Program Overview
Offered by the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, student directed seminars are an expansion of the directed studies option offered by most Departments. The seminars allow upper-year undergraduate students to participate in an enriched educational experience by initiating and coordinating a small, collaborative, group learning experience for their peers on a topic that is not currently offered at UBC Okanagan. Student directed seminars are a learner-centered approach to curriculum development that gives students the agency to be co-creators of their own learning. The seminars are expected to be a peer-based collaborative learning experience.
Undergraduate students enrolled in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, the Faculty of Science, or the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies may submit a proposal for a student directed seminar. However, the Faculty Sponsor and the proposed course code must be affiliated with a program in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. All proposals are reviewed and approved by an Advisory Committee administered by the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Dean’s Office.
Once approved, a student directed seminar is open to students from all Faculties as long as they meet the individual seminar prerequisites. Students outside of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences should refer to their own program’s requirements to determine if these seminars are applicable.
Students from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences can enroll in a maximum of two student directed seminars.
Graduate students and unclassified students are not eligible to propose a seminar, nor are they permitted to register as a student participant.
Interested students can propose a seminar by completing the student directed seminar application form available on the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences website.