Janet Wesselius, PhD (Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam), MPhilF (Institute for Christian Studies), BAHons, First Class (University of Alberta)

Area of Study / Keywords

feminist epistemology philosophy of science Canadian philosophy social and political thought philosophy of religion

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Research

My research explores thought, knowing, and ideas especially pertaining to science, technology, and sustainability; religion; Canadian philosophy; and the Canadian social and political landscape, often through a feminist framework. Recently, my edited book, Consumption and the Literary Cookbook, received the South Atlantic Modern Language Association Studies Book Award 2021, and I served as the guest co-editor for the American Review of Canadian Studies; and was the Scholar-in-Residence-for-Arts-Research-in-Nanotechnology.

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Teaching

AUART 260 - Selected Topics in Art History

Selected topics in Art History possibly, but not necessarily, linked to a course that would later visit sites of art and visual culture.

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AUCSL 360 - Community Service-Learning Practicum

Content varies from year to year but will include a significant service component. Topics and credit value announced prior to registration period. Pre/corequisite: consent of the instructor. Note: AUCSL 360 is classified as an arts course. Requires payment of additional student instructional support fees. Refer to the Tuition and Fees page in the University Regulations section of the Calendar.

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AUCSL 480 - Directed Study in Community Service-Learning

Individual study opportunity on topics for which no specific course is currently offered. Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor based on completion of a CSL placement (a record of courses and students can be found in the Learning and Beyond office).

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AUGDS 223 - Development Studies Practicum

By working in an African, Asian, or Latin American country in projects dealing with such issues as health care, water aid,sustainable farming, developing cooperatives, and education, the student becomes familiar with various aspects of an integrated approach to development. Prerequisite: Consent of the selection committee. Note: Credit may be obtained for only one of AUGDS 223, 323, AUSPA 241, 341.

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AUIDS 292 - Integrative Studies (Cuba)

This is a mandatory course for all students attending the Augustana in Cuba program. The course will integrate various disciplinary considerations with the student's experiences while living and studying for a semester in Cuba. Themes will include: Cuban society and culture, Cuba in a Latin American context, Cuba and the world. Note: Credit may be obtained for only one of AUIDS 292 and AUSPA 250. The course is available only as part of the Cuba semester abroad program. Requires payment of additional student instructional support fees. Refer to the Tuition and Fees page in the University Regulations section of the Calendar.

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AUPHI 210 - Epistemology: Theories of Knowledge

Study of such central topics in epistemology as foundationalism, truth and rationality, skepticism and the limits of knowledge, relativism and the objectivity of knowledge, evidence and verifiability, and belief and justification.

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AUPHI 260 - Ethics

Examination of questions of right and wrong, good and evil, and reasons for action, through study of ethical theories of philosophers such as Plato, Aristotle, Kant, and Mill.

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AUPOL 239 - Cuban Government and Politics

Survey of Cuban state institutions, political ideas, the Organs of Popular Power, the Communist Party of Cuba, and mass organizations. Note: Credit may be obtained for only one of AUPOL 239 and AUSPA 252. The course is available only as part of the Cuba semester abroad program.

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AUSOC 279 - Women in Contemporary Cuba

Sociological examination of the life of women in contemporary Cuba, focusing on the experience of women within families, workplaces, and education. Note: Credit may be obtained for only one of AUSOC 279 and AUSPA 253. The course is available only as part of the Cuba semester abroad program.

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AUSPA 103 - Introductory Spanish I

Introduction to the Spanish language designed to develop functional oral skills and a rudimentary reading and writing ability in Spanish through class instruction, seminars, and immersion experience, including living with Spanish speakers. Corequisite: Participation in the Cuba semester abroad program. Notes: Credit may be obtained for only one of AUSPA 101 and 103.

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AUSPA 104 - Introductory Spanish II

Continuation of introduction to the Spanish language designed to develop functional oral skills and a rudimentary reading and writing ability in Spanish through class instruction, seminars, and immersion experience, including living with Spanish speakers. Prerequisite: AUSPA 101 or 103. Corequisite: Participation in the Cuba semester abroad program. Notes: Credit may be obtained for only one of AUSPA 102 and 104.

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AUSPA 203 - Intermediate Spanish I

Stress on oral communication through immersion, including living with native Spanish speakers. A continuation of speaking, listening, reading and writing skills and understanding Hispanic culture that was begun at the first year level of Spanish. Completion of the verb system and introduction to translation and interpretation. Prerequisite: AUSPA 102 or 104. Corequisite: Participation in the Cuba semester abroad program. Notes: Credit may be obtained for only one of AUSPA 201, 203.

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AUSPA 204 - Intermediate Spanish II

A continuation of AUSPA 203. Stress on oral communication through immersion, including living with native Spanish speakers. A continuation of speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills and understanding Hispanic culture that was begun at the first year level of Spanish. Completion of the verb system and introduction to translation and interpretation. Prerequisite: AUSPA 201 or 203. Corequisite: Participation in the Cuba semester abroad program. Notes: Credit may be obtained for only one of AUSPA 202, and 204.

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AUSPA 241 - Development Studies Practicum

By working in a Latin American country in projects dealing with such issues as health care, water aid, sustainable farming, developing co-operatives, and education, the student becomes familiar with various aspects of and integrated approach to development. Prerequisite: Consent of the selection committee. Notes: Credit may be obtained for only one of AUSPA 241, 341, AUGDS 223, 323.

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AUSPA 250 - Integrated Studies (Cuba)

This is a mandatory course for all students attending the Augustana-in-Cuba program. The course will integrate various disciplinary considerations with the student's experiences while living and studying for a semester in Cuba. Themes will include: Cuban society and culture, Cuba in a Latin American context, Cuba and the world. Notes: Credit may be obtained for only one of AUSPA 250 and AUIDS 292. The course is available only as part of the Cuba semester abroad program. Costs of the program beyond and including regular tuition are the responsibility of the student. Requires payment of additional student instructional support fees. Refer to the Tuition and Fees page in the University Regulations section of the Calendar.

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AUSPA 252 - Cuban Government and Politics

Survey of Cuban state institutions, political ideas, the Organs of Popular Power, the Communist Party of Cuba, and mass organizations. Notes: Credit may be obtained for only one of AUSPA 252 and AUPOL 239. The course is available only as part of the Cuba semester abroad program.

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AUSPA 253 - Women in Contemporary Cuba

Sociological examination of the life of women in contemporary Cuba, focusing on the experience of women within families, workplaces and education. Notes: Credit may be obtained for only one of AUSPA 253 and AUSOC 279. The course is available only as part of the Cuba semester abroad program.

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AUSPA 303 - Advanced Spanish I

Designed to develop further the comprehension, speaking, writing and reading skills acquired in Intermediate Spanish through classroom instruction, excursions and immersion experience, including living with native Spanish speakers. Improvement in overall fluency, enhanced knowledge of Hispanic culture and review of key grammatical concepts are integral to the course. Prerequisite: AUSPA 202 or 204. Corequisite: Participation in the Cuba semester abroad program. Notes: Credit may be obtained for only one of AUSPA 301 and 303.

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AUSPA 304 - Advanced Spanish II

Continuation of AUSPA 303. Designed to develop further the comprehension, speaking, writing and reading skills acquired in Intermediate Spanish through classroom instruction, excursions and immersion experience, including living with native Spanish speakers. Improvement in overall fluency, enhanced knowledge of Hispanic culture and review of key grammatical concepts are integral to the course. Prerequisite: AUSPA 301 or 303. Corequisite: Participation in the Cuba semester abroad program. Notes: Credit may be obtained for only one of AUSPA 302 and 304.

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AUSPA 341 - Development Studies Practicum

By working in a Latin American country in projects dealing with such issues as health care, water aid, sustainable farming, developing co-operatives, and education, the student becomes familiar with various aspects of and integrated approach to development. Prerequisite: Consent of the selection committee. Notes: Credit may be obtained for only one of AUSPA 241, 341, AUGDS 223, 323.

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AUSPA 402 - Directed Study: Language

Intensive study of a specific area of Spanish as defined by the student and supervising instructor. Prerequisites: 15 units at a senior level in Spanish, including at least 3 units at the 300 level, and consent of the instructor. Note: An Application for Individual Study must be completed and approved before registration in the course.

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AUSPA 403 - Directed Study: Literature

Intensive study of a specific area of Spanish as defined by the student and supervising instructor. Prerequisites: 15 units at a senior level in Spanish, including at least 3 units at the 300 level, and consent of the instructor. Note: An Application for Individual Study must be completed and approved before registration in the course.

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AUSPA 404 - Advanced Spanish III

Designed to develop further the comprehension, speaking, writing and reading skills acquired in Advanced Spanish through classroom instruction, excursions and immersion experience, including living with native Spanish speakers. Improvement in overall fluency, enhanced knowledge of Hispanic culture and review of key grammatical concepts are integral to the course. Prerequisite: AUSPA 302 or AUSPA 304. Corequisite: Participation in the Cuba semester abroad program.

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Browse more courses taught by Janet Wesselius

Wesselius, Janet

Dialogue: Canadian Philosophical Review . 2026 April;

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Wesselius, Janet

2021 October; 10.1080/02722011.2021.1943693

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Wesselius, Janet; Elizabeth Trott; Robert Timko

American Review of Canadian Studies . 2021 October; 51 (3):365-377

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Girlhood Studies. 2021 March; 14 (1):139-141

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Wesselius, Janet; Roxanne Harde

Routledge. 2020 November;

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Janet Wesselius

2017 January;

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Wesselius, Janet

The Toronto Journal of Theology. 2014 January; 10.3138/tjt.2853

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Wesselius, Janet; Ronald A. Kuipers

University Press of America. 2002 October;

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