Faculty: Faculty of Social Sciences
Degree options:
The politics and international relations department at Mount Allison combines traditional and innovative approaches to equip students with the knowledge and critical thinking skills they need for active and creative engagement with the world around them.
The political science program is organized into four main subfields:
- Canadian politics
- comparative politics
- international politics
- 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 courses in Canadian politics, you may choose specialized area courses in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and the United States.
If you wish to pursue a more intensive concentration in one particular subfield, you can also take courses in Canadian studies, international relations, history, and philosophy.
Find a list of political science courses in the academic calendar – politics and international relations.
Not sure about the difference between a major, a minor, and an honours?
Popular career paths for political science graduates include:
- legislative/executive assistant (for MPs, provincial representatives)
- public policy/business analyst
- intelligence/threat management analyst
- emergency preparedness officer
- cultural affairs/foreign service officer
- municipal administrator
- urban planner
- immigration/citizenship officer
- community development officer
- human rights officer
- government relations officer
Alumni spotlight
Jo-Ann Roberts ('77)
Bachelor of Arts, political science
Deputy Director, Green Party of Canada; veteran journalist and broadcaster
Upon graduating, Roberts began a lengthy career in media and public
broadcasting, starting as a TV and radio reporter in Saint John and then
spending 20 years working as a host for CBC Radio.
» 2019 Lifetime Achievement Alumni Award Recipient, Jo-Ann Roberts
“I would recommend that everyone take at least one political science
course if they have
the time. Civic literacy is a virtue, and there’s no
better place than a university to educate yourself about the political
processes at work in your province, your country, and internationally.”
Mitch
Gallant ('13)
Political science, minor in computer science
St.
Lawrence, PEI
“The thing I appreciated most about the political science program was the broad degree of perspectives that I generated through my studies. Whether domestically, nationally, or even internationally, the program gives students the proper background knowledge to tackle current events and be able to interpret them with significance.”
Jaryd Morrissey (’18, ’19)
Bachelor of Commerce, minor in political science
Bachelor of Arts, political science, minor in commerce
Sackville, NB
“Political science is a discipline for individuals who are able to dedicate themselves to problems and issues that lack simple answers. Finding a solution to one political problem usually generates consequences that create other political problems, making this field of study one that requires students to be in constant thinking mode. There is not one correct answer at the end of political problems; there are several answers, and none of them are usually completely correct.”
Julie Vautour ('14)
Political science, minor in international relations
Memramcook, NB
Clubs & societies
The Political Science Society gives you an opportunity to meet other students outside of class to discuss political issues and to raise awareness around campus. The society offers you the chance to combine your academic interests with social activities.
Political science students are also active in a wide variety of other groups on campus, including:
- Mount Allison Students’ Union (MASU)
- ATLIS (Atlantic International Studies Organization)
- Free the Children
- MOSAIC
- Model United Nations
- Breaking the Silence
- Amnesty International
Dr. Mario Levesque