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Political Science Honours
間眅埶AV Requirements
Students with a 3.0 cumulative grade point average (CGPA) and an upper division grade point average (GPA) of 3.33 are encouraged to apply for the honours program.
An application form is available from the departmental advisor. A completed application will include the essay proposal for POL 499 (Honours Thesis) and a letter of evaluation from the faculty member who agrees to supervise and evaluate the essay. Once the application is submitted, it is reviewed by the undergraduate studies committee in the term prior to honour program entrance.
Program Requirements
Students complete 132 units, as specified below.
Lower Division Requirements
Students complete a total of 18 units, including one of
A comprehensive introduction to the study of politics and government for both political science majors and students specializing in other disciplines. The course will explore the major concepts, methods, approaches and issues in political science, as well as the primary components of government structure and the political process. POL 101W is the Writing certified version of POL 100 and students cannot receive credit for both courses. Breadth-Social Sciences.
A comprehensive introduction to the study of politics and government for both political science majors and students specializing in other disciplines. Explores the major concepts, methods, approaches and issues in political science, as well as the primary components of government structure and the political process. This course is identical to POL 100 and students may not take both courses for credit. Writing/Breadth-Social Sci.
and
An examination of concepts presented by the major political thinkers of the western world. The course surveys those ideas which remain at the root of our political institutions, practices and ideals against a background of the periods in which they were expressed. Prerequisite: POL 100 or 101W or permission of department. Breadth-Social Sciences.
and one of
An introduction to business statistics with a heavy emphasis on applications and the use of EXCEL. Students will be required to use statistical applications to solve business problems. STAT 270, Introduction to Probability and Statistics, will be accepted in lieu of BUEC 232. Prerequisite: MATH 157 and 15 units. MATH 157 may be taken concurrently with BUEC 232. Students with credit for STAT 270 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative.
Provides an introduction to the research enterprise in international studies with a particular focus on quantitative methods. Prerequisite: IS 101 and 12 units. Students who have taken POL 201 may not take IS 240 for further credit. Quantitative.
An introduction to quantitative research techniques in political science. Prerequisite: POL 100 or 101W or 151 or permission of department. Students with credit for IS 240 may not take POL 201 for further credit. Quantitative.
Descriptive and inferential statistics aimed at students in the social sciences. Scales of measurement. Descriptive statistics. Measures of association. Hypothesis tests and confidence intervals. Students in Sociology and Anthropology are expected to take SA 255 before this course. Intended to be particularly accessible to students who are not specializing in Statistics. Prerequisite: Recommended: SA 255, CRIM 120, POL 213 or equiv. Students with credit for STAT 101, 102, 103, 201, 270, ARCH 376 or, BUEC 232 (formerly 332), may not subsequently receive credit for this course. Quantitative.
If students plan to complete both POL 201 and STAT 203, POL 201 should be completed before STAT 203.
and two of
An introduction to the institutional order and political structure of the Canadian state. The course will include topics such as the constitution, parliament, cabinet, judiciary, public service and federal-provincial relations. Prerequisite: POL 100 or 101W or 151 or permission of department.
An introduction to political processes and structures in comparative perspective. Prerequisite: POL 100 or 101W or permission of department. Breadth-Social Sciences.
Theory and practice of international politics, diplomacy, hot war, cold war, alliances and the role of leaders. Prerequisite: POL 100 or 101W or permission of department. Breadth-Social Sciences.
An introduction to the basic elements of public administration in the government of Canada, including the organization of the public service, planning and financial administration, personnel administration, collective bargaining and administrative regulation. Prerequisite: POL 100 or 101W or 151 or permission of department.
and one of
The development of laws and their application to the citizen and social groups. Special consideration will be given to civil liberties. Breadth-Social Sciences.
An examination of selected contemporary political controversies that raise fundamental ethical issues. Discussion will be informed by contending perspectives in modern political philosophy. Prerequisite: POL 100 or 101W or permission of department. Breadth-Social Sciences.
An introduction to the social and participatory basis of Canadian politics, covering topics such as political culture, regionalism and other political divisions, political parties, elections, interest groups and new social movements. Prerequisite: POL 100 or 101W or 151 or permission of department.
An examination of the American political system, including the presidency, the congress, the courts, the bureaucracy and the party system. Prerequisite: POL 100 or 101W or permission of the department. Students with credit for POL 332 may not complete this course for further credit. Breadth-Social Sciences.
The political process in the urban municipality from a comparative perspective. Prerequisite: POL 100 or 101W or 151 or permission of department. Breadth-Social Sciences.
* students may not complete both of IS 240 and POL 201 for credit
Upper Division Requirements
Students complete 53 upper division POL units from the list below, including five for POL 499 (Honours Essay). An additional 16 of these 53 must be at the 400 division.
An examination of the principal methods of empirical research in political science. This course is equivalent to SA 355. Prerequisite: POL 201, or BUEC 232, or IS 240, or STAT 203 (formerly 103). Students with credit for POL 315 may not take SA 355 for further credit. Quantitative.
is strongly recommended
300 Division Courses
Theoretical approaches to problems of the interactions of political decisions and power structures with territorial organization. Prerequisite: GEOG 241. Students with credit for GEOG 381W may not take this course for further credit.
Theoretical approaches to problems of the interactions of political decisions and power structures with territorial organization. Prerequisite: GEOG 241. Students with credit for GEOG 381 may not take this course for further credit. Writing.
Examines issues where ideas about males and females either explicitly or implicitly influence policy makers. Focuses on current public policies and their relationship to women on topics such as sexuality and violence, economic security, race and inequality, and climate change. Prerequisite: 30 units. Students with credit for POL 350 or GSWS 320 (or WS 320) under this topic may not take this course for further credit.
Investigates complex emergencies and the outcomes of conflict, specifically forced migration by refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs). Prerequisite: IS 200 and 45 units.
Surveys the ethnic minorities of Southeast Asia, focusing on their relations with other ethnic groups, especially majority populations, and governments. Examines the treatment of ethnic minorities and the responses of the minorities, including ethnic-based secession movements. Reviews cross-border and broader international issues relating to minorities, such as their status as refugees and cross-border support for insurgencies. Prerequisite: IS 200 and 45 units.
Introduces the Russian Federation's foreign and security policies. Reviews key actors, institutions, and stages in the development of Russian foreign policy development as well as the gap between rhetoric and realities in Russian foreign policy. Prerequisite: IS 200 and 45 units.
An examination of the differing narratives of nation and modernity in the struggle for independence from colonial rule in India, and their implications for the post-colonial state, for politics and for India's economic development. Prerequisite: IS 210 or 220, and 45 units. Writing.
Provides an overview of national and political issues in Southeast Asia. Surveying politics in individual countries and regional political institutions, focus is given to particular themes such as democratization and civil society, communism and other forms of authoritarianism, the role of the military, decentralization, religion and politics, the impact of China on the region, and security concerns. Prerequisite: IS 210 and 45 units.
Introduces the political, economic, and ideological dynamics of contemporary Middle Eastern states. Examines the legacy of colonialism, state formation, central ideological trends such as Arab nationalism and political Islam, the dynamics of state-society contention, and the challenges of economic development. Prerequisite: IS 200, 210, or 220, and 45 units. Students with credit for IS 419 under this topic may not take this course for further credit.
The politics of the working class and union movement in the context of neoliberal economic and public policy, recurring economic crises, the changing nature of work, and declining membership. Central to the course will be the question of electoral politics and organized labour's relationship to political parties. Prerequisite: Labour Studies 101 and 30 credit hours.
An introduction to the political economy and culture of capitalism in relation to global problems. Case studies may focus on issues of population, famine, disease, poverty, environmental destruction, social inequality, and nation-state violence. Resistance, rebellion and social movements in response to these problems also will be addressed. Students who took SA 294 in 03-1, 04-1 and 04-2 may not take SA 302 for further credit. Writing/Breadth-Social Sci.
All ISPO 300 division courses
All POL 300 division courses
400 Division Courses
The quality of institutions' exercises a crucial influence on the prospects for development. Aims are to interrogate this claim through analysis of different paths of economic growth and change across the developing world. Examination of the ways in which politics influences economic growth and distribution; the relationships between political systems and patterns of development; and the politics of institutions and state formation. Prerequisite: IS 210 or IS 220, 90 units and permission of department.
Examines the new states of post-Soviet Central Asia, the Transcaucasus and Russia, with particular reference to the relationship among democratization, development, autocracy and conflict, and the role of external actors in transnational security issues in the region. Prerequisite: IS 200 or 210, and 45 units.
Reviews important current regional issues in Southeast Asia with particular attention to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Prerequisite: IS 303 or 314.
Focuses upon the political Islamist movements that have swept much of the Middle East and North Africa since the mid-1970s. Examines a broad range of movements, from liberal to militant trends, drawing on the experiences of countries throughout the region. Prerequisite: IS 315 or HIST 151, and 45 units. Students with credit for IS 419 under this topic may not take this course for further credit.
All ISPO 400 division courses
All POL 400 division courses
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Honours Requirements
For all bachelor of arts (BA) honours programs, students complete 132 units, which includes
- at least 60 units that must be completed at 間眅埶AV
- satisfaction of the writing, quantitative, and breadth requirements
- students complete at least 60 upper division units, which must include at least 50 units in upper division courses in a Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences honours program; no more than 15 upper division units that have been transferred from another institution can be used toward this requirement
- Students complete lower division requirements for at least one Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences honours program
- students are required to achieve an overall cumulative grade point average (CGPA) and upper division CGPA of at least 3.0, and an honours program CGPA and upper division CGPA of at least 3.0
Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements
Students admitted to 間眅埶AV beginning in the fall 2006 term must meet writing, quantitative and breadth requirements as part of any degree program they may undertake. See for university-wide information.
WQB Graduation Requirements
A grade of C- or better is required to earn W, Q or B credit
Requirement |
Units |
Notes | |
W - Writing |
6 |
Must include at least one upper division course, taken at 間眅埶AV within the student’s major subject | |
Q - Quantitative |
6 |
Q courses may be lower or upper division | |
B - Breadth |
18 |
Designated Breadth | Must be outside the student’s major subject, and may be lower or upper division 6 units Social Sciences: B-Soc 6 units Humanities: B-Hum 6 units Sciences: B-Sci |
6 |
Additional Breadth | 6 units outside the student’s major subject (may or may not be B-designated courses, and will likely help fulfil individual degree program requirements) Students choosing to complete a joint major, joint honours, double major, two extended minors, an extended minor and a minor, or two minors may satisfy the breadth requirements (designated or not designated) with courses completed in either one or both program areas. |
Residency Requirements and Transfer Credit
The University’s residency requirement stipulates that, in most cases, total transfer and course challenge credit may not exceed 60 units, and may not include more than 15 as upper division work.
Elective Courses
In addition to the courses listed above, students should consult an academic advisor to plan the remaining required elective courses.