Political Science

The study of politics has been an integral part of a university education since the philosopher Plato established an academy in classical Greece to teach the "royal art". Political decisions shape the character of our public and private institutions, determine our foreign and domestic policies, and through these, establish our character as a people. As the eighteenth-century writer Jean-Jacques Rousseau observed in a letter "everything is radically connected with politics."

At Mount Allison, courses in Political Science fall into three broad categories: political theory, political systems both domestic and foreign, and international relations. The Department offers a number of courses in each of these broad subfields. As a small department we also encourage students to develop more specialized interests by taking related courses in other disciplines and by taking advantage of the directed readings course offered to senior students with high academic standing.

Political Science 1000 is a team taught introductory course and is the normal prerequisite for all upper-level courses. In addition, Political Science 2301 is normally required of all students wishing to take Political Science 3310 and 4300. Students should consult the programme advisor for additional information.

Disciplinary B.A. Programmes

MINOR in Political Science is 24 credits earned as follows:

6	from Political Science 1000
18	from Political Science 2/3/4000 level, including at least 6 credits from 3/4000 level courses.

MAJOR AREA OF STUDY in Political Science is 60 credits earned as follows:

6	from Political Science 1000
36	from Political Science 2/3/4000 level. No more than 6 of the above 36 credits may be taken at the 2000 level. At least three credits at the 3/4000 level must be taken from each of the four sub-disciplines in Political Science corresponding with the series numbers for Political Theory (30/40), Canadian Politics (31/41), Comparative Politics (32/42) and International Politics (33/43)
18	credits from complementary courses in Arts & Letters, Humanities and Social Science, chosen in consultation with the Programme Advisor

HONOURS in Political Science is 72 credits earned as follows:

60	credits as in the Major, plus:
12	from Political Science at the 3/4000 level, chosen in consultation with the Programme Advisor. At least six credits at the 3/4000 level must be taken from each of the four sub-fields in Political Science (corresponding with the series numbers for Political Theory (30/40), Canadian Politics (31/41) Comparative Politics (32/42), and International Politics (33/43).

Note: The listing of a course in the calendar is not a guarantee that the course is offered every year.

Note: Students must obtain a grade of at least C- in all courses used to fulfill prerequisite requirements. Otherwise, written permission of the appropriate Department or Programme Coordinator must be obtained.

POLITICAL SCIENCE COURSES

POLS 1000 (6CR)
INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL SCIENCE
An introduction to the principal areas of study in political science. This includes the nature of politics, the government of Canada, political institutions, and international relations.

POLS 2001 (3CR)
DEMOCRATIC THOUGHT
An introduction to democratic thought from its origins in the ancient polis through to its modern incarnation in the writings of Rousseau, Tocqueville, John Stuart Mill and in debates among selected contemporary theorists. Particular emphasis will be placed on the central conflict between participatory and elite models of democraic citizenship.
Prereq: POLS 1000; or permission of the Department.
Exclusion: POLS 2001 (Issues in Political Thought)

POLS 2101 (3CR)
CANADIAN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
An introduction to the major issues of public policy in Canada, and their treatment by the federal government.
Prereq: POLS 1000; or permission of the Department.

POLS 2201 (3CR)
GOVERNMENT OF THE U.S.A.
A study of political institutions and practices in the United States of America.
Prereq: POLS 1000; or permission of the Department.

POLS/INLR 2301 (3CR)
TOPICS IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
A study of the major issues and themes in international relations, including the nature of war and the conditions of peace.
Prereq: POLS 1000; or permission of the Department.
Note: This course is cross-listed as INLR 2301 and may count as 3 credits in either discipline.

POLS 3001 (3CR)
ANCIENT POLITICAL THOUGHT
An examination of the ancient tradition of political thought from Plato, Aristotle, and Augustine through to its eclipse in Machiavelli. Emphasis will be on the enduring themes of nature, virtue, citizenship, property, religion and the best regime.
Prereq: POLS 1000 or 3011, or permission of the Department.
Exclusion: POLS 3001 (History of Political Thought I)

POLS 3011 (3CR)
MODERN POLITICAL THOUGHT
An examination of the modern tradition of political thought from its origins in Hobbes and Locke to its zenith in Rousseau and Marx. Emphasis will be on the defining problems of freedom, history, property, revolution, and the state.
Prereq: POLS 1000 or 3001, or permission of the Department.
Exclusion: POLS 3011 (History of Political Thought II)

POLS 3021 (3CR)
SOCIALIST THOUGHT
An examination of the socialist tradition from Marx to the present, with particular emphasis on the relationship between theory and practice in the writings of Lukács, Gramsci, and the Frankfurt School. The recent challenges of feminism and postmodernism will also be considered.
Prereq: Three credits from POLS 2001, 3001, or 3011, or permission of the Department.

POLS 3031 (3CR)
WOMEN AND POLITICS
A study of the relationship between women and politics, with particular emphasis on Canada. Areas to be covered might include historical and conceptual roots of the problem of citizenship for women, patterns of women's participation in mainstream politics and government, organizational aspects of the women's movement, and women's effects on public policy.
Prereq: Three credits from POLS 2101, 3101, 3111 or 3121, or permission of the Department.
Exclusion: POLS 3131 (Women and Canadian Politics)

POLS 3101 (3CR)
POLITICAL LEADERSHIP IN CANADA
A study of the various public offices in Canada and the individuals who fill them, including the Prime Minister, Provincial premiers, members of parliament, mayors and judges. Emphasis is placed on the opportunities and challenges each faces in providing political leadership in Canada.
Prereq: POLS 1000; or permission of the Department.
Exclusion: POLS 3100

POLS 3111 (3CR)
CURRENT TOPICS IN CANADIAN FEDERALISM
A study of timely issues facing the Canadian federation. In a given year this may involve examination of new constitutional proposals and/or federal-provincial relations in specific policy areas such as social policy or the environment. Emphasis is on the concept of federalism and its current Canadian manifestations.
Prereq: POLS 1000; or permission of the Department.
Exclusion: POLS 3100

POLS 3121 (3CR)
CANADIAN ELECTORAL STUDIES
A study of Canadian elections and the Canadian electoral system. Topics covered include: an examination of how the rules of the game shape electoral competition; the role of the media in election campaigns; obstacles facing women candidates; and, whether elections provide governments with mandates.
Prereq: POLS 1000; or permission of the Department.

POLS 3200 (6CR)
EUROPEAN POLITICS
A comparative analysis of government and politics in Western Europe with particular reference to the United Kingdom, France and Germany.
Prereq: POLS 1000; or permission of the Department.

POLS 3310 (6CR)
STRATEGIC STUDIES
An analysis of strategic thought in the 19th and 20th centuries, with particular reference to the ideas of Karl von Clausewitz and their relevance to the nuclear era.
Prereq: POLS 1000; or permission of the Department.

POLS/HIST 3731 (3CR)
JAPAN IN THE MODERN WORLD
This course will examine Japan's relations with the international community in the years following renewed contact with the West in the 1860's. Particular emphasis will be placed on the expanding intellectual, diplomatic and economic interchange and the impact of that interchange on the shaping of modern Japan.
Prereq: Second year standing and at least six credits in History at the 1000 or 2000 level; or permission of the Department.
Note: This course is cross-listed as HIST 3731 and may therefore count as three credits in either discipline.
Exclusion: HIST/POLS 3321

POLS 4000 (6CR)
PROBLEMS IN THE HISTORY OF POLITICAL THOUGHT
Seminar on a selected problem in the history of political thought.
Prereq: Three credits from POLS 3001, 3011 and 3021 or POLS 3000; or permission of the Department.
Exclusion: POLS 4000 (Political and Social Ideas)

POLS 4100 (6CR)
POLITICAL PARTIES AND INTEREST GROUPS
An examination of political parties, party systems, and interest groups, primarily from a Canadian perspective. Topics covered include: a review of the principal models of political parties; the organization, character and functions of parties; the development of party systems; and, the development and role of interest groups.
Prereq: Three credits from POLS 3101, 3111 and 3121 or POLS 3100; or permission of the Department.

POLS 4200 (6CR)
POLITICAL AND CULTURAL CHANGE: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF NORTH AMERICA AND EUROPE
A comparative analysis of the impact of political change on the broader culture, as expressed in literature, cinema, architecture and communications media. Examples will be taken from North American and European experience.
Prereq: Three credits in Political Science at the 2000 or 3000 level; or permission of the Department.

POLS 4211 (3CR)
POLITICS AND LITERATURE
An analysis of the relationship between literature and social change. Selected works of a number of recent Latin American and Central European writers will be examined.
Prereq: Three credits in Political Science at the 2000 or 3000 level; or permission of the Department.

POLS 4300 (6CR)
CANADIAN FOREIGN POLICY
A study of the major themes and issues in post-1945 Canadian Foreign policy, with a focus on the concept of internationalism as the foundation for Canada's post-war approaches to international order and security.
Prereq: POLS 3310; or permission of the Department.

POLS/HIST 4550 (6CR)
ADVANCED TOPICS IN UNITED STATES FOREIGN RELATIONS
Seminar in main currents of United States Foreign relations.
Note: This course is cross-listed as HIST 4550 and may count for six credits in either discipline.

POLS 4700/01 (6/3CR)
SPECIAL TOPICS
A seminar/tutorial open to senior students in an advanced research area of political science. Course content and requirements will be set by individual instructors.
Prereq: Permission of the Department.

POLS 4950 (6CR)
DIRECTED READING ON SPECIAL TOPICS
This course permits a senior student, under the direction of one faculty member, to pursue a programme of independent reading or study. Normally, only students with a minimum average of B in their previous years of study at the University are eligible to register for this course.