General Information

Mission
Program Background
Tom Barnes (1930-2010) and Thomas Garden Barnes Chair in Canadian Studies

Online Current Calendar of Semester Events
Program Activities and Conferences
Hildebrand Graduate Fellowship
Sproul Research Fellowship
Study Abroad
Canada Resources

Mission Statement

The Canadian Studies Program at the University of California at Berkeley was established in 1982, with the aim of institutionalizing the interdisciplinary study of Canada through instruction and research. We encourage and facilitate an awareness of Canadian issues on our own campus, in nearby institutions with no Canadian Studies programs of their own, and in the wider community as well.

Program Background

The Program was founded in 1982 by Thomas G. Barnes (Professor of History and Law) and Victor Jones (Professor Emeritus of Political Science). It is now directed by Professor Nelson Graburn (Professor Emeritus of Anthropology). The Program is assisted by an Advisory Board chaired by John A. Sproul.

In the past two decades the Program has developed into one of the leaders of Canadian Studies in the United States. Locally, our outreach efforts enable scholars and students at nearby institutions such as San Jose State University, Mills College, and St. Mary's College (none of which has its own Canadian Studies Program) to interact intellectually with Berkeley personnel, to our mutual enrichment. Through its extensive activities, which include regular symposia and colloquia and frequent conferences, the Program has achieved national prominence.

TOM BARNES and the BARNES CHAIR IN CANADIAN STUDIES

We are deeply saddened to announce that Tom Barnes, one of the founders of the Canadian Studies Program at Berkeley and one of its Co-Directors since its inception in 1982, died on March 9, 2010, just short of his eightieth birthday. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers any gifts in Tom's memory be directed to the Thomas Garden Barnes Chair in Canadian Studies, described here. Gifts may be made online via a secure site linked to below; or checks made out to "UC Regents" for the Barnes Chair endowment fund may be sent to Rita Ross at the address above.

We have received a number of wonderful tributes to Tom which we would like to share:

• Tom's close friend and colleague in the Department of History, Sheldon Rothblatt, has written a memorial essay about Tom's life and career.

• The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, P.C., M.P., Minister of Foreign Affairs, has given permission for us to post his letter to Jeanne Marie Barnes.

• Professor Emeritus Philip T. Spieth has written a remembrance of Tom focusing on his dedication to Military Affairs at Berkeley, here.
• One of Tom's former students has created a Facebook page where messages and reminiscences about Tom may be posted: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Remembering-Thomas-Barnes/371513592664?ref=mf

Tom was a wonderful man and a great scholar. He will be missed by family, friends, colleagues, students, and all who had the privilege of knowing him.

In the year 2000 the Government of Canada offered a generous seed grant to inaugurate a Campaign for an endowed Chair in Canadian Studies.  With the help of many small and several large gifts from individuals, foundations, and corporations we are pleased to announce that the drive was successfully completed in the Fall of 2005. In recognition for his many years of devoted service to Canadian Studies at Berkeley and throughout North America, the Chair was named the Thomas Garden Barnes Chair in Canadian Studies. Nelson Graburn is the first holder of the Barnes Chair.

Although Tom Barnes retired at the end of the Fall 2005 semester after 45½ years on the Berkeley faculty, delighted he continuesd to take an active part in Canadian Studies activities and remained co-director of the Canadian Studies Program with Nelson Graburn until his death.   

The Chair includes the Edward Hildebrand Fellowship Fund for Berkeley to support graduate study  in fields related to the Canadian Studies Program. Over the years a number of graduate students have produced theses and dissertations on Canadian topics or with a Canadian comparative approach. They have gone on to academic or business careers where they in turn help to raise awareness about Canada . The Hildebrand endowment for graduate education will enable the Program to attract even more talented graduate students at Berkeley to the study of Canada

 We hope to increase the endowment for the Chair. Those interested in learning more about how they might sponsor our activities or contribute to our mission are invited to contact us. Please see the Give to Cal Gateway  to make a donation to the Canadian Studies Program.  We thank most warmly those who have supported Canadian Studies at Berkeley over the years.

Original Campaign Case Statement

Berkeley Program for Study Abroad

The University of California at Berkeley has an exchange program with the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. Information about the Berkeley Programs for Study Abroad may be found at the BPSA website. Particularly interested in Canada? Please look at the general information on the website first, then contact the EAP Regional Advisor for Canada, Nadine Gerdes (510 642-1356), for further information.

Last updated 04/20/10:rr