Please note:
To view the current Academic Calendar, go to www.sfu.ca/students/calendar.html.
Political Science Honours
Program Declaration
We encourage Political Science majors who have a 3.0 cumulative grade point average and an upper division grade point average of 3.33 to apply for the honours program.
An application form is available from the departmental advisor. Once the application is submitted, it is reviewed by the undergraduate studies Chair.
Program Requirements
A minimum of 120 units, including a minimum of 60 upper division units, as specified below.
Lower Division Requirements
Students complete a total of seven courses, 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 |
TBD | ||
D101 |
May 12 – Aug 9, 2021: Thu, 4:30–5:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D102 |
May 12 – Aug 9, 2021: Thu, 5:30–6:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D103 |
May 12 – Aug 9, 2021: Thu, 6:30–7:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D104 |
May 12 – Aug 9, 2021: Thu, 4:30–5:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D105 |
May 12 – Aug 9, 2021: Thu, 5:30–6:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D106 |
May 12 – Aug 9, 2021: Thu, 6:30–7:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D107 |
May 12 – Aug 9, 2021: Thu, 3:30–4:20 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.
and all of
Introduces different aspects of research design in political science, as well as different qualitative research techniques and the epistemological perspectives that inform them. Introduces important analytical and conceptual skills necessary to understand and evaluate political science research. Students with credit for POL 200 may not take this course for further credit. Writing.
Introduces quantitative research techniques in political science. Introduces important analytical and conceptual skills necessary to understand and evaluate quantitative political science research. Corequisite: POL 200W or permission of department. Quantitative.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Defne Ezgi |
May 12 – Aug 9, 2021: Thu, 5:30–9:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
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-Humanities/Social Sciences.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Genevieve Fuji Johnson |
Jun 29 – Aug 9, 2021: Tue, Thu, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D101 |
Jun 29 – Aug 9, 2021: Tue, Thu, 4:30–5:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D102 |
Jun 29 – Aug 9, 2021: Tue, Thu, 5:30–6:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
and one 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.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Andrew Heard |
TBD | ||
D101 |
May 12 – Aug 9, 2021: Mon, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D102 |
May 12 – Aug 9, 2021: Mon, 3:30–4:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D103 |
May 12 – Aug 9, 2021: Mon, 4:30–5:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
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. Breadth-Social Sciences.
and one of
An introduction to political action and behaviour. Politics involves the struggle for power and influence. Nowhere is this more evident than when individuals mobilize and engage in political action, whether in a revolution to overthrow an authoritarian regime, protesting on the street against the government, or voting on Election Day. Breadth-Humanities/Social Sciences.
Explores causes and consequences of international political conflict, including war, terrorism, protectionism, nationalism, economic disparity, migration, and humanitarian crises. Evaluates how states and non-state actors navigate and influence these conflicts and the role of international law, diplomacy, and organizational cooperation. Analyzes worldviews on war, peace, human rights, and world order. Students who have taken POL 241 may not take this course for further credit. Breadth-Social Sciences.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Elis Vllasi |
May 12 – Aug 9, 2021: Wed, Fri, 3:30–4:50 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
and one additional lower division course in Political Science
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 complete a minimum of 60 upper division units at least 48 of which must be Political Science units, including POL 490 (5) Honours Seminar and POL 499 (5) Honours Essay. An additional 8 of these 48 units must be at the 400 level.
Introduces intermediate quantitative methods and data analysis. Teaches students how to build statistical models and apply them to social and political research. Also covers the fundamentals of probability, sampling, and causal inference; students will learns how to conduct their own data-driven research. Prerequisite: POL 201 or permission of instructor. Quantitative.
is strongly recommended
Students may also apply the following courses toward their honours degree requirements.
Surveys the manner in which power relations are expressed territorially. Attention given to such topics as state sovereignty, colonialism, rights, and law. Prerequisite: At least 45 units, including GEOG 100. 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.
Explores how international actors respond to humanitarian emergencies, such as famine, displacement, and genocide. Examines the political, legal, and ethical challenges of humanitarian action by focusing on contemporary cases and on key types of response, from the delivery of aid to sanctions and the use of military force. Prerequisite: 45 units. Breadth-Humanities/Social Sciences.
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: 45 units. Recommended: IS 200 and HIST 335.
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: 45 units. Recommended: IS 210 or 220. Writing.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Logan Masilamani |
May 12 – Aug 9, 2021: Tue, 1:30–5:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
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.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Amyn Sajoo |
May 12 – Aug 9, 2021: Thu, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
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. Recommended: IS 200. Students with credit for IS 412 may not take this course for further credit.
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.
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: 45 units. Recommended: HIST 151 or IS 315.
Explores working class politics and the labour movement in the context of neoliberal economic and public policy, recurring economic crises, the changing nature of work, and declining union membership. Explores electoral politics and organized labour's relationship to political parties. Examines community unionism and workers' roles in social movements focused on civil rights, gender, and the environment, among others. Prerequisite: 30 units. Strongly Recommended: LBST 101. Breadth-Social Sciences.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Logan Masilamani |
May 12 – Aug 9, 2021: Mon, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
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. Writing/Breadth-Social Sci.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Amanda Watson |
May 12 – Jun 21, 2021: Tue, Thu, 8:30–11:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D101 | TBD |
NOTE: ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV students accepted in the accelerated master’s within the Department of Political Science may apply a maximum of 10 graduate course units, taken while completing the bachelor’s degree, towards the upper division electives of the bachelor’s program and the requirements of the master’s degree. For more information go to: /gradstudies/apply/programs/accelerated-masters.html.
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Honours Degree Requirements
For all bachelor of arts (BA) honours programs, students complete at least 120 units, which includes
- at least 60 units that must be completed at ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV
- satisfaction of the writing, quantitative, and breadth requirements
- students complete at least 60 upper division units, which must include at leastÌý48 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
- at least 65 units (including 21 upper division units) in Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences courses
- 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 ¶¡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 Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements 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. |
Ìý
Residency Requirements and Transfer Credit
- At least half of the program's total units must be earned through ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV study.
- At least two thirds of the program's total upper division units must be earned through ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV study.
Elective Courses
In addition to the courses listed above, students should consult an academic advisor to plan the remaining required elective courses.