Political Studies
All upper year courses in Political Studies require six credit units at the 100-level as a prerequisite, except as noted.
B.A. Four-year Political Studies
Note: No more than 6 credit units from one subject may be used to meet Requirements B1 to B4.
B1 Basic Social Science Requirements (12 credit units)
POLS 111.3, 112.3
Remaining credit units must be selected from the area of Social Sciences outside major subject area. For appropriate courses see
B.A. & B.Sc. Degree Requirements – Social Sciences in the Arts & Science section of the
Calendar.
B2 Humanities (6 credit units)
For appropriate courses see
B.A. & B.Sc. Degree Requirements – Humanities in the Arts & Science section of the
Calendar.
B3 Natural Science (6 credit units)
For appropriate courses see
B.A. & B.Sc. Degree Requirements – Natural Sciences in the Arts & Science section of the
Calendar.
B4 Language (6 credit units)
For appropriate courses see
B.A. & B.Sc. Degree Requirements – Languages in the Arts & Science section of the
Calendar.
B5 Elective (6 credit units)
6 credit units selected from the areas of Humanities, Natural Science or Fine Arts.
B6 Major Requirements (30 credit units)
POLS 204.3 and 205.3 (formerly 203.6)
POLS 236.3 and 237.3 (formerly 235.6)
18 other credit units in political studies, of which at least 6 must be at the 300-level and at least 6 must be at the 400-level. Within this framework, students must choose 6 credit units from one of the following three subfields: Public Administration and Public Policy; Comparative Politics and Area Studies; and International Relations.
B7 Electives Requirement
Courses to complete the requirements for 120 credit unit Four-year program. Of the 120 credit units required at least 66 must be at the 200-level or higher and no more than 60 in one subject.
B.A. Three-year Political Studies
Note: No more than 6 credit units from one subject may be used to meet Requirements B1 to B4.
B1 Basic Social Science Requirements (12 credit units)
POLS 111.3, 112.3
Remaining credit units must be selected from the area of Social Sciences outside major subject area. For appropriate courses see
B.A. & B.Sc. Degree Requirements – Social Sciences in the Arts & Science section of the
Calendar.
B2 Humanities (6 credit units)
For appropriate courses see
B.A. & B.Sc. Degree Requirements – Humanities in the Arts & Science section of the
Calendar.
B3 Natural Science (6 credit units)
For appropriate courses see
B.A. & B.Sc. Degree Requirements – Natural Sciences in the Arts & Science section of the
Calendar.
B4 Language (6 credit units)
For appropriate courses see
B.A. & B.Sc. Degree Requirements – Languages in the Arts & Science section of the
Calendar.
B5 Elective (6 credit units)
6 credit units selected from the areas of Humanities, Natural Science or Fine Arts.
B6 Major Requirements (24 credit units)
POLS 204.3 and 205.3 (formerly 203.6)
18 other credit units in political studies, of which at least 6 must be at the
300-level.
B7 Electives Requirement Courses to complete the requirements for 90 credit unit Three-year program. Of the 90 credit units required at least 42 must be at the 200-level or higher and no more than 42 in one subject.
B.A. Honours in Political Studies
Note: No more than 6 credit units from one subject may be used to meet Requirements B1 to B4.
B1 Basic Social Science Requirements (12 credit units)
POLS 111.3, 112.3
Remaining credit units must be selected from the area of Social Sciences outside major subject area. For appropriate courses see
B.A. & B.Sc. Degree Requirements – Social Sciences in the Arts & Science section of the
Calendar.
B2 Humanities (6 credit units)
For appropriate courses see
B.A. & B.Sc. Degree Requirements – Humanities in the Arts & Science section of the
Calendar. B3 Natural Science (6 credit units)
For appropriate courses see
B.A. & B.Sc. Degree Requirements – Natural Sciences in the Arts & Science section of the
Calendar.
B4 Language (6 credit units)
For appropriate courses see
B.A. & B.Sc. Degree Requirements – Languages in the Arts & Science section of the
Calendar.
B5 Elective (6 credit units)
6 credit units selected from the areas of Humanities, Natural Science or Fine Arts.
B6 Major Requirements (48 credit units)
POLS 204.3 and 205.3 (formerly 203.6)
POLS 236.3 and 237.3 (formerly 235.6)
6 credit units of 400-level POLS seminars
30 other senior credit units in political studies which must include:
- 6 credit units from each of two of the three following subfields: Public Administration and Public Policy; Comparative Politics and Area Studies; and International Relations
- At least 6 credit units from among the following: POLS 256.3 (recommended, formerly 255.6), CMPT 100.3, STAT 244.3, ECON 204.6, or a language other than English. Students must consult with the department in the selection of their other courses.
B7 Electives Requirement
Courses to complete the requirements for 120 credit unit Four-year program. Of the 120 credit units required at least 66 must be at the 200-level or higher and no more than 60 in one subject.
Double Honours
Students who wish to pursue a Double Honours in Political Studies and another subject are required to take 6 credit units of 100-level POLS, POLS 204.3 and 205.3 (formerly 203.6), 236.3 and 237.3 (formerly 235.6), 6 credit units at the 400-level, and 12 other credit units in political studies.
Minor in Political Studies
Students may take courses leading to a Minor in Political Studies in conjunction with any Three-year, Four-year or Honours degree in any other subject area in the College of Arts & Science. Students are required to complete 21 credit units in political studies of which 6 credit units must be at the 300-level or higher.
Students are advised that a second language is a valuable asset. French, in particular, should be considered by students, especially if they intend to pursue a career in the federal public service.
Subfields in Political Studies
The following numbering system may help students to see the subfields in the discipline more clearly and to gauge better the level of a course.
Canadian Government and Politics: POLS 204.3 and 205.3 (formerly 203.6), 305.3, 306.3, 307.3, 404.3, 405.3
Political Thought: POLS 236.3 and 237.3 (formerly 235.6), 252.6, 335.6, 336.3, 337.3, 431.3, 434.3
Comparative Politics and Area Studies: POLS 240.6, 242.6, 246.6, 247.6, 256.3 (formerly 255.6), 342.3, 343.3, 346.3, 348.6, 356.3, 358.3, 385.3, 441.3, 442.3, 443.3, 444.3, 446.3, 447.3
Public Administration and Public Policy: POLS 222.3, 225.3, 226.3, 322.3, 323.3, 326.3, 328.3, 352.3, 422.3, 424.3, 425.3, 445.3
International Relations: POLS 260.6, 360.6, 362.3, 363.3, 364.3, 367.3, 368.3, 370.3, 371.3, 372.3, 375.3 and 376.3 (formerly 365.6), 460.3, 462.3, 464.6, 465.3, 466.3, 471.3
Seminar Courses
400-level courses are available to qualified third and fourth year students. Other qualified students may be admitted with permission of the Head of the Department. However, because of the need to ensure that enrollments in these courses are compatible with their designation as seminars, all students must obtain permission in writing from the department before their registration can be completed.
Aboriginal Public Administration
Interested students should refer to the Aboriginal Public Administration section of the
Calendar.
Public Administration
Interested students should refer to the Public Administration section of the
Calendar.
St. Thomas More College
Sections of some courses in this department are taught by faculty in the corresponding department of St. Thomas More College. These course sections are designated as STM sections in the online
Course Offerings.