Woodsworth College


Faculty List

Associate Professor Emeritus, Teaching Stream
J.B. Rose, BA, MA

Associate Professors, Teaching Stream
B. Fischer, MA, PhD
W.B. MacDonald, BA, MA
T. Moritz, MA, PhD
T.P. Socknat, MA, PhD

Assistant Professors, Teaching Stream
A. Bolintineanu, MA, PhD
J. Johnson, MA, PhD

Introduction

Woodsworth College is named in honour of James Shaver Woodsworth (1874-1942), minister, pacifist, social activist and Member of Parliament, who was strongly committed to broadening educational opportunities for all. The College remains faithful to its mission of promoting accessibility and equity, providing two access programs for students seeking admission to the Faculty of Arts and Science: the Millie Rotman Shime Academic Bridging Program and the Diploma to Degree Transfer Program. In addition, Woodsworth offers rewarding educational experiences through its distinctive College One programs, a selection of First-Year Foundation courses, and the Summer Abroad programs. The Minor program in Digital Humanities prepares students for future paths ranging from graduate studies in literature, history, library science, and other fields, to careers as technical writers, data analysts and visualizers, project managers, and programmers. Regardless of College affiliation, you are encouraged to explore the exceptional range of programs offered by Woodsworth College.

Woodsworth College
119 St. George Street 
Toronto ON M5S 1A9
www.wdw.utoronto.ca

Woodsworth College Programs

Listed in this order:

  • Digital Humanities (Minor program)
  • First-Year Foundation Options 
    • First-Year Seminars
    • Woodsworth One
  • Summer Abroad Programs
  • Access Programs
    • Millie Rotman Shime Academic Bridging Program
    • Diploma to Degree

Digital Humanities (Minor program)

Digital humanities (DH) is a discipline at the intersections of the humanities with computing. DH studies human culture -- art, literature, history, geography, religion -- through computational tools and methodologies; and, in turn, DH studies the digital through humanist lenses. Digital humanists study social media phenomena or medieval manuscript archives; computationally analyze thousands of newspaper articles to trace economic developments; construct video games to study literary narratives; or resurrect historical cities through digital maps and virtual reality exhibits.

In introductory and advanced DH courses, students learn about the intellectual landscape of digital humanities scholarship. They learn how to build digital stories, exhibits, and maps; how to digitize rare books; how to analyze collections of data; how to construct digital models and 3D-print them; and how to manage major digital projects. By the end of the program, students conduct a major DH research project of their own or participate in the research of an established faculty project. Throughout the program, students gain a critical perspective on digital technologies, learning to consider the ways digital platforms shape, and are shaped by, the currents of wider social and cultural forces. By providing this critical and technical skillset, the Digital Humanities Minor prepares students for future paths that range from graduate studies in literature, history, library science, education, or computer science, to careers as technical writers, data analysts and visualizers, project managers, or programmers.

digital.humanities@utoronto.ca
wdw.utoronto.ca/digital-humanities

First-Year Foundation Options

Woodsworth College offers two kinds of First Year Foundation options: individual FYF H seminars on a variety of topics, and our College One, in two streams that consist of two H seminars each, for students interested in a deeper level of engagement in this part of their first-year experience. All our First Year Foundation seminars offer an intellectually challenging introduction to university-level studies and are designed to complement other first-year courses, thereby enhancing academic success in the first year and beyond. They promote the development of strong critical thinking, information literacy, oral and written communication skills, and awareness of both the distinctive nature of particular academic disciplines and the practices and values common to all academic work. 

FYF Seminars

Woodsworth’s FYF seminars, all of which are stand-alone H courses, are designed to provide first-year students with the opportunity to work closely with an instructor and fellow students in a class of no more than 25, maximizing opportunities for class discussion and the development of essential academic skills. Each seminar focuses on specific disciplinary or interdisciplinary issues, questions or controversies of particular interest to the instructor, and introduces the students to the excitement of discovery inherent in academic research and scholarship at the University of Toronto. Wide-ranging readings and assignments encourage students to develop their ability to think critically and to express ideas and arguments clearly and coherently, both orally and in writing. Please check the timetable for Woodsworth College's current offerings of FYF seminars. 

Woodsworth One

Woodsworth One has two interdisciplinary streams, both of which draw on a wide range of Social Sciences and Humanities perspectives. The Order and Disorder stream focuses on the role of laws, government policies, trade, war, and innovation in creating and disrupting both social and global order. The Popular Culture Today stream examines the products of the entertainment industry and the social behaviours associated with their consumption, exploring how popular culture works and what it means.

Students take two 0.5 credit seminars – one in each term – and participate in regular co-curricular activities that build students’ sense of community within Woodsworth College and across the University of Toronto. Seminars are capped at 25 students to maximize opportunities for participation and to promote close contact with both the instructor and fellow students. The emphasis is on class discussion and problem-based learning. Students participate in role-playing games, simulations, debates and more. The co-curricular activities include field trips, film screenings, guest speakers, writing and research workshops, and test-taking seminars.

The Woodsworth One team is dedicated to supporting students’ transition to university life, and to guiding their academic planning. In addition to the Program Coordinator, course instructors, and peer mentors, the team includes the College Writing Centre, the College Learning Strategist, a dedicated Registrar, and a program administrator. Each member of the team seeks to create a strong sense of community and to set students up for academic success.

Woodsworth One is geared towards first-year students enrolled in Social Sciences and Humanities within the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. In keeping with Woodworth College’s tradition of open access, there is no incoming grade requirement. Students participating in any other One program are excluded from Woodsworth One. Please note that both streams may not be offered in a given year. For more information, please check the timetable for current course options.

one.wdw@utoronto.ca
wdw.utoronto.ca/woodsworthone

Summer Abroad Programs

Students can prepare themselves for a future in the global village by participating in a Summer Abroad program and complete a University of Toronto course overseas in three to six weeks. These programs are designed to enrich students’ academic lives by providing an exciting and educational international experience. Learning is not limited to the classroom; students will observe and experience many of the things they study, including the language, history, culture, art, religion, business, and politics of the host country.

summer.abroad@utoronto.ca
https://summerabroad.utoronto.ca/

Millie Rotman Shime Academic Bridging Program

The Academic Bridging Program is designed for individuals who have been away from formal education for some time and do not meet the University’s established requirements for direct entry admission. Both part-time and full-time options are available to students interested in studies in the Humanities and Social Sciences. Those seeking admission to the Sciences must take the program’s full-time science option. Students who successfully complete the program with a grade of 63% or above are admitted to the Faculty of Arts and Science with one full credit towards their degree. Students who complete either of the program’s full-time options may transfer up to 2.0 credits towards their degree.

416-978-4444
academic.bridging@utoronto.ca 
wdw.utoronto.ca/academic-bridging

Diploma to Degree

The Diploma to Degree program is a pathway to university studies for students completing a two-year liberal arts diploma at one of our partner institutions, including George Brown College, Humber College and Seneca College. The Diploma to Degree Program is a facilitated transfer program into Woodsworth College in the Faculty of Arts and Science at the University of Toronto. The program is designed for students to transfer with up to 6 transfer credits and retained credits from courses completed at the University of Toronto.

To be eligible for transfer, students must:

  • Complete the 2-year diploma with a minimum 3.0 GPA
  • Receive a recommendation from their college
  • Achieve a minimum grade of 60% in a qualifying course at the University of Toronto.

diplomatodegree@utoronto.ca
wdw.utoronto.ca/diploma-to-degree

 

Woodsworth College Programs

Digital Humanities Minor (Arts Program) - ASMIN1337

Digital humanities (DH) is a discipline at the intersections of the humanities with computing. DH studies human culture -- art, literature, history, geography, religion -- through computational tools and methodologies; and, in turn, DH studies the digital through humanist lenses. Digital humanists study social media phenomena or medieval manuscript archives; computationally analyze thousands of newspaper articles to trace economic developments; construct video games to study literary narratives; or resurrect historical cities through digital maps and virtual reality exhibits.

In introductory and advanced DH courses, students learn about the intellectual landscape of digital humanities scholarship. They learn how to build digital stories, exhibits, and maps; how to digitize rare books; how to analyze collections of data; how to construct digital models and 3D-print them; and how to manage major digital projects. By the end of the program, students conduct a major DH research project of their own or participate in the research of an established faculty project. Throughout the program, students gain a critical perspective on digital technologies, learning to consider the ways digital platforms shape, and are shaped by, the currents of wider social and cultural forces.

By providing this critical and technical skillset, the Digital Humanities Minor prepares students for future paths that range from graduate studies in literature, history, library science, education, or computer science, to careers as technical writers, data analysts and visualizers, project managers, or programmers.

Students should note that some courses at the 200, 300, and 400 levels may have additional prerequisites.

Permission to count courses that are not on the list below towards the Minor in Digital Humanities must be received from the Program Coordinator, and will be granted on a case-by-case basis when the student’s work demonstrably and substantially engages Digital Humanities-related content or research methods.

Enrolment Requirements:

This is an open enrolment program. A student who has completed 4.0 credits may enrol in the program.

Completion Requirements:

(4.0 credits, including 1.0 credit at the 300/400-level)

Students should note that some courses at the 200, 300, and 400-levels may have additional prerequisites.

Permission to count courses towards the Minor in Digital Humanities that are not in the Completion Requirements must be received by the Program Coordinator, and will be granted on a case-by-case basis when the student’s work demonstrably and substantially engages Digital Humanities-related content or research methods.

It is not possible to complete this program in one year.

1. Introductory courses: DHU235H1 and DHU236H1

2. Maximum 2.5 credits from any of the following courses, which include DHU courses and cross-listed courses offered by other departments:
a. DHU335H1/​ DHU336H1/​ DHU337H1/​ DHU338H1/​ DHU339H1
b. Cross-Listed Courses:
Anthropology: ANT437H1
Book and Media Studies: SMC228H1/​ SMC229H1/​ SMC255H1/​ BMS392H1
Cinema Studies: CIN312Y1
Drama, Theatre, and Performance Studies: DRM244H1/​ DRM424H1
Computer Science: CSC104H1/​ CSC108H1/​ CSC300H1
English: ENG287H1
Geography: GGR271H1/​ GGR272H1/​ GGR273H1/​ GGR349H1/​ GGR452H1
History: HIS393H1/​ HIS455Y1
History & Philosophy of Science & Technology: HPS202H1/​ HPS203H1
Medieval Studies: MST201H1/​ MST202H1/​ MST300H1
Music: MUS300H1
Religion: RLG233H1/​ RLG307H1/​ RLG308H1
Urban Studies: URB235H1/​ URB236H1/​ URB333H1
Writing and Rhetoric: WRR303H1

3. A minimum of a 0.5 credit that provides a capstone experience, chosen from the list below:
a. DHU435H1, DHU436H1, DHU437H1
b. Other 400-level courses with a significant DH practicum element, such as CDN435Y1 (Active Citizenship), can also be considered for fulfillment of the capstone requirement, if students receive written permission of the Digital Humanities Program Coordinator within the first two weeks of enrollment in the course.

Note: Cross-listed courses are offered by other departments. Registration in these courses may be available only to students who have completed specified prerequisites and/or are enrolled in a program sponsored by the department offering the course. Course enrolment conditions are listed in the Arts and Science timetable. Course descriptions, prerequisites, corequisites and exclusions are listed in the Calendar.

Note:

  • Effective Fall 2021, courses associated with Woodsworth College's Digital Humanities program will have the new "DHU" designator.
  • Effective Fall 2021, active courses associated with St. Michael's College's Book and Media Studies program will have the new "BMS" designator. In addition, courses associated with Innis College's Urban Studies and Writing and Rhetoric programs will have the new "URB" and "WRR" designators respectively.

Regarding Woodsworth College Courses

Not all courses are offered every year. Please check the timetable for current course offerings and enrolment restrictions/conditions. Students without course prerequisites may be removed at any time they are discovered. Course descriptions, prerequisites, corequisites and exclusions are listed below.

Woodsworth College Courses

Woodsworth First-Year Foundations

WDW195H1 - From Page to Screen: Reading in the Digital Age

WDW195H1 - From Page to Screen: Reading in the Digital Age
Hours: 24L/12T

This course explores the practice of reading at the juncture between printed page and digital screen through assembling a digital commonplace book, an annotated personal anthology that will document each student’s intellectual path. Students will learn close reading strategies, multimodal annotation techniques, and various modes of digital engagement with texts. Restricted to first-year students. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

Distribution Requirements: Humanities
Breadth Requirements: Creative and Cultural Representations (1)

WDW196H1 - From Rayguns to Light Sabers: Science Fiction in Contemporary Culture

WDW196H1 - From Rayguns to Light Sabers: Science Fiction in Contemporary Culture
Previous Course Number: CCR199Y1
Hours: 24S

This course examines science fiction as pop culture genre, media industry, and sociocultural phenomenon, with attention to some of its key themes, its important texts, creators, and audiences, and its place in contemporary culture. We will study some works chosen by the class as well as by the instructor. Restricted to first-year students. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

Exclusion: ANT195H1, VIC137H1
Distribution Requirements: Humanities
Breadth Requirements: Creative and Cultural Representations (1)

WDW197H1 - Jane Austen on Film

WDW197H1 - Jane Austen on Film
Hours: 24S

In the 21st century, Jane Austen’s early 19th-century novels of love and marriage are increasingly experienced through retellings and updatings in theatrical and made-for-television movies. The course will examine highlights from the last 25 years of Austen adaptations for what they can tell us about relationships in our time, including how Austen’s stories are rewritten to please a modern audience. Films in the course will include works from 1995 to 2016 (from 1995, Clueless, Austen’s Emma retold as a Hollywood high school comedy and starring Alicia Silverstone; and Sense and Sensibility, for which Emma Thompson’s screenplay won an Academy Award; and from 2016, the Hallmark Channel’s Unleashing Mr. Darcy, Austen’s Pride and Prejudice transferred to the present-day dog show circuit; and writer/director Whit Stillman’s Love and Friendship, the first-ever film version of Austen’s Lady Susan). Restricted to first-year students. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

Distribution Requirements: Humanities
Breadth Requirements: Creative and Cultural Representations (1)

WDW198H1 - There and Back Again: Exploring Tolkien

WDW198H1 - There and Back Again: Exploring Tolkien
Hours: 24S

Since the mid-twentieth century, J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings have become classics of children’s and fantasy literature. In this course, we read Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings and investigate the world-building and imagined history that lies behind the books. We trace how Tolkien’s own life experience informed his work—his experience as a soldier of the Great War and a civilian during World War Two; as a scholar of medieval language and literature, and of fairy tales; as a Catholic thinker; and as a lover of nature and the past. We also survey the afterlife of the novels in fantasy, film, and the popular imagination. Restricted to first-year students. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

Distribution Requirements: Humanities
Breadth Requirements: Creative and Cultural Representations (1)

WDW199H1 - Indigenous Knowledge and Storytelling in Toronto

WDW199H1 - Indigenous Knowledge and Storytelling in Toronto
Hours: 12T/24S

The land now known as Toronto has a 13,000+ year old history of Indigenous presence that is still unfolding. This history is inscribed in the land – it is visible in the geographical features, place names, and contemporary urban form of the city and is represented through stories (oral and written) told by diverse members of Toronto’s Indigenous community. This course engages with stories of Indigenous history and presence in Toronto through a selection of Indigenous literary works about Toronto, Indigenous guest speakers, and a series of experiential Indigenous storytelling tours of significant locations across the city. Students will be introduced to Indigenous worldviews and ways of knowing and will learn why storytelling remains a significant and culturally-appropriate means for keeping and sharing land-based Indigenous Knowledge. Students will gain a deeper appreciation of the city as a traditional Indigenous territory and will reflect on their own relationships and responsibilities within these lands. Restricted to first-year students. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

Distribution Requirements: Humanities
Breadth Requirements: Creative and Cultural Representations (1)

Woodsworth One

WDW151H1 - Order and Disorder I: Issues and Perspectives

WDW151H1 - Order and Disorder I: Issues and Perspectives
Hours: 16T/24S

Societies require law and order, but at what point does order become oppression? How do we balance our need for freedom and society’s need for order? This interdisciplinary seminar allows students to explore these and related questions through selected readings introducing theories from sociology, political science, philosophy, and history. Restricted to first-year students. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

Distribution Requirements: Social Science
Breadth Requirements: Society and its Institutions (3)

WDW152H1 - Order and Disorder II: Problems and Solutions

WDW152H1 - Order and Disorder II: Problems and Solutions
Hours: 16T/24S

This interdisciplinary seminar introduces students to some of the methods used by scholars and researchers in sociology, political science, philosophy, and history to develop, test, and debate possible solutions to the problems of social order and disorder. Topics will vary from year to year. Restricted to first-year students. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

Exclusion:  
Distribution Requirements: Social Science
Breadth Requirements: Society and its Institutions (3)

Digital Humanities

DHU235H1 - Introduction to Digital Humanities

DHU235H1 - Introduction to Digital Humanities
Previous Course Number: WDW235H1
Hours: 24L/12P

Digital Humanities (DH) studies human culture -- art, literature, history, geography, religion -- using computational tools and methodologies, and at the same time studies digital technologies and communities through humanist lenses, as complex cultural objects shaped by wider social and political concerns and the ways we construct knowledge and meaning.

Prerequisite: 4.0 credits
Exclusion: WDW235H1
Distribution Requirements: Humanities
Breadth Requirements: Creative and Cultural Representations (1)

DHU236H1 - Virtual Worlds: Introduction to Spatial Digital Humanities

DHU236H1 - Virtual Worlds: Introduction to Spatial Digital Humanities
Previous Course Number: WDW236H1
Hours: 24L/12P

A Digital Humanities perspective on the virtual worlds in which we are increasingly immersed, from scholarly digital archives to video games. We study the theory and methods of geospatial humanities research and explore the technical and cultural implications of computer vision, augmented reality, the Internet of Things, and 3D printing.

Prerequisite: DHU235H1 or permission of the Program Coordinator
Exclusion: WDW236H1
Distribution Requirements: Humanities
Breadth Requirements: Creative and Cultural Representations (1)

DHU334H1 - Innovation Through a Digital Lens

DHU334H1 - Innovation Through a Digital Lens
Hours: 24L

After some preliminary study of the nature of innovation and the social, political, and economic implications of new ideas and technologies throughout human history, students will select a single innovation to work on as a case study over a series of term assignments, culminating in an online exhibit. Using both traditional research methods and digital tools student will examine the origins and evolution of their chosen innovation, as well as aspects of its impact. The assignments will also give students opportunities to reflect on the ways the digital lens has impacted both their research and their understanding.

Prerequisite: DHU235H1 and DHU236H1, or permission of the DH program coordinator
Distribution Requirements: Humanities
Breadth Requirements: Society and its Institutions (3)

DHU335H1 - From Book to Map to Video Game: Texts and their Digital Transformations

DHU335H1 - From Book to Map to Video Game: Texts and their Digital Transformations
Previous Course Number: WDW335H1
Hours: 24L/12P

An examination of the new forms of storytelling made possible by digital media from two perspectives, that of the maker and that of the scholarly reader. Students learn to critically analyze storytelling in new media and experiment with their own adaptations of a literary text to various digital platforms.

Prerequisite: DHU235H1 and DHU236H1; open to students not taking the Digital Humanities Minor by permission of the program coordinator.
Exclusion: WDW335H1
Distribution Requirements: Humanities
Breadth Requirements: Creative and Cultural Representations (1)

DHU336H1 - Research and Writing in Digital Humanities

DHU336H1 - Research and Writing in Digital Humanities
Previous Course Number: WDW336H1
Hours: 24L

This course explores the future of digital humanities from two perspectives. We will examine some successful contributions to the humanities employing digital technology, and also look at some critical assessments of digital technology’s impact on humanistic studies. Students will then develop and report on their own digital humanities research projects.

Prerequisite: DHU235H1 and DHU236H1, or permission of the program coordinator.
Exclusion: WDW336H1
Distribution Requirements: Humanities
Breadth Requirements: Thought, Belief and Behaviour (2)

DHU337H1 - Historical Archives in the Digital Age

DHU337H1 - Historical Archives in the Digital Age
Previous Course Number: WDW337H1
Hours: 24L/12P

How do digital surrogates of texts and objects change how we use them? This course examines texts and archives in the digital age: the aims of building them; the new scholarly approaches that they enable; the preservation, access, and equity questions that they raise and require us to answer responsibly.

Prerequisite: DHU235H1 and DHU236H1; open to students not taking the Digital Humanities Minor by permission of the program coordinator.
Exclusion: WDW337H1
Distribution Requirements: Humanities
Breadth Requirements: Creative and Cultural Representations (1)

DHU338H1 - Data: Access, Creation, Curation, and Interpretation

DHU338H1 - Data: Access, Creation, Curation, and Interpretation
Previous Course Number: WDW338H1
Hours: 24L/12P

A central challenge of digital humanities is the complexity of representing interpretive, narrative, and perspective-dependent humanities data through digital tools and environments. Topics include the history of “data” as term and concept; data standards, databases, and linked data; datasets, data curation and analytics, both qualitative and quantitative; and data visualization.

Prerequisite: DHU235H1 and DHU236H1; open to students not taking the Digital Humanities Minor by permission of the program coordinator.
Exclusion: WDW338H1
Distribution Requirements: Humanities
Breadth Requirements: Creative and Cultural Representations (1)

DHU339H1 - Special Topics in Digital Humanities

DHU339H1 - Special Topics in Digital Humanities
Hours: 24L/12P

Topics will vary from year to year. Open to students not enrolled in the Digital Humanities Minor by permission of the program coordinator.

Prerequisite: DHU235H1 and DHU236H1
Distribution Requirements: Humanities
Breadth Requirements: Creative and Cultural Representations (1)

DHU435H1 - The Internet Archive

DHU435H1 - The Internet Archive
Previous Course Number: WDW435H1
Hours: 24L/12P

Digital environments change how knowledge is created, communicated, and used. Using the Internet Archive as case study, this course examines the significance of such changes from a variety of perspectives: knowledge representation; technical infrastructure; gender, class, and race issues; disability rights; intellectual property questions; and algorithmic and interpretive scholarly approaches.

Prerequisite: DHU235H1 and DHU236H1 plus at least 1.0 additional credit in the Digital Humanities Minor program; open to students not taking the Digital Humanities Minor by permission of the program coordinator.
Exclusion: WDW435H1
Distribution Requirements: Humanities
Breadth Requirements: Creative and Cultural Representations (1)

DHU436H1 - Advanced Topics in Digital Humanities

DHU436H1 - Advanced Topics in Digital Humanities
Previous Course Number: WDW436H1
Hours: 24L/12P

This course serves as a capstone for the Digital Humanities Minor program. It includes opportunities for students to conduct original research. The topics for this course will vary from year to year.

Prerequisite: DHU235H1 and DHU236H1, and 1.0 additional credit in the Digital Humanities Minor program.
Distribution Requirements: Humanities
Breadth Requirements: Creative and Cultural Representations (1)

DHU437H1 - Research Projects in Digital Humanities

DHU437H1 - Research Projects in Digital Humanities
Previous Course Number: WDW437H1

This course is for students who wish to pursue a significant research project, usually participation in a faculty-led DH research project, though it may take other forms. Students must be enrolled in the DH Minor program or obtain special permission of the program coordinator.

Prerequisite: DHU235H1 and DHU236H1, and 1.0 additional credit in the Digital Humanities Minor program.
Distribution Requirements: Humanities
Breadth Requirements: Creative and Cultural Representations (1)

Other Woodsworth Courses

WDW295Y0 - Special Topics Abroad

WDW295Y0 - Special Topics Abroad
Hours: 48L

Course description varies each year. Please see the Summer Abroad website for course details. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

Exclusion: RSM295Y0

WDW299Y1 - Research Opportunity Program

WDW299Y1 - Research Opportunity Program

Credit course for supervised participation in faculty research project. Details at https://www.artsci.utoronto.ca/current/academics/research-opportunities/research-opportunities-program. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

Distribution Requirements: Social Science

WDW399Y1 - Research Opportunity Program

WDW399Y1 - Research Opportunity Program

Credit course for supervised participation in faculty research project. Details at https://www.artsci.utoronto.ca/current/academics/research-opportunities/research-opportunities-program. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

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