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Political Science

The study of politics is concerned with the nature and workings of power, state, and government, the rights and duties of citizenship, the limits and possibilities of collective political action, and the social, economic, and cultural formations that shape the life of the political community.  The scope of inquiry is local, national, and international; it includes the empirical analysis of individuals, groups, institutions, and processes as well as the investigation of longstanding philosophical questions concerning human nature, freedom, democracy, and justice.

Program

At Mount Allison the study of politics is organized into four main subfields: Canadian Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, and Political Theory. The program offers students the opportunity to gain a strong foundation in all four subfields and to combine empirical, practical, historical and theoretical approaches in each year of study. The program is further enhanced by the broad regional expertise of our faculty, which spans Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and North America.

The Department of Politics and International Relations offers programs leading to an honours Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree or a BA with a major in political science. A minor in political science can also be taken with a BA or Bachelor of Science.

Course offerings include Democratic Thought; Modern Political Thought; Canadian Federalism and Intergovernmental Relations; Interest Groups and Social Movements; African Politics; European Politics; Political and Cultural Change; Women and Politics; Foreign Policy Analysis; and International Politics of the Middle East

Independent Student Research

Students have chosen independent research projects in a broad range of areas: violence and revolution; constituency service in the American Senate; politics and religion; women politicians in rural New Brunswick; civic and ethnic nationalism; Hobbes on masculinity; and Nietzsche's critique of democracy.

Careers

Political science graduates pursue careers in teaching, law, civil service, consulting, journalism, policy research, political campaigns, public relations, political advocacy and activism.

The degree is also an excellent foundation for graduate work in political science and other related fields such as law and public administration. Political science graduates have gone on to complete MA and PhD and LLB programs at universities in Canada (UofT, Queens, York, Carleton, Dalhousie) and abroad (Oxford, London School of Economics, Sussex).

Faculty Research

Faculty research in the Department of Politics and International Relations focuses on critical issues in political science.

In the area of Political Theory:

  • Politics and temporality, high speed politics
  • Rosa Luxemburg on political disappointment
  • Thomas Hobbes on politics and religion

In the area of International Politics:

  • International relations and foreign policy in the Middle East
  • The politics and foreign policy of Iran, international rivalries, and protracted conflicts
  • The political economy of US militarism

In the area of Comparative Politics:

  • The role of the media in relaying information in conflict zones
  • The impact of new technologies
  • Democracy and authoritarian politics in the Middle East
  • The role of Canadian corporations in the Global South

In Canadian Politics:

  • Canadian public policy (environmental, disability, sustainability)
  • Intergovernmental relations and policy change
  • Interest group politics

For more information, visit: http://www.mta.ca/faculty/socsci/ps_ir/index.html

 

Department Website

Academic Calendar: Political Science