Course

Arts and Culture in Canada

Faculty
Language, Literature & Performing Arts
Department
Performing & Fine Arts
Course code
PEFA 1101
Credits
3.00
Semester length
15 weeks
Max class size
35
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Course designation
Certificate in Global Competency
Industry designation
None
Typically offered
To be determined

Overview

Course description
This course is a study of the arts in Canada and their relationship with society. The history of the arts in Canada will be examined with an emphasis on the contemporary period. Important individuals, groups, and organizations in all artistic areas will be discussed with a concentration on current problems and issues such as independence, identity, funding, and cultural policy.
Course content
  1. Introduction
    • Definitions
    • Outline of Course Topics
    • Reasons for Studying the Arts in Canada
  2. The Colonial Period
    • Native Indian and Inuit Arts
    • French Colonial Period
      • early music, theatre, and painting
      • influence of the church on the arts
    • English Colonial Period
      • influence of the military on the arts
      • the new middle-class audience
  3. From Confederation to World War I
    • Confederation Celebrations
    • Growth of Artistic Activity
      • the impact of the railway
      • establishment of local performing groups, institutions, businesses
    • Canadian Painting and Photography
    • Canadian Music
    • Canadian Literature
  4. Between the World Wars
    • Visual Arts
      • the Group of  Seven
      • Emily Carr
      • Canadian Group of Painters
    • Music: Performers and Composers
    • Theatre
    • New Technologies
    • The Founding of the CBC
  5. The Period After World War II
    • Funding
      • public: federal, provincial, municipal
      • private: foundations and corporations
      • formation, impact and growth of Canada Council
    • Visual Arts and Architecture
    • Music and Dance
    • Literature and Publishing
    • Theatre and Film
    • Radio, Television and the C.R.T.C.
    • Festivals and Competitions
    • Museums and Schools
  6. Problems and Issues in the Arts in Canada
    • National identity
    • Geography
    • Regional Issues
    • “Arm’s Length” Funding
    • Control and Censorship
    • Multiculturalism
    • Technological Change
    • Instruction in the Arts
  7. The Arts in British Columbia
    • Arts Funding
    • Cultural Institutions
    • Contemporary Issues
    • Regional Initiatives
Learning activities
  1. Lecture supported by audio-visual materials.
  2. Student presentations and group discussions.
  3. Guest lectures.
  4. Attendance at cultural events.
Means of assessment
In-class written work 10%
Oral presentation 10%
Assignment #1 20%
Assignment #2 20%
Mid-term exam 20%
Final exam 20%
  100%

 

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course, the successful student should be able to demonstrate the following.

  1. A knowledge of the history of the arts in Canada, including the growth of the arts in society from colonialism to the present day.
  2. A comprehensive understanding of the various arts organizations and institutions in Canada, including public and private funding sources.
  3. An awareness of contemporary issues and problems such as national identity, multiculturalism, “arm’s length” funding, education in the arts, and censorship.
Textbook materials

A list of recommended textbooks and materials is provided on the instructor’s course outline which is available to students at the beginning of each semester.  Students will be expected to pay entrance fees to local galleries and for tickets to performing arts events, up to a total of approximately $50.00.

Requisites

Prerequisites

No prerequisite courses.

Corequisites

No corequisite courses.

Equivalencies

No equivalent courses.

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

(Current)

Course Transfers

These are for current course guidelines only. For a full list of archived courses please see https://www.bctransferguide.ca

Institution Transfer details for PEFA 1101
Camosun College (CAMO) CAMO HUM 1XX (3)
Capilano University (CAPU) CAPU AHIS 105 (3) or CAPU FAEL 1XX (3)
Emily Carr University of Art & Design (EC) EC AHIS 100 lev (3)
Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) KPU ARTH 1XXX (3)
Langara College (LANG) LANG ARTS 1XXX (3)
Simon Fraser University (SFU) SFU CA 1XX (3)
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) TRU HUEL 1XXX (3)
University of British Columbia - Okanagan (UBCO) UBCO VISA_O 1st (3)
University of British Columbia - Vancouver (UBCV) UBCV ARTS_V 1st (3)
University of Northern BC (UNBC) UNBC HUMN 1XX (3)
University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) UFV AH 1XX (3)
University of Victoria (UVIC) UVIC FA 1XX (1.5)

Course Offerings

Winter 2025

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
35
Currently enrolled
35
Remaining seats:
0
On waitlist
0
Building
New Westminster - North Bldg.
Room
N2203
Times:
Start Time
13:00
-
End Time
15:50
Section notes

PEFA 1101 070 - Many classes will occur off-campus at live theatre venues. The class time will occasionally start and end at a different time from the posted schedule.

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
35
Currently enrolled
35
Remaining seats:
0
On waitlist
48
Building
Online
Room
ONLINE
Times:
-
Section notes

All course activities will be asynchronous. Students will not be required to be online at specific scheduled time.