9.9. Master of Arts—Integrated Studies (MAIS)
A flexible and accessible degree, Athabasca University's new Master of Arts—Integrated Studies (MAIS) recognizes an emerging need among university students to have the freedom to design their own learning program and to integrate studies across a variety of disciplines at the graduate level.
Unlike most degrees, the MAIS curriculum is not built around any one discipline. The program provides students the opportunity to pursue an individualized plan of study across disciplinary boundaries in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. In particular, the MAIS degree prepares graduates to approach problems holistically, to seek information in new locations, to combine knowledge and research from diverse disciplines, and to explore interdisciplinary methods, thinking and problem-solving. Courses are offered via the Internet either in paced seminar-format (fall, winter, spring) or as individualized study (starting the first of every month). There is no requirement to attend campus.
Housed at Athabasca University, the MAIS offers students the option of pursuing graduate studies at their own pace, and in their own home or workplace. The program comprises 33 credits of study (eleven courses) delivered using a variety of distance education media, including the Internet. In discussion with faculty advisors, candidates will be encouraged to follow their own academic curiosity and identify a sequence of disciplinary and interdisciplinary course work. Students may propose a wholly independent learning path or pursue MAIS areas of specialization such as educational studies; adult education; community development; global change; cultural studies; information studies; feminist thought; Canadian studies; historical studies; and leadership, organizations and work. Two required core courses—Integrated Studies 1: Making Sense of Theory in the Arts and Social Sciences and Integrated Studies 2: Researching Society and Culture—will prepare students to engage theory, methodology and knowledge across diverse areas of intellectual inquiry. The integrated project course, taken at the end of the program, will allow students to apply their learning to the workplace and community.
Admission Requirements
The MAIS invites applications from broadly educated candidates holding Bachelor of Arts degrees or bachelor's degrees in related disciplines. Strong analytic and writing skills and good critical thinking abilities are essential.
Program Application Procedure
Complete and submit
- Complete and submit the MAIS Program Application Form, including the $55 non-refundable application fee.
- Complete and submit the MAIS Application Questionnaire, including intellectual biography, and an up-to-date résumé or curriculum vitae.
- Submit official transcripts* directly from an accredited institution showing the granting of bachelor's degree.
*Applicants submitting any official documents (e.g., transcripts) in a language other than English must provide an official translation of such documents. If the credential being submitted has been earned outside Canada or the US, documentation that attests to its equivalence to a Canadian baccalaureate degree, is required. Such documentation may be obtained from
International Qualifications Assurance Services
4th Floor, Sterling Place
9940-106 Street
Edmonton, AB T5K 2V1
E-mail: iquas@gov.ab.ca
English Proficiency
As English is the primary language of instruction at Athabasca
University, it is the applicant's responsibility to ensure he or she has an
adequate level of proficiency. Moreover, since
the MAIS is a graduate-level program, it is to be expected that the
materials will be challenging. Although faculty will try to facilitate
the learning process, they may have to redirect
students to alternate remedial resources.
International students must provide documentation supporting the
successful completion of at least one of the following English as a
Second Language (ESL) assessments before his or her application will be
considered:
- a grade of 60 percent or higher in Athabasca University's ENGL 187
- successful completion of a degree program at an accredited
post-secondary institution where English is the primary language of
instruction
- test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and a score of 560 (or 220 on
the computerized version)
- Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) and a score of 85
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS); scores of 6.5
with no part less than 6.0
Equivalencies may be considered upon request.
Application Deadline
There are two program intakes per year. The MAIS office must receive all application materials by March 1 for consideration into the program starting in September of the same year, and by October 1 for consideration into the program starting in January of the following year.
Enrolment
Once enrolled, students will be permitted to register in MAIS courses on a first-come, first-served basis, space permitting. Program students will be assigned an advisor and will have priority with respect to registering in the core courses, the reading courses, and the project courses.
Thirty-three credits are required to complete the MAIS program.
Residency
To meet the residency requirements, students must complete a minimum of 18 credits (six courses) through Athabasca University, including the two core courses and an integrated project.
Completion Time Limits
Students may study in the program on a full- or part-time basis. The degree can be completed in two years or extended over eight years, from the program start date. The expected normal completion time is three to four years.
Program Requirements
Students will be asked to design a program that includes the completion of
- two core courses: a theory course (three credits) and a research methods course (three credits)
- seven or eight elective courses (21 to 24 credits)
- one or two integrated projects (three to six credits).
Refer to Courses.
Program Status
Students must complete nine credits of course or project work during a two-year academic period (September 1 to August 31) in order to maintain program status.
Interruption of Study
Students may interrupt their studies, without prejudice, contingent upon the submission of a written request and approval from the program director. There are no fees associated with this request.
Student Finance
It is important to note that simply maintaining program status does not meet the requirements established by the Students Finance Board for full-time funding purposes. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that he or she follows the financial assistance guidelines as outlined by the Students Finance Board in the province in which he or she lives.
Non-program Students
Individuals who are not enrolled in the MAIS program will be permitted to register in no more than five MAIS courses as non-program students, on a first-come, first-served basis, space permitting. Courses taken as a non-program student may be applied toward the program degree requirements, if and when the student becomes a program student.
For those students interested in individualized study, a number of graduate courses are available for registration throughout the year. Refer to Courses. The University is under no obligation to admit non-program students into the MAIS program. For more information on non-program status, contact the MAIS office.
Streams/Clusters
Depending on their undergraduate preparation, and after successfully completing the two core courses, students may design their graduate studies either as an independent track or a specialization.
Independent Track
Students may choose to embark on an independent program of study by completing one project course, MAIS 701 Integrated Studies Project, plus eight elective courses woven across the MAIS curriculum in a comprehensive plan of study. Depending on their undergraduate preparation, students will identify a strategy for developing their own plan of study. The independent track is designed for highly motivated students who have shown excellence at the undergraduate level. Students should contact the program director for advice on planning their studies.
Areas of Specialization
Students who choose to study a specialization will successfully complete four courses in a cluster of inquiry (see below), MAIS 701 Integrated Studies Project, and four electives from across the curriculum. Students should contact the program director for advice on planning their studies.
To qualify as a specialization, students must complete four courses within the program concentration before commencing their integrated project.
Available Clusters
Adult Education
MAIS 603 Community Development (in development) (3)
MAIS 650 Canadian and International Labour Education (3)
MDDE 611 Foundations of Adult Education (3)
MDDE 613 Adult Learning and Development (3)
MDDE 617 Program Planning in Adult and Continuing Education (3)
MDDE 651 Special Topics: Gender Issues in Distance Education (3)
Educational Studies
MDDE 601 Introduction to Distance Education and Training (3)
MDDE 612 Experiential Learning (3)
MDDE 613 Adult Learning and Development (3)
MDDE 614 International Issues in Distance Education (3)
MAIS 650 Canadian and International Labour Education (3)
SCIE 626 Scientific Reasoning (3)
Clusters in Development
Clusters in development include: work, organization and leadership; cultural studies; global change; community studies; Canadian studies; information studies; and historical studies.
| 2001 |
| July 6 |
Last day for program students to register in 2001 fall grouped-study courses. Registration fees are due. |
| Aug. 6 |
Civic holiday. University closed. |
| Sept. 3 |
Labour Day, University closed. |
| Sept. 4 |
First day of fall grouped-study courses. |
| Oct. 1 |
Last day for receipt of application materials for admission to the program starting in January. |
| Oct. 3 |
Last day for early withdrawal from fall grouped-study courses. No record of the course will appear on the transcript. |
| Oct. 8 |
Thanksgiving, University closed. |
| Oct. 10 |
Last day for early withdrawal from fall session courses. No record of
the course will appear on the transcript. |
| Nov. 2 |
Last day for late withdrawal from fall grouped-study courses. Transcripts will reflect a withdrawal in good standing. |
| Nov. 12 |
University closed in lieu of Remembrance Day. |
| Nov. 13 |
Last day for program students to register in winter 2002 grouped-study courses. Registration fees are due. |
| Dec. 8 |
Last day of fall grouped-study courses. |
Dec. 24/01-
Jan. 2/2002 |
The University will close at 3 p.m. Monday, Dec. 24, 2001 and will reopen 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2002. |
| |
| 2002 |
| Jan. 7 |
First day of winter grouped-study courses. |
| Feb. 5 |
Last day for early withdrawals from winter grouped-study courses. No record of the course will appear on the transcript. |
| Feb. 18 |
Family Day, University closed. |
| Mar. 1 |
Last day for receipt of application materials for admission to the program starting in September. |
| Mar. 7 |
Last day for late withdrawal from winter grouped-study courses. Transcripts will reflect a withdrawal in good standing. |
| Mar. 11 |
Last day for program students to register in spring 2002 grouped-study courses. Registration fees are due. |
Mar. 29 - Apr. 1
(inclusive) |
Easter break, University closed. |
| April 19 |
Last day of winter grouped-study courses. (May spring session grouped-study courses begin, dates TBA.) |
| May 20 |
Victoria Day, University closed. |
| July 1 |
Canada Day, University closed. |
| July 5 |
Last day for program students to register in fall 2002 grouped-study courses. Registration fees are due. |
| Aug. 5 |
Civic holiday, University closed. |
In order to participate in the program, each student must own or have ready access to the following minimum computer hardware and software.
Minimum
Pentium 100 with 32 MB RAM, 100 MB free disk space, floppy disk device, CD-ROM drive (24 speed), mouse, 33.6 baud modem, printer, and compatible monitor.
Optimum
Pentium MMX200 or greater, 64 MB RAM, 1 GB free disk space, CD-ROM drive (24 speed or higher), mouse, super VGA compatible monitor, 3 1/2-inch floppy drive, 4 MB (minimum) video RAM, 33.6 baud or faster modem, printer (laser, inkjet or bubble jet), disk or other back up device, and a sound blaster or equivalent sound card and speakers.
Software
Microsoft Windows 95 or Windows 98; Microsoft Word or WordPerfect; Netscape or Internet Explorer; and a current anti-virus program.
PCs are the primary equipment supported by Athabasca University's Help Desk. Only limited assistance for other hardware and software platforms is offered. Students are responsible for their own communication costs such as long distance telephone charges and subscriptions to an Internet node, or any other communications service requirements.
Complete the course registration form and submit it by the deadline dates to the MAIS program office. Course registrations may be mailed, faxed, or e-mailed.
Incompletes for Grouped-study Courses
In exceptional circumstances, and where the course instructor concurs, students may be assigned a grade of Incomplete (INC). This allows students to take an additional two months to complete and submit course work. Two months after the original course completion date, a grade will be assigned to the course. Students who have not submitted the required course work, will be assigned a failing grade (F).
Extensions for Individualized-study Courses
Students opting for the individualized-study course have the flexibility to determine their own timelines for completing it, within their six-month contract period. Should students experience time problems, they may purchase an extension to the course contract by submitting a completed Extension Request Form, along with the appropriate fees, to the MAIS Office. Contact the MAIS program administrator for more information on extensions.
Reregistration
Students may reregister in a course only if they have received a final grade of 59 percent or lower, or have withdrawn from the course in good standing. In reregistering, students must complete all course requirements and pay the full course fee. Students are permitted only one reregistration in each course. Both the initial registration and the reregistration will appear on the student's transcript.
Withdrawals
Course
Students may withdraw from a course up until one month before the end of the session (refer to Academic Schedule) by submitting a Withdrawal Request Form. The date of withdrawal will be the postmark on the request, or if the notice is hand-delivered or faxed, the University date stamp. Students may also request a withdrawal from a course by e-mail provided the request is confirmed in writing.
Refunds
If a student withdraws from a course within the first month, the record of registration will be deleted from his or her official transcript. If a student withdraws from a course after the first month of the course and before the last month of the course, the official record and transcript will show that the student withdrew without credit and without prejudice or academic penalty.
Students will receive a refund of the course fees minus the course withdrawal processing fee (refer to Fees) if they withdraw from the course within 30 days of the course start date. Do not return the course materials. A refund is not granted if the student withdraws after 30 days of the start date.
Program
Students may withdraw from the program by submitting their request in writing to the program director. Students who withdraw may be re-enrolled in the program by following the application procedures. Students requesting re-admission to the program will be competing against all other applicants and will not receive special consideration. Failure in two courses will result in the automatic removal of the student from the program.
Grading System
As the core courses will challenge students in areas of study that will most likely be unfamiliar to them, these two courses will be graded on a pass/fail basis. The rationale for pass/fail grading is to challenge students to risk working in areas and undertaking assignment topics they might not consider if their performance was graded on a percentage basis. All other courses will be graded using the following grade conversion alphabetic scale.
Any student who receives a grade of "F" in one course, or a grade of "C" in more than one course, may be required to withdraw from the program. Each assignment and participation component that is to be counted towards the final grade for a course shall be given a percentage grade (the following scale is used for conversion).
| A+ | 90 - 100% |
| A | 85 - 89% |
| A- | 80 - 84% |
| B+ | 77 - 79% |
| B | 74 - 76% |
| B- | 70 - 73% |
| C+ | 67 - 69% |
| C | 64 - 66% |
| C- | 60 - 63% |
| F | 0 - 59% |
| INC | Incomplete status |
| W | Withdrawn in good standing |
| WF | Withdraw Failure |
Transfer Credit
Advanced Standing
Some students may have completed work at other post-secondary institutions that is applicable to the MAIS program. After being admitted to the Master of Arts—Integrated Studies program, students may request a review of such course work. The program director will review such work to determine if the student should be awarded advanced standing and/or not to takes for specific courses in the MAIS program. Students seeking advanced standing are required to submit to the MAIS program office, official transcripts (if these were not submitted in support of their application for admission), detailed course descriptions for such courses and the appropriate Transfer Credit Evaluation fees. Failure to supply either the transcript or the detailed course description shall result in no advanced standing being awarded.
Letter of Permission
Students enrolled in the MAIS program may take up to five graduate-level courses (15 credits) from other post-secondary educational institutions in fulfilment of the program requirements, provided such courses are applicable to the Athabasca University MAIS program. Students wishing to take courses from other institutions must obtain and submit
- a Letter of Permission Request Form
- a written statement outlining your reasons for pursuing studies elsewhere and an explanation of the course(s) relevance to the MAIS program
- detailed course outlines and the appropriate Letter of Permission fees
to the MAIS program office for review. If approved, the Office of the Registrar will issue a Letter of Permission. To allow for mailing time, requests for a Letter of Permission should be made at least one month before the registration deadline at the institution where the student will be taking the course. Upon completion of the course, the student must submit an official transcript to the MAIS program administrator in order to obtain credit for the course.
Fees (effective Sept. 1, 2001)
All fees are quoted in Canadian dollars and are subject to change.
Program application fee (non-refundable) required each time that a person applies: $55
Program admission fee (payable upon acceptance into the program): $100
Course Tuition Fee (includes all required materials)
Canadians and students living in Canada: $850
Canadians living outside of Canada: $950
International students living outside of Canada: $1,050
Other Fees
Transfer credit evaluation fee: $55
International transfer credit evaluation fee: $110
Letter of Permission fee: $20
Course extension fee (for individualized-study course): $75
Non-program application fee (required only once and waived if previously an Athabasca University student): $50
Transcript fee: $10
Course withdrawal processing fee: $300
The course withdrawal processing fee includes the cost of course materials and an administrative fee for processing the request. There will be no refund for returned course materials.
The total tuition cost for a Canadian student living in Canada, for example, who takes all his or her courses from Athabasca University, would be $9,350 ($850 x 11 three-credit courses or equivalent).
MAIS courses are designed to encourage study either at home or in the workplace. Students will be supplied with a basic course package of print and other media (for example, textbooks, study guides, manuals, reading files, audiotapes, videotapes). In addition, students are expected to use computer mediated communications for the following purposes
- instructor and student-to-student interactions in computer conferences
- e-mail, both within and outside of the course structure
- file transfer or file attachment of assignments and feedback between instructor and students and between students on joint projects
- accessing electronic databases (for example, Athabasca University Library search).
The courses are scheduled as of the date of printing. Courses may be cancelled due to insufficient registrations.
Individualized Study
Individualized-study courses are centered on a self-directed learning environment. Students set their own schedule within the time allowed (six months) to complete a course. Instructional support is available by phone or e-mail. A limited number of courses are available for individualized study and will begin on the first day of every month, on a year-round basis. The MAIS office must receive registrations for individualized-study courses at least one month before the requested start date.
Available Individualized-study Courses
- ENGL 551 Comparative Canadian Literature
- MAIS 650 Canadian and International Labour Education
- MAIS 750 Foundational Reading Course
- SOCI 537 Deciphering Modern Social Theory
Grouped Study
In grouped-study courses, students will study with cohort groups and participate in asynchronous learning activities. The grouped-study offerings will be made available during three semesters each year (fall/winter/spring). The fall semester begins the day after the Labour Day holiday in September and lasts for fifteen weeks. The winter semester begins the second non-holiday Monday in January and lasts for fifteen weeks. Spring session start and end dates are determined by each instructor, but usually, courses will start the first week of May and run from 10 to 15 weeks, depending on the course. In grouped-study courses, all course work should be completed during the semester periods. Extensions to these timelines may be granted if circumstances warrant.
Asynchronous computer conferencing is used to enhance print-based course materials. Learners will require access to a computer with specific configurations and software.
Fall 2001
Required Core Courses
MAIS 601 Making Sense of Theory in the Arts and Social Sciences (3)
See Winter 2002 for second core course.
Electives (three credits each unless noted otherwise).
MDDE 601 Introduction to Technology in Distance Education and Training (3)
MDDE 611 Foundations of Adult Education (3)
MDDE 612 Experiential Learning (3)
MDDE 613 Adult Learning and Development (3)
MDDE 614 International Issues in Distance Education (3)
MDDE 617 Program Planning in Adult and Continuing Education (3)
MHST 604* Leadership Roles in Health Care (3)
*MHST course fees and deadlines apply.
Winter 2002
Required Core Courses
MAIS 602 Researching Society and Culture (3)
Electives (three credits each unless noted otherwise)
MDDE 601 Introduction to Technology in Distance Education and Training (3)
MDDE 611 Foundations of Adult Education (3)
MDDE 614 International Issues in Distance Education (3)
MDDE 651 Special Topics: Gender Issues in Distance Education (3)
MHST 604 Leadership Roles in Health Care (3)
Spring/Summer 2002
Core Courses
MAIS 601 Making Sense of Theory in the Arts and Social Sciences
Electives: To be announced.
Reading Courses
Individual students or small groups may conduct readings under a faculty member's supervision in one or two selected subject areas. Students are encouraged to approach a faculty member and ask for the faculty member's assistance in identifying reading areas.
To identify potential topic areas, please consult the MAIS Reading Course list, and the faculty members' areas of research and teaching interests.
In the MAIS, there are two categories of independent reading courses: foundational or directed reading courses, and advanced reading courses.
- Foundational reading courses are for students wishing to establish a strong base of understanding of the key authors, research, and knowledge in a subject area. Typically professors determine the majority of the required reading, while students suggest some specific additional reading. These reading courses include MAIS 750 and MAIS 751.
- Advanced reading courses are for students who have a solid background in an area and wish to study in depth a specific problem or question. Students work with their professors to define an area of study and to identify the assigned readings. Includes MAIS 760.
Project Course
MAIS 701 Integrated Studies Project, normally the final course that students take in their program, is designed to facilitate extended research work under the direction of course professors. The scope of the project, however, must fall within the research area of faculty members associated with the MAIS. The integrated project allows students to explore an intellectual question, to relate their research to a work situation, or to engage a community problem. Theoretical and empirical approaches should draw from the student's course work and demonstrate an integrative approach to knowledge creation. The project may involve field, archival, and library research, and result in the production of a major report or paper. A project may combine a theoretical synopsis with applied work to produce an academic publication, innovative report, review, analysis, or enquiry in a chosen field that integrates learning from the MAIS program.
Students are required to submit a learning contract to the course professor that specifies the project to be undertaken and the timelines for completing each stage of the project. Students proposing research involving human subjects will be required to submit a written proposal, acceptable to their professor or professors, before seeking ethics approval for research.
The project paper or project report should be between 6,000 and 7,500 words. Students may ask that two readers, normally from the MAIS program, assess their papers.
ENGL 551 Comparative Canadian Literature (3)
Delivery mode: Individualized study.
Precluded course: ENGL 551 cannot be taken for credit if credit has already been obtained for Athabasca University's ENGL 451.
ENGL 551 is a study of Canada's ethnic minority writing in the context of the on-going discourse between English Canada and Quebec. Among the topics to be examined are the nature of Canada's national literature, racial questions, the diversity of Canadian culture, nationalism in both English Canada and Quebec, and identity. ENGL 551 will be of particular interest to students in the following MAIS areas of inquiry: cultural studies and Canadian studies.
MAIS 601 Making Sense of Theory in the Arts and Social Sciences (3)
Delivery mode: Grouped study.
MAIS 601 is a required course. It will provide students with an opportunity to explore the origins and roles of the various theories that inform the contemporary arts and social sciences and is the foundation for subsequent studies in the program. The first half of the course is sociohistorical in nature and introduces students to the foundational role theory played in shaping understanding, framing debates, and resolving differences during a crucial period of Western development, the Middle Ages.
The second half of the course invites students to reflect upon the first from the vantage point of interpretive, critical, and post-modernist perspectives that have called into question the modernist worldview that informed Western thought from the seventeenth century on. Through careful consideration of the theories that inform modern educational practice and literary studies, students will be given an opportunity to learn that the issues at stake in contemporary theoretical debates are far from new, many having been sources of dispute during, and even before, the Middle Ages. It is recommended that students complete MAIS 601 and MAIS 602 early in the program.
MAIS 602 Researching Society and Culture (3)
Delivery mode: Grouped study.
MAIS 602 is a required course. Students will examine a range of approaches to research in the social sciences and cultural studies in this methods of inquiry course. Different research methods and methodologies (quantitative, qualitative, feminist, ethnographic, deconstruction, discourse analysis, social history, and more) are introduced and critically assessed. As well, students will review a selection of books that take an integrative approach to inquiry. It is recommended that students complete MAIS 601 and MAIS 602 early in the program.
MAIS 650 Canadian and International Labour Education (3)
Delivery mode: Individualized study.
Precluded course: MAIS 650 cannot be taken for credit if credit has already been obtained for Athabasca University's IDRL 496.
This course examines labour education in five countries: Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. It is designed to help students think critically about the aims and purposes of labour education, how labour education differs in various contexts of industrial relations and political economy, and how labour education fits into adult education. MAIS 650 concludes with an examination of the role of labour education in the context of the globalization of production. MAIS 650 will be of particular interest to students in the following MAIS areas of inquiry: adult education, educational studies or global change.
MAIS 701 Integrated Studies Project 1 (3)
Delivery mode: Individualized study.
Prerequisite: Permission of the director. Normally taken at the end of the program.
MAIS 701 is a required course. The purpose of the project is to allow students to carry out extended research under the direction of course professors. The scope of projects must fall within the research areas of faculty associated with the MAIS. Projects may involve field, archival, and library research and normally result in the production of major reports or papers. Projects allow students to explore intellectual questions, to relate their research to work situations, or to engage community problems. Theoretical and empirical approaches should draw from the students' course work and demonstrate integrative approaches to knowledge creation.
A learning contract between supervisor and student must specify the project to be undertaken. Students will normally undertake the MAIS project as the final course in their program. Students proposing research involving human subjects will be required to submit a
written proposal acceptable to their supervisor before seeking ethics approval for their research.
The MAIS project paper or project report should be between 6,000 and 7,500 words, and should reflect significant use of primary materials and research. Two readers, normally from the MAIS program, will assess the paper.
MAIS 702 Integrated Studies Project 2 (3)
Delivery Mode: Individualized study.
Prerequisite: Permission of the director.
In special circumstances, students who wish to conduct a larger project may register in MAIS 702, typically in conjunction with MAIS 701.
MAIS 750 Foundational Reading Course (3)
Delivery mode: Individualized study.
Prerequisite: Permission of the director. A copy of the learning contract must be filed with the MAIS program office.
Individual students or small groups may conduct readings, under faculty supervision, in one or two selected areas. Students are encouraged to approach faculty members and ask for assistance in identifying reading areas. Students wishing to then register in a directed reading course must submit a detailed learning contract (approved by the instructor) to the MAIS director. A typical learning contract should include a detailed plan stating the work to be carried out by the student; intended outcomes; a description of the role of the faculty member; and a plan for assessing the work undertaken.
MAIS 751 Foundational Reading Course (3)
Delivery Mode: Individualized study.
Prerequisites: Permission of the director. A copy of the learning contract must be filed with the MAIS program office.
Individual students or small groups may conduct readings, under faculty supervision, in one or two selected areas. Students are encouraged to approach faculty members and ask for assistance in identifying reading areas. Students wishing to then register in a directed reading course must submit a detailed learning contract (approved by the instructor) to the MAIS director.
SOCI 537 Deciphering Modern Social Theory (3)
Delivery mode: Individualized study.
Precluded course: SOCI 537 cannot be taken for credit if credit has already been obtained for Athabasca University's SOCI 437.
SOCI 537 introduces students to some of the more exciting and challenging developments that have taken place in contemporary social theory over the past ten years or more. Major topics covered in this course include: Defining social theory?, the domain assumptions of sociological theory, the new functionalism, the new conflict theory, marxism and neo-marxism, critical theory, feminism, and postmodernism. This is a course not only about social theory, but also about how to theorize about society and everyday life. SOCI 537 will be of particular interest to students wishing to explore a sociological perspective in any of the MAIS areas of inquiry.
Library
Athabasca University Library also serves the needs of graduate students.
Tuition and Education Tax Credit Receipts Information
Application and tuition fees can be used to reduce income tax. Only fees paid and expended during the calendar year can be reflected in the tax receipt. Canada Customs and Revenue Agency regulations permit the University to issue an education tax credit receipt only for amounts greater than $100. In February, T2202 tax forms for the educational tax deduction, along with the tuition tax receipts, are mailed to the address on record. Full-time students may be eligible for the education tax credit for each month of full-time registration.
Regulations and Appeals
Athabasca University policies and regulations governing academic conduct and appeals apply to all students. Refer to Section 12 Student Code of Conduct and Right to Appeal.
Athabasca University's policies, regulations, and procedures governing the release of transcripts and confidential information apply also to graduate students. Refer to Section 5 Undergraduate Admission, Transfer Credit, and Assessments.
For more information on the MAIS program, or to have the application package mailed to you by regular post, please contact:
Rebecca Heartt
Program Administrator
Master of Arts—Integrated Studies Program
Athabasca University
1 University Drive
Athabasca, AB T9S 3A3
E-mail: mais@athabascau.ca
Telephone: 800.788.9041 (Canada and US)
Telephone: 780.675.6111 (Others)
Fax: 780.675.6437
Derek Briton
Program Coordinator
Master of Arts, Integrated Studies
E-mail: derek.briton@athabascau.ca
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