Foundations in Western Thought and Civilization
An enriched, first-year plan of study for curious, committed, and ambitious students.
A plan of study like no other.
Foundations in Western Thought and Civilization is an interdisciplinary approach to first-year studies that lets you explore the traditions of Western Civilization from three perspectives, all at the same time: History, Literature, and Philosophy. You'll study the great events that have shaped the world, the great ideas that have changed how we think, and the great books that have defined the human experience. You'll learn all those things you always wanted to know, and what you need to know to succeed.
Foundations in Western Thought and Civilization is for motivated students who want to spend their entry-year reading, writing, thinking, and talking about what it means to be human. Above all, it's for someone like you: someone who has high expectations of yourself and of your school, who values small classes where you know everyone's name, and who is looking for an intensive and challenging learning experience. It's for those who want to improve not just themselves but the world.
The great books. The great ideas
You and your classmates will study the formation of the Western Humanities as both a mirror of the human condition as well as a catalyst for change. Together we will ask how people have considered the Western world in the past, and how we continue to shape our ideas about it in our own global and multicultural world.
By studying the Foundations in Western Thought and Civilization, you'll discover for yourself the richness and relevance of cultivating a discerning mind. You'll have the chance to observe the humanistic tradition over the centuries, from Classical Antiquity right on through the Twentieth Century (and even up to our own Digital Age!) Alongside the writings of well-known thinkers like Plato, St. Augustine, Shakespeare, and Kafka you'll also focus on figures like Sappho, Aphra Behn, and Franz Fanon whose names might not sound as familiar.
From time to time, we will also have the opportunity to extend our analysis to the fields of art, architecture, and music. More informally, students will have occasion to visit art galleries, theatres, the opera and symphony, and other cultural institutions beyond the classroom.
Pretty much anything.
It provides a solid foundation for an undergraduate degree that could position you to go on to any number of careers: teaching, writing, law, policy, journalism, politics, and publishing, to name only a few.
But King's Foundations in Western Thought and Civilization is about more than providing a means to an end. It will take you far beyond asking the obvious questions about career paths and bottom lines. In so doing, King's Foundations in Western Thought and Civilization will prompt you to consider instead the possibilities of a thoughtful, sustained, and rigorous mode of inquiry, both for yourself and for the world you live in.
Foundations in Western Thought and Civilization fulfils the entrance requirements for three principal disciplines (English, History, and Philosophy) as well as a number of other programs at King's and at The University of Western Ontario.
Admission into Foundations in Western Thought and Civilization requires ENG4U. Since the King’s Foundations in Western Thought and Civilization program is small and limited to 25 students, meeting the minimum admission requirement to King's University College does not guarantee admission into the Foundations program.
Our Award-Winning Faculty
History
- Graham Broad: War and Society Studies (PhD, Western)
- R.A. Ventresca: Modern Europe; Church-State relations (PhD, Toronto). Member of the College of the Royal Society of Canada
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Mark Sholdice: 20th-century Canadian and US political history (PhD, Guelph)
Literature
- Claudia Clausius: Comparative Literature, Art History, Critical Theory (PhD, Toronto)
Philosophy
- Antonio Calcagno: Renaissance and Contemporary European Philosophy (PhD, Guelph). Member of the College of the Royal Society of Canada
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John Heng: Bioethics, Philosophy of Science, Disability Studies (M.A. Toronto)
Music
- Katharina Clausius: Enlightenment opera and literature, music historiography, critical theory
(PhD, University of Cambridge)
Learn more about the King's Foundations Program
Student Testimonials
My Foundations year was one of the best years in my life. I made 18 best friends and the class became my family. From The Odyssey to Frankenstein, I loved the literature we studied in English and the ideas in Philosophy, which made the history of Western civilization come alive.
The King’s Foundations program had both an academic and social impact on my first year… Coming into the program will help first years deal with the expected stress with fast friends and fantastic teachers that are there for you.
In addition to all the fascinating topics, students enjoy the warmest community experience ever. The size of the program allows for meaningful conversations between both students and professors. Foundations is truly everything I could have ever hoped for in my university experience. If you love learning and a supportive atmosphere, then Foundations is the place to be!
Taking the King's Foundation program was the best choice of my education yet. What might have been a dim year home because of the pandemic was turned into a vibrant and memorable experience. The small class size made it easy for me to make friends. The all-star professors taught me everything from Homer to Locke, and the course structure allows for a tailor-made educational experience. While many courses struggled to adapt to the virtual climate, Foundations thrived because of its top-notch professors. Enrolling in the Foundation program was the best choice of my academic career, and hopefully, you'll also make it yours.
Foundations was a great experience that helped me not only transition to the higher level of academics that university offers, but also introduced me to friends that I have maintained even after my first year. Without Foundations, I would not have felt nearly as confident as I do now when taking on big assignments or presentations in my other university courses.
The Foundations program was a fantastic way to begin university. The interdisciplinary structure, breadth of material, and shared cohort provided an exceptionally strong basis for my post-secondary endeavours, both scholastically and socially. I would recommend this program to anyone who enjoys the thrill of being challenged and encouraged intellectually by both educators and peers.
Class discussions and debates were often a thing I looked forward to very much. Due to its small class sizes, students are able to bond and form friendships easier than most first years do. It really allowed us to bond. We often ate lunch together and formed study groups. They were a lot of fun but also really academically productive.
I loved the personal connection I was able to make with both professors and classmates from the very start. The material is so varied and encompassing that there is something for everyone here. I think mention needs to be made of the Independent Research Paper. Many students will be intrigued by the opportunity to write a 3rd or 4th level paper on a topic of interest for them in 1st year.
Through the initiative of amazing professors, the Foundations program gives students the opportunity to go on trips such as exploring Toronto’s Royal Ontario Museum and attending local events like Orchestra London’s performances. Overall, King’s Foundations was the perfect fit for me with its intense focus on discussion and experience. I could not have dreamed of a better year!
The small class size and coordinated course material were an ideal way to learn about the Western Humanities. I would not want to go back and do my first year any other way.