Please note:
To view the Spring 2024 Academic Calendar, go to www.sfu.ca/students/calendar/2024/spring.html.
Semester in Dialogue
The Semester in Dialogue provides a unique opportunity to affirm the role of a university to educate students into productive, creative, well-balanced, thoughtful, and reflective members of society.
This program provides intensive mentoring, strong emphasis on communication skills, an ability to think critically and evaluate effectively, a perspective that encourages discipline bridging, and an opportunity to learn from, and network with, stimulating and accomplished individuals from off-campus. The fall and spring terms consist of a full-time, one-term, 15 unit curriculum, while the Summer Institute in Dialogue is 10 units.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the program will be by application. Application forms, information about course content, and other information are available from the program office and the website located at http://www.sfu.ca/dialogue/semester.
To be admissible, students should have completed 45 units prior to beginning the Dialogue program.
Prospective students should apply by the application deadline, as listed on the website, to the Dialogue term in which they wish to participate.
A different focal topic is offered each term. Please visit https://www.sfu.ca/students/calendar/courses/dial.html to view upcoming topics.
Students should consult with their department prior to their Dialogue term to determine the application of DIAL units used to fulfil major, minor or elective course requirements.
Program Requirements
In the fall and spring terms, students will complete a total of 15 units, completed simultaneously, including all of
The Dialogue component of the Semester in Dialogue will immerse students in the art and practice of thinking and communicating. The focus will be on strategies and methods to use in understanding diverse perspectives. Students will have an opportunity to expand their verbal and written communication skills as well as explore dialogue as a developing academic field. Prerequisite: 45 units. Students should apply prior to the term in which they wish to enroll. Students can be accepted into either the Summer Institute in Dialogue (DIAL 390W and 391W, 10 units) or the Semester in Dialogue (fall or spring term, DIAL 390W, 391W and 392W, 15 units), but not both. Students with credit for DIAL 393 may not take this course for further credit. Writing/Breadth-Hum/Soc Sci.
Topics covered each term will vary, but generally each course will examine a subject that encourages broad approaches and probes provocative issues. The course will consist of discussions led by faculty, frequent visits from relevant off-campus experts, a heavy reading load, and a number of individual and group student projects. Learning will be active rather than passive, stimulating students to research, explore and discuss rather than following a lecture format. Prerequisite: 45 units. Students should apply prior to the term in which they wish to enroll. Students can be accepted into either the Summer Institute in Dialogue (DIAL 390W and 391W, 10 units) or the Semester in Dialogue (fall or spring semester, DIAL 390W, 391W and 392W, 15 units) but not both. Students with credit for DIAL 394 may not take this course for further credit. Writing/Breadth-Hum/Soc Sci.
For their final project, each student will produce a manuscript suitable for submission to a major public media outlet on a topic relevant to the course focus for that term. Prerequisite: 45 units. Students should apply prior to the term in which they wish to enroll. Students can be accepted into either the Summer Institute in Dialogue (DIAL 390W and 391W, 10 units) or the Semester in Dialogue (fall or spring semester, DIAL 390W, 391W and 392W, 15 units), but not both. Students with credit for DIAL 395 may not take this course for further credit. Writing/Breadth-Hum/Soc Sci.
In the Summer Institute in Dialogue, students will complete a total of 10 units, completed simultaneously, including all of
The Dialogue component of the Semester in Dialogue will immerse students in the art and practice of thinking and communicating. The focus will be on strategies and methods to use in understanding diverse perspectives. Students will have an opportunity to expand their verbal and written communication skills as well as explore dialogue as a developing academic field. Prerequisite: 45 units. Students should apply prior to the term in which they wish to enroll. Students can be accepted into either the Summer Institute in Dialogue (DIAL 390W and 391W, 10 units) or the Semester in Dialogue (fall or spring term, DIAL 390W, 391W and 392W, 15 units), but not both. Students with credit for DIAL 393 may not take this course for further credit. Writing/Breadth-Hum/Soc Sci.
Topics covered each term will vary, but generally each course will examine a subject that encourages broad approaches and probes provocative issues. The course will consist of discussions led by faculty, frequent visits from relevant off-campus experts, a heavy reading load, and a number of individual and group student projects. Learning will be active rather than passive, stimulating students to research, explore and discuss rather than following a lecture format. Prerequisite: 45 units. Students should apply prior to the term in which they wish to enroll. Students can be accepted into either the Summer Institute in Dialogue (DIAL 390W and 391W, 10 units) or the Semester in Dialogue (fall or spring semester, DIAL 390W, 391W and 392W, 15 units) but not both. Students with credit for DIAL 394 may not take this course for further credit. Writing/Breadth-Hum/Soc Sci.
Individual topics for each term will vary each time these courses are offered. Topics will focus on a subject that encourages broad interdisciplinary approaches.
These courses also are eligible to fulfil electives in post baccalaureate diploma programs
Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements
Students admitted to Simon Fraser University beginning in the fall 2006 term must meet writing, quantitative and breadth requirements as part of any degree program they may undertake. See Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements for university-wide information.
WQB Graduation Requirements
A grade of C- or better is required to earn W, Q or B credit
| Requirement |
Units |
Notes | |
| W - Writing |
6 |
Must include at least one upper division course, taken at Simon Fraser University within the student's major subject; two courses (minimum three units each) |
|
| Q - Quantitative |
6 |
Q courses may be lower or upper division; two courses (total six units or more) | |
| B - Breadth |
18 |
Designated Breadth |
Must be outside the student's major subject, and may be lower or upper division: Two courses (total six units or more) Social Sciences: B-Soc |
|
6 |
Additional Breadth |
Two courses (total six units or more) outside the student's major subject (may or may not be B-designated courses, and will likely help fulfil individual degree program requirements). Students choosing to complete a joint major, joint honours, double major, two extended minors, an extended minor and a minor, or two minors may satisfy the breadth requirements (designated or not designated) with courses completed in either one or both program areas. |
|
Residency Requirements and Transfer Credit
- At least half of the program's total units must be earned through Simon Fraser University study.
- At least two thirds of the program's total upper division units must be earned through Simon Fraser University study.
Elective Courses
In addition to the courses listed above, students should consult an academic advisor to plan the remaining required elective courses.