The department 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.
The Political Science program is organized into four main subfields: Canadian politics, Comparative Politics, International Politics, and Political Theory. The program offers students the opportunity to gain a strong foundation in all four subfields and to combine empirical, practical and theoretical approaches in each year of study. In addition to the Canadian Politics subfield, students can take specialized area courses in Africa, the United States, Europe, and the Middle East. Political Science students who seek a more intensive concentration in one particular subfield can integrate courses from other programs in Canadian Studies, International Relations, History and Philosophy.
| Disciplinary B.A. Programs | |
| MINOR in Political Science is 24 credits earned as follows: | |
| 3 | from POLS 1001 |
| 21 | from Political Science 2/3/4000 level, including at least 6 credits from 3/4000 level courses |
| MAJOR in Political Science is 60 credits earned as follows: | |
| 3 | from POLS 1001 |
| 39 | from Political Science 2/3/4000 level, 6 to 9 of these 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 Sciences, chosen in consultation with the Program Advisor |
| HONOURS (Course Option) in Political Science is 72 credits earned as follows: | |
| 3 | from POLS 1001 |
| 57 | credits from Political Science 2/3/4000 level. 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) |
| 12 | credits from complementary courses in Arts & Letters, Humanities and Social Sciences, chosen in consultation with the Program Advisor |
HONOURS (Thesis Option) in Political Science is 72 credits earned as follows: |
|
| 3 | from POLS 1001 |
| 51 | credits from Political Science 2/3/4000 level. 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) |
| 6 | credits from Political Science 4990 |
| 12 | credits from complementary courses in Arts & Letters, Humanities and Social Sciences, chosen in consultation with the Program Advisor |
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.