The Department of Politics and International Studies offers the following programs of study: Honours, Major and Minor in Political Studies; Minor in Public Administration and Public Policy; Honours, Major and Minor in International Studies; Honours and Major in International Political Economy.
PROGRAM | Honours* | Major | Minor |
Political Studies | 60 | 48 | 24 |
Public Administration and Public Policy | X | X | 24 |
International Studies | 60 | 48 | 24 |
International Political Economy** | 60 | 48 | X |
* Grade requirements – To enter or continue in an Honours program, students must normally obtain and sustain a cumulative average of 75%. Honours students in Political Studies must also maintain a satisfactory pattern of performance in all of their Political Studies courses, and should not receive grades below 75 % in more than a quarter of their Political Studies credits. ** Offered jointly by the Departments of Economics & Politics and International Studies | |||
Program Introduction
Politics and International Studies provides students with a working knowledge
of society and how decisions are made. Governments, politicians, leaders in private industry and ordinary individuals function within a framework of accepted political norms, e.g. notions of justice, freedom, rights and duties. Over time, these received norms are challenged by conventional methods such as voting, political parties, interest group lobbying and protest movements; or the challenge may be by militant or revolutionary means such as radical Marxism, fascist organizations or discrete acts of terrorism. Politics and International Studies systematically examines and presents these phenomena.
Knowing the political system increases one's capacity for choice. Therefore, a knowledge of Canadian, provincial or local politics presents the student with greater opportunities and advantages within his or her society. Politics and International Studies also explores other political systems, e.g. the American presidential system, the European Union, communist and post-communist political systems and the impact of the new states on the emerging political economy of a new international order. The discipline allows for a critical evaluation of society and its institutions through a study of the history of political theory; in addition, the student may engage in a problem solving approach through empirical policy research using survey methods.
A degree in Politics and International Studies may lead to further specialization, e.g. an M.A. in a one year programme, or a Ph.D. It is also a preparation for professional studies in law, teaching, journalism and public administration. Our graduates have a very high success rate in being admitted to Law and Graduate Schools.
Lectures, seminars and individual tutorials are normal methods of instruction and the department stresses personal contact with students as much as possible in order to assist students in choosing a postgraduate career in government, business or the academic field.
Guest lectures are frequently given by visiting politicians, academics, interest group representatives and industry leaders.
The program
The programme is divided into seven divisions: I) General Introductory Courses, II) Canadian Politics, III) Political Theory, IV) Comparative Politics: International and Public Affairs, V) International Relations, VI) Empirical Theory and Methods, VII) Honours Thesis, Independent Studies and Practicum.
Majors and Honours students will normally take the two general introductory courses and a selection of courses from each of the other divisions. This ensures that graduates will have a wide knowledge of different areas of Politics and International Studies.
Honours in Politics and International Studies
An Honours program in Politics and International Studies consists of at least 60 credits.
Major in Politics and International Studies
A Major program in Politics and International Studies consists of at least 48 credits.
Minor in Politics and International Studies
A Minor in Politics and International Studies consists of at least 24 credits.
Bachelor of Arts (Major and Honours) in International Political Economy
These programs are offered jointly by the Departments of Economics & Politics and International Studies. As an area of academic inquiry, International Political Economy examines the relations between modes of production and distribution in the private and public spheres. Note that, in light of the impacts of globalization pressures on the political economies of the state, these programs have a decidedly international focus.
The B.A. Major Program in International Political Economy consists of at least 48 credits, with 24 credits drawn from Politics and International Studies and 24 from Economics. The Honours program in International Political Economy consists of at least 60 credits, with 30 credits drawn from Politics and International Studies and 30 from Economics.
Honours, Major and Minor in International Studies NEW
See complete details about the International Studies program
Minor in Public Administration and Public Policy
This minor consists of 8 courses (24 credits). Politics and International Studies requirements include 3 courses (9 credits). The remaining 5 courses (15 credits) must be selected from among a variety of Politics and International Studies, Economics, and Businesss courses. It is expected that students will be given opportunities to become better acquainted with public servants and public policy analysts in the Canadian, provincial and international contexts.
For complete details, view the Political Studies section of the academic calendar.
