Description of University Courses

ANT202

Introduction to Anthropology

Description: This course is an introduction to the scientific study of human lifestyles through the diversity of their expressions. It aims to familiarize students with the way in which human beings interact with one another through classic anthropological theories, the diversity of cultural and social systems and codes, phenomena or institutions, such as kinship, politics, economics, and religion.

COM320

Communication: Theories, Media and Technologies

Description: In order to provide an introduction to the phenomena of mediated communication, this course presents an overview of the principal theories of communication. A particular emphasis will be placed on different theoretical perspectives that can be used to analyze issues related to communication in traditional media as well as new media.

COM385

Surveillance & Digital Technologies: Power, Cultures and Resistances

Description: Surveillance is not the prerogative of the authoritarian state. It is a social practice that combines power, culture and technology. The course has three objectives: 1) to explore the plurality of surveillance practices around the world, with a particular focus on data surveillance; 2) to understand the power structures, relationships of domination and forms of resistance that emanate from and revolve around surveillance; 3) to analyze the impact of surveillance on global politics, through the concepts of state and sovereignty, territory and mobility, national security and war, power, political economy, identity, race and gender.

COM420

Rhetoric and Great Speeches

Description: This course aims to give the student an overview of the main conceptual frameworks and objects of study that constitute the field of rhetoric, from the classical era to the present day. It first devotes itself to offering an overview of the theory of public speaking, as a persuasive form of communication, especially for the officer. Then, it offers an overview of public speaking through the study of major key speeches in international history, particularly in the political field. Finally, with a practical aim, it aims to lead the student to develop rhetorical skills through the writing and delivery of different types of official speeches (formal speech, political speech, debate, etc.). This practice will also aim to develop the art of speaking (diction, elocution, rhythm, style, posture, etc.).

DRT239

Public International Law

Description: Introduction to the general aspects of public international law and its applications to state sovereignty, international organizations, and human rights law. This course aims to develop an appreciation of the importance of the rules of law that govern members of international society, including states and international organizations through the United Nations. The course introduces the protection of human rights and individual responsibility under international criminal law and international humanitarian law, as well as other branches of international law.

DRT360

International Human Rights Law

Description: This course exposes students to a critical understanding of international human rights law. It covers, among other things: the history of human rights, particularly since 1945, and the norms and principles of international human rights law, in particular equality and non-discrimination; the scope of protected rights—civil and political rights, economic, social and cultural rights—the rights of certain categories of people, such as women, children, indigenous peoples and migrant-refugees; the international bodies and mechanisms responsible for interpreting and applying legal norms protecting human rights; the articulation between international human rights law and international humanitarian law; international refugee law; international criminal law and other modes of accountability for gross violations of human rights, as well as the forms of reparation to which violations of these norms can give rise for victims.

DRT487

The Law of Armed Conflict

Description: Introduction to the phenomenon of armed conflict in the international system and to the rules and institutions protecting victims in such situations. This course is designed to familiarize students with the concepts of just war, as well as ethical and legal issues related to present-day conflicts and their applications.

ECN417

International Economics

Description: This course is divided into two parts that cover traditional areas of international economics. First, international trade, which covers the theories, incentives, and policies that shape economic exchanges between nations, and second, international finance, which covers the macroeconomic components of international relations such as national accounting, exchange rates, and interest rate parity.

ENG21X

Reading the Contemporary World: 1900 to the Present

Description: This course develops students’ cultural literacy in a global context through critical examinations of modern and contemporary texts. Students will apply critical and cultural theories to a range of texts and topics that address questions concerning global cultures in the 20^th and 21^st centuries. Students will also apply research methods to the composition of argumentative essays.

ENG290

Representation of War in Arts

Description: Analysis of works from literature, cinema and visual arts referring to war. This course is designed to develop skills in identifying and interpreting various representations of war and the military universe, while situating them in their context. It also seeks to develop critical thinking in students about their own ideas and points of reference about war and the military institution.

ENG302

Great Classics

Description: Introduction to humanity’s greatest works (mainly Western). This course is designed to help students develop critical thinking skills by reading influential works from various realms of thought, including literature, politics, history, and cinema.

ENV289

Environment and Climate Change

Description: This course introduces the main basic concepts of the environment and the impacts of climate change on it. The consequences of the increase in human population are among the most important problems on earth. The world's human population needs vast amounts of materials and a lot of space to live, produce food, and dispose of waste. Humans have made the environment uninhabitable for many other species, and now they are in danger of doing the same for themselves. This course will allow the student to understand the ecology of populations and communities and the structure of ecosystems. It will also allow the student to understand and apply conservation biology and restoration ecology. The student will better understand issues related to climate change and form an informed opinion on environmental problems and their resolutions.

GEO201

World Geography

Description: Introduction to geography and spatial analysis of the world. This course aims at developing the capacity to identify the important political and economic issues of our contemporary world; to make the student conscious of the geographical context of the main global and regional challenges, and to develop the means to conduct spatial analysis of these international challenges.

HIS203

Introduction to Canadian Military History

Description: A survey of the military history of Canada from the rise of New France to the present. Emphasis will be given to the evolution of the Armed Forces.

HIS250

History of Ideas

Description: This course aims at presenting a large panorama of the political, religious, economic, social, cultural, and scientific ideas having influenced world history since the 16^th c., leading to the creation of the international community as we know it today. This course aims at rendering students more conscious of the historical dimensions of these ideas and of their influence still at work on some of the contemporary dynamics around the globe.

HIS271

Introduction to Military History and Thought

Description: This course is an introduction to a discussion on Western military thinking in the eighteenth, nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Strategic thinking and theorists in all three elements (land, sea, and air), as well as imperialism, technological changes, anti-colonialism, terrorism, nuclear weapons theory and unconventional warfare will be discussed. The course analyzes various combinations of industrial power, public opinion, military power, intelligence processes, economic strength, and foreign policy a country uses to create a military "strategy”.

HIS290

History of China

Description: The most populous country on the planet, the world's second largest economy since 2011, the world's workshop, China is a key player of our time. It also has the second largest military budget after the United States. A minimal knowledge of its five-thousand-year-old history, its famous dynasties, its formidable technical and artistic prowess, its main currents of thought and the major events that have marked its evolution is essential for understanding the contemporary world and international relations. This introductory course in Chinese history addresses political, economic, philosophical and cultural issues. The course begins with the military unification of China by the First Emperor (221 B.C.) and goes back in time to the current President Xi Jinping. Particular emphasis will be placed on the exchanges between Chinese civilization and its neighbors, especially on the mythical Silk Roads.

HIS292

History of Japan

Description: The fourth economic power in the world and second in Asia, Japan occupies a special place in the Sinicized world. This course not only reconstructs the political, military and diplomatic history of Japan; it also aims to transmit to students an understanding of the evolution and singularity of the various components of Japanese culture, in particular by highlighting the importance of foreign, Chinese and Western contributions.

HIS315

Diplomacy from the XX^th Century to the Present

Description: Analysis of the evolution of diplomacy since the two world wars. This course is designed to raise awareness of the role of diplomacy in the international system and its influence on the dynamics of international relations, taking into account its growing interaction with military and new non state actors.

HIS350

Nationalism, Anti-Colonialism & Imperialism in the 20^th c.

Description: This course is designed to deepen the student's understanding and knowledge of phenomena that remain crucial to the current world order. The course provides an introduction to some of the major theories of modern nationalism and colonialism, as well as a deepening of the students familiarity with the concepts of self-determination, anti-colonialism and imperialism. The course will also focus on a series of areas and events relevant to understanding this history in the 20^th century, such as: The Spanish-American War of 1898 and Filipino and Cuban nationalism; Japanese imperialism and Chinese and Korean nationalisms in the first half of the 20^th century; Nationalisms in the areas of domination of the Russian/Soviet, German, Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman empires in the first half of the twentieth century; The Wilsonian moment and anti-colonial nationalisms around the world; Challenges to British rule in Ireland, Egypt, India, etc., from the beginning of the 20^th century to the aftermath of the Second World War and Israeli and Palestinian nationalisms in the mid-twentieth century.

HIS472

Unconventional Conflicts

Description: Analysis of non-conventional armed conflicts. This course is designed to shed light on various forms of low intensity military and paramilitary operations—guerrilla warfare, terrorism, revolutionary war, intelligence, special operations, etc.—and to raise awareness of their multi faceted and recurring nature in human history.

INT202

Introduction to International Studies

Description: This course aims to develop the ability to integrate multiple disciplinary approaches to deepen the understanding of interactions between different types of actors operating on the international stage: State governments, international organizations, military or paramilitary formations, transnational networks, businesses, social groups, or influential individuals.

INT203

Research Methods in International Studies

Description: This course is an introduction to research and other academic skills in International Studies. The course is intended to equip students to conduct academic research at the undergraduate level and to enhance their academic success more generally.

INT281

Emerging Conflicts

Description: This course examines the past and contemporary trends of war, conflict and violence to understand the changes underway. Applying a critical perspective to analyze the complexity of the global environment using systems thinking, the class creates models to understand the re-emergence of our world. From this applied theoretical approach, the class aims at developing sophistication in thinking about the world and the capacity to critically integrate complex events to formulate a general understanding of trends within the realm of war, conflict and violence.

INT310

Geopolitical Block: Americas

Description: The course provides for an opportunity to analyze present day political, economic, and social dynamics specific to the American continent (North America, Central America, The Caribbean and South America), from an international and comparative perspective. This course is designed to expose the depth and complexity of these issues through a multidisciplinary approach using history, political science, law, sociology, geography, economics, and cultural and religious studies.

INT311

Geopolitical Block: Europe

Description: Analysis of present day political, economic, and social dynamics specific to the European continent, from an international and comparative perspective. This course is designed to expose the depth and complexity of these issues through a multidisciplinary approach, using history, political science, sociology, geography, economics, and cultural and religious studies.

INT312

Geopolitical Block: Africa

Description: Analysis of present day political, economic, and social dynamics specific to the African continent, from an international and comparative perspective. This course is designed to expose the depth and complexity of these issues, through a multidisciplinary approach, using history, political science, sociology, geography, economics, and cultural and religious studies.

INT313

Geopolitical Block: Middle East

Description: Analysis of present day political, economic, and social dynamics specific to the Middle East, from an international and comparative perspective. This course is designed to expose the depth and complexity of these issues, through a multidisciplinary approach, using history, political science, sociology, geography, economics, and cultural and religious studies.

INT314

Geopolitical Block: Asia

Description: This course on the geopolitics of Asia has two parts. The first, focused on China, will focus on the traditional geopolitical representations of the Middle Kingdom, the history of China's forced insertion into the Westphalian international system, the fundamentals of contemporary China's foreign policy, the most recent data on the balance of power between China and the United States and finally, some military and strategic issues on the Indo-Pacific region. The second, entitled China's Five Geopolitical Borders, will analyze Beijing's relations with its neighbors in Asia: Japan, India, Russia, Central Asia and Southeast Asia.

INT315

Geopolitical Block: Eurasia

Description: This course provides a multidisciplinary framework for examining the intricate, multifaceted dynamics—political, economic, and social—that delineate a diverse geographical sphere, purportedly centered around post-Soviet Russia. Its primary objective is to cultivate students' adeptness in employing conceptual frameworks drawn from diverse disciplinary paradigms such as Political Science, International Relations, History, Economics, Sociology, and Geography. Through this interdisciplinary lens, the course aims to dissect the multifarious upheavals characterizing a region whose boundaries remain contested and have only recently been denoted as Eurasia. The overarching goal is to facilitate a deeper comprehension of the present-day security challenges posed by this region to Canada and its allies.

INT325

Geopolitics in Immersion 1

Description: This course aims to develop analytical skills and knowledge of geopolitics as well as intellectual flexibility by successfully completing a geopolitics course at a foreign institution.

INT326

Geopolitics in Immersion 2

Description: This course aims to develop analytical skills and knowledge of geopolitics as well as intellectual flexibility by successfully completing a geopolitics course at a foreign institution.

INT335

International Studies in Immersion 1

Description: This course is designed to develop analytical skills and knowledge of international studies as well as intellectual flexibility by successfully completing a course or its equivalent in an integrated international studies discipline at a foreign institution.

INT336

International Studies in Immersion 2

Description: This course is designed to develop analytical skills and knowledge of international studies as well as intellectual flexibility by successfully completing a course or its equivalent in an integrated international studies discipline at a foreign institution.

INT380

Geopolitics of Religion

Description: This introductory course aims to provide students with a general and panoramic perspective of the role of religions in international relations and global geopolitics. The aim is to awaken in students an interest in religious issues and an awareness of the importance of the religious factor in understanding the contemporary world. The course is divided in three parts. The first two teaching periods present the religious factor in a broad, global and universal perspective. Periods 3 to 13 deal with particular cases, based on the study of a succession of countries, selected both because of their geopolitical importance and the impact that the religious question has on the formulation of their domestic and foreign policies. These countries are the Vatican, France, the United States, Russia, China, Turkey, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Israel. The last period is a summary of the knowledge and lessons that should be learned.

INT391

Grey Zone Conflicts

Description: This course explores the emergence of conflicts in the 21st century below the threshold of war. This threshold defined by the formal declaration of war between nation-states engages belligerents from all origins, States, but also non-state actors, criminal organizations, proxies and more creating an intricate web. This course explores the methods and actors engaged in Grey Zone Conflicts and their impact on the contemporary political global and international scene.

INT400

International Internship

Description: Through cultural and linguistic immersion lasting one semester, the international internship aims to promote the development of skills (adaptability, cultural intelligence, etc.) and values (openness, respect for differences, etc.) expected of an officer in the CAF, while also creating connections between practical experience and social theories learned during their studies at RMC Saint-Jean. This course supports and guides students participating in an international exchange with a partner military academy, encouraging them to make the most of their experience abroad. The discussions and assignments conducted in this course also foster the sharing of information and the transfer of knowledge between students and the academic wing, aiming for continuous improvement in all aspects of the exchange program with partner institutions.

INT440

International Humanitarian and Peace Operations

Description: This course is based on the premise that Canadian Armed Forces officers must understand the legal, historical, and political dimensions of international humanitarian and peace operations in order to operate effectively and ethically in complex operational environments. These operations often involve multiple actors, competing mandates, and rapidly evolving conditions. Officers must be equipped to navigate this complexity with intellectual agility, sound judgment, and professional integrity. The course fosters both analytical and practical skills by combining conceptual instruction with applied learning. Through case studies and a simulation exercise, students are challenged to integrate their knowledge, assess real-world scenarios, and work collaboratively across roles. In doing so, they develop their capacity for ethical leadership, critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, and professional communication—all of which are essential to their future responsibilities as CAF officers.

INT480

Integrative Seminar (research paper or simulation)

Description: Integration of disciplinary and conceptual approaches studied during the program. This course is designed to enable students to consolidate and broaden the knowledge acquired during their program, by integrating at least two separate disciplinary approaches in research work or in a simulation activity.

MAT106

Quantitative Methods

Description: This course is an introduction to certain core concepts of rigorous social science thinking from a mathematical perspective. It aims to familiarize students with basic knowledge of logic, with fundamental notions of probability, and with quantification procedures and statistical tools used in the study of the human being and societies. Students should, through the theory learned in class and the assigned course work, develop greater confidence and critical thinking in relation to the fact-based argumentation they will encounter during their studies and in their day-to-day lives.

PHY103

Physics for Liberal Arts

Description: This course, which is part of the complementary general education, aims to give arts students a general overview of the basic notions and ideas of physics. It also aims to explain and help students understand physical phenomena that are present in our daily lives as well as touching on the scientific aspect of certain social issues. This course is also an introduction to scientific methods and to the types of arguments and explanations used in science and in technical fields.

POL205

Canadian Institutions and Society

Description: This introductory course focuses on political culture and socialization in Canada, as well as Canadian federalism, political parties, electoral system, institutions, the organization of the public service, the armed forces, equity and diversity, media and public discourse, and Canada's role in the world.

POL304

International Relations

Description: This introductory course to the study of international relations aims to acquaint students with various theoretical approaches to the study of global politics and interstate relations, and to help them understand the pertinence and value of theory when describing and analyzing international events. In doing so, it makes students aware of recurring issues of paramount importance in the formulation of foreign policy: the national interest, security and weapons technologies, regional and international organizations, international political economy, and globalization.

POL340

Democracy and Elections

Description: This course is structured around two themes: democracy and elections. The first part of the course is devoted to an overview of the main democratic regimes; the contemporary conditions that favour or not its emergence; and the factors that make its export to other countries possible. The second part aims to establish the classification of the different types of electoral systems (majority, plurality or proportional systems); to analyze the electoral participation of citizens; and the growing risks to which democracies are exposed today such as disinformation; foreign interference, cyber attacks and more generally the disaffection of citizens for civic life.

POL416

Canadian Foreign and Defence Policy

Description: This course analyzes Canada’s foreign and defense policies, as well as its behavior and place in the international system. It examines various historical aspects of Canada’s external relations, highlighting continuity and change in how Canadians evaluate the world. This course also explores the internal, external and institutional influences that shape the development, coordination and implementation of policy. It aims to provide students a variety of skills that will allow them to better understand and distinguish between Canada’s foreign, defense and security policies.

POL425

International Organizations and Institutions

Description: This course analyzes the dynamics of international organizations in the context of contemporary global politics. It focuses on the United Nations and peacekeeping, international and regional organizations, as well as non-governmental organizations (NGOs). It explores the origins and evolution of the multilateral system and collective action through the prism of various international and transnational challenges – security, economic, health and environmental among others.

PSY282

Cross-cultural Psychology

Description: This course aims to explain the influence of culture on human psychology, to analyze the generalizability of results of psychological studies performed in the West, as well as to study and understand cultural differences, in order to promote positive and enriching cross-cultural encounters. Students will be exposed to the diversity that exists in human psychology and acquire greater knowledge of psychological issues to be considered when interacting with individuals from different cultures.

PSY301

Organizational Behaviour and Leadership

Description: This course is designed to familiarize students with the basic theories and concepts of organizational behaviour and effective leadership. Students will look at how individuals, groups, and organizational processes influence organizational effectiveness. The focus will be on the roles of a leader and ways in which leaders can use their knowledge and understanding of organizational behaviour to improve the performance of organizations and the well being of their members. Main topics include organizational culture and structure, attitudes about work, performance and feedback, motivation theories and their applications, power and influence, leadership theories and their applications, and organizational change.

PSY401

Military Professionalism and Ethics

Description: This course brings together philosophical, psychological, and military theoretical insights to better define and examine the professional and moral dimensions of the profession of arms and officership. We will distinguish between, on the one hand, the ideals prescribed by moralists and military theorists, and, on the other hand, the reality of behaviour as described and explained by cognitive, social, and psychological factors. Through a mix of seminar-style courses, lectures, readings and other media, guided discussions, case studies and reflective writings, students are encouraged to identify and apply key concepts while – crucially – developing and articulating their own understanding of ethical leadership.

EDP001

Sports Skills

Description: This course’s purpose is to enhance the students’ basic sports skills. These skills will be transferable into many different sports and activities throughout their military career and personal life as they will allow them to move better and thus perform at a higher level. students will familiarize themselves with common sports skills: change of direction and reaction to opponents, different throwing/passing techniques, as well as catching/receiving while still or on the move.

EDP002

Weight Training

Description: This course’s purpose is to enhance the students’ basic weight training skills. They will acquire more advanced weightlifting skills as well as develop their ability to assess lifting techniques and rectify common problems within the execution of the following movements: Push up, Pull up, Squat, Bench press, Deadlift, and Chest supported row. The students will then be able to apply these notions to their individual fitness regimens or in group training.

EDP003

Team Sports Techniques and Tactics

Description: This course’s purpose is to teach proper defensive and offensive strategies in team sports (handball, basketball, and speedball). These tactics will be useful in a variety of sports throughout a military career allowing the students to stand out and perform well as a team. They will also continue to build on their sports skills through a variety of team-oriented gameplay.

EDP004

Fitness Delivery

Description: This course’s purpose is to develop the skills necessary to deliver a safe and efficient group fitness class. In teams or individually, the students must plan and deliver a fitness lesson/training. The students must consider equipment/facilities reservation and setup, explanations, demonstrations as well as proper group management during the training. Advanced training movements and techniques will be utilized while balancing performance and injury prevention. The methods seen in this course will be useful for multiple situations in the students’ military career.

EDP005

Implementation of a Sporting Event

Description: The ultimate goal is hosting a sporting event. With the collaboration of his/her classmates, an student must plan and deliver a sporting tournament or competition at the end of the semester. The student will familiarize himself/herself, with event planning with its many challenges and details (security, refereeing, scheduling, reservations, etc.). A secondary objective is to consolidate sporting skills and tactics through the choice of the tournament sport.

EDP006

Implementation of a Large-scale Event

Description: The ultimate goal of the course is to host a large-scale event. Indeed, together with his/her fellow classmates, the student will have to plan and implement a large-scale event containing a sporting event which will be the culmination of the session. The student will learn the basics of organizing an event taking into account all the factors and actors necessary for the smooth running of the activity (security, referees, tournament schedule, etc.). Another of the objectives is to consolidate the training skills (technical and tactical) acquired during the two previous years.

ESP101

Spanish (Level 1)

Description: This course is an introduction to the Spanish language and an exploration of Hispanic culture. It is intended for students with no prior knowledge of the target language. The course aims to develop the four key language skills: oral comprehension, oral expression, reading comprehension, and written expression. By the end of the course, students will have developed sufficient language proficiency to communicate in simple everyday situations.

ESP102

Spanish (Level 2)

Description: This course is intended for officer cadets who already possess basic skills in oral and written production and comprehension. The main objective is to consolidate these skills through the review and deepening of fundamental grammatical structures, the strengthening of both oral and written communication, and the development of listening and reading strategies. Students will also broaden their knowledge of Hispanic cultures. By the end of the course, students will have effectively developed their language proficiency to communicate in simple situations.

ESP103

Spanish (Level 3)

Description: This course is intended for officer cadets who can express themselves fluently in Spanish, both orally and in writing, on topics of personal and military interest. The main objective is to enhance language skills through the review and deepening of grammatical structures, the strengthening of oral and written communication, and the development of listening and reading strategies. Students will also broaden their knowledge of Hispanic cultures. By the end of the course, officer cadets will be able to produce written texts and communicate orally on topics related to current events, culture, and military contexts.

ESP104

Spanish (Level 4)

Description: This course is for students who can express themselves with a certain degree of ease, but who want to work more on their oral skills. Using authentic documents and drawing on current events, the course aims to help students enrich their vocabulary, further their knowledge of idiomatic expressions, and engage in discussions and express opinions on a range of topics, including the concerns of some Spanish speaking populations.

ESP105

Spanish (Level 5)

Description: This course is for students who can express themselves with ease and who want to continue learning Spanish in order to communicate effectively in a professional context. The focus is on learning Canadian Armed Forces vocabulary.

FLS1 (Interest student only)

Français langue seconde

Description: This intermediate level French as a second language course is designed for students who have already attained their language profile required by the CAF and have completed the necessary courses for their DEC or credits deemed equivalent. The course reinforces the fundamentals of French culture and conversation. It is an opportunity to review the four competencies within a classroom setting, with peers of equal levels. It is only with teacher and department approval that a student can audit a class, and they must commit to attending classes.