state of Canadian Studies at the year 2000: Some observations, The

Journal of Canadian Studies, Spring 2000 by T H B Symons

In recent years Canadian Studies at the University of Ottawa has perhaps had the strongest institutional commitment given by a university to such a programme. In addition to tangible resources, the commitment has been expressed in personal and moral and public support given over the years as well as at critical junctures. Following the identification by the University in 1997 of Canadian Studies as one of the four strategic areas for development, and building on the good foundations laid in the preceding 15 years, the Canadian Studies Programme was elevated to an Institute in 1998 when Dr Chad Gaffield became the first director.

Given the many advantages arising from the history, cultural diversity and splendid location of the University of Ottawa, the strategic decision to make Canadian Studies a field for growth at the University was both natural and wise. The University has a truly unique opportunity to develop its special role as a bilingual institution in the historic heart of the nation's capital. In doing so, it will carve out for itself a particular and valuable role. In a sense, and not in any silly jingoistic sense, the University of Ottawa could through a combination of fortunate circumstances and sagacious leadership become the most Canadian of Canadian universities.

The Institute has developed an academic methodology that places emphasis on discipline-based interdisciplinarity which reflects the impact on the disciplines of a Canadian Studies emphasis and yet respects the territory and integrity of the disciplines. The undergraduate programme, offered jointly by the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Social Sciences, is open to all students interested in Canadian history, culture and society. It is designed especially for those who plan to work in such areas as broadcasting, journalism, law, social services, government agencies, external affairs and cultural activities. But it offers a good preparation for useful citizenship and for whatever else may arise along the way. The programme is an interdisciplinary and inter-faculty concentration that allows students to combine various approaches to the study of Canada. In addition, students have the opportunity, available at few other Canadian universities, to take courses in both official languages of Canada. In fact, all students must take at least 12 of the 36 credits that make up the programme in their second official language.

At the graduate level, the Institute offers the opportunity of a collaborative PhD in which 10 academic units participate. Students enrolled in the collaborative programme are expected to meet the requirements of their respective disciplinary programmes as well as those of the Collaborative Programme in Canadian Studies. The Institute has begun developing close relationship with many of the great national resource centres and agencies which are nearby, such as the National Library, the National Archives, Statistics Canada, the National Research Council and the Canadian Museum of Civilization. In connection with its strong emphasis on the use of information technologies for the study of Canada, it is involved in an emerging collaboration with the National Research Council's Institute of Information Technologies.