The Prairies and the Great Depression

Corwyn Shomachuk, B.A. (Hons., Sask.), B.Sc. (Env. Eng., Sask.), Engineer-in-Training (APEGS), Instructor (USask)

The Great Depression was a horrific experience for farmers and labourers on the Prairies.  This course will explore the political response to the Great Depression and its impact to date. 

Lecture Outline:

1. The roaring twenties, Palliser’s Triangle
2. Crises strike and the great dust bowl
3. Dust, soil, and the PFRA, the PFRA continued and its role in water management
4. The Saskatchewan Relief Commission failed social assistance
5. Make work projects of the Prairies
6. The social credit movement and the farmer labour parties
7. Bennett's new deal
8. The impact of the thirties on modern Canada 

Breakout sessions will not be utilized.

Psychology Applied to our Changing World

Dr. Sasha Sukkhu, B.Sc. (Hons), B.Ed., PhD., Sessional Lecturer in Psychology and Health Studies, University of Saskatchewan, Registered Professional Counsellor (RPC)

The world is rapidly changing on numerous fronts including immigration, environmental concerns and technology usage. This course will focus on understanding these changes at the macro-level and micro-level taking a Bio-Psycho-Sociocultural approach. The course opens a space for reflection on change and how it impacts our lives. Additionally, we will discuss the current state of research and will center on topics of coping, mental health, and a healthy work-life balance. 

Lecture Outline:

1. Understanding sociocultural change
2. Taking a Bio-Psycho-Sociocultural approach
3. Cultural Flexibility
4. Technology
5. Coping
6. Mental health
7. Work-life balance
8. Moving forward

Breakout sessions will be utilized.

Human Evolution: Revisiting Our Hominin Family Tree

Maryann Scott, B.A. (Hons.), M.Ed., M.A. (Archaeology), Sessional Lecturer (Anthropology)

Modern humans have been both fascinated and disturbed by the idea of ancient human ancestors since the first Hominin remains were found in the 19th century.   This course will try to untangle some of the branches of our modern human family tree. 

Following an overview of evolution, we will move on to a brief discussion of our closest living relatives. After that, we will learn more about what makes us Hominins, and begin to meet the ancestors, from the earliest known to some of our newest relatives and closest cousins, including the Denisovans, Homo naledi, Homo longi, and Yunxian 2, who was in the headlines in Fall of 2025. We’ll dispel misconceptions (spoiler alert: there is no ‘missing link’) and dive into the complexity that advances in ancient DNA and dating technologies have added to the picture of who we are as modern humans. 

The first version of this course was offered in fall of 2022 and since then, more discoveries and research have changed what we thought we knew about human origins, migration, and lifeways.  Beyond bones and biology, we’ll also examine how our ancestors lived. Far from being stereotypical brutish cavemen, these individuals lived in community, worked, created art, and cared for each other. Ultimately, what they left behind is the foundation for us and our society. 

Breakout sessions will not be utilized.

Exploring the Culture of Türkiye Through Films & Digital Storytelling

Dr. Anita Ogurlu, PhD, Sessional Lecturer, Sociology, STM College 

From the first Turkish feature film The Claw [Pençe] (1917) to The Magnificent Century [Muhteşem Yüzyıl] (2011) TV series, how have Turkish films and TV Series shaped identity, belonging and culture in Türkiye? Moreover, what might we learn about Türkiye, an often misunderstood or misrepresented nation, despite its long-standing NATO membership and geopolitical position. How has Turkish cinema expanded to a wider global audience and, in particular, how have Turkish TV series (live-streaming platforms like Netflix) been utilized as entertainment and critique but also as a form of soft power in the 21st century? This course is an invitation to journey into the frames of Turkish film and digital storytelling to gain a more nuanced perspective on the socio-economic and political backdrops of the modern republic of Türkiye (1923-present). 

Films will be suggested for optional viewing outside of class to supplement the course content. 

Breakout sessions will not be utilized.

A Banana Taped to a Wall? Avant-Garde in Art and How It Has Pushed the Boundaries of Expectations

Dr. Sandra Herron, M.A. (UCL), PhD (Sask.), Instructor (Art & Art History, USask)

This course will consider the radical changes and artistic controversies in art from the late 19th century to the explosion of avant-garde art movements of the 20th century. 

The goal of this course is to understand how the artists’ visions and ideas became equally or more important than the product created from that vision. It is not always important to like art, but it certainly helps to understand art if one knows the why behind the creation. Through an exploration of avant-garde art movements of the 20th century, this course presents the path that made conceptual art like 'Comedian' (the banana on the wall) possible. 

Breakout sessions will not be utilized.

Constructive Conversations: Building Bridges Through Effective Communication

Heather Peters, B.A. (Winnipeg), B.Th. (CMBC), M.A. (Human Security & Peacebuilding, Royal Roads), Peace Studies Instructor (St. Thomas More College, USask) & Peacebuilding Coordinator (MCC Saskatchewan)

In an increasingly interconnected world, engaging in thoughtful and respectful dialogue is more important than ever. Constructive Conversations equips students with the skills to navigate complex discussions with intellectual humility, emotional awareness, and a deep appreciation for diverse perspectives. This course explores how worldviews shape interactions, the role of emotions in communication, and strategies for handling difficult conversations with empathy and confidence. Through interactive exercises, real-world case studies, and reflective discussions, students will develop active listening techniques, bridge differences with curiosity, and foster connections that lead to meaningful understanding. By the end of the course, participants will be prepared to engage in nuanced, productive conversations—strengthening relationships, enhancing collaboration, and contributing to a culture of thoughtful discourse. 

This course is adapted from Perspectives, an open-source curriculum from the Constructive Dialogue Institute. The 8 classes will include the following topics:

1. How do we engage in conflict
2. Uncovering the roots of our differences
3. Cultivating intellectual humility
4. Welcoming diverse perspectives
5. Exploring other worldviews
6. Challenging our culture of contempt
7. Managing emotions in difficult conversations
8. Mastering difficult conversations 

Breakout sessions will be utilized.

China and the New World Order (Part III): Deng Xiaoping and the Road to Reversing the Cultural Revolution

Dr. Clay Burlingham, B.A. (Toronto), M.A., PhD (Sask.), Sessional Lecturer

This is the last of a three-part series; completion of Parts I & II is not a pre-requisite. 

When Mao died in early 1976, Hua Guofeng came to power; and, while he did arrest the Gang of Four, and he did rehabilitate nearly 5000 who had been condemned during the Cultural Revolution, the economy still languished under his rule, for he himself remained so devoted to Maoist thought and practice. Deng Xiaoping was different, and once he came to power in 1978, China increasingly began to experience a decade of economic advancement and intellectual Enlightenment that totally transformed the country. This class will examine what went into that transformation. 

Breakout sessions will not be utilized.

Introduction to Printmaking

Patrick Bulas, BFA, MFA (Alberta), Sessional Instructor & Printmaking Studio Technician (School for the Arts, USask), Board Member (SK Printmakers)

Printmaking is an exciting art form that brings together technique, tradition, and creativity. It is dynamic, retaining historical techniques that have existed for hundreds of years while incorporating new, innovative methods of creating art. 

At its most fundamental level, printmaking involves creating an image that can be transferred or “printed” onto a surface, usually paper. The same image can be printed multiple times, but the intention of contemporary printmaking is not to simply reproduce an image but to use the materials and processes to express a concept or idea. 

Community is an important part of printmaking, and artists often work in a shared environment either at a university or at an artist-run print studio. The print studio often becomes a second home where artists can discuss work and support each other. The printmaking community is truly global and prints on paper can be easily sent to print exchanges and competitions. 

In this course, students will have the opportunity to work at the U of S School for the Arts Printmaking Studio in the four main printmaking techniques: relief, intaglio, screen printing, and lithography. Each Saturday will cover one printmaking technique and will include a brief look at the history of the technique, a step-by-step demonstration, and an opportunity for students to work in the studio and create their own prints based on what they learned that day. No previous art or printmaking experience required. 

Access to the printmaking studio has been made exclusive to SSCL and is not offered through the public Community Arts program.

• Learn More
• Register now

• Course Guide Archives