Political Science Major
Program Requirements
Students complete 120 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.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Cara Camcastle |
May 9 – Aug 8, 2016: Thu, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D101 |
May 9 – Aug 8, 2016: Thu, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D102 |
May 9 – Aug 8, 2016: Thu, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D103 |
May 9 – Aug 8, 2016: Thu, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D104 |
May 9 – Aug 8, 2016: Thu, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D105 |
May 9 – Aug 8, 2016: Thu, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D106 |
May 9 – Aug 8, 2016: Thu, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D107 |
May 9 – Aug 8, 2016: Thu, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
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.
Section | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|
Distance Education |
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.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Genevieve Fuji Johnson |
May 9 – Aug 8, 2016: Mon, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D101 |
May 9 – Aug 8, 2016: Tue, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D102 |
May 9 – Aug 8, 2016: Tue, 3:30–4:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
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. Quantitative.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
George Zhang |
May 9 – Aug 8, 2016: Tue, Thu, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
George Zhang |
May 9 – Aug 8, 2016: Tue, Thu, 8:30–10:20 a.m.
|
Surrey |
|
OP01 |
May 9 – Aug 8, 2016: Tue, 2:30–6:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
OP02 |
May 9 – Aug 8, 2016: Wed, 2:30–6:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
OP03 |
May 9 – Aug 8, 2016: Fri, 9:30 a.m.–1:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
OP04 |
May 9 – Aug 8, 2016: Tue, 10:30 a.m.–1:20 p.m.
|
Surrey |
|
OP05 |
May 9 – Aug 8, 2016: Thu, 10:30 a.m.–1:20 p.m.
|
Surrey |
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: a research methods course such as SA 255, CRIM 220, POL 213 or equivalent is recommended prior to taking STAT 203. Students with credit for any of STAT 101, 201, 270, ARCH 376 or BUEC 232 may not subsequently receive credit for this course. Quantitative.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Distance Education | |||
Gamage Perera |
May 9 – Aug 8, 2016: Mon, Wed, Fri, 4:30–5:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
OP01 | TBD |
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 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.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Distance Education | |||
Scott MacLeod |
May 9 – Aug 8, 2016: Thu, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
|
Surrey |
|
D901 |
May 9 – Aug 8, 2016: Thu, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
|
Surrey |
|
D902 |
May 9 – Aug 8, 2016: Thu, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
|
Surrey |
|
D903 |
May 9 – Aug 8, 2016: Thu, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
|
Surrey |
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.
Section | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|
Distance Education |
An introductory study of Canada's political economy, stressing the interrelated nature of Canada's economic and political life. The course focuses on current economic problems and policies, taking into account the geographical, historical and political environments. Topics include the resource and industrial structures, research and development, the public sector, fiscal and monetary policy, the role of the state, trade and foreign ownership, energy, regional disparity, corporate concentration and the political economy of federalism. Recommended: POL 100 or 101W. This course is identical to CNS 280 and students cannot take both courses for credit. Breadth-Social Sciences.
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.
Section | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|
Distance Education |
Explores the political dimensions of public policy making in Canada. Reviews theories and techniques in policy analysis, and focuses on the contemporary dynamics of public policy in various economic and social sectors from the point of view of political ideas, interests, institutions, and decision-making. Prerequisite: POL 100 or POL 101W or permission of the department. Students with credit for POL 351 may not take this course for further credit.
* students may not complete both of IS 240 and POL 201 for credit
Upper Division Requirements
Students cannot complete upper division courses until lower division prerequisites are complete. Specified prerequisites or department permission is required for course entry.
Students who fulfil the requirements may also complete
This courses involves interpretation of, and expansion on, practical experience in political life, under the supervision of a single faculty member. Students enrolling in the course must have their program of practical experience and academic writing assignments approved by both the supervisor and the department's undergraduate committee prior to enrolment. Prerequisite: Permission of the department Students may count only one POL 497 towards meeting their upper division political science requirements.
Directed readings in a selected field of study under the direction of a single faculty member. A paper will be required. Students enrolling in this course must have their program of readings approved (by the supervising instructor and the undergraduate studies committee) prior to enrolment. Prerequisite: Permission of the department. Students may count only one readings course as credit towards their upper division political science requirements.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
TBD |
Students complete a total of 32 upper division POL units. Eight of these 32 units must be at the 400 division.
Students who wish to concentrate on a particular field or combination of fields should consult with a faculty advisor to arrange their programs.
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.
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: 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: 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.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Nicole Jackson |
May 9 – Aug 8, 2016: Tue, 1:30–5:20 p.m.
|
Vancouver |
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: 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: 45 units.
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: Strongly recommended: LBST 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.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Maureen Kihika |
May 9 – Aug 8, 2016: Thu, 8:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
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: 90 units.
Examines the new states of post-Soviet Central Asia, 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: 45 units.
Reviews important current regional issues in Southeast Asia with particular attention to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Prerequisite: 45 units.
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 Degree Requirements
For all bachelor of arts (BA) programs, students complete 120 units, which includes
- at least 60 units that must be completed at ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV
- at least 45 upper division units, of which at least 30 upper division units must be completed at ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV
- at least 65 units (including 21 upper division units) in Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences courses
- satisfaction of the writing, quantitative, and breadth requirements
- an overall cumulative grade point average (CGPA) and upper division CGPA of at least 2.0, and a program (major, joint major, extended minor, minor) CGPA and upper division CGPA of at least 2.0
Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements
Students admitted to ¶¡ÏãÔ°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 ¶¡ÏãÔ°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 units 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.