Bachelor of Arts - Political Studies

Politics and International Studies provides students with a working knowledge of society and how decisions are made. Governments, politicians, leaders in private industry and ordinary individuals function within a framework of accepted political norms, e.g. notions of justice, freedom, rights and duties. Over time, these received norms are challenged by conventional methods such as voting, political parties, interest group lobbying and protest movements; or the challenge may be by militant or revolutionary means such as radical Marxism, fascist organizations or discrete acts of terrorism. Politics and International Studies systematically examines and presents these phenomena.

A degree in Politics and International Studies may lead to further specialization, e.g. an M.A. in a one year programme, or a Ph.D. It is also a preparation for professional studies in law, teaching, journalism and public administration. Our graduates have a high success rate in being admitted to Law and Graduate Schools.

Lectures, seminars and individual tutorials are normal methods of instruction and the department stresses personal contact with students as much as possible in order to assist students in choosing a postgraduate career in government, business or the academic field.

The Honours, Major and Minor programs in Political Studies provide students with a foundation across the main areas of political science, including Canadian Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, and Political Philosophy. The programme is divided into seven divisions: • General Introductory Courses • Canadian Politics • Political Theory • Comparative Politics: International and Public Affairs • International Relations • Empirical Theory and Methods • Honours Thesis, Independent Studies and Practicum.

Majors and Honours students will normally take the two general introductory courses and a selection of courses from each of the other divisions. This ensures that graduates will have a wide knowledge of different areas of Politics and International Studies.