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Human Relations and Spirituality (Honours Bachelor of Arts with a Major) for Algonquin College Child and Youth Worker Graduates

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Program description

The study of human relations involves two main disciplines: human sciences (particularly the study of human behaviour) and spirituality. Interpersonal relationships can be based on companionship, love, solidarity, professional affiliation or other kinds of social interaction. The program’s spirituality component examines our relationship with a supreme being as well as with each other.

Offered by the Faculty of Human Sciences, the Human Relations and Spirituality undergraduate program is the only one of its kind in Ontario. It investigates such topics as social justice, human development, acceptance of diversity, inclusiveness and humanism.

In addition to the foundational courses,* the program teaches students about the psychological, sociological, cultural, spiritual and religious aspects that influence both the individual and society.

A student enrolled in the Human Relationships and Spirituality program (Honours Bachelor of Arts with Major) must add a complementary major in Social Communication, or a complementary minor in Social Communication, Philosophy, Philosophy and TheologyPrivate and Public Ethics or Theology, according to the student’s particular interests and requirements.

*The foundational courses are a compulsory part of every bachelor’s degree program offered at Saint Paul University.

What you’ll learn

During your studies you will learn to describe and compare key concepts and theories in human sciences, and explain how spirituality can both help and hinder our growth as human beings. You will also discover the different cultural and spiritual traditions and intervention models used in the field of the helping relationship and related fields, such as group intervention and leadership. You will learn how to analyze issues critically and objectively, and to describe and explain the main qualitative and quantitative methodologies used in the field.

Why choose Saint Paul University?

  • For its small class sizes and close student-teacher ratio
  • For its safe, secure and friendly campus with personalized services
  • For its bilingual setting in the heart of the national capital
  • For its diverse student population and international vision
  • For its solid reputation, experience, history and Catholic tradition

Career opportunities

  • Aid worker
  • Community worker
  • Emergency response officer
  • Employment counsellor
  • Employment equity policy consultant
  • Facilitator
  • Human rights officer
  • Immigration advisor
  • Lobbyist
  • Outreach worker
  • Probation and parole officer
  • Social policy analyst
  • Street outreach worker
  • Trainer for ecclesial communities and organizations

Click here to find out more about Admission Scholarships at Saint Paul University.

Other programs that may interest you

The list of required courses is presented under the Program Requirements tab.

A student enrolled in this Honours Bachelor’s Program with major must add a complementary minor.

Procedures relevant to program admission

Eligible candidates from Algonquin College who wish to avail themselves of this agreement must adhere to the following procedure:

  • The admission form for Saint Paul University or the Ontario Universities’ Admission Centre (OUAC) must be used to draw up your request;
  • The Admission request must be received no later than April 30 and an academic transcript showing evidence that the studies program diploma for Algonquin College has been received;
  • If the academic transcript is incomplete, admission will be conditional to the presentation of a final academic transcript showing that the diploma has been received for the studies program at Algonquin College;
  • Administrative fees related to the admission request are applicable.

Saint Paul University reserves the right to refuse this agreement to a candidate who obtained his or her diploma for the studies program at Algonquin more than three years before submitting his or her request for admission.

Offer of admission

You must complete this form:

Apply Now

Note: If you anticipate sending applications for admission to more than one university, we recommend that you complete de Application for admission form of the Ontario Universities’ Admission Centre (OUAC).

Apply through OUAC

 

DOCUMENTS NEEDED FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF YOUR APPLICATION

In order for us to assess your application, you must submit official transcripts for all of your previous studies (secondary, college and university). These transcripts must be sent directly from your academic institution to the following address:

Saint Paul University
Office of Admissions and Student Services
223 Main Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1S 1C4
CANADA

However, to expedite the assessment process for your application, you can scan your documents and e-mail them to the Office of Admissions at admission@ustpaul.ca and then send your official documents through the mail.

 

ASSESSMENT OF YOUR APPLICATION

Once the Office of Admissions receives all the required documents, it will begin to assess your application. One of the following decisions will be sent to you at the email address you gave us, as well as to your postal address.

Possible decisions

  • Offer of admission
    The Office of Admissions will send you an offer of admission (unconditional).  
  • Conditional offer of admission 
    The Office of Admissions will make you a conditional offer of admission, with specific conditions that you must meet by a certain deadline. You can still proceed to registration (course selection).
  • Deferred decision
    The Office of Admissions can inform you that some information is missing and therefore the University is unable to make a decision regarding your eligibility. If applicable, the Office will tell you which documents to send and by what date.
  • Refusal
    The Office of Admissions will inform you of the reasons for the refusal.

 

ACCEPT YOUR OFFER OF ADMISSION

To accept an offer of admission and a scholarship offer, if applicable, you must sign the form entitled Admission acceptance form that accompanies your offer of admission and send it to Saint Paul University by email, before the deadline, to admission@ustpaul.ca or mail it to: 

Saint Paul University
Office of Admissions and Student Services
223 Main Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1S 1C4
CANADA

 

CHOOSE YOUR COURSES

With your offer of admission, you will receive all the information you will need to choose your courses. You will also receive the contact information for our academic advisors; you can meet with them one on one or during information sessions for guidance and to help you finalize your course selection.

Foundational Courses (18 credits)

Compulsory Courses (15 credits)    

  •  HTP1101 Trends in Western Thought
  •  HTP1102 Artistic and Literary Imagination: Expressions of the Human Experience
  •  HTP1103 People, Politics and the Planet
  •  HTP1104 Faith, Justice and the Common Good
  •  PHI2181  Human Knowledge

Optional Courses (3 credits) 

3 credits from   

  • MIS2103 World Religions
  • THO1306 Exploring the Sacred
  • THO1307 Understanding the Bible

Discipline Specific Courses (33 credits)

Compulsory Courses (21 credits)    

  • ECS2191 Introduction to Conflict Studies
  • ECS2192 Inequality, Conflict and Social Justice
  • IGL2136 Group Intervention Lab 1
  • IGL2138 Group Intervention Lab 2
  • PHI3131 Ethics Counselling
  • PSY1102 Introduction to Psychology: Applications (UO)
  • THO3166 Moral Existence

Optional Courses (12 credits)
    

3 credits from    

  • ECS2126 Discrimination and Conflict
  • IGL3112 Spiritual Dimensions of Leadership and Group Facilitation
  • PSY3102 Interpersonal Relationships (UO)

3 credits from    

  • ECS3123 Psychological Impacts of Conflicts
  • IGL3140 Practicum 1: Initiation to Group Intervention in Organizations
  • PHI3307 Ethics and Multiculturalism
  • PSY3171 Psyschopathology (UO)

6 credits from    

  • ECS4101 Causes of Conflict 1: Biological and Psychological Approaches
  • IGL4117 Creativity in Support of Groups
  • PSY4391 Special Topics in Psychology (UO)
  • THO4104 Sexual Ethics (Prerequisite: THO 3166)
  • THO4106 Bioethics

Elective Courses (30 credits)    

  • Students complete a minor (30 credits).    
  • 6 credits must be of 3000 or 4000 level.

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ECS 2191 - Introduction to Conflict Studies

A multidisciplinary introduction to research in the evolving field of peace and conflict studies, with emphasis on ethnic and religious conflict. Cases are drawn from local to global levels. Includes anthropology, sociology, psychology, history, political science, law, labour relations, theology, philosophy, gender studies and security studies.

ECS 2192 - Inequality, Conflict and Social Justice

This course consists of two components: (1) the examination of the variable linkages between inequality (economic, social, political), injustice, and violent conflict; and (2) the examination of efforts to create environments characterized by equality, equity, justice and peace.

ECS 3123 - Psychological Impacts of Conflicts

A multidisciplinary examination of trauma: Disruption of responsive mechanisms. Decision making in crises. Contributing factors affecting the impact of trauma. Conflict and psychological transformation.

Prerequisites: PSY1101 and PSY1102 or IPA1121 and IPA1122.

ECS 3126 - Discrimination and Conflict

Theories of discrimination: direct, indirect and systemic discrimination. Pluralism and multiculturalism. Anti-discrimination law: areas of application. Theories of reasonable accommodation and undue hardship. International agreements and equality laws.

ECS 4101 - Causes of Conflict I: Biological and Psychological Approaches

Examination of the many possible causes of conflict and violence such as aggression, instinct, character traits, learned behaviours, socialization, personality disorders, group influences, mob behaviour, and perceptual issues.

Prerequisites: ECS 2111, ECS 2112, ECS 2192, PSY 1101 or IPA1121, PSY 1102 or IPA1122.

HTP 1101 - Trends in Western Thought

This course addresses multiple aspects of the evolution of western thought, from Antiquity to current times, and the impact of major events and thinkers, and the influence of other civilizations on the contemporary understanding of human nature, culture and society.

HTP 1102 - Approaches in the Humanities: Interpreting the Human Experience

Introduction to theoretical approaches in the Humanities and to the methods that are applied to interpret the multiple expressions of human experience, particularly those expressed in important works of art and literature.

HTP 1103 - People, Social Justice and Ecology

Social and ecological challenges facing humanity today, and related issues of social justice. These questions will be examined from a perspective of community building and efforts towards ecological and social transformations for a hopeful future.

HTP 1104 - Faith, Justice and the Common Good

This course investigates faith, justice and the common good from religious, philosophical and human science perspectives. The course draws on classic and contemporary resources, in particular those from the Christian intellectual traditions.

IGL 2136 - Group Intervention Lab 1

Exploration and practice of basic group participatory processes and techniques. In-class filming of facilitation practices. Participation, facilitation and observation skills are developed as well the ability to observe, and to provide and receive insightful feedback. 

Prerequisite or concomitant: IGL1103. This course was previously ANI2136.

IGL 2138 - Group Intervention Lab 2

Reflection on group intervention and leadership practices and outcomes. Reflection on personal values and their potential impact on groups. Exploration and practice of advanced group participatory processes and techniques.

Prerequisite: IGL2136. This course was previously ANI2138.

IGL 3140 - Practicum 1: Initiation to Group Intervention in Organizations

This practical training allows the student to observe how actual facilitation of groups is done, by pairing with a mentor who has a background in the field. Group and individual meetings give the opportunity to discuss and evaluate the knowledge, the know-how and the interpersonal presence involved in this practice.

Prerequisite: IGL 2136. This course was previously ANI3140.

IGL 4117 - Creativity in Support of Groups

This course has two foci: the self-aware study of creativity and the practice of synergy. Presentation of creative process and methods, and factors and techniques that promote creativity, facilitate meetings and resolve problems: analogies, combinational techniques, bodily and verbal expression, etc.

Prerequisite: IGL2138

This course was previously ANI3117

IPA 1123 - Introduction to Group Dynamics

This course initiates participants to the group phenomenon and to different fundamental concepts, such as group typology, elements of group dynamics, as well as conditions and factors that are part of interpersonal and group communication. Participants learn to be aware of the quality of their participation and to develop their capacity to observe and to interact.

This course was previously HUM1103 and IGL1103.

IPA 3126 - The Spiritual Dimensions of Leadership and Group Facilitation

Deepening of one's conception of spirituality and presentation of various guiding methods adapted to personal development groups: self-training, support group meetings, life experience analysis and planned action. Community cooperation and psychosocial basics are addressed.

This course was previously ANI3112 and IGL3112.

ISC 2309 - English Composition

This course is dedicated to the improvement of writing skills in order to become an effective communicator in several contexts.

ISC 2314 - Public Speaking

Learning the techniques of efficient public speaking. Introduction and training to personal impression making in electronic media. Development of a professional attitude and self-confidence.

PHI 2181 - Human Knowledge

Study of the traditional, universalist, approach to knowledge as well as contemporary standpoint approaches, such as feminist and postmodernist.

PHI 3131 - Ethics Counselling

Principles of ethics consultations. Application of ethical theories to the practice of counselling. How to take decisions in the area of ethics. How to facilitate ethical decision making by individuals and organizations.

PHI 3307 - Ethics, Multiculturalism and Immigration

This course examines the relation of ethics, multiculturalism, and immigration, studies the questions regarding the possibility of a multicultural ethics, and addresses the issues and debates arising from cultural relativism and identity politics in the functioning of modern societies.

PSY 1101 - Introduction to Psychology: Foundations (UO)

Object and method of psychology. Heredity, environment, human development. Nervous system, consciousness. Sensory processes, perception, cognition, memory, language, and thought. Learning.

Previously: PSY1200. This course cannot be combined for credit with IPA1121.

PSY 1102 - Introduction to Psychology: Applications (UO)

Emotions, motivation. Personality. Mental health, abnormal behaviour and therapeutic approaches. Social psychology. Historical perspective.

Previously: PSY 1200. This course cannot be combined for credit with IPA1122.

PSY 3102 - Interpersonal Relationships (UO)

Verbal and non-verbal communication. Theory and research of interpersonal relationships. Intercultural communication. In-class laboratory exercises and preparation of individual projects.

Prerequisites: PSY1101, PSY1102

PSY 3171 - Psychopathology (UO)

An introduction to one or more major theories of psychopathology and related milestones in development. Anxiety. Depression. Neuroses. Psychoses. Conduct disorders and other abnormal states.

Prerequisites: PSY1101, PSY1102 (Previously: PSY4171)

PSY 4391 - Special Topics in Psychology (UO)

Examination of a particular topic in psychology. Content and format will vary depending on professor.

Prerequisite: 54 university credits including PSY1101 and PSY1102.

THO 1306 - Exploring the Sacred

The human effort to express the experience of the sacred and to name our sense of the “Beyond”. The different forms such expressions have taken: cosmic wonder and its symbols, foundations stories, ritual life. The meaning of this effort for understanding the quest of the human spirit and its attempts to build order in society and community.

THO 1307 - What is the Bible?

The Bible: book or library, history or story? History of the Jewish people and of the culture in which the Bible was written. The Bible and its content. Interpreting the text. The Jesus event. The influence of the Bible on history and on contemporary culture.

THO 2315 - Being Human

What is ethics? Introduction to the key ethical ideas that shape our lives. Ethical riches of the Christian tradition to understand ourselves and our responsibilities to other persons.

THO 2410 - World Religions

Introduction to the world religions with an emphasis on Christian faith in interaction with other living faiths.

THO 4106 - Bioethics

Respect for human life. Right to physical integrity. Genetics. Abortion. Euthanasia.

Prerequisite: THO 3166.

Contact Us

Office of Admissions, Registrar and Student Services
Room 148
Saint Paul University
223 Main Street
Ottawa, ON
K1S 1C4
CANADA

Notice to gmail address holders, be sure to check your junk mailbox regularly, as due to your server's firewalls our email response to your application may end up there.

Telephone: 613-236-1393 ext. 8990
Fax: 613-782-3014
admission@ustpaul.ca

Hours of Operation

Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Please leave your documents in the mailbox in front of room 148 when our offices are closed.