Why Political Science at Mount Allison?

When you study politics you will examine such diverse issues as the relationship between human rights and sustainable development, freedom and equality, gender and politics, the nature of power, the role of media in developing democracy, and the relationship between literature and social change. Political science is about how you engage with your community and with the world.

Mount Allison is unique because students are able to interact with professors on a one-on-one basis. Professors are able to give their time both in small classes and after class.

Courses in Political Science fall into four sub-disciplines: Political Theory, Canadian Politics, Comparative Politics, and International Politics. The department offers a range of courses in each of these sub-disciplines.

What we study

Faculty research focuses on critical issues in political science.

In the area of comparative politics:
• The importance of the media in relaying information in conflict zones, particularly in Chechnya;
• the impact of new technologies such as stem cell research, and the ethical challenges which are raised by these technologies; and
• innovative ways of getting new ideas into the public domain.

In the area of political theory:
• Political disappointment;
• political symbolism in popular culture;
• contemporary political theory; and
• contemporary critiques of liberal democracy, technology and politics.

In Canadian Politics:
• Canadian government and politics in the 21^st century;
• Party and electoral politics;
• political communication;
• Cyberpolitics: the role of the Internet and information technology
in politics,

In the area of international politics:
• Canadian foreign and military policies; and strategy and arms control.

For a list of professors and their web pages please click here.

What you can do

Students have chosen research projects in a broad range of areas. Civil liberties post 9/11, global civic society and the trade for genetically modified organisms, Canadian-US border security, and female role models in the media are a few examples. Grants for summer research projects are available to senior students through the Mount Allison Summer Undergraduate Awards programme.

Acquiring knowledge is not limited to the classroom. There are many student-run clubs and societies at Mount Allison. Every political party is represented and you can also get involved in forums such as the Student Administrative Council, the Political Science Society, Free the Children, the No Sweat movement, or the Model United Nations.

For a description of the Political Science Program please click here.