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Course Information
Please note that the Western Academic Calendar is the most accurate and up-to-date source. In the event of any discrepancy between this page and the Academic Calendar, the Calendar takes precedence.
Please also note that not all courses are offered each year. This list is intended as a general guide and tracker of possible course offerings.
Timetables for Current & Recent Terms
Navigate fall, winter, and summer session course offerings, instructors, and timetable details for current and upcoming terms.
Undergraduate Course Offerings
1000 Level Courses
The first year 1000 level courses, Politics 1025F/G and 1026F/G, provide an overview of the discipline and introduce students to important skills, such as essay writing.
2100 Level Courses
Courses at the 2100 level are intended for students in our Minors module and students not enrolled in the Major or Honours Specialization programs. These courses are topical and do not have essay designations.
2200 Level Courses
Courses at the 2200 level are intended to be surveys of specific subfields in Political Science. Material covered in these courses is more detailed than in Political Science 1020E. Expectations and assignments are more rigorous; essay writing and oral communication skills are expected to develop beyond the introductory level, where appropriate.
3000 Level Courses
Courses at the 3000 level build upon what has been learned in Political Science courses at lower levels. These courses provide students with an opportunity to delve deeper into more specific topics. The assignments and readings are more demanding than at the 2200 level, with an emphasis on developing higher-level writing and argumentation skills.
4000 Level Courses
Courses at the 4000 level are intended to be capstones for the Honours Specialization program. These courses are unique, small seminars that are focused on intriguing topics. Student participation is emphasized and students are given the opportunity to synthesize and more thoroughly develop their knowledge and skills in their course work.
4490E Thesis Course
A student seeking to register in 4490E Thesis Course will be required to have at least an 80% average in all Political Science courses taken. Only fourth-year Honours Specialization students are eligible, provided there is a faculty member willing to supervise the student's work.
1000 Level Courses
This course will introduce students to the key ideas and ideologies which organize and inspire political action, such as liberalism, conservatism, socialism, feminism, and nationalism. It will also examine the institutional setting within which politics takes place, including states, political regimes, and more specific forms of government.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 1020E
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours
This course introduces students to the role of power in politics at all levels, including economic, social, and cultural influences on political power. It will promote understanding of the evolution of states, and the international system of states and explore political participation, from elections and parties to social movements.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 1020E
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours
Course Weight: 0.5
This course provides a beginner with a political science approach to Canada. The class introduces important aspects of Canadian politics and governance, focusing on Canada’s political and legal system, its Indigenous foundations, its political, social, and economic characteristics, and key policy debates.
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 0.5
2000 Level Courses
A conceptual and historical examination of 'capitalism' and 'democracy' and of various understandings of the relationship between them. The course will examine: the relationship of capitalism and democracy to such ends as freedom, equality and justice; the economic, political and social aspects of capitalism and democracy.
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 0.5
Course Weight: 0.5
An examination of selected issues in Canadian politics. Each year the course will allow for inquiry into three or four issues of current interest, to be chosen by the instructor. In each area, the focus will be on understanding the status quo, and then analyzing proposals for change.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 2230E, Political Science 2530F/G, Political Science 2533F/G
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 0.5
Course Weight: 0.5
The course examines the United Nations' contributions to the resolution of diverse global problems. The course will assist the student to understand how the United Nations operates and to evaluate current United Nations policies and activities on a wide range of contemporary issues, including peace and security, economic development, human rights, and environmental protection.
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 1.0
A survey of the government, institutions, and political processes of Canada.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 2230E
Extra Information: 3 hours
Course Weight: 1.0
Course Weight: 1.0
A study of the factors governing international relations: the United Nations; the foreign policies of such countries as the USA, Russia, UK, France, China and Canada.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 2231E
Extra Information: 3 hours
Course Weight: 1.0
Course Weight: 1.0
An examination of the role and place of the provinces within the Canadian federal system. The course provides an introduction to federal-provincial relations in Canada.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 2130, Political Science 2230E, Political Science 2530F/G, Political Science 2533F/G, the former Political Science 2234E
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
Course Weight: 0.50
Using lectures including with guest experts and diplomats, this course will help you understand Canada’s role in the world that confronts us. The lectures survey current topics including ballistic missile defence, disarmament, free trade, nuclear proliferation and peacekeeping. Guest lectures help understand the roots of terrorism, the causes of environmentally-induced warfare over resources and the Arctic, and the foreseeable impact of population growth and migration on refugee policy.
Extra Information: 2 hours.
Course Weight: 0.50
An examination of human impacts on the earth's ecosystems, and the political responses to these impacts, with particular attention to the effects of industrial technologies and economic patterns, and the underlying values that support these. This course will draw upon concepts from economics, geography, and biology, as well as political science.
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 1.00
This course critically discusses the history and development of globalization and the cultural, social, religious and political impacts of an interconnected world. Topics include: global financial crisis and governance; global production and trade; rising fundamentalism and religious backlash; cultural homogeneity and westernization; global social movements and protest; global environmental issues.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 2257; Political Science 2191A/B if taken in 2010-11 or 2011-12.
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
Using lectures including experts and diplomats, this course helps you understand violence and injustice in International Relations (IR). The lectures survey modern instruments of warfare including atomic, biological, and chemical weapons, as well as cyberwarfare and drones. We focus on the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, nuclear modernization, and nuclear waste. Experts propose options for armed intervention and peacekeeping operations, and explore the roots of media violence, climate injustice, gender violence, human rights violations, and refugee movements.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 2192A/B if taken in 2012-13 or 2013-14
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
This course is designed to introduce students to the complex relationship between politics and media in different political systems. It explores how media systems operate and how they influence politics. Topics range from ownership structures (who owns the media and why it matters), to elections, infotainment, social media, and propaganda.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 2190 if taken in 2016-17
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
Television is one of the means by which the pulse of politics and society is measured by political actors. This course will critically examine politics and television, focused on Canada and the US politics-focused shows. It will consider three types of political shows: political satire, political comedy, and political drama.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 2192A/B if taken in 2017-18 or 2018-19
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
Course Weight: 0.50
On 24 February 2022 Russia escalated and launched a full-scale war against Ukraine. This course gets behind the headlines and explores the what, why, and how of this brutal, unprovoked war in modern Europe. Themes include hybrid warfare, disinformation, geo-politics, international law, humanitarian impact, and more.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 2192A/B if taken in 2022-23
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
Course Weight: 0.50
The basic principles of public administration in the modern state, including organization, procedures and the relation of administration to policy making.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 2246E
Extra Information: 3 hours
Course Weight: 1.00
Course Weight: 1.00
Topic available in Department.
Extra Information: 2 hours
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
Using lectures including experts and diplomats, this course helps you understand diplomacy and peace in International Relations (IR). The lectures survey traditional instruments of diplomacy including alliances, nuclear threats as well as NATO and peacekeeping. We focus on how to prevent terrorism, war in Europe, international diseases and on learning lessons from game theory for cooperation. Experts explore diverse options to enhance global governance including the UN’s Sustainable Development goals and UN peacekeeping operations while diplomats help explore future challenges for humankind including population explosions, nuclear proliferation, growth pressures and refugee movements.
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
Topic available in Department.Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
2200 Level Courses
Topic available in Department.
Extra Information: 3 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
Topic available in Department.
Extra Information: 3 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
Topic available in Department.
Extra Information: 3 hours
Course Weight: 1.00
This course introduces students to interdisciplinary studies of transitional justice and post-conflict reconstruction, with emphasis on questions of conflict. Students will examine key concepts and explore theoretical problems in confronting and seeking solutions to the aftermath of large-scale events of social violence, including war, genocide, and authoritarian rule.
Antirequisite(s): Transitional Justice 2001F/G
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours, 1 tutorial hour
Course Weight: 0.50
This course examines the politics of economic issues. It focuses on the competition between free market and interventionist economic ideas and how businesses, unions, think tanks and lobby groups seek to influence government policy across various issue areas such as taxes, spending, trade, finance, regulation, the environment, recessions and competitiveness.
Extra Information: 3 hours
Course Weight: 1.00
This course surveys the various ways leadership has been defined and treated theoretically and explores real world cases concerning how leaders exercise leadership, particularly in complex or challenging conditions. The course illustrates why and how some leaders are important, unpredictable and creative agents with much capacity to influence political outcomes.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 1020E or both MOS 1021A/B and MOS 1023A/B
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 1.00
An examination of selected problems in Canadian government and politics, such as federalism, political parties and pressure groups.
Antirequisite(s) at Main campus, King's campus: Political Science 2103A/B, Political Science 2130, Political Science 2133A/B, Political Science 2221F/G, Political Science 2223F/G, Political Science 2530F/G, Political Science 2533F/G. Antirequisite(s) at Huron campus: Political Science 2103A/B, Political Science 2130, Political Science 2133A/B, Political Science 2221F/G, Political Science 2223F/G
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 1020E
Extra Information: 3 hours
Course Weight: 1.00
This course surveys contemporary world politics and examines contending theories used by scholars and policymakers to make sense of international affairs. It also provides the conceptual tools and theories to interpret the international system.
Antirequisite(s) at Main campus, King's campus: Political Science 2131, Political Science 2231W/X, Political Science 2531F/G, Political Science 2532F/G. Antirequisite(s) at Huron Campus: Political Science 2131, Political Science 2231W/X
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 1020E
Extra Information: 3 hours
Course Weight: 1.00
The structure and political processes of local government, including such subjects as provincial-municipal relations, finance, administration, and principles of urban and regional planning.
Antirequisite(s) at Huron: Political Science 2294G if taken in 2019-20, Political Science 2295F/G if taken in 2021-22 or 2022-23
Extra Information: 3 hours
Course Weight: 1.00
An examination of central themes and issues in the history of political thought from ancient to modern times.
Antirequisite(s) at Main Campus: Philosophy 2800F/G, Philosophy 2801F/G, Philosophy 2802E, Political Science 2237W/X, Political Science 2537F/G, Political Science 2538F/G, the former Philosophy 2802E. Antirequisite(s) at Huron Campus: Philosophy 2800F/G, Philosophy 2802E, Political Science 2237W/X, the former Philosophy 2801F/G. Antirequisite(s) at King's Campus: Philosophy 2800F/G, Philosophy 2802E, Political Science 2237W/X, the former Philosophy 2801F/G, Political Science 2537F/G, Political Science 2538F/G
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 1020E
Extra Information: 3 hours
Course Weight: 1.00
A study of the American Constitution, institutions of government and political processes.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 2217F/G, Political Science 2239F/G, Political Science 2544F/G
Extra Information: 3 hours
Course Weight: 1.00
Examines theoretical approaches to the study of comparative politics. The course introduces students to the methodology of comparative politics through the study of both developed and developing societies.
Antirequisite(s) at Main Campus and Huron Campus: Political Science 2545F/G
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 1020E
Extra Information: 3 hours
Course Weight: 1.00
This course explores many of the inner workings of government. Students will be introduced to selected research and issues in public administration and public policy in the context of Canada’s federal system. Topics include the politics-administration interface, intergovernmental relations, representative bureaucracy, the policy process, and citizen engagement, among others.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 2146, Political Science 2218F/G, Political Science 2546F/G, Political Science 2547F/G
Extra Information: 3 hours
Course Weight: 1.00
This course focuses on the participation and subordination of women in the processes of politics and examines ways of achieving greater equality for women in political life and society.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 2270E
Extra Information: 3 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
This course focuses on how women participate and effect political change. It examines women's subordination and the wide-range of emancipatory struggles women have undertaken to achieve equality.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 2255F/G, Political Science 3207F/G
Prerequisite(s): 1.0 Political Sciences course(s) at the 1000-level or GSWS 1020E or registration in Honours Specialization or Major modules in Social Justice and Peace Studies
Extra Information: 3 hours
Course Weight: 1.00
This course considers the operation of Canada's health care system and the public-policy initiatives designed to address the political and economic challenges of delivering health care services in Canada.
Antirequisite(s): Health Sciences 3400A/B
Extra Information: 3 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
A course that compares government policies for families in North America, Europe, and other parts of the world. Policies for child care, parental leave, income support, pensions and other areas are considered. Course shows how international comparisons can lead to better family policies in Canada and elsewhere.
Antirequisite(s): Family Studies and Human Development 2252A/B and the former Family Studies 2252A/B
Prerequisite(s): 1.0 Political Science course(s) at the 1000-level or permission of instructor
Extra Information: 3 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
An examination of government policies affecting families in Canada. Areas of family policy considered include child care, parental leave, income support, tax benefits, and pension arrangements. Course reveals the importance of government for Canadian families and their successful development.
Antirequisite(s): Family Studies and Human Development 2250A/B and the former Family Studies 2250A/B
Prerequisite(s): 1.0 Political Science course(s) at the 1000-level or permission of instructor
Extra Information: 3 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
A course which employs the theory of games to depict and resolve political situations involving an absence of cooperation. The prisoner’s dilemma, chicken, stag hunt, and the ultimatum game are some of the games applied to such key events as trade disputes, nuclear threats, and the provision of public goods.
Prerequisite(s): 1.0 Political Science course(s) at the 1000-level or permission of instructor
Extra Information: 3 lecture hours
Course Weight: 0.50
An introductory course which examines the key dimensions of political leadership: nature and significance of leadership, power and leadership, historical and modern approaches to political leadership, skills and competencies of leadership, and political leadership in practice.
Extra Information: 3.0 hours
Course Weight: 1.00
An introductory course that examines the differing conceptions of leadership, the use of power in the exercise of leadership, and the skills and competencies associated with successful leaders. Also considered is the significance of leadership and its application in the past and present.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 2290E
Prerequisite(s): 1.0 Political Science course(s) at the 1000-level or permission of instructor
Extra Information: 3 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
A course which investigates items in political science that are counter to common sense or elude explanation. Items that are considered include the decline of crime, the election of the unelectable, that failing is good, and other paradoxes in politics.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 1020E, Political Science 1021F/G and 1022F/G or permission of instructor
Extra Information: 3 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
This course introduces students to basic concepts and methods of research design in political science. Students will learn about how the scientific method of research can be applied to the study of human behaviour, adopting both qualitative or quantitative methods of analysis.
Antirequisite(s) at Main Campus: Political Science 3324F/G, Health Sciences 2801A/B, Psychology 2800E, Psychology 2820E, Psychology 2830A/B, Psychology 2840F/G, Psychology 2855F/G, Psychology 2856F/G, and Sociology 2206A/B
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 1020E or permission of the instructor
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
This course examines the causes and consequences of the current conflict in Ukraine. By looking at Russian and Ukrainian history, placing it in international context and exploring concepts such as state, empire, nation, and the role of mass media, it provides a larger framework for understanding what is happening today.
Antirequisite(s): History 2423F/G
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
This course examines the politics of economic issues. No prior economics training is required. It focuses on the competition between free market and interventionist economic ideas and how businesses, unions, and lobby groups seek to influence government policy on issues such as taxes, regulations, recessions, trade, finance, diversity, and labour.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 2211E
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours, 1 tutorial hour
Course Weight: 0.50
Canada is a country fraught with highly competitive and divergent interests and yet it continues to exist, somehow resisting the forces that should fragment and destroy it. What explains this situation? In this course, we survey the institutional and non-institutional forces that drive cooperation and conflict in Canada.
Antirequisite(s); Political Science 2230E, Political Science 2103A/B, Political Science 2130, Political Science 2133A/B, Political Science 2221F/G, Political Science 2223F/G
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 1020E or permission of the instructor
Extra Information: 2 hours + 1 tutorial hour
Course Weight: 0.50
This course provides an introduction to the complexity of the international system. It considers how actors act and interact, and how the structures created at the international level mediate those relationships. The course focuses on the evolution of these interactions, with attention to the tensions between state and non-state actors.
Antirequisite(s); Political Science 2231E, Political Science 2131, Political Science 2231W/X
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 1020E or permission of the instructor
Extra Information: 2 hours + 1 tutorial hour
Course Weight: 0.50
This course provides an introduction to the complexity of the international system. It considers the ways in which actors are able to act and interact with one another, and how the structures that have been created at the international level mediate those relationships. The course focuses on the evolution of these interactions, paying careful attention to the tensions between state and non-state actors.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 2231E, Political Science 2131, Political Science 2231W/X
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 1020E or permission of the instructor
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
This course explores ‘race’ as a stigmatizing force in Canadian politics and how laws and policies are constructed on the bedrock of whiteness. It examines how the racialization of Indigenous peoples, ethnoracialized groups and ethnoreligious minorities shapes contemporary controversies in the realms of law, public policy, policing and criminal justice.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 2230E,Political Science 2103A/B, Political Science 2130, Political Science 2133A/B, Political Science 2221F/G, Political Science 2223F/G
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 1020E or permission of the instructor
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
This course offers a topical survey of a very diverse field. It will address: (i) what is the purpose of the state? (ii) what is freedom and what are the limits of liberty? (iii) what is equality and should we pursue it? (iv) what is justice and how is it best achieved?
Antirequisite(s); Political Science 2237E, Philosophy 2800F/G, Philosophy 2801F/G, Philosophy 2802E, Political Science 2237W/X
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 1020E or permission of the instructor
Extra Information: 2 hours + 1 tutorial hour
Course Weight: 0.50
This course applies the concepts justice, equality, and liberty to relevant contemporary political issues including multiculturalism, race and sex, global justice, climate change, historical injustice, and immigration. The focus will be on teaching you how to critically review arguments and develop your own views of these matters.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 2237E, Philosophy 2800F/G, Philosophy 2801F/G, Philosophy 2802E, Political Science 2237W/X
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 1020E or permission of the instructor
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
This course introduces American politics by focusing on the Constitution, the institutions of the United States’ government and the processes and bodies that determine public policies. We will cover the Constitution and the major components of the U.S. political system including elections, voters, political parties and the branches of government.
Antirequisite(s); Political Science 2244E; Political Science 2200F/G if taken in 2019-20, Political Science 2217F/G, Political Science 2239F/G
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
This course sets out the major themes, concepts, and approaches used in comparative politics. It undertakes systematic comparisons of political developments and institutions while providing students with an introductory look at the character of national political life in a variety of areas of the world.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 2245E
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 1020E or permission of the instructor
Extra Information: 2 hours + 1 tutorial hour
Course Weight: 0.50
This course sets out the major themes, concepts, and approaches used in comparative politics. It undertakes systematic comparisons of political developments and institutions while providing students with an introductory look at the character of national political life in a variety of areas of the world.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 2245E
Prerequisite(s): 1.0 Political Science course(s) at the 1000-level
Extra Information: 2 hours + 1 tutorial hour
Course Weight: 0.50
This course explores many of the inner workings of government. Students will be introduced to selected research and issues in public administration in the context of Canada’s federal system. Topics include the machinery of government, the politics-administration dichotomy, intergovernmental relations, representative bureaucracy, accountability, and ethical dilemmas, among others.
Antirequisite(s); Political Science 2246E; Political Science 2201F/G if taken in 2020-21, Political Science 2146, Political Science 2218F/G
Extra Information: 2 hours + 1 tutorial hour
Course Weight: 0.50
This course introduces students to selected theories of the policy process in the context of Canada’s federal system. Students will acquire the knowledge and tools to examine government action or in-action in any policy area. An important skill set for active and informed citizenship.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 2246E; Political Science 2201F/G if taken in 2020-21, Political Science 2146, Political Science 2218F/G
Extra Information: 2 hours + 1 tutorial hour
Course Weight: 0.50
3000 Level Courses
This course explores issues inherent to regions facing the aftermath of large-scale events of social violence, including war, genocide, and authoritarian rule, with an emphasis on questions of justice and post-conflict reconstruction. Students will examine specific cases of recent attempts to establish just responses to conflict within affected communities.
Antirequisite(s): Transitional Justice 3001F/G
Prerequisite(s): One of Transitional Justice 2001F/G, Political Science 2203F/G, Political Science 2231E, Political Science 2245E, Political Science 2531F/G or Political Science 2545F/G
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours, 1 tutorial hour
Course Weight: 0.50
In what ways were the attacks of September 11th significant? This question is examined primarily using the 2001-2002 responses to the event of international relations theorists. Associated themes include "Terrorism", "Anti-Americanism", "American Exceptionalism", "Imperialism", "Legitimacy", "Democracy", "Globalization" and "International Law".
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E or Political Science 2531F/G, or International Relations 2704F/G, or the former International Relations 2701E or the former International Relations 2702E
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 1.00
This course explores the political implications of international law. It examines competing approaches and considers the nature of international law. International law is discussed in the context of contemporary issues, including dispute settlement, terrorism, humanitarian intervention, international impunity, the law of the sea, and human rights.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 3345E, Political Science 3369F/G
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E or Political Science 2531F/G, or Political Science 2245E or Political Science 2545F/G, or International Relations 2704F/G, or the former International Relations 2701E, or the former International Relations 2702E
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
This course interrogates global security issues through critical approaches, including feminist, Marxist and Gramscian, post-modern, environmentalist and post-colonial. It examines key dominant issues, such as nuclear weapons, but also alternative issues, such as racism in security policies, indigenous peoples' security, masculinity and warfare, and capitalism and the military-industrial complex.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E or Political Science 2531F/G, or Political Science 2245E or Political Science 2545F/G, or International Relations 2704F/G, or the former International Relations 2701E, or the former International Relations 2702E
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
Africa is growing in importance in International Relations. The place of Africa in world politics will be examined using the writings of prominent (mostly African) international relations theorists. As part of this, we will examine the ideas of 'Africa', the state, power, imperialism, legitimacy, institutions, and colonialism.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 3390F if taken in 2012-13 or 2013-14.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E or Political Science 2531F/G, or Political Science 2245E or Political Science 2545F/G, or International Relations 2704F/G, or the former International Relations 2701E, or the former International Relations 2702E
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
Policy makers in business and government have a need to understand political risks faced in the various countries where they operate. This course uses contemporary cases to evaluate the major theories of political risk assessment to provide students with the tools needed to understand this increasingly important industry.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 3411F/G if taken in 2013-14 or 2014-15
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E or Political Science 2531F/G, or Political Science 2245E or Political Science 2545F/G, or International Relations 2704F/G, or the former International Relations 2701E, or the former International Relations 2702E
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours
Course Weight: 0.50
This course explores the politics of gender, race, class and sexuality in global contexts by introducing students to the political history of women's movements, feminist political debates, political theories of gender inequality, and critical analyses of gender representations in political and social media.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 3421F/G if taken in 2013-14 or 2014-15
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2237E or Political Science 2537F/G
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours
Course Weight: 0.50
This course explores international climate change negotiations, the evolution of multilevel climate governance, and the factors that shape policy outcomes. Topics include: history of climate negotiations; negotiating positions of key countries and their domestic policy; global political dynamics and policy debates; and the role of leadership, norms, discourse and persuasion.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 3314E if taken in 2014-15 or earlier
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E or Political Science 2531F/G, or Political Science 2245E or Political Science 2545F/G, or International Relations 2704F/G, or the former International Relations 2701E, or the former International Relations 2702E
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours
Course Weight: 0.50
This course explores the dynamics of foreign policy creation with emphasis on the Canadian context. We will examine who creates foreign policy, how it is implemented, and critically assess policy documents and outcomes. This will include discussion of issues such as counterterrorism, humanitarianism, militarization, trade, financial governance and bilateral negotiations.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 3305F/G, Political Science 3401F/G if taken in 2013-14 or 2014-15
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E or Political Science 2531F/G, or Political Science 2245E or Political Science 2545F/G, or International Relations 2704F/G, or the former International Relations 2701E, or the former International Relations 2702E
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours
Course Weight: 0.50
This course will critically assess the state of Canadian-American relations through different perspectives, issues and policy debates. Topics include theories and arguments related to North American integration and divergence from local, regional and global perspectives; economic and political integration; and developments in defence, security, environment, culture and labour.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 3326E if taken before 2018-19
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2230E or Political Science 2530F/G, or Political Science 2231E or Political Science 2531F/G, or Political Science 2244E or Political Science 2544F/G, or Political Science 2245E or Political Science 2545F/G, or International Relations 2704F/G, or the former International Relations 2701E
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
This course examines the politics, economics, history, and current policy debates related to environmental issues in Canada and internationally. Topics covered include: the environmental movement; national and international environmental institutions; environmental economics and policies; various business responses to environmentalism; and the politics of environmental policy in Canada and globally.
Prerequisite(s): At least one 0.5 course at the 2500 level within the Department of Political Science
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
This course examines recent attempts to make sense of the idea of human rights. What are human rights? How are they justified? What do human beings have rights to? What is the point of a theory of human rights? How are human rights related to the goal of distributive equality?
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2237E or Political Science 2537F/G or
permission of the instructor
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
Historically, most political regimes have been authoritarian, and there is no sign of authoritarianism’s disappearance. This course addresses the sources of authoritarianism, the varieties of authoritarian regime, the institutions and practices supportive of dictatorship, the causes of authoritarian decline and failure, and the authoritarian impulses residing within some democratic regimes.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E or Political Science 2245E or Political Science 2531F/G or Political Science 2545F/G, or permission of the instructor
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
This course surveys classic works in the history of political theory. Key themes include the bases of political authority and political obligation, the nature and defence of individual rights, the idea of a social contract, the meaning and status of equality, and the critique of liberal democracy.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2237E or Political Science 2537F/G or permission of the instructor
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
This course focuses on three areas: democracy, development, and society, using a comparative lens (e.g., Why are some countries more democratic than others?). The course also studies how institutions and political processes affect these three areas.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 3412F/G if taken in 2023-24
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
Topic available in department.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2237E or Political Science 2537F/G, AND enrolment in 3rd or 4th year Political Science or permission of the Department
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours
Course Weight: 0.50
Topic available in department.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2237E or Political Science 2537F/G, AND enrolment in 3rd or 4th year Political Science or permission of the Department
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours
Course Weight:
The formation of political identities is explored in the context of cultures, ideologies, discourses, and narratives in a globalizing world. Investigating citizenship, political participation, engagement in social movements and political protest, the course focuses on hybrid, fragmented, and multiple identities and their political consequences, notably attempts to construct singular identities.
Prerequisite(s): 1.0 Political Sciences course(s) at the 1000-level plus 1.0 course in Political Science at the 2200-level, or permission of the department
Extra Information: 2 seminar hours
Course Weight: 0.50
A historical and philosophical study of the concepts of 'wealth', 'poverty' and related ideas in Western political thought starting with Homer and the Bible and ending with 21st-century arguments.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2237E or Political Science 2537F/G
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 1.00
This course explores the theory and practice of global environmental governance. It offers a comprehensive overview of existing international policy on various ecological issues such as climate change. Through classroom simulations of global negotiations, students will analyze the political, economic, and social factors that shape outcomes in environmental politics.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 3379E
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E or Political Science 2531F/G, or Political Science 2245E or Political Science 2545F/G, or International Relations 2704F/G, or the former International Relations 2701E, or the former International Relations 2702E
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 1.00
An analytical study of political parties. Topics include: the historical development of political parties; theoretical approaches to political parties; the role of political parties in the electorate and in government; political parties and representation. Emphasis will be placed on Canadian parties and cross-national comparisons.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2230E or Political Science 2530F/G, or Political Science 2244E or Political Science 2544F/G, or Political Science 2245E or Political Science 2545F/G
Extra Information: 2 seminar hours
Course Weight: 0.50
An analytical study of interest groups and social movements. Topics include: theoretical approaches to interest group formation; the role of groups and movements in the policy-making process; their effectiveness as agents of democratic representation. Particular attention will be paid to the role of interest groups in Canada.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2230E or Political Science 2530F/G, or Political Science 2231E or Political Science 2531F/G, or Political Science 2244E or Political Science 2544F/G, or Political Science 2245E or Political Science 2545F/G, or International Relations 2704F/G, or the former International Relations 2702E
Extra Information: 2 seminar hours
Course Weight: 0.50
Women continue to be underrepresented in civic leadership. This course offers a unique experience for students who identify as women and are interested in becoming engaged in civic leadership and community building. Students are paired with a female civic leader to learn about the opportunities and barriers facing women.
Antirequisite(s) at Main campus: Social Justice and Peace Studies 3398F, Social Justice and Peace Studies 3399G in 2016-2017; Social Justice and Peace Studies 3320E. Antirequisite(s) at King's campus: Social Justice and Peace Studies 3320E
Prerequisite(s): 1.0, or the equivalent, from: Social Justice and Peace Studies 2301A/B, Social Justice and Peace Studies 2302A/B, Social Justice and Peace Studies 2303A/B, Social Justice and Peace Studies 2304F/G, Political Science 2230E, Political Science 2236E, Political Science 2255F/G, Leadership Studies 2233A/B, the former Dimensions Of Leadership 2233A/B, and permission of the Program Co-ordinator/Chair.
Extra Information: 2 hours. Limited enrolment. Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the course. Priority will be given to students registered in Political Science, Politics and International Relations or Social Justice and Peace Studies at Kings; or Political Science or Leadership Studies at Main campus. Application and interview are required. Check deadlines with your Program Coordinator/Chair. Cross-listed with Social Justice and Peace Studies 3320E
Course Weight: 1.00
An introduction to the politics and history of the world's largest functioning democracy. India's experience provides insight into the political process of a poor, developing country with a long history of colonialism that successfully constructed a constitutional government, republican in principle and parliamentary in institutional terms.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E or Political Science 2531F/G, or Political Science 2245E or Political Science 2545F/G, or International Relations 2704F/G, or the former International Relations 2701E, or the former International Relations 2702E
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours
Course Weight: 0.50
An introduction to the political economy of Modern Latin America examines how the continuing interactions between foreign and domestic economic forces have shaped Latin American politics. It explores what is distinctive in the region about the present dynamics and processes associated with globalization.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2245E or Political Science 2545F/G, or Political Science 2231E or Political Science 2531F/G, or History 2501E or Anthropology 2216F/G, or International Relations 2704F/G, or the former International Relations 2701E, or the former International Relations 2702E
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours
Course Weight: 0.50
This course introduces students to a range of methodological approaches to questions in political science. Students will become familiar with qualitative and quantitative data sources and ways of using each to address political issues.
Antirequisite(s) at Main campus: Political Science 2535F/G or Political Science 3325F/G, Health Sciences 2801A/B, Psychology 2800E, Psychology 2820E, and Sociology 2206A/B. Antirequisite(s) at Huron campus: Health Sciences 2801A/B, the former Psychology 2800E, the former Psychology 2820E, Psychology 2830A/B, and Sociology 2206A/. Antirequisite(s) at King's campus: Health Sciences 2801A/B, the former Psychology 2800E, the former Psychology 2820E, Psychology 2830A/B, and Sociology 2206A/B, Political Science 2325F/G
Prerequisite(s): Registration in 3rd or 4th year of Political Science, International Relations or a BMOS Public Administration module
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours
Course Weight: 0.50
This course introduces students to a range of methodological approaches to questions in political science. Students will become familiar with qualitative and quantitative data sources and ways of using each to address political issues.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 3324F/G
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2325F/G
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours
Course Weight: 0.50
This course examines the Canadian-American relationship by looking back to how it developed and ahead to what it might become, especially after NAFTA. Topics include communications, culture, trade and investment, immigration, security, the environment and extra-continental relations. Approaches include economic history, political economy, political integration and public choice.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2230E or Political Science 2530F/G, or Political Science 2231E or Political Science 2531F/G, or Political Science 2244E or Political Science 2544F/G, or Political Science 2245E or Political Science 2545F/G, or International Relations 2704F/G, or the former International Relations 2701E
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours
Course Weight: 1.00
This half-course in comparative politics introduces the Middle East in world politics and explores the issues relating to political and economic development, war and peace in the region through the second-half of the twentieth century to present times.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E or Political Science 2531F/G, or Political Science 2245E or Political Science 2545F/G, or International Relations 2704F/G, or the former International Relations 2701E, or the former International Relations 2702E
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours
Course Weight: 0.50
This course examines contemporary legal controversies in Canada, including the relationship between Indigenous people and the legal realm, the gendered and raced composition of the judiciary, judicial misconduct and its regulation, lawyer ethics when defending guilty clients, and the most pressing legal issues currently before our courts.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2230E or Political Science 2530F/G
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours
Course Weight: 0.50
This course will examine and assess the Charter's implications for the Canadian political process. The course will focus on judicial interpretation of the Charter, the respective roles of Parliament and the judiciary in the political process, and Charter litigation commenced by competing social interests.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2230E or Political Science 2530F/G, or Sociology 2260A/B or Sociology 3260A/B
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours
Course Weight: 0.50
This course examines the ethical and political dimensions of sex: the nature of biological sex and gender identity, how sex can be seen as a political act, and how sex may have implications for the struggle for social justice.
Prerequisite(s): 1.0 Political Science course(s) at the 1000-level plus 1.0 course in Political Science at the 2200-level or above, or permission of the department
Extra Information: 2 seminar hours
Course Weight: 0.50
This course examines the role of elections in maintaining democratic governance from theoretical and empirical perspectives. Topics to be covered include: electoral systems; the legal framework governing election campaigns; the role of parties and the media in election campaigns; and the social, psychological and economic influences on voting behaviour.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2230E or Political Science 2530F/G, or Political Science 2244E or Political Science 2544F/G, or the former Political Science 2234E
Extra Information: 2 seminar hours
Course Weight: 0.50
This course critically situates the role and place of public opinion within the politics of advanced industrial democracies. Topics include defining the concept of public opinion; considering the individual and group sources of opinion; and evaluating the relationship of public opinion with public policy, media and various contemporary issues.
Antirequisite(s): The former Political Science 3397F/G if taken in 2008-09; 2009-10; 2010-11
Prerequisite(s): At least 1.0 2200-level Political Science course\
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
This is a course which examines the role and influence of policy and political advisors to government leaders operating largely within the Canadian context. The theme of the course is that a great deal of power is wielded by appointed officials residing close to those with formal authority.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2130, Political Science 2230E, Political Science 2146, Political Science 2246E or Political Science 2290E
Extra Information: 2 seminar hours
Course Weight: 0.50
A course for students wishing to work in government or pursue careers that require a close appreciation of the operation of government. Course examines the responsibilities of public servants and their relationships with other actors in the political process. Focus is on Canada, but other countries are considered.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2230E, Political Science 2246E or permission of the instructor
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours
Course Weight: 1.00
Communism had a great impact on the politics and history of Europe and parts of Asia in the twentieth century. This course explores the form of communism which turned the collapsing Russian empire into the USSR, spread to Eastern Europe after World War Two and eventually collapsed in 1989-91.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E or Political Science 2531F/G, or Political Science 2245E or Political Science 2545F/G, or International Relations 2704F/G, or the former International Relations 2701E, or the former International Relations 2702E
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours
Course Weight: 0.50
This course will survey the sources in history of European integration, the institutions and policy-making approaches that have resulted from these developments, and the extent to which the European Union has moved in a state-like or democratic direction and will do so in the future.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E or Political Science 2531F/G, or Political Science 2245E or Political Science 2545F/G, or International Relations 2704F/G, or the former International Relations 2701E, or the former International Relations 2702E
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours
Course Weight: 0.50
This course provides a detailed introduction to Western European politics, with an emphasis upon Britain, France, Germany, and Italy. Topics include: state and nation formation, early experiences of autocratic and parliamentary rule, the sources and nature of post-WWII democracies, and the recent resurgence of nationalism and regionalism.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 2248E
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E or Political Science 2531F/G, or Political Science 2245E or Political Science 2545F/G, or International Relations 2704F/G, or the former International Relations 2701E, or the former International Relations 2702E
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours
Course Weight: 0.50
This course offers a thorough examination of federalism. It devotes significant attention to the Canadian case, but it sets Canadian federalism securely within a broader comparative context. The course will explore federal theory, federal institutions, and the implications of federalism for political actors, intergovernmental negotiations, and crucial public policy outcomes.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2230E or Political Science 2530F/G, or Political Science 2245E or Political Science 2545F/G
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours
Course Weight: 0.50
This is a course which considers the origins and operation of federalism in Canada. The course centres on the interactions of federal and provincial governments in the making of policy and highlights the challenges and changing nature of intergovernmental relations.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 3348F/G
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2130, Political Science 2230E or permission of the Department
Extra Information: 2.0 hours
Course Weight: 1.00
An introduction to the structures and actors that shape the politics of urban issues in large North American and West European cities. Students apply concepts learned to an in-depth study of a city or cities of their choice.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 3368E
Prerequisite(s): At least 1.0 2200-level Political Science course
Extra Information: 2 seminar hours
Course Weight: 0.50
A thematic analysis of current policy problems and responses in large North American and West European cities. Issues include globalization and economic development, suburban sprawl, the challenge of social diversity and local environmental problems.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 3368E
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 3363F/G
Extra Information: 2 seminar hours
Course Weight: 0.50
This course examines the nature of relations between developing and industrialized states with special focus on such issues as development, aid, trade, investment, food and agriculture.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 3358F/G, Political Science 3357E
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E or Political Science 2531F/G, or Political Science 2245E or Political Science 2545F/G, or International Relations 2704F/G, or the former International Relations 2701E, or the former International Relations 2702E
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
An examination of the impact of North American economic and social integration on Canada/U.S. relations. Consideration is given to the applicability of various theories of political integration and economic interdependence to the case of Canada and the United States.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E or Political Science 2531F/G, or Political Science 2245E or Political Science 2545F/G, or International Relations 2704F/G, or the former International Relations 2701E, or the former International Relations 2702E
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
An analysis of the political institutions and governmental processes within the four Western provinces of Canada.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2230E or Political Science 2530F/G, or Political Science 2236E or the former Political Science 2234E or permission of Department
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
An advanced study of Quebec politics, emphasizing the relevance of the economy, political parties, ideologies, language issues and nationalism.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2230E or Political Science 2530F/G, or Political Science 2236E or the former Political Science 2234E or permission of Department
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
An advanced course dealing with the politics and government of Ontario. Specific issues will be studied as an illustration of the governmental process and politics of the province.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2230E or Political Science 2530F/G, or Political Science 2236E or the former Political Science 2234E or permission of Department
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
Topic available in Department.
Prerequisite(s): Enrolment in 3rd or 4th year Political Science, or permission of the Department for students not registered in Political Science programs
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
Topic available in Department.
Prerequisite(s): Enrolment in 3rd or 4th year Political Science, or permission of the Department for students not registered in Political Science programs
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
Topic available in Department.
Prerequisite(s): Enrolment in 3rd or 4th year Political Science, or permission of the Department for students not registered in Political Science programs
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 1.00
Topic available in Department.
Prerequisite(s): Enrolment in 3rd or 4th year Political Science, or permission of the Department for students not registered in Political Science programs
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 1.00
Topic available in Department.
Prerequisite(s): Third or fourth year standing in any Political Science module or permission of the instructor
Extra Information: 2 seminar hours
Course Weight: 0.50
Political and legal issues are inseparable in contemporary examinations of land use, self-determination, governance, individual and community rights. This course will examine the legal institutions and practices of traditional Indigenous cultures as well as contemporary practice.
Antirequisite(s): Indigenous Studies 3722F/G, Political Science 3410F/G
Prerequisite(s): Indigenous Studies 2210F/G or the former Indigenous Studies 2901E or History 2210F/G or the former History 2209E or History 2201E or History 2205E or Political Science 2103A/B or Political Science 2230E or Political Science 2530F/G, or Law 2101 or GSWS 2260 or the former Anthropology 2218F/G
Extra Information: 3 lecture hours
Course Weight: 0.50
A one term seminar half course surveying the public policy and foreign policy challenges facing Canada as an Arctic nation. Among the topics to be covered are competing national sovereignty claims, the Arctic Council, resource politics, Aboriginal Peoples, and the nature of territorial government.
Prerequisite(s): Enrolment in 3rd or 4th year Political Science, or permission of the Department for students not registered in Political Science programs
Extra Information: 2 seminar hours
Course Weight: 0.50
Topic available in department.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2230E or Political Science 2530F/G, and registration in 3rd or 4th year of Political Science, International Relations or a BMOS Public Administration module
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours
Course Weight: 0.50
Topic available in department.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2230E or Political Science 2530F/G, and registration in 3rd or 4th year of Political Science, International Relations or a BMOS Public Administration module
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours
Course Weight: 0.50
A course for students who aspire to work in government as public servants and advisors or who seek careers in the private sector which require a close understanding of the operation of government. Focus is on Canada, but other countries are considered.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 3339E
Prerequisite(s): 1.0 Political Science course(s) at the 1000-level or permission of instructor
Extra Information: 2 seminar hours
Course Weight: 0.50
This course examines the past, present and future of Indigenous politics in Canada and around the world. It explores political, social, economic and historical issues in comparative perspective, though with a particular focus on Canada. Topics include colonialism, residential schools, self-determination and reconciliation. A goal is to examine diverse voices.
Antirequisite(s): Indigenous Studies 3722F/G, Political Science 3398F/G
Prerequisite(s): 1.0 credit from Indigenous Studies 2213F/G, Indigenous Studies 2218F/G, History 2201E, History 2205E, or Political Science 2230E, or permission of the Department
Extra Information: 2 Hours
Course Weight: 0.50
Topic available in department.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E or Political Science 2531F/G, or Political Science 2245E or Political Science 2545F/G, or International Relations 2704F/G, or the former International Relations 2701E AND enrolment in 3rd or 4th year Political Science or International Relations or permission from the Department
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours
Course Weight: 0.50
Topic available in department.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E or Political Science 2531F/G, or Political Science 2245E or Political Science 2545F/G, or International Relations 2704F/G, or the former International Relations 2701E AND enrolment in 3rd or 4th year Political Science or International Relations or permission from the Department
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours
Course Weight: 0.50
A course that examines societal concerns and possible remedies. Concerns include pay gaps, unavailable child care, student debt, the social media, challenged families, overwhelmed health care systems, and courts dividing in a way that frustrates the making of sound legal decisions affecting social issues.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 1020E, Political Science 1021F/G and 1022F/G or permission of instructor
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
This course examines the use and application of psychological theories and methods to questions of political interest by examining research on political behaviour from an interdisciplinary perspective, focusing on literatures in political psychology, biopolitics, and the life sciences to better understand political attitudes, beliefs, ideology, identity, and behaviour.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 4417F/G if taken in 2018-19, 2021-22, or 2022-23; the former Political Science 4217F/G
Prerequisite(s): 1.0 Political Science course(s) at the 1000-level plus 1.0 course in Political Science at the 2200-level or above, or permission of the department
Extra Information: 2 seminar hours
Course Weight: 0.50
Topic available in department.
Prerequisite(s): Enrolment in third or fourth year Honours Political Science or permission of the Department
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours
Course Weight: 0.50Topic available in department.
Prerequisite(s): Enrolment in third or fourth year Honours Political Science or permission of the Department
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours
Course Weight: 0.50This course traces the colonial lineage of political science and political studies through a decolonial reading of key texts. With an emphasis on the role of the academy in imperialism, racism, settler colonialism and hierarchies of intersectionality, this course examines the subfields of political science and forms of decolonial mobilization.
Antirequisite(s): International Relations 2704F/G or the former International Relations 2702E
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 1020E
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
This course will examine immigration policy and governance with a primary focus on Canada, but in comparison with other countries. Topics include immigration policy, refugee resettlement and asylum claims, temporary foreign workers, access to citizenship, and anti-immigrant sentiment.
Prerequisite(s): One of: Political Science 2530F/G, Political Science 2230E, Political Science 2531F/G, Political Science 2231E, Political Science 2537F/G, Political Science 2237E, Political Science 2545F/G or Political Science 2245E
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
This course examines the most current and relevant issues political theorists are thinking about including gentrification, housing rights, historical injustice, sexism, climate change, affirmative action, and animal rights. The focus will be on developing an understanding of how to develop students’ views of these matters.
Antirequisite(s): the former Political Science 3334E
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2237E or Political Science 2537F/G
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours.
Course Weight: 0.50
An examination of theories and strategies of international conflict and conflict management, including the causes of war, arms control, and various methods of reducing or eliminating conflict.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 3412F/G if taken in Summer Distance Studies 2023; the former Political Science 3366E
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E or Political Science 2531F/G, or Political Science 2245E or Political Science 2545F/G, or International Relations 2704F/G, or the former International Relations 2701E, or the former International Relations 2702E
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
This course provides an overview of the topic of human rights, from its origins to its 21st century reality, to its various conceptions, theoretical notions, and instruments, looking at issues of concern, abuses and potential solutions.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 2219E, the former Political Science 3388E
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E or Political Science 2531F/G
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours
Course Weight: 0.50
4000 Level Courses
The seminar examines current issues before the United Nations and assesses the organization's contributions to the resolution of diverse global problems. It assesses the UN's objectives, structure and decision-making procedures and evaluates current UN policies and activities on a range of contemporary issues. Current proposals for reform are assessed.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 4402F/G
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E or Political Science 2531F/G, or Political Science 2245E or Political Science 2545F/G, or International Relations 2704F/G, or the former International Relations 2701E AND enrolment in 3rd or 4th year Political Science or International Relations or permission from the Department
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours
Course Weight: 0.50
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 4402F/G
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E or Political Science 2531F/G, or Political Science 2245E or Political Science 2545F/G, or International Relations 2704F/G, or the former International Relations 2701E AND enrolment in 3rd or 4th year Political Science or International Relations or permission from the Department
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours
Course Weight: 0.50
This course assesses the Canadian legal system's potential to address inequalities based on group differences such as race, ethnicity, religion, Aboriginality, socioeconomic class and sexual identity. Particular attention is paid to the internal tensions that often arise where women's equality rights and the rights claims of minority social groups conflict.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2230E or Political Science 2530F/G
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours
Course Weight: 0.50
This course will focus on the politics of race in the North American context with a view to assessing how, when and with what impact the politics of race and the institutionalization of whiteness have informed and continue to inform social, economic and political life.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 4456F/G if taken in 2010-11
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2230E or Political Science 2530F/G
Extra Information: 2 hours.
Course Weight: 0.50
The objective of this course is to introduce political science students to key ideas in cognitive science that have a bearing on the ways in which we study and explain political phenomena.
Antirequisite(s): The former Political Science 4414F/G if taken in 2010-11 or 2011-12
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E or Political Science 2237E or Political Science 2245E
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
A seminar on the main approaches to, and debates about, issues of global justice in contemporary political theory. Topics may include cosmopolitan ethics, the causes of global inequality, social and economic rights, and ideas of global citizenship and national responsibility.
Antirequisite(s): The former Political Science 3396F/G if taken in 2004-05; the former Political Science 3397F/G if taken in 2006-07; the former Political Science 4463F/G if taken in 2010-11 or 2011-12
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2237E or Political Science 2537F/G
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
Democracy is a central concept in politics. Different theoretical understandings of 'democracy' will be examined, and discussed with reference to current and practical political issues involving Canada and the United States. Related ideas include legitimacy, representation, capitalism, imperialism, liberalism, republicanism, and the state.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 4413F/G if taken in 2012-13 or 2013-14
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2237E or Political Science 2537F/G, plus one of Political Science 2230E, Political Science 2530F/G, Political Science 2231E, Political Science 2531F/G, Political Science 2244E, Political Science 2544F/G, Political Science 2245E or Political Science 2545F/G
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
Does the government control the media - or do the media control the government? Do the news media educate or manipulate the citizenry? This course looks at the relationship between politics and media, and explores how media, civic engagements, and politics are intertwined, drawing on examples from around the world.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 3360F/G, the former Political Science 3350E, or the former Political Science 4460F/G if taken in 2013-14 or 2014-15
Prerequisite(s): Enrolment in 3rd or 4th year Honours Double Major or Honours Specialization in Political Science or permission of the Department
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
This course provides an advanced introduction to some of the practical skills involved in political campaigns including lobbying/advocacy campaigns by businesses and NGOs and election campaigns. It focuses on developing specific skills related to strategy, tactics and communications using case studies and practically-oriented assignments.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 4417F if taken in 2014-15
Prerequisite(s): Enrolment in Main Campus 3rd or 4th year Political Science Honours Specialization
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
This course explores how globalization and the rise of the post-industrial economy are transforming North American and European cities, and compares how policy-makers respond to the resulting challenges. Topics include ethno-cultural diversity, social inequality and segregation, and the changing character and functions of downtown business districts and suburbs.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 3364F/G, Political Science 3368E
Pre-or Corequisite(s): At least 1.0 course in Political Science at the 2200 level or above
Extra Information: 2 seminar hours
Course Weight: 0.50
The purpose of this course is to introduces students to multilevel governance (MLG): public decision-making which involves governments at various levels and non-governmental actors. The course will look at forces conducive to this kind of decision-making structure, and in the general patterns and dynamics that it manifests.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 4501F/G if taken in 2016-17 or earlier
Prerequisite(s): Enrolment in Main Campus 4th year Political Science or International Relations
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
Designed to critically assess political perspectives on contemporary issues related to the politics of cyberspace and cyber-governance, this course explores theoretical perspectives on cyberpolitics. A range of theories are examined such as decision-making procedures, the role of corporate, public and personal issues, including fake news, hacking, and international legal norms.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 4512F/G if taken in 2020-21
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 4512F/G if taken in 2020-21
Prerequisite(s): Enrolment in 3rd or 4th year Political Science, or permission of the Department for students not registered in Political Science programs
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
Political corruption has attracted intense and growing interest in recent decades. This seminar provides a critical look at the spread of corruption across the globe, the state of our knowledge about corruption and its causes, and the performance of various national and global campaigns against corruption.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 4512F/G if taken in 2015-16 or earlier
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E or Political Science 2531F/G, Political Science 2245E or Political Science 2545F/G, or International Relations 2704F/G, or the former International Relations 2701E or the former International Relations 2702E or permission of the instructor
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
This course studies U.S. congressional and presidential campaigns while paying close attention to recent and upcoming races with attention to election forecasting, electoral maps and math, and presidential campaigns, with a focus on understanding the causes of successes and failures in primary and general election campaigns.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 4511F/G, if taken in 2019-20 or 2021-22
Prerequisite(s): Enrolment in 3rd or 4th year Political Science or International Relations and one of Political Science 2230E, Political Science 2530F/G, Political Science 2231E, Political Science 2531F/G, Political Science 2244E, Political Science 2544F/G, Political Science 2245E, Political Science 2545F/G, International Relations 2704F/G, the former International Relations 2701E, or permission from the Department
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
This seminar explores the welfare state as a multifaceted phenomenon, which has assumed qualitatively different forms in different places. More recently, welfare states around the world have been subjected to significant pressure, and the causes, extent, and character of change will be subject to detailed debate.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 4406F/G
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E or Political Science 2531F/G, Political Science 2245E or Political Science 2545F/G, or International Relations 2704F/G, or the former International Relations 2701E or the former International Relations 2702E or permission of the instructor
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
This course presents a deep treatment of the subject of women’s political leadership. The main case under study is Canada. However, reference to women’s leadership in other states helps frame the Canadian experience. A variety of methodological approaches will be engaged, including institutional, behavioural and comparative analysis.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 4501F/G if taken in 2019-20 or 2020-21
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2230E or Political Science 2530F/G or GSWS 2220E
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
Contemporary theories and models of foreign policy decision making will be used to explain U.S. political, economic and security relations. Selected case studies will highlight the many domestic and external factors thought to be responsible for influencing America's conduct in the international community.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E or Political Science 2531F/G, or Political Science 2245E or Political Science 2545F/G, or International Relations 2704F/G, or the former International Relations 2701E, or the former International Relations 2702E
Extra Information: 2 seminar hours
Course Weight: 0.50
The course explores contemporary international diplomacy. Topics include: foreign policy institutions, treaty-making processes, diplomatic protocol, logistics of negotiations and their influence on political outcomes, and the role of power, strategy and cultural differences. Students engage in realistic classroom simulations of multilateral negotiations, role-play diplomats and gain practical bargaining experience.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 4201F/G.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E or Political Science 2531F/G, or Political Science 2245E or Political Science 2545F/G, or International Relations 2704F/G, or the former International Relations 2701E, or the former International Relations 2702E.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 4201F/G.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E or Political Science 2531F/G, or Political Science 2245E or Political Science 2545F/G, or International Relations 2704F/G, or the former International Relations 2701E, or the former International Relations 2702E.
Extra Information: 2 hours.
Course Weight: 0.50
This course investigates network-centric warfare and the changing nature of 'war' from a theoretical standpoint. Students will examine the concept of 'terror' both as an historical phenomenon, and as part of a new kind of globalized phenomenon within the context of the 'global war on terror'.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2237E or Political Science 2537F/G
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
The course is aimed to assess the impact of global interactions on the viability of the nation state. Some sessions will review global flows of capital, goods, services, technology, migration and communications and assess their effects on the capacity of national governments to exercise traditional instruments of national policy. Others will examine the extent to which these developments require a reconsideration of conventional theoretical perspectives on the state and international relations.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E or Political Science 2531F/G, or Political Science 2245E or Political Science 2545F/G, or International Relations 2704F/G, or the former International Relations 2701E, or the former International Relations 2702E
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
Is the European welfare state on the way out, or are the reports of its death greatly exaggerated? This seminar will deal with the status of the contemporary welfare state, within the context of its history, social and ideological foundations, and relationship to questions of citizenship, economic development, and European integration.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E or Political Science 2531F/G, or Political Science 2245E or Political Science 2545F/G, or International Relations 2704F/G, or the former International Relations 2701E, or the former International Relations 2702E
Extra Information: 2 seminar hours
Course Weight: 0.50
This course overviews current threats to international security such as nuclear weapons proliferation, terrorism, environmental degradation, and ethnic conflict. It also considers various approaches to alleviating these problems including UN peace support operations, regional alliances, espionage, arms control, and disarmament.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E or Political Science 2531F/G, or Political Science 2245E or Political Science 2545F/G, or International Relations 2704F/G, or the former International Relations 2701E, or the former International Relations 2702E
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
The course explores the complex relationship between the United States and the Middle East, particularly since the establishment of Israel and the making of new states in the region. It will focus primarily on how the United States views and came to occupy a defining role in the region's politics.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E or Political Science 2531F/G, or Political Science 2245E or Political Science 2545F/G, or International Relations 2704F/G, or the former International Relations 2701E, or the former International Relations 2702E
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours
Course Weight: 0.50
This course examines threats to democratic regimes. Why do some democracies succeed while others fail? We explore theory and specific countries to address topics include the state of global democracy, the definition and measurement of democracy and the influences of economics, institutions, militaries, society and international actors on democratization.
Antirequisite(s): The former Political Science 3347F/G if taken in 2011-12; the former Political Science 3390F/G if taken in 2010-11
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E or Political Science 2531F/G, or Political Science 2245E or Political Science 2545F/G, or International Relations 2704F/G, or the former International Relations 2701E, or the former International Relations 2702E
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
4413F/G
Topic available in Department.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2237E or Political Science 2537F/G, plus one of Political Science 2230E, Political Science 2530F/G, Political Science 2231E, Political Science 2531F/G, Political Science 2244E, Political Science 2544F/G, Political Science 2245E or Political Science 2545F/G
Course Weight: 0.50
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
Topic available in Department.
Prerequisite(s): Enrolment in 3rd or 4th year Political Science, or permission of the Department for students not registered in Political Science programs.
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
Topic available in Department.
Prerequisite(s): Enrolment in 3rd or 4th year Political Science, or permission of the Department for students not registered in Political Science programs.
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
The course examines the theoretical and methodological issues related to the topic of genocide and considers empirical cases of genocide and genocidal acts, such as "ethnic cleansing." The course begins by looking at the definition of genocide, then moves to discuss more recent cases of genocides and genocidal acts.
Antirequisite(s): History 3722F/G, the former MIT 3931F/G
Antirequisite(s): History 3722F/G, the former MIT 3931F/G
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 3588F/G, the former Political Science 3388E
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours
Course Weight: 0.50
Course Weight: 0.50
This course aims to critically examine a number of the approaches to and difficulties with efforts in transitional justice and post-conflict social reconstruction.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 3588F/G, the former Political Science 3388E
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours
Course Weight: 0.50
Course Weight: 0.50
This course places students with agencies and organizations in the community in order to complement classroom learning with experienced-based knowledge of how influence is exercised in public life. Students will work to satisfy both specified learning objectives and placement job requirements.
Antirequisite(s): History 4808A/B
Prerequisite(s): 1.0 course from Political Science 2130, Political Science 2230E, Political Science 2146, Political Science 2246E, or Political Science 2290E
Extra Information: 3 seminar hours
Course Weight: 0.50
Course Weight: 0.50
Topic available in department.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2230E or Political Science 2530F/G, and registration in 3rd or 4th year of Political Science, International Relations or a BMOS Public Administration module
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours
Course Weight: 0.50
Topic available in department.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2230E or Political Science 2530F/G, and registration in 3rd or 4th year of Political Science, International Relations or a BMOS Public Administration module
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours
Course Weight: 0.50
Topic available in department.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E or Political Science 2531F/G, or Political Science 2245E or Political Science 2545F/G, or the former International Relations 2701E AND enrolment in 3rd or 4th year Political Science or International Relations or permission from the Department
Extra Information: 2 lecture hoursCourse Weight: 0.50
Topic available in department.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E or Political Science 2531F/G, or Political Science 2245E or Political Science 2545F/G, or the former International Relations 2701E AND enrolment in 3rd or 4th year Political Science or International Relations or permission from the Department
Extra Information: 2 lecture hoursCourse Weight: 0.50
Topic available in department.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2237E or Political Science 2537F/G, AND enrolment in 3rd or 4th year Political Science or International Relations, or permission of the Department for students not registered in those programs.
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours
Course Weight: 0.50
Topic available in department.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2237E or Political Science 2537F/G, AND enrolment in 3rd or 4th year Political Science or International Relations, or permission of the Department for students not registered in those programs.
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours
Course Weight: 0.50
An advanced survey of central topics in the study of local government. Topics include urban reform movements, metropolitan and regional government, special-purpose bodies, and finance.
Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Diploma Program in Public Administration or permission of Department
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
After an introduction to policy analysis, there is an examination of the factors which help determine local government decisions about policies, development expenditures, and taxes. The scope for local government to frame its own economic policies and address social, economic and environmental problems is analyzed.
Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Diploma Program in Public Administration and Political Science 4901A/B or permission of Department
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
An introduction to current theoretical perspectives and research findings in the field of organizational behavior, with emphasis on topics relevant to the administration of local government organizations. Topics examined include organizational structure, power, council-staff relations, and working with stakeholders.
Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Diploma Program in Public Administration or permission of Department
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
An examination of issues arising in local government administration in a changing environment, using case analyses and seminars. Topics addressed include labor relations, human resource management issues, and the implementation of organizational change.
Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Diploma Program in Public Administration and Political Science 4903A/B or permission of Department
Extra Information: 2 hours
Course Weight: 0.50
4490 Thesis
Only fourth-year Honours Specialization students are eligible, provided there is a faculty member willing to supervise the student's work. A student seeking to register in 4490E will be required to have at least an 80% average in all Political Science courses taken.
Thesis is to be submitted by April 15 of the fourth year.
Thesis is to be submitted by April 15 of the fourth year.
Prerequisite(s): Written Special Permission of the instructor and a minimum 80% average in third year.
Course Weight: 1.0
Course Weight: 1.0
Enrollment
During the academic term before the student is to register in 4490E, the student is responsible for obtaining the agreement of a faculty member in his/her field of interest to supervise his/her thesis. For further instructions please contact the Undergraduate Advisor.
Procedural RequirementsA firm guideline of what is expected of the students should be established, indicating the objectives and the timetable for submission of work. This guideline will be agreed upon within the first month of the fall term by both the faculty member and student, and a copy will be placed on file with the Undergraduate Advisor.
Thesis Evaluation
The thesis will be read by the thesis supervisor and a second reader. The final grade will be determined by averaging the grades assigned by both readers.