General Education

Students in regular day programs leading to a Diploma of College Studies (DEC) in Quebec must all take the general education courses that are common to all programs. Students take courses in English, French, Humanities, Physical Education, as well as complementary courses. Your exact course sequence will depend on your program and profile, as well as your language status.

Language Courses

English Courses

The English component of the General Education curriculum is designed to help students develop strong communication skills and introduce them to important literary and cultural works. Each course includes 4 hours of instruction per week.

The four courses are:

603-101-MQ: Introduction to College English
603-102-MQ Literary Genres
603-103-MQ Literary Themes in Poetry
603-BNR-LW Long Fiction

French Courses

As of Fall 2024, the latest installment of Law 14 is in effect. Depending on your eligibility to study in English and, for certificate holders, on your level of French, this is how it impacts the French courses you must take:

Certificate holders	5 French as a second language courses
Certificate holders who are proficient in French	2 French as a second language courses • 1 program course in French 1 general education course in French 1 complementary course in French
Non-certificate holders	3 French courses (preparation for the Épreuve uniforme de français) 1 program course in French 1 general education course in French

Some students may have to take a remedial French course before commencing their French course sequence.

Humanities courses

In the Humanities courses, students will develop critical thinking skills and a deeper understanding of the world around them. These three courses are:

345-101-MQ Knowledge
345-102-MQ World Views
345-BNR-LW Ethics

Physical Education Courses

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A wide range of physical activities and approaches is offered in our three Physical Education courses. The following activities have been offered in recent years:

Athletic Excellence	Badminton
Basketball	Stress Management
Team Sports	Spinning
Ultimate Frisbee	Soccer
Volleyball	Personal Fitness
Winter Camping	Mountain Biking
Winter Outdoors	Hiking
General Fitness	Cross-country Running
Yoga	Golf

Complementary Courses

For your two complementary courses, St. Lawrence offers a great variety of options in the fall, winter or both semesters. Depending on your program, some of your choices may include:

Arts & Communication

Art: Peinture
Creative Writing

Culture & Language

Cultural Experience Abroad: Trip to a Foreign Destination
Introduction to Indigenous Cultures
Spanish

The Social World

Journalism and New Media
History of Sexuality, Women and Family in the Western World

Health & Wellness

The Human Body
Mental Health

Science & Technology

The Art of the Bonsai
Computers Today
Introduction to Sustainable Development
The Science of Science Fiction

Politics & Law

International Relations
Introduction to Politics
CSI St. Lawrence (Crime Scene Investigation)

Our Programs

St. Lawrence is proud to offer several excellent programs across a variety of subjects. No matter what your interests are, you are sure to find a program that’s right for you.

See all our programs