gender inequality, and how these factors are, or can be, related to physical activity.

Determinants of Health

HSS1101

Introduction to health sciences including models and concepts of health and wellness, illness and disease. Examine biological, psychobehavioural, socio-political and environmental determinants of health.

13 & 14. Chat about feminism

Women, Gender, Feminism: An Introduction

FEM1100

Interdisciplinary approach to women and the intersection of social relations, gender, race, class, sexuality and disability in Canadian and global contexts. Develop critical analytical skills through debates in Women's Studies and feminist theoretical positions.

Women and Media

CMN 3104

Analysis of the status of women in the world of communications, along with feminist research and the representation of women in the media and in the social imagination.

15. What’s on your plate?

Introduction to Nutrition

NUT 1304

Overview of the nutritional elements that make up food, and the social, cultural and psychological dimensions of the food we eat. Explore recommended dietary intakes, the link between food consumption and health, the role of dieticians, and nutrition education tools.

16. Indigenous perspectives

Colonialism and Indigenous Peoples

EAS 2101

Study of the concept and history of colonialism from an Indigenous perspective.

17. What if you’re invited to give a Ted Talk?

Public Speaking

CMN 2135

This course covers the theory, practice, analysis, and ethics of public speaking, including audience analysis and rhetorical choice. It will also discuss how to organize and deliver a speech.

18. Become a better leader

Principles of Leadership in Recreation

LSR 2312

Theories and principles of leadership based on a sociological and psychological understanding of human interaction. Explore leadership roles, group dynamics, and understanding of self and others in leisure situations. Leadership for social change.

19. Learn a new language

Intro to Arabic, Chinese, German, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, or Russian

Modern language courses are included in the list of electives without prerequisites offered by the Faculty of Arts. If you have no prior knowledge of the language you wish to study, just enrol in the Elementary I level course.

20. Understand and help our planet

10 courses that will arm you with the information you need to drive important conversations and make an impact on our collective future.

Looking for electives without prerequisites? Browse the list.