THIS MONTH IN FASS
The latest news and events from the Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences at Dalhousie University

The FASS Monthly E-Newsletter - November 2025

FASS GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

In this month's issue of the FASS students e-newsletter, you'll find important announcements of upcoming events and opportunities offered by many units in FASS including the Black and African Diaspora Studies program, the Centre for Jewish Studies, the Fountain School of Performing Arts, and the departments of French, German, International Development Studies, and Sociology & Social Anthropology. Further announcements include details about entering the 2026 SSHRC Storytellers Challenge, announcements from the Faculty of Graduate Studies, an information session hosted by the University of King's College about a field course in Florence, Italy, events hosted by Dal Libraries and an info session about the Dal Innovates Launch Program. Find all that and more in the Novemeber edition of the newsletter. Enjoy!

Academic Assistance for FASS Students

Advising for FASS Students

FASS students are welcome to visit Dr. Becca Babcock, Assistant Dean of Student Matters, for academic advice or help with university regulations and policies. Come and ask Dr. Babcock about academic dismissals and probation, waiver requests, grade changes, or what to do if your grades aren't what you'd hoped they would be. 

In-Person or Online Meetings by Appointment: 

Please email asstdeanfass@dal.ca to schedule an in-person or virtual appointment with Dr. Babcock.

Wednesday Drop-Ins: 

Wednesdays from 9:30 am - 12:30 pm in the Office of the Dean, room 3030 of the Marion McCain Arts and Social Sciences Building. 

Beagle at the Bissett

Thursdays from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm in the Bissett Student Success Centre (4th floor Student Union Building) with Luna the Therapy Dog.

Come and talk to Dr. Babcock or an academic advisor from the Bissett Centre, and get to know Luna the Beagle while you're there! 

Please note that Beagle at the Bissett will be cancelled on Thursday, November 13 during Reading Week.


Luna is a St John Ambulance Therapy Dog. She provides comfort and companionship. No medical or psychiatric services are offered during these sessions. For mental health support, please visit the Mental Health Services at Dalhousie's Student Health and Wellness. 
Allergy warning: a dog will be present. 
 

ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM FASS DEPARTMENTS & PROGRAMS

Black and African Diaspora Studies Program

Cuba’s Life Task: Cuba’s Resilience & Blueprint for Climate Survival

Wednesday, November 5th at 7:00 pm
Room 1011, Kenneth Rowe Building
6100 University Avenue
Dalhousie University
Halifax, Nova Scotia 

Join us for the Halifax screening of Tarea Vida de Cuba, Combatiendo el Cambio Climático – Cuba's Life Task: Combatting Climate Change, a powerful documentary that explores Cuba’s ambitious and urgent plan to confront the existential threat of climate change. 

The film will be introduced by Dr. Helen Yaffe (Professor, School of Social & Political Sciences, University of Glasgow)— a leading Cuba specialist and one of the producers, as well as the narrator, main writer, and researcher for the documentary. The screening will be followed by discussion on the lessons Cuba’s approach offers for global struggles against climate catastrophe and for building a more sustainable, just, and humane future.

Learn more

Organized by Black & African Diaspora Studies-Dalhousie University, and the Nova Scotia Cuba Association.
 

French Department

An evening of short films and discussion

On Friday, November 7, 2025, the Lebanese Film Festival in Canada, Dalhousie University, and Alliance Française in Halifax are pleased to invite you to an evening of short films and discussion.

This event is part of the ninth edition of the Lebanese Film Festival in Halifax and will take place at Dalhousie University.
7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Kenneth C Rowe Management (6100 University Avenue, Halifax).
Room 1020.

During the evening, you can enjoy nearly an hour and a half of cinema in French, English, and Arabic. After the screening of the short films, there will be a Q&A session with the audience.  At the crossroads of experimental cinema, fiction, and documentary, this program is intended for both film lovers and curious minds.

This event is free upon registration, book your ticket on the Lebanese Film Festival website.
 

Irène Oore French Lecture Series

As part of the Irène Oore French Lecture Series, Dr. John Edwards, Senior Research Professor from St. Francis Xavier University, will be giving a talk on:

"The Perfect Language"   
Friday, November 21, 2025
3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Marion McCain Arts and Social Sciences Building
Room 2016

A reception will follow. All are welcome!

 

German Department

Are you a FASS student who still needs to complete the language requirement credits?

In the Winter semester, GERM1010 - Accelerated Beginner German combines the content of GERM1003 and GERM1004 in one intensive one-term course for a full 6 credits. It meets Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 1:05-2:25pm. Register now!
 

International Development Studies Department

Research Presentation by Killam Postdoctoral Fellow Dr. Sucharita Sen

Love, Logic, and Lineage: Mapping Matrimonial Modernity in Kolkata
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Marion McCain Arts and Social Sciences Building
Room 2198

All are welcome to this talk to learn about Dr. Sen's research and upcoming field work. Learn more.

Sociology & Social Anthropology Department

SOSA Speaker Series event featuring Dr. Pauline Hoebanx, Saint Mary's University
on Friday, November 21st, 2025.  The details are as follows below:

Navigating Tradition in Neoliberal Times: The Strategic Femininity of Red Pill Women

The manosphere, a network of predominantly male online communities, is known for its antifeminist and misogynistic ideologies, often advocating traditional gender hierarchies and opposing feminist movements. While most of these spaces are male-dominated, there are also communities of women who support and participate in the promotion of these ideas. This talk examines one such community: the Red Pill Women subreddit.
 

Announcements from the Sociology & Social Anthropology Society

SOSA Society – Collage Night

Whether you’re in SOSA or not, come to our collage night where we will provide canvases and magazines for you to create your very own collage.
Happening on November 19 from 6pm-8pm. For more details, please visit our Instagram @dal.sosa.society

SOSA Society – Study Night

Come study with us! You can study in groups, or on your own. Feel free to swing by an ask upper year students questions about any SOSA classes you’re taking. For more details, please visit our Instagram @dal.sosa.society
 

Fountain School of Performing Arts

Each year, students of the Fountain School of Performing Arts collaboratively bring to life numerous stage productions,  music ensemble concerts, and a free noon'ish hour live music series guided by faculty and inspired by guest artists. 

Upcoming performances scheduled for November include:

Music Room's Chamber Series II
Wednesday, November 5th at 7:30 pm
Joseph Strug Concet Hall

DalJazz Ensemble with All City Jazz
Wednesday, November 26th at 7:30 pm
Joseph Strug Concert Hall

DalOpera presents Little Women
Thursday, November 27th - Saturday, November 29th at 7:30pm
Sunday, November 30th at 2pm
Sir James Dunn Theatre


See the 2025-2026 Fountain School of Performing Arts season here.
 

Centre for Jewish Studies

Scholar/Artist-in-Residence: Dr. Noam Sienna 
Monday, November 17th – Friday, November 21st

The Centre for Jewish Studies welcomes its first scholar/artist in residence, Dr. Noam Sienna, for a week-long residency featuring practical workshops in Hebrew calligraphy, an academic lecture, and a letterpress printing demonstration at NSCAD.

Learn more

 

Hands-on Workshops: Introduction to Hebrew Calligraphy 

Learn about the development of Hebrew letter forms and try your hand at Hebrew calligraphy with an expert guide. Materials will be provided. 

WORKSHOP 1:
Monday, November 17th 
7:00-8:00pm
Shaar Shalom Congregation
1981 Oxford St, Halifax

WORKSHOP 2 (limited spots):
Wednesday, November 19th
11:35 am – 12:25pm
Classics Library, Marion McCain Building 1184
6135 University Ave, Halifax
Please RSVP at jewish.studies@dal.ca and be sure to specify which workshop you will attend. 

Learn more

The Third Century of Hebrew at King’s and Dalhousie
Tuesday, November 18, 5:00-7:00 pm
The HMCS King’s Wardroom
6350 Coburg Rd, Halifax

Join Dalhousie faculty and special guest Dr. Noam Sienna for drinks, kosher appetizers, and door prizes to celebrate the third century of instruction in Classical Hebrew – and to envision its future. 

Learn more

Please RSVP at this link or by emailing jewish.studies@dal.ca. 
 

Lecture: ‘Printed in Ishmael’s Realm’: The Theology of Jewish Printing in Ottoman Constantinople

Tuesday, November 18th
11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Classics Library, Marion McCain Building 1184
6135 University Ave, Halifax

Please join us for a lecture given by Dr. Noam Sienna (University of Toronto). Free lunch will be served!

Learn more

Lunchtime talk: "'The reason I am who I am is my dick' (Lil Dicky): Scripting and Rescripting the Racialized Jewish Body"
Tuesday, November 25th, 12:30 – 2:00pm
McCain Arts & Social Sciences Building, Room 2020

Join us for a talk by Jamie Moshin (Instructor of Contemporary Studies, University of King’s College).

Learn more 
Dalhousie University